22 replies to this topic

[Frede24]

Hi mates

I just bought myself a rover mini from 91' which im quite happy with.
Its curently fitted with the original suspension, so they are pretty worn out.
So I want to put on some sport suspension when i change it anyways. I have seen that minisport has a coil-over conversion set for it from SPAX, which I have considered buying.

But I have had a look at how the shock absorbers are mounted, but i have doubt as whether to the mounting are strong enough to carry the whole weight of the car.
Have anyone tried this?
They have enhanced suspension parts at minisport, do have to buy these ?

My second question is about wheels and arches (ofcause... )
I have looked around at alot of sites on the net, and have become quite happy with minisport.
The car has the original 4,5x12" minilites (the rovers ones).
I browsed around the site and found the 7x13" Deep dish, but like many others I am not quite sure which arch i should buy. I really like the Sportspack arches, i'm planning on some 195/45-13 for the 7x13".
My concern is whether there are some nice looking arches, will be enough to cover up the tyre and rim. I kinda want to keep the original look aswell, which is why i like the sportspack arches.

I have searched around on the forum, but haven't seen anyone who has some arches that covers 7" rims completely. It's very important for me because i don't want to get ticket of 50£ all the time...

Hope you guys have some nice reply for me

[roberts]

NOOOOOOOOO

you must have not been on the site when i was fitting mine..

unless the product has improved by now, stay clear!!

just get some hi-lo's and some new shocks!!

[AlexM]

Minispares sell RAC homolagated Hi-low's with GAZ lowered dampers for £200, im think of gettin these for mine. Are they good anyone?

[Frede24]

NOOOOOOOOO

you must have not been on the site when i was fitting mine..

unless the product has improved by now, stay clear!!

just get some hi-lo's and some new shocks!!

Well i just joined today, so you can say that.
What was the problem with yours? Because IMO it seems easier/better to mount coil-overs. (its been like that on every car i've ever seen racing. Im quite new to the mini, so i might be wrong i assuming that?

[TWICEmonkey]

Coilovers are only worth fitting if you plan on a rear beam axle, but even then I'd suggest staying away from Spax.

I'd stick with a rear subframe with Hi-Lo's and GAZ dampers as summergnu said.

If for some reason you're adamant on having coilovers (but I say...soooo not worth it on Minis, they're completely different to modern cars), then get GAZ one's (from Huddersfield Spares)

[Frede24]

Coilovers are only worth fitting if you plan on a rear beam axle, but even then I'd suggest staying away from Spax.

I'd stick with a rear subframe with Hi-Lo's and GAZ dampers as summergnu said.

If for some reason you're adamant on having coilovers (but I say...soooo not worth it on Minis, they're completely different to modern cars), then get GAZ one's (from Huddersfield Spares)

Okies, im happy with any advice. What exactly are Hi-lows ?

So this kit would be ok
http://www.minisport...de-product.html

or this kit
http://www.ratcliffe...s/GAZ-hilos.JPG (just the picture of them, they're are 199£)

Just noticed that i can get coil-overs from huddersfied aswell. They have Gaz coil-overs, are these better or is it just coil-overs in general that kinda suck?

How about the wheels should I go with the 7x13" and the sportspack or Grp 2 race (both 89mm wide)

[TWICEmonkey]

First of all don't buy from MiniSport...go MiniSpares as they ain't so expensive like MiniSport and their products are better quality (they make and develop a lot of their own stuff).

The second one might be OK, but I have no idea what quality that Huddersfield Spares sell.

The only good thing you can get through MiniSport, that you can't get elsewhere, is the Alex Moulton Smootha Ride Kit



Secondly, HiLos are replacment cones for the standard alloy ones that are adjutable in length, which adjusts the height of the car.

Thirdly, 13" wheels are OK, but hinder on the car's handling. The smaller the wheel, the better the handling on Minis. If you can attach 10" weels (requires cr*ppy drum brakes, 7.5" Cooper discs brakes or modified 8.4" discs made to 7.9").

Finally, the arches are down to preference...whether you prefer the look of one or the other.

Edited by TWICEmonkey, 18 July 2006 - 09:23 PM.

[Frede24]

Ok i won't then. I just hard to find what i need at minispares since i don't know all the proper names, and they haven't got very many categories.

So either this set http://www.minispare....aspx?pid=37095
Or the one from huddersfield from the previous post.

Ok so when I get Hilos I dont have to buy new "springs" (those rubber thingies)

I think i'll get the sportspack arches and some superlights in 7x13" with black center from huddersfield aswell then.

Edited by Frede24, 18 July 2006 - 09:44 PM.

[minivanman]

huddersfield sell a lot of shiny rubbish.. the chrome falls off pretty quick. suspension stuff from them may be ok, because its from recognised manufacturers, like gaz and spax. although i did hear of some one who had 3 of their huddersfield spax go pop within a year. Hilos replace the original suspension trumpets. they are adjustable in length, which in turn determines the ride height of the car. coilovers do away with the need for hi-los because they control ride height as well.

[Frede24]

huddersfield sell a lot of shiny rubbish.. the chrome falls off pretty quick. suspension stuff from them may be ok, because its from recognised manufacturers, like gaz and spax. although i did hear of some one who had 3 of their huddersfield spax go pop within a year. Hilos replace the original suspension trumpets. they are adjustable in length, which in turn determines the ride height of the car. coilovers do away with the need for hi-los because they control ride height as well.

Ok thanks for the warning. I'll have a good look around before i buy.
But things from known manufatures are ok then?
Like wheels, suspension , seats and such?
I don't think i'll buy Spax from what I have heard about them so far, think i'll go with the gaz ones.

Just to be 101% certain, if i buy the one of the suspension sets, then i wont need anyting else for my undercarrige (I still can't belive there aren't normal springs in the car, you cant believe how surprised i was...)

Edited by Frede24, 18 July 2006 - 10:04 PM.

[TWICEmonkey]

So either this set http://www.minispare....aspx?pid=37095
Or the one from huddersfield

That one from MiniSpares is what you want to be looking at. That'd be about spot on. Good quality stuff.

And no you won't need owt else for the suspension or ot really. Unless you want to start adjusting camber, castor, etc. but then we're talking race performace which isn't as what you want, by the sounds of things

[Jammy]

I've had Spax suspension on my mini for 1-2 years now, still going very strong, I think Bungle has got Spax on his mini thats about 11 years old! The only gripe I have with my suspension is that its a lil hard, but thats due to it being lowered, so the stiffness is necessary!

I was going to fit Spax coilovers to my Vtec before we chose to go the custom route. I did fit it though and it was pretty easy. The rear arches needed a lil persuasion to get the shock in at the top but apart from that it was easy. My kit was the offset type by the way. One thing I will say is that once you fit them you HAVE to get your corner weights weighed and the shocks set up properly.

Saying that, I've heard more good things about the Gaz shocks than I have about the Spax.

Roberts, what problems did you have with yours?

[Cloverleaf]

I've got GAZ coilovers all round and a rear beam axle on mine.

I modified the front bottom mounting bracket to give a better fit but i think they've changed since I got mine about 4/5 years ago.

Also the strut came undone from the top mount meaning my suspension collapsed at 80mph and the damper dented my wing, a result of no locktight on the thread, GAZ replaced the parts for free but I was still left with a dented wing.

Other than thet they've been great for 4/5 years now.

[roberts]

what went wrong with mine??

EVERYTHING!!

i took me 6 months to ge them sorted!

...the springs didnt fit over the shocks

...it took them 3 weeks to send them back to me

and it goes one....

iv got them fitted now...they work but there not amazing!

[Jammy]

Have you had the corner weights weighed and everything?