11 replies to this topic

[998kid]

How many people have done this modification?
Was it worth it?
How low did you get?

Looking into raising my front subframe so I can get my estate to sit a lot lower but want to find out more about the mod

Thanks in advance

[meetthespeakers]

As you know I have looked into it, and thought about it hard. With that said, I am not static, so while it would be better to raise it and be able to have correct geometry at a lowered height, I am going to see how far I can get it stock first. If I can go 2 more inches lower than I currently am, then job accomplished for this year. Then I can revisit next winter. I job like that is gonna take tons of modifications. And in reality you can probably only go 1" up before carb touches underside of hood, radiator, etc.  Steering rack issues. I also was wondering what would happen if you drilled new holes for the lower and upper arm to move just those up an inch and half or so? The angles of the driveshaft would be a little wonky probably, but maybe not too bad.... I don't know how going low became an addiction. 

 

 

I did a 8" notch on the van, and while it was slammed, I still wanted that last 2 inches to get it fully on the ground, but I couldn't be bothered. Now that I got the rear done on the Estate, don't get me wrong it's low, but it doesn't have the visual impact that other cars do that have fenders to hide the wheels. I think that is what is missing for me.

[998kid]

As you know I have looked into it, and thought about it hard. With that said, I am not static, so while it would be better to raise it and be able to have correct geometry at a lowered height, I am going to see how far I can get it stock first. If I can go 2 more inches lower than I currently am, then job accomplished for this year. Then I can revisit next winter. I job like that is gonna take tons of modifications. And in reality you can probably only go 1" up before carb touches underside of hood, radiator, etc.  Steering rack issues. I also was wondering what would happen if you drilled new holes for the lower and upper arm to move just those up an inch and half or so? The angles of the driveshaft would be a little wonky probably, but maybe not too bad.... I don't know how going low became an addiction. 
 

 
I did a 8" notch on the van, and while it was slammed, I still wanted that last 2 inches to get it fully on the ground, but I couldn't be bothered. Now that I got the rear done on the Estate, don't get me wrong it's low, but it doesn't have the visual impact that other cars do that have fenders to hide the wheels. I think that is what is missing for me.

Just can't see if all that work would really be justified in the amount of bodywork and modification
I don't think that clubby estates give the same look as any other can due to the fact the sump sits lower than anything else, limiting the ability to properly slam incase I rip the sump off on one of the many silky roads over here in the uk

How hard did you find tubbing the arches?
I'm going to do mine in a few weeks time after I have sorted the interior

Loving the estate though. Love the clean slammed look!

Edited by 998kid, 31 March 2014 - 03:09 PM.

[meetthespeakers]

It was not hard tubbing the arches since this was the 2nd time I have done it. So learning curve was steep. I did mine in about 6 hours both sides, that includes cutting, shaping, welding, grinding, seam sealing and painting. Then the rear turrets probably took about 3 hours, again same stuff, seam seal, paint, etc. So probably could do it in a weekend easy. If not 1 long day, maybe less! Being that this is my 5th bagged project... is it justifiable doing all that work to get it lower? only you will know that. If I had more time, and didn't have to juggle a family, working, wife working and going to night school, and me taking care of the baby... then I probably would have went for it, but I want to be able to enjoy the car this season, and don't feel like looking at the car on stands for a few months cause of lack of time. Believe me I have had a ton of crazy engine swaps, custom frames, etc, cranked them out in no time, but gone are the 24 hour marathons. I worked on 9 minis these last 5 weeks or so. It was grueling. I have 2 more coming this week and then I am gonna try and say no for a while till I get mine back on the road. Time is too tight at the moment. Anyway, I will let you know how far you can go down on the front, mind you this will be of no use static wise, because obviously I will be able to go up to a suitable ride height and not have to worry about ball joint failure...

[998kid]

I'll call in the cavalry then from my best mate who works in a body shop lol
I guess I need to research a little more into ball joint problems etc. I want it slammed but don't fancy fixing ball joints every week lol
Do want my estate slammed though

[meetthespeakers]

Again, really just depends how low you want to go, static or air. Now that I got the rear done, rear sits 1" lower than the front currently does. I have 1" till the tire is on the fender on the front. Currently I am running into a problem of the shock mount bracket hitting the subframe tower where the coens would normally go. So I will probably modify the lower shock mount, and move the top mount up 2 or 3 inches and out a 1/4-1/2" and probably end up trimming the top of the fender 1" or so. So hopefully that will get me 2" lower than currently, and 1" lower than the rear as it sits. Looks like the driveshaft will still clear in the hole without mods. I have it all worked out in my head, I swear! Ha! 
 

 
Look at the angle of the top ball joint.
 

[meetthespeakers]

Well now you know how low you can go with out raising it. I don't think I will raise it, It would be nice to get that last inch so I could rest it on the gearbox, but I will enjoy where I am at right now. Currently I am resting at 2 inches above fender line front and back thanks to tubbing, cutting, etc.

 

 

 

So raise the subframe 1 more inch, maybe 2 at the maximum, I don't even think it would go that far without running into a bunch of other headaches, you will be 1 more inch lower than this. Would be cool though! I don't have the time or energy for that yet....

[mini93]

I'm in the progress of rebuilding my mini. Im planning on raising my subframe. I have only gone as far as offering up the subframe to the bare body (albeit with the steering rack in place)

 

Issues I can see already being that I am clashing the steering rack, not by very much though and I do plan on extensivly modifying the subframe anyway so for me, its not a problem.

I also would be required to make custom toe board mounts, but I'm making new rear legs for the subframe anyway so im just going straight to toe board without a rubber mount between.

[tiger99]

Remember that you are doing MAJOR modifications to the monocoque, and WILL need to pass IVA. So you will be doing a lot of other radical modifications that you would probably prefer not to. VOSA may read this forum, and will know who you are.

 

Why the obsession with going low, to a stupidly dangerous degree, when either of two things will happen, you will have an accident (for which the insurers will not pay out) due to balljoint fracture, or you will badly damage something, most likely the transmission, on a bump?

 

Cars are functional things, and need to be safe, they are not bits of art to be played about with illegally and dangerously.

[mini93]

god your always so nagative! why dont you find something useful to do?

 

The main poster in this topic (not the OP) isnt even from the UK so doesnt give 2 ******* what VOSA think of his car. My cars on a Q plate as i've told you before, how do you give a car that doesnt have an identity a new identity?

 

and finally, stop scaremongering about the balljoints... evidently you have no clue what this modification is about, as you in effect lowering the body around the standard unmodified subframe (in essence, im talking about angles and suspension points here) you dont even change the geometry

 

bore off!

Edited by mini93, 01 May 2014 - 09:06 PM.

[kezzkitkat]

god your always so nagative! why dont you find something useful to do?
 
The main poster in this topic (not the OP) isnt even from the UK so doesnt give 2 ******* what VOSA think of his car. My cars on a Q plate as i've told you before, how do you give a car that doesnt have an identity a new identity?
 
and finally, stop scaremongering about the balljoints... evidently you have no clue what this modification is about, as you in effect lowering the body around the standard unmodified subframe (in essence, im talking about angles and suspension points here) you dont even change the geometry
 
bore off!

U absolute legended hats of to you my friend made me chuckle

[AndersM]

Anyone who has raising the front subrame? Any pictures to show how its done?