63 replies to this topic

[Jack Jones]

whats the deal with coilovers i think i have jumped in head first abit

got a rear beam will be getting rear coilovers asap

do i need front coilovers
if i can them should i use them (i will be getting them weather i use them or not is bein decided on this answer)
and whats coilovers allround like on the road

thanks
jack

[bebbinator]

you dont need front coilovers but most sets come with front and rear

[Jack Jones]

you dont need front coilovers but most sets come with front and rear

would it be an improvement fitting them or would it not be noticable and not worth the hassle???

[Asphalt]

Just a few questions/thoughts:
In my opinion, the rear of a Mini is too light, even with standard subframe.
And: what mods have to be done to the bodywork to accept the higher loads going in it from the coilovers?

Apart from that it's a very interesting topic!



Cheers,
Jan

[bebbinator]

the difference will be very noticable if you have them set up correctly and the steering will be much more responcive

[Marky Tizz]

sorry to drag this up, but why exactly do you need coilovers?

[Mini-lee]

Because there is nothing to re-bound the damper or the poor car would just sit on the floor.

Edited by Mini-lee, 16 March 2009 - 06:13 PM.

[Prawn]

If you think about how the mini rear suspension works, the weight of the car is transfered through the knuckle joints, and taken horizontally by the rubber cone within the rear subframe.

If you remove the subframe and replace it with a beam axle, the standard rubber cone/trumpet setup is no longer there, so there is nothing to support the weight of the car.

By replacing the usually non load bearing shock absorbers with a coil over shock/spring unit, the whole weight of the rear of the car is then taken on the rear arch shock mounts. This brings about the problem if loading the shell were it was was never designed to be loaded, and many people have had the shell crack in the arches due to the added forces.

Another problem with the Mini shell is that the standard arch turrets are not large enough to house a coilover unit properly, so the mini specific coilover kits made have an offset pin on top of the coilover to more the spring and shock body out from the turret to avoid clearence issues. Some people question how strong an offset pin coilover can be....

My rear beam axle is made from a cut down subframe, it's had all but the front heel board section removed, and the inner mounts have been reinforced, as well as poly bushes on the end, and extra mounts through the seat base to stop it rotating on the standard circular mounts. My arches have also been turretted to take a coilover unit with a centrally mounted top pin, and the top of the turretts are slightly higher in the shell than standard Mini turrets to allow the car to run at a lower ride height.

I'm using minispares camber/track plates on it, and so far it's working perfectly.


This was just a trial fit with old radius arms/camber plates to see if it would work:



Here you can see how much larger the new turretts are compared to standard:

[Gingerjoe]

so there is no rear subframe atall?? wouldnt suggest it for a road car though im guessing? only race or track?

[Prawn]

no rear subby no, just the front section holding the radius arms. there's no reason you couldn't and shouldn't use it on a road car really, but it does make the rear end incredibly light, Mine handles amazingly, but you need to be pretty alert when pushing on, as the back end does tend to jump around a fair bit.

I think with more testing and different spring rates perhaps it could be made near perfect.

[mike.]

Is it really worth it though?

I mean money wise your looking at about £450 for your coilovers, £150-£200 for the beam frame, then you've got the extra cost of any shims and add £100 for a suspension geometry kit - Which you may aswell have if your going to the trouble of coilovers. So your looking at £700+ and thats without the cost of having the arches turreted and strengthened!

How much weight does it save?
How does it compare to a mini fitted with a coil spring conversion?


Just out of interest, what do mini miglias use? Are they on coilovers?

[JonBetts]

I think with more testing and different spring rates perhaps it could be made near perfect.
[/quote]

Out of interest what spring rate are you currently using. doing something similar on mine and haven't got the springs yet just the coilover units to aid fabrication.

[Hughes]

I have been trying to decide whether to go coilover or minitastic or stick with rubber for well over a year now.

I dont think theres much in it cost wise. This is what ive been considering:

Coil Springs
Pro-Tech dampers £200
Minitastic Kit - £246
KAD Neg Camber Bkts - £100

Total £546 + full set up costs

Coilovers
Pro-Tech Coilover Kit - £465
TDK Rear Beam - £140
(no need for rear brakets)

Total £605 + set up costs

Rubber Cone
Pro-Tech dampers £200
4 Red Spot Rubber Cones £200
Hi Lo Kit £88
KAD Neg Camber Bkts - £100

Total £588 + set up costs

Obviously with the coilovers im not building in any turret work. Ive asked loads of times and whilst there are stories of arches cracking there are lots of people that say they've never had an issue. My guess would be that if your reducing the rear end weight with a beam as appose to the full weight of the redundant rear subby then you better your chances.

Im just of the opinion that if im guna spend the money I want to do it once and get the best.

h

Edited by Hughes, 25 September 2009 - 09:31 PM.

[secondopsman]

I did think about a beam axle once.Then i saw a mini at donington that had had a arse end shunt. There wasnt much of the back end left as the rear subframe acts as a crumple zone/crash bar.
Pete

[mike.]

Yeah i'd thought that too. On a race car its not too bad but on a road car, it'd be an instant right off with insurance...