Discussion
Just spoken to the guys corner weighting my car. They said that the top arms on the front suspension are at a really steep angle and the coilovers are fouling as well. They seemed to think the fix for the coilovers was to put a spacer behind the top mount, not sure how to fix the arms though.
Do people re-locate the top arm mounts when running low to get the arms horizontal? The Miglia boys must have this problem.
Do people re-locate the top arm mounts when running low to get the arms horizontal? The Miglia boys must have this problem.
FWDRacer said:
Migs and Se7ens have to run with standard top arms in their original mounting holes. Post a pic or two up to let us see what the problem is.
Ahh, I think I may have mis-understood the problem slighty, I have not seen it yet, just been told on the phone. I did ask on a Mini forum and someone has already had this. So I think the problem is this:
And the solution is to make a new bracket, like this:
R4NDY said:
Nice mini Nik, are they Force racing wheels and Miglia arches
Yep, spot on.Edited by NikB on Monday 3rd December 09:30
nik
i dont think your question can really be answered quickly.
those coilover kits are a compromise at the best of times. when you run the car very low they do hit. moving the bottom mount out (like in the photos) will help, but really you will need to move the top out as well (you really need to draw this, or move the suspension through its arc to make sure the coil over isnt bending or binding. the trouble with moving them out, is that they will start clouting the tyre, this may not become apparent until you drive it hard and get the tyre moving around.
the top arm angle isnt really a problem on race cars as the suspension isnt really moving much, so the acute angle (and the rollcentre, bump steer problems) can be compensated for with other alterations.
on a road car this doesnt work, as the softness of the shock and the travel of the hub makes the steering jittery as the arms and steering arm move through their respective arcs of travel.
one of the cars i race with runs coil overs and its a waste of time. the guy spends all his time messing with differant springs, heights, mounting points, he has special top arms etc. the car still handles like a cheeky shopping trolley, cocking wheels and diving and squating all over the track. mine is far better behaves and much more controlled with its normal suspension.
i dont think your question can really be answered quickly.
those coilover kits are a compromise at the best of times. when you run the car very low they do hit. moving the bottom mount out (like in the photos) will help, but really you will need to move the top out as well (you really need to draw this, or move the suspension through its arc to make sure the coil over isnt bending or binding. the trouble with moving them out, is that they will start clouting the tyre, this may not become apparent until you drive it hard and get the tyre moving around.
the top arm angle isnt really a problem on race cars as the suspension isnt really moving much, so the acute angle (and the rollcentre, bump steer problems) can be compensated for with other alterations.
on a road car this doesnt work, as the softness of the shock and the travel of the hub makes the steering jittery as the arms and steering arm move through their respective arcs of travel.
one of the cars i race with runs coil overs and its a waste of time. the guy spends all his time messing with differant springs, heights, mounting points, he has special top arms etc. the car still handles like a cheeky shopping trolley, cocking wheels and diving and squating all over the track. mine is far better behaves and much more controlled with its normal suspension.
What is the rationale with putting coilovers on Nik?
It seems odd that people would want to put the suspension forces directly into the body
via the coilover top mounting bracket (essentially a modified / beefed up top damper mount) when there is a perfectly useable subframe that you still appear to be lugging around?! 
If you are fully spaceframing everything for an engine swap (extra width for an end on box) or to try and remove mass, I could see the point...
It seems odd that people would want to put the suspension forces directly into the body
via the coilover top mounting bracket (essentially a modified / beefed up top damper mount) when there is a perfectly useable subframe that you still appear to be lugging around?! If you are fully spaceframing everything for an engine swap (extra width for an end on box) or to try and remove mass, I could see the point...
FWDRacer said:
What is the rationale with putting coilovers on Nik?
It seems odd that people would want to put the suspension forces directly into the body via the coilover top mounting bracket (essentially a modified / beefed up top damper mount) when there is a perfectly useable subframe that you still appear to be lugging around?!
If you are fully spaceframing everything for an engine swap (extra width for an end on box) or to try and remove mass, I could see the point...
its a young lad egged on by forum wallys thing........ It seems odd that people would want to put the suspension forces directly into the body
via the coilover top mounting bracket (essentially a modified / beefed up top damper mount) when there is a perfectly useable subframe that you still appear to be lugging around?! If you are fully spaceframing everything for an engine swap (extra width for an end on box) or to try and remove mass, I could see the point...
ive never raced against (or seen) a mini on coilovers that handled or cornered better than my car (or a miglia/seven) running cones.
the only cars running coils that are any good are the irish rally boys.
they spend about 4 grand on the coilover kits they use - mind you they also run wide track suspension
spend it once, spend it right.......
Gassing Station | Classic Minis | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff