What mods are needed for 13"s?
Discussion
The Rover Sports Pack also had adjustable Koni shock absorbers, presumably to cope with the extra weight of these larger wheels.
You may need to consider this, plus keep on top of maintenance as they will also cause premature wear on ball joints, bearings, etc.
I do prefer the look of 13" wheels and have them on my car, but they are definitely form over function.....the steering is heavier, tram lining can be a problem, handling is not as crisp, parking slightly more tricky due to reduced turning circle and they increase the weight of the car....I presume you've driven one before embarking on this ?
You may need to consider this, plus keep on top of maintenance as they will also cause premature wear on ball joints, bearings, etc.
I do prefer the look of 13" wheels and have them on my car, but they are definitely form over function.....the steering is heavier, tram lining can be a problem, handling is not as crisp, parking slightly more tricky due to reduced turning circle and they increase the weight of the car....I presume you've driven one before embarking on this ?
Wise words Miniboy. IMHO the appeal is purely looks. The handling is significantly worse and the car will wear out wheel bearing sooner. The original Rover cars had a different steering rack which made for a poor (by Mini standards) turning circle. Fitting them to a normal shelled car will almost certainly require some hacking away of metal.
My two penneth - stick with 12s - get arches to match, good shocks and 165/60:12 tyres makes for a pretty good set up.
My two penneth - stick with 12s - get arches to match, good shocks and 165/60:12 tyres makes for a pretty good set up.
Have to admit that from a practical point of view 13's are no doubt OTT however they do look very nice on a clean Sports Pack car..
My only other choice would be the original Cooper look with 10's. That also has it's fair share of issues.
On a positive note, shocks/ball joints seem pretty reasonable compared to some cars i've invested blood in.
I'm toying with the idea of another Mini myself at the mo.
My only other choice would be the original Cooper look with 10's. That also has it's fair share of issues.
On a positive note, shocks/ball joints seem pretty reasonable compared to some cars i've invested blood in.
I'm toying with the idea of another Mini myself at the mo.
the 'sports' rack isnt a 100% requirment for cars with 13" wheels, indeed with superlights and the like it isnt needed really, the gen rover wheels have a little more inset which case the problems, but only in certain suspension angles.
you can mod a std rack by either welding the last tooth up on the rack bar (as rover did it) or by fitting little plasic collars (k.a.d do them i think)
i always think 13" look great on other peoples minis!, i much prefer the 10"
set up my self, lowered right down, with no wheel arches - the classic 'hot' mini look.
im currently on with a little project thats having to have a set of 6 x 10's fitted as they suit it so much more - its the first mini ive owned on 10 inch wheels thats going to have to have arches in over 10 years!!
my 84 mayfair has the thin plastic arches becasue it runs 12" wheels - i would have liked to go to 10's, but was too tight to fork out for the conversion kit!!!
you can mod a std rack by either welding the last tooth up on the rack bar (as rover did it) or by fitting little plasic collars (k.a.d do them i think)
i always think 13" look great on other peoples minis!, i much prefer the 10"
set up my self, lowered right down, with no wheel arches - the classic 'hot' mini look.
im currently on with a little project thats having to have a set of 6 x 10's fitted as they suit it so much more - its the first mini ive owned on 10 inch wheels thats going to have to have arches in over 10 years!!
my 84 mayfair has the thin plastic arches becasue it runs 12" wheels - i would have liked to go to 10's, but was too tight to fork out for the conversion kit!!!
You just need to fit the original Cooper 'S' 7.5" disc brake assemblies.
AS guru says, there is nothing like a Mini on 10" wheels.
Those 13" wheels really do ruin the handling for which the Mini became famous. Thay give too great a tyre contact patch for the road, make the steering geometry incorrect, put an additional offset load on the wheel bearings and, IMHO, just don't look right for the car.
Arguably the most attractive Minis are the 60's competition cars with no arch extensions, 10" wheels and either lowered slightly for the track, or raised a little with sump guard, spot-lights and other bits for proper rallying.
But then, I'm an OAP Mini owner/enthusiast!
AS guru says, there is nothing like a Mini on 10" wheels.
Those 13" wheels really do ruin the handling for which the Mini became famous. Thay give too great a tyre contact patch for the road, make the steering geometry incorrect, put an additional offset load on the wheel bearings and, IMHO, just don't look right for the car.
Arguably the most attractive Minis are the 60's competition cars with no arch extensions, 10" wheels and either lowered slightly for the track, or raised a little with sump guard, spot-lights and other bits for proper rallying.
But then, I'm an OAP Mini owner/enthusiast!
Cooperman said:
Arguably the most attractive Minis are the 60's competition cars with no arch extensions, 10" wheels and either lowered slightly for the track, or raised a little with sump guard, spot-lights and other bits for proper rallying.
But then, I'm an OAP Mini owner/enthusiast!
Well i'm in my 30's so i'm not sure where that puts me in the age range of mini fans but i've gotta say the original coopers with 10" wheels have something special about 'emBut then, I'm an OAP Mini owner/enthusiast!
My lottery win mini would have 10" rose petal wheels and full Cooper Racing Livery.....mmmmmm
In the meantime, the reality is the 13" sportspacks wheels on my Cooper Sport. They look fab, but I lust after the 10" set up. Some have done this successfully and retained the Sports Pack arches.
In the meantime, the reality is the 13" sportspacks wheels on my Cooper Sport. They look fab, but I lust after the 10" set up. Some have done this successfully and retained the Sports Pack arches.
xxplod said:
Another 30s Mini owner, but then I've owned one since I was 17! And I don't plan on selling mine!
I'm in the tricky position where my TVR is my POJ and will get the most TLC but i'm considering replacing the Lexus daily driver for a Mini (or mx5 but keep that quiet )Anyway, don't want to rob the OP of their thread..
Does anyone have any good pics of Mini's with Group 5 arches instead of the Sports Pack ones? A mini owning mate is recommending them..
Gassing Station | Classic Minis | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff