43 replies to this topic

[Tornado99]

My five month experience with classic mini is what it is, but in that short time I have swapped out stock shocks front and rear, replaced bump stops and also replaced front cones with fresh red spot cones. The biggest noticeable improvement of ride feel was after shock replacement by KYB GazAdjust. Ride became firm but not harsh over bumps. New front RedSpots improved this a smaller degree. Very happy right now with how car is riding.

[Spider]

Hmmmmm......maybe I should just give them a blast and report back.  However, I have not driven a Mini on new rubber cones (of the Original Tooling Style) before anyway, so I cannot make the comparison.  If I am brutally honest, ANY new cone is going to be an improvement on a Mini that is on standard suspension but is only 130mm off the ground instead of 156mm.

 

While I am yet to try a set of these new cones, given your particular use, I feel a Red Spot Cone would well suit here.
 

[KiwiMini77]

As the said only person! I would say (Get them Bought) I don't think you will be disappointed.

I was speaking to Rich @ Minispares North today! ordering and picking up some spares!!

he said he now recommends customers to try them.

I personally find them very good, the doubters can say what they like, I am aware that my particular

car isn't a sporty (fast road/track day model) I use them with KYB Gas Adjust dampers.

I have driven new Minis back in the day, on cones and Hydrolastic, also track cars on Coil overs,

being an old codger I started working on Minis in early 1963 first owned one in 1965ish have owned

and built a fair amount over the years.

My two peneth worth 

 

Like you, Spraybeater, I'm getting on in years (or so my kids tell me) and appreciate comfort over the hard-riding hard-cornering-at-speed days of my youth.  I was recommended the Bilstein B4s over KYB because they tend to give a softer ride over more of the travel of the shock's piston, so it's only the really BIG bumps that make the shock thump hard. 

 

I had KYBs in a 1990 Holden Commodore V6 (which you would know as the Vauxhall Carlton, but with a bigger engine) and while they were consistently comfy over rough road at slower speeds, they were certainly firmer at speed and over larger bumps.  I have Koni adjustables in my Stag and they transformed the way the car cruises, but I don't believe I would get the benefit of them in the same way on the Mini, so I wanted to find something that wasn't adjustable (as anything like that needs certification here) but would still give a more comfy or standard Mini / non-sporty ride.  

 

What made you choose the KYB, mate?

[spraybeater]

As to why I chose KYB! I read a lot of stuff about them in various places and the price and 

availability of them seemed to fit the bill.

I have fitted them to three Minis that I have built in the last 6 years, I did run Konis back in 

the day on a couple of Minis, also Bilsteins in my silly season Escort Mexico days (least said)

 

Having said all that I am no technical genius on why's or where for on suspension set up, 

just a spanner wielder for 50+ years in the motor trade.

 

Stay safe 

[FDW]

Am looking at these evolution cones to compliment some KYB Gas-a-just this summer. Anyone got any updates or continuations on their experiences with the Minispares Evolutions? 

[s-c1293]

I'm about to remove the coil springs from one of my cars, and go back to rubber cones, I also think these Evo cones sound like a good thing.

 

Just wondering if anyone else has fitted them lately, and what they think.

[danc]

I've got a pair ready to drop in the front but I cant quite pull the trigger as I don't want the faff of the alignment needing to be done twice....Once when the right height fires up to "silly high" straight off the bat, and again when they've settled to where I want them.

I also do very little mileage so I'm a bit nervous about how long they'll take to settle in.

[MiniCarJack]

I've put about 250 miles on my car since it was fitted with new Evolution cones, as well as KYB shocks and a set of genuine Hi Los. They have a firm feel to them, which makes sense as Minispares advised they were a harder compound and don't settle as low as regular cones. But still way more comfortable than the knackered 30 year old cones that they replaced, and the car handles exceptionally well, it's a joy to drive. So far the settling has been nice and even, after another 250 miles or so I'll probably have to adjust the HiLos up a bit as they've been set fairly low to give a nice sensible ride height while the cones settle in fully. It's been interesting to compare this new setup with the standard spec dry suspension in my Mk1, which still feels smoother over bumps and rough roads, but I'm wondering how much of that is actually down to 10" wheels vs the 12" on my car with the Evo cones.

