22 replies to this topic

[mx5nut]

I just lowered my car into the ground after finishing the suspension rebuild. I have Minispares Evo cones and KYB gas adjust shocks. Is it normal for the car to sit this high right after installation? I did not use hi-los since the Minispares site said that are not necessary. I thought I would be able to get the rebound buffers back in with the car on the ground, but can even slide those back in yet either.

Anything that I should double check right away, or do I just need to give the car some time to settle?

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[nicklouse]

Push it about to help is settle. Then give it a few weeks to sort it’s self out.

[Spider]

I'm a bit surprised that it's suggested Hilo's aren't necessary, I guess you could cut down the Trumpet lengths.

 

The EVO Cones stand taller than stock Cones in a static state, even before fitting and they are about 25% stiffer than the stock unit, so will compress less. They will settle a little, but not nearly as much as you need them to.

 

If it were me, I'd fit Hilos to make life easier.

 

< Edit: I've just read what Mini Spares have on their webpage on these. I can't see them settling back to a standard ride height, as mentioned above, however, their concern with using Hilos on them is that the Flange on most Hilos is too large in diameter for how these Cones (presumably) have been designed to work, the Flange on the stock front Trumpet is 80 mm in dia and most Hilos are around 90 mm. On the rears though, I can't really see what they are banging on about while the early saloons also had an 80 mm Flange in the Rears, the Vans, Pick-ups, Mokes and later cars (from about mid 80's on) all had a 90 mm Flange. It's the size and shape of this Flange and the Radius on the edge of it, together with the Compound used in the Cone that determines the Hysteresis that they mention on the webpage.

I'd suggest here sending a photo of your Mini to Mini Spares and to highlight just how high it's being held, be sure to let them know that the top arm is hard on the subframe when on the ground, to the extend that you're unable to get the Rebound Stop in. >

Edited by Spider, 12 August 2021 - 08:20 PM.

[steeley]

Evo cones are very good but do make the car sit a lot higher than stock,
mine looked like a monster truck, I have hi-lots fitted and they are wound right done with the locking nut removed on the front

[richmondclassicsnorthwales]

I'm with Spider, I would have fitted Hi-Lo as well

 

It is sitting very high. They will settle, but I don,t think they will settle as low as you want

[gav]

Fit Hilos, we even recommend them in the recommended section under that product on the website, the description refers to customers who don't want to fit Hilos for originality reasons which is possible after the car has settled. 

[GraemeC]

That looks like it would probably settle to the original factory ride height, which is much higher than many people realise.

(very few people, apart from out-and-out originality perverts and people doing rallying or off-road type motoring, would run the car at factory height these days - it can be lowered slightly without going all 'slammed'.  In fact I dare say it benefits from being slightly lower and improving driveshaft angle).

 

So....fit HiLos and set them just a little higher than where you finally want the car to sit.

[gav]

That looks like it would probably settle to the original factory ride height, which is much higher than many people realise.

(very few people, apart from out-and-out originality perverts and people doing rallying or off-road type motoring, would run the car at factory height these days - it can be lowered slightly without going all 'slammed'.  In fact I dare say it benefits from being slightly lower and improving driveshaft angle).

 

So....fit HiLos and set them just a little higher than where you finally want the car to sit.

 

Exactly this, people don't realise just how high they sat when new as they are usually making comparisons to how the car sat with 20 year old cones fitted. Look at the production line for example.

 

https://images.app.g...VHQciWbEBVhjEU7

[sonscar]

With regards to lowering I have a non MINI lowered car and have after 20 years returned it to its normal ride height with the result that on some roads(most?) it is 20 to 30 mph faster.I am not an originality freak.Just saying horses for courses,Steve..

[Spider]

Fit Hilos, we even recommend them in the recommended section under that product on the website, the description refers to customers who don't want to fit Hilos for originality reasons which is possible after the car has settled. 

 

Thanks for the clarification Gav.

[JDMRoverMini]

I’ll be replacing the cones and other suspension bits over winter, can someone explain difference in trumpets v hilos? Are hilos just adjustable trumpets?

[cal844]

I’ll be replacing the cones and other suspension bits over winter, can someone explain difference in trumpets v hilos? Are hilos just adjustable trumpets?

Exactly that but when fitted Hilo's can give more height than standard (if required)

[MiniCarJack]

I'm surprised that MiniSpares website says that HiLos are not needed - when I rang them up to order my EVO cones and KYB shocks, they actually recommended HiLos to me due to the nature of the new EVO cone and the fact it's a harder rubber compound so doesn't settle as low as regular cones.

[mx5nut]

Ok, so going back to my original question about whether or not it is normal for the car to sit high like this right after lowering the car, it seems like the answer is “yes.” For the record, I am totally fine with that and waiting for some period for settling. Since this is my first time doing suspension work in the Mini, I am being cautious and wanting to verify my work. I am also going to move the car around in my driveway and go for some short drives in my neighborhood to help the settling.

Gav mentioned that hi-los were recommended in the recommendation section, but regular trumpets are also in the same section. I wonder if they could clarify the product description to add a statement on ride height expectations for use with regular trumpets and hi-los. Maybe something to say that using regular trumpets is totally fine, but that initial ride height will be well above normal and eventually settle to factory ride height (or something close).

[JDMRoverMini]

I’ll be replacing the cones and other suspension bits over winter, can someone explain difference in trumpets v hilos? Are hilos just adjustable trumpets?

Exactly that but when fitted Hilo's can give more height than standard (if required)

Cheers. I have KYB gas-a-just shocks, and will do cones and hilos to keep same height, or slightly lower.