9 replies to this topic

[Vladi]

Newbie to this forum, so first of all hello to everyone.

'Er indoors has nagged for a mini again and again and again and again for the last 15 years. Finaly after promises of a sexual nature, I have relented. It is a cooper look alike and the body os OK. It has been tricked out as you can see from the advert below, my dilemma is that I need to soften the suspension by adjusting it. Could a mini guru please explain (pics are good too....) how to do this as she has to drive the car from Hampshire to Norwich on Sunday. Thanks in advance.

Spec as per advert:

FANTASIC MINI 1275 WITH LOTS OF EXTRA PARTS,FULL ALARM/ IMOBILISER NEW KENWOOD CD PLAYER, ALLOY MINILITE WHEELS BIG BORE EXHAUST HI-LOW SUSPENSION, SPAX GAS SHOCKS ,COOPER CLOCKS,COOPER GEARSTICK GAITER, NEW CARPETS,QUICK SHIFT GEARCHANGE ALLOY GEAR KNOB.

LOADS OF HISTORY AND ALL THE OLD MOTS TO PROVE THE MILEAGE WHICH IS 50,000 MILES.

1275 UNLEADED ENGINE, HIF6 CARB K+N FILTER LCB MANIFOLD, MANIFLOW EXHAUST, UPRATED CLUTCH, ALLOY ROCKERBOX, ALLOY FUEL FILLER.

FRONT DISC BRAKES.

JOHN COOPER HALF LEATHER INTERIOR, COOPER BONNET STRIPES,CHECKERED ROOF AND GLASS SUNROOF

Could you also explain some of the engine mods. Thanks again.

[pikey7]

1275 UNLEADED ENGINE, HIF6 CARB K+N FILTER LCB MANIFOLD, MANIFLOW EXHAUST, UPRATED CLUTCH, ALLOY ROCKERBOX, ALLOY FUEL FILLER.

Basically the carb and air filter allow the fuel/air mixture into the engine in a more efficient way, and the exhaust & LCB let the gasses out better. This should increase the BHP and responsiveness of the engine. The clutch is there for reliability (it can handle more power) and the alloy bits are shiny!

Spax shocks can be adjusted by turning the knob on the botom of the shock. If i recall, anti-clockwise is softer. The hilos won't change the ride quality, just the height. If after adjusting the shocks things are still too hard, the you'll be looking at replacing the rubber donuts (the "springs" on a Mini), but we can get to that later if the shock adjustments don't go as you plan. Minis aren't exactly known for their supple ride though!

And welcome to TMF. I hope the "favours" will be worth the hassle!

[Vladi]

Thank you for the information, I appreciate the ride is not luxurious on a mini. During the test drive it felt like the whole car lifted with large bumps in the road. Very quick reply, I knew mini owners were all students and didn't have jobs.......lol

My apologies if you are not a student......

Apologies for upsetting students......

The favours should involve several Thai ladies (and I mean ladies....) a football team and Hellmans mayo.

[pikey7]

Naaah, All mini owners just like their cars more than working so just hang out on TMF! It makes the day go much faster........

I'm not sure I even want to know what you're gonna do with the mayo though (and definately not with the football team!)! Maybe Jammy can explain......

[Vladi]

Good to see people have a sense of humour......

If after adjusting the ride is still rock hard.......what then?

Also, who is Jammy????

[Bungle]

Also, who is Jammy????

have you got a girl friend/wife as she might know jammy

welcome to tmf

[The Matt]

Also, who is Jammy????

have you got a girl friend/wife as she might know jammy

welcome to tmf

how rude!

welcome to the forum and to the world of minis and their maniac owners!



Everyone's already covered your questions, but it sounds like the mini is gonna be a fun one!

[pikey7]

Still too hard!? Blimey, Its no Roller you know! (more of a roller skate!)

Next thing is to change the dampers. The spax are quite hard as standard (as they are more "track" orientated units). It's my understanding that Konis are a bit softer, and then there are others that are probably softer still. I'm no expert on reccomending which ones to go for though. Someone will pipe up i'm sure! Changing them is a relatively simple job (just a few nuts & bolts), but the rear on the petrol tank side can be a bit awkward as you have to get the tank out of the way to get to the top nut.

The next thing is a lot more complicated then, you need to change the "springs". On the Mini, they are rubber donuts (or cones as Dan likes to call 'em). There are a few softer ones out there, but to be honest, I wouldn't know what to reccomend! Someone will no doubt have a clue though! (good get out ain't it!?)

In the mean time, have a read of this. While it is a guide on fitting hilos, it explains quite well how you get to the donuts and change them out. As you can see, it's not as simple as adjusting the dampers!

Hope that gets you thinking a bit, and in the mean time, check out some of the mini shops: Minispares, minispeed, mini-its, Somerford, minisport, and get an idea of the sort of wedge that the missus is gonna be earning!

Last but not least, Jammy is the "forum shark". Have a search through some of his welcome posts in the "hello" section. Mostly on the girlies threads.....

[Jammy]

I AM NOT THE FORUM SHARK!! Despite what is says



<<<<<<<there!

These people have dressed me up as something I'm not. I am actually a sweet, caring, victim!!

Welcome to the forum by the way!

[Bungle]

These people have dressed me up as something I'm not. I am actually a sweet, caring, victim!!

Welcome to the forum by the way!

next you will be telling us mills isnt the only gay in the village