[surfblue]

Would like to fit new cones to my dry mk1 ('63) but worried it will sit really high, it does so few miles it could take years to settle again.

[MiniTim71]

I've put about 250 miles on my car since it was fitted with new Evolution cones, as well as KYB shocks and a set of genuine Hi Los. They have a firm feel to them, which makes sense as Minispares advised they were a harder compound and don't settle as low as regular cones. But still way more comfortable than the knackered 30 year old cones that they replaced, and the car handles exceptionally well, it's a joy to drive. So far the settling has been nice and even, after another 250 miles or so I'll probably have to adjust the HiLos up a bit as they've been set fairly low to give a nice sensible ride height while the cones settle in fully. It's been interesting to compare this new setup with the standard spec dry suspension in my Mk1, which still feels smoother over bumps and rough roads, but I'm wondering how much of that is actually down to 10" wheels vs the 12" on my car with the Evo cones.

 

Thanks for this.  I have a recently bought a '71 Morris Mini 1000, rebuilt with a Heritage shell and 1275cc in 2000.  After 20 years there is a fair bit to do.

An early project has been a brake reduction and wheel change from 12 to 10, I want to get the car's 70s mojo back..

HiLos have been fitted but I cant adjust the rear suspension lower (I just want a normal or slightly lower ride height). With the car jacked up I get to the point where the HiLo falls out of the Cone unless I set it silly high, even with the shock still attached.

I think the rear cones are knackered, they have a height of 70mm uncompressed !

 

So with very similar thoughts to @MiniCarJack and @SprayBeater and @KiwiMini77 and KYB Gas Adjust already fitted,  I am torn between Red Spots and these Evolutions.  My Mini will be road use, enthusiastic but not excessive.

 

Update:

I have decided to go for the Evolutions based on this in the description of the Red Spots ...

"If using these on 10" wheels with Hilos you may have to cut 3/4" off the end of the centre threaded bolt of the old type Hilo with a circlip as it will bottom out on the cone spring face and the car will sit high, for extremely lowered cars the hilo face will also need machining a few mm."

 

I am running 10" wheels and HiLo's (although new ones), and just dont want to introduce any problems.  Evolutions it is ...

Edited by MiniTim71, 03 April 2021 - 06:59 PM.

[Revd]

 

I've put about 250 miles on my car since it was fitted with new Evolution cones, as well as KYB shocks and a set of genuine Hi Los. They have a firm feel to them, which makes sense as Minispares advised they were a harder compound and don't settle as low as regular cones. But still way more comfortable than the knackered 30 year old cones that they replaced, and the car handles exceptionally well, it's a joy to drive. So far the settling has been nice and even, after another 250 miles or so I'll probably have to adjust the HiLos up a bit as they've been set fairly low to give a nice sensible ride height while the cones settle in fully. It's been interesting to compare this new setup with the standard spec dry suspension in my Mk1, which still feels smoother over bumps and rough roads, but I'm wondering how much of that is actually down to 10" wheels vs the 12" on my car with the Evo cones.

 

Thanks for this.  I have a recently bought a '71 Morris Mini 1000, rebuilt with a Heritage shell and 1275cc in 2000.  After 20 years there is a fair bit to do.

An early project has been a brake reduction and wheel change from 12 to 10, I want to get the car's 70s mojo back..

HiLos have been fitted but I cant adjust the rear suspension lower (I just want a normal or slightly lower ride height). With the car jacked up I get to the point where the HiLo falls out of the Cone unless I set it silly high, even with the shock still attached.

I think the rear cones are knackered, they have a height of 70mm uncompressed !

 

So with very similar thoughts to @MiniCarJack and @SprayBeater and @KiwiMini77 and KYB Gas Adjust already fitted,  I am torn between Red Spots and these Evolutions.  My Mini will be road use, enthusiastic but not excessive.

 

Update:

I have decided to go for the Evolutions based on this in the description of the Red Spots ...

"If using these on 10" wheels with Hilos you may have to cut 3/4" off the end of the centre threaded bolt of the old type Hilo with a circlip as it will bottom out on the cone spring face and the car will sit high, for extremely lowered cars the hilo face will also need machining a few mm."

 

I am running 10" wheels and HiLo's (although new ones), and just dont want to introduce any problems.  Evolutions it is ...

 

 

last year I fitted 10" wheels/7.5 AP callipers/ MED hilos/ red spots/ lowered Koni adjustable dampers and shortly after completed a 1500 mile trip to Normandy. Red spots give a compliant ride - I Increased the firmness of the dampers from mid way to 3/4 hard when I returned from France and it feels about spot on.

Edited by Revd, 05 April 2021 - 02:30 PM.

[Tremelune]

From my research, Evo cones replace the standard cones completely, and simply last longer. Red Spot cones are firmer with better motion control.

 

Since I got two opposing viewpoints from two people at Mini Spares, it's hard to be certain, but this seems to jibe with the experiences of other forum members (though it's notorious hard to make apples-to-apples comparisons when the old cones are years old).

 

HiLos were recommended for both, but only seem necessary for the Red Spots.

[Ado1379]

I have also had these fitted from since November. Part of my lockdown project was to remove and rebuild and replace my rear subframe. Went for EVO cones all around and KYB Gazadjust shocks. All four of my old shocks had given up, my OEM cones looked ok but all had separated from the metal frame on the bottom, not sure this would have made much of a difference whilst they were fitted? But I had terrible trampoline effect and whilst I’m only 28, ride height and comfort were my main concern.

So fitted EVO cones, HiLo’s and the KYB Gazadjust and the difference is phenomenal. I’m not sure how much is down to the cones or just having some working dampers but there’s considerably less rolls in the corners, and you aren’t still bouncing down the road from a pot hole you hit a mile back. I think they are still settling as I had to adjust the HiLos the others day to stop some arch scraping but other than that I am extremely impressed. I’ve had minis since I was 16, from Carb to SPI and now MPI and I can safely say I haven’t had one that feels this comfy to drive.

Edited by Ado1379, 13 April 2021 - 07:39 AM.

[KiwiMini77]

Ar rhw risk of copping flack for reigniting this ancient thread, the Minispares EVOs are fantastic!  The rears went in about 1000 miles ago and the fronts about 200 miles ago (long story involving a buggered removal tool, the wrong thread type, new wheel studs hitting the callipers, failed CV joints, a dud diff seal and a partridge in a pear tree).  They've been installed as a set for about a month

The rears are near settled, although the driver's side slightly more than the passenger's side at present, and they ride well.  The fronts settled evenly and very quickly (probably to do with the additional weight in the nose).  When driving, the Mini now soaks up the small bumps and does not crash down on the bigger ones. The Bilstein B4 shocks (standard height) actually helped improve the ride on the old cones quite a bit, but changing the cones has transformed the ride.  The car is now how I remember a 2-year-old low milage Mini being back in the early 80s.  She corners brilliantly, although she does lean and she's nimble when hanging lanes.  The car cruises at 62mph (100km/h) on the open road a LOT more comfortably and controllable than she was on stuffed shocks and compacted cones.  She'll bounce on road variances, but not harshly any more.  

The Evos seem to be a good replacement for the original cones and I have no qualms in recommending them.  I will report back in a few more months on her settling progress......

[steeley]

I have had evo cones on mine for a couple of months now they take a little while to settle
down and lose the monster truck look but apart from that I can’t fault them
I also have hi- lots fitted all round