Suspension and brakes - fast road

[craigjm]

Hi all, I have got myself an old mini that I intend turning into a fast road spec car. I will start a readers cars on it when it gets going. I am in the planning stage right now and I want to fit it with discs all round. I will probably use the KAD kits to do that. Few questions -

If I fit a rear beam like the KAD kit is there any benefit to that other than saving about 20kg in weight?

Has anyone fitted coil overs to their car? If I move to a beam rear I think I have no choice.

Any suggestions on coil over kits if anyone has ever used one

Any views of KAD? Is the stuff good quality? Looks like they get decent reviews

If I change to a beam on the back and rear disc conversion does that have an impact on the offset needed for the wheels?

Thanks all

[KP328]

Hi Craig,

I had a beam and coils on a previous car. Just a couple of observations I noticed with mine.

A couple positives, the weight saving was noticeable, no more worrying about sub frames going rusty.

The drawback with the weight saving was the cars handling didn't feel as 'planted' to the road when it had the sub frame.

You are also limited to what coils you can get since normal coils will foul the body.

Regarding rear discs, I have never had them but I cant believe they will get up to temperature with so little weight in the rear on road driving use.

Personally the best handling mini I had had a sub frame with negative camber adjuster, HI-Lo's, spax shocks and drum brakes with minifins.

Practicality might be an issue if you ever plan on having people in the back seat , I never had any passengers in the back but I'm not sure if the coils could handle the extra weight?

Anyway, goodluck with the build whichever route you decide to take.

[craigjm]

That s great thanks. Was pretty much coming to that conclusion after speaking to KