Shocks vs spring/sway bars

[Kurt Rahn]

I'm going to reveal my ignorance here. I've got about $1k to spend on suspension upgrades for the Mini. I've been planning on getting the port-installed JCW-spec springs and front sway bar, plus an aftermarket bar for the rear. Then for S&G I priced out a set of Koni yellows, and basically the cost would be the same. So the question is, which would give me the most bang for the buck?

It seems like from a daily drivability standpoint, the Konis would be the way to go, since I could put them on the softest setting when not auto crossing. But from what I understand, not only are the JCW springs stiffer, but they lower the car a little, so it seems like from a pure autocross standpoint, that might be the way to go. Anybody got any insights? Mr. I'm-not-an-engine-guy Grice? Or anyone else?

[Bobby Beyer]

How many miles does your car have? If its over 50k your stock shocks are probably blown, so should would help tremendously if that's the case.

[Marshall Grice]

I'm going to reveal my ignorance here. I've got about $1k to spend on suspension upgrades for the Mini. I've been planning on getting the port-installed JCW-spec springs and front sway bar, plus an aftermarket bar for the rear. Then for S&G I priced out a set of Koni yellows, and basically the cost would be the same. So the question is, which would give me the most bang for the buck?

It seems like from a daily drivability standpoint, the Konis would be the way to go, since I could put them on the softest setting when not auto crossing. But from what I understand, not only are the JCW springs stiffer, but they lower the car a little, so it seems like from a pure autocross standpoint, that might be the way to go. Anybody got any insights? Mr. I'm-not-an-engine-guy Grice? Or anyone else?

easy!!! uh...both?

[Mako Koiwai]

Which class prep are we talking about?

[Jonathan Lugod]

stock class.... he is doing a package conversion

[Jayson Woodruff]

I'd go with Marshal. Save up a little more and do them at the same time. Then you're only installing once. Also, if you did springs now, you'll be wondering how worn your shocks are. If you did shocks alone now, when you did eventually get the springs you'd look cross at your now semi-worn shocks Koni.

If you're itching for an upgrade, how about buy the Sway set and just install one, store the other.

Jay W

[Bill Martin]

stock class.... he is doing a package conversion

Are the rules still that a package conversion requires all or nothing? I thought JCW had motor mods, maybe a different lsd etc. Probably a megawatt sound system for all I know.

[Kurt Rahn]

stock class.... he is doing a package conversion

Are the rules still that a package conversion requires all or nothing? I thought JCW had motor mods, maybe a different lsd etc. Probably a megawatt sound system for all I know.

Yes, the rules are all or nothing. They had two separate port-installed JCW performance packages you could add. One was for the engine and one was suspension (dampers, springs and sway bars). Since we get the dampers and one sway bar in stock class, basically I'd be buying one sway bar and the springs.

[Mark DeShon]

Both would be great, but since that was not the question you asked, springs and sways would be the best bang for your buck in my humble opinion. If your dampers are weak (and I've seen nothing to suggest they are) and you increase spring rates, the car may be a little dicier, but I seriously doubt you're gonna go slower than you would if you changed out dampers alone. Take it for what it's worth, but I would put better dampers on the short list for the next time you come across some $.
Mark D.

[Marshall Grice]

If you really have to get only one i would agree with mark.

[Bill Martin]

BTW, I noticed on your original post you were entertaining the thought of cranking Koni yellows up for events and back soft for street. Some Koni Sport shocks don't adjust all that easily. Some models have to be fully compressed to engage an internal cog and then the shaft is twisted to adjust the shock. Not so easy. Others have the white plastic knob, no problem. You might want to check specifics on yours. My Celica has one pair each type.

[Kurt Rahn]

Thanks, Mark and Marshall. That's pretty much the info I was looking for. My dampers are actually in great shape. And I've heard from a few Mini drivers that the rear bar is the most dramatic impact because it helps with front grip, and the higher rate of the springs and resulting lower cg makes the springs/bars the way to go.

[Kurt Rahn]

BTW, I noticed on your original post you were entertaining the thought of cranking Koni yellows up for events and back soft for street. Some Koni Sport shocks don't adjust all that easily. Some models have to be fully compressed to engage an internal cog and then the shaft is twisted to adjust the shock. Not so easy. Others have the white plastic knob, no problem. You might want to check specifics on yours. My Celica has one pair each type.

Mine have the knob, but in the rear, apparently, you have to take the wheels off to adjust them, so certainly not chimp simple.

[Steve Collins]

I remember someone saying that Koni yellows don't like to have the damping set full stiff (i.e. with the screw against the stop). I was told to back off from full stiff "just a bit" do avoid some kind of "hydraulic lock" or something. Not sure if that's true or not, but maybe someone can confirm...

steve