10 replies to this topic

[79flyingturd]

Hello, i tried to put this topic in the technical section, so when one of the forum 'Referee's' find this can they somehow transfer it.

Anyway, i'm wondering what the Pro's and Con's are of having coilovers with the half subframe/beam axle suspension over the normal setup?

I'm at a point now wondering whether to change my setup, i currently have Spax adjustable dampers, Hi-lo's, with brand new radius arms and brand new rear subframe, but am thinking of Coilovers instead, i know they save weight and are fully adjustable, as are the shocks/hi-lo arrangement. But, is the coilover setup weaker and less rigid regards chassis and stress on the radius arm mounts/pivot points?

Any help would be lovely

Regards
adam/turd

[Jammy]

Rear beam:

Pro - less weight, not as much to rust.
Con - Not as much protection in a rear smash

Vica versa for full subframe.

If you do decide to get a rear beam, don't go for Hudderfield's. Its doesn't fit that well. I've only heard good comments about Minispares rear beam, and if you join TMF+ you'll get a 7.5% discount from them!

[79flyingturd]

Cheers for the prompt reply, i kinda had an idea you'd reply soonest haha!

I was thinking the same regards an accident, my little turd is an estate an fitted with a full cage so i'm hoping i can get away with coilovers. Do you reccomend coilovers then, no body mods? How do i make myself a memeber for this discount?

Thanks again

Rear beam:

Pro - less weight, not as much to rust.
Con - Not as much protection in a rear smash

Vica versa for full subframe.

If you do decide to get a rear beam, don't go for Hudderfield's. Its doesn't fit that well. I've only heard good comments about Minispares rear beam, and if you join TMF+ you'll get a 7.5% discount from them!

[Jammy]

I'd recommend coilovers. There must be a reason why every motorsport company uses them! Many people haven't had great results with coilovers on Minis, but I believe every time its been a case of them using the wrong springs and/or not having the corner weights setup.

Linky, should have all the details you need, along with links to instructions at the bottom.

[sovenmini]

i got a Hudderfield's rear beam axel and shocks. all brand new really cheap off some one person who had given up on the project ( good new for me) have just started fitting them to my mini (project) and the rear beam is a bit of a pain and not a great fit, it do's need some mods but have done them now and seems to fit ok.

[Ethel]

I wouldn't say the lack of a rear subframe is automatically worse in the event of a bump, it could create a crumple zone.

[biggav]

which is bad if you have rear passengers.

[79flyingturd]

Yeah, i'm hoping not to crumple my passengers, the cage should save them, can't believe i'm considering having an accident, i don't want to talk about destroying my mini please haha.

Thanks for the reply's though fella's, what are these coilovers like for adjusting ride height, damping capabilities etc over the normal performance arrangement?

regards
adam/turd

[Abs]

If you go for coilovers on the rear make sure you reinforce the mounts. The 3 standard welds aint enough. Here is what happened to mine:



I reinforced them like this and hopefully it will help. Just done it so not sure how the reinforcement will hold up over long miles:


Some people say you need the half inch bolts on the radius arms where the shocks mount but not had problems there yet.

Edited by Abs, 28 March 2008 - 08:29 PM.

[1984mini25]

But those mounts were already rotten, so that would have happed with a set of normal or up-rated dampers anyway.

[Abs]

But those mounts were already rotten, so that would have happed with a set of normal or up-rated dampers anyway.

Well if you think all the weigh of the rear is on those 3 welds (or 6 welds counting both sides). Just a personal opinion, I think strongly, "they need reinforced". Also I dont agree that the mounts were already rotten.

Edited by Abs, 28 March 2008 - 09:27 PM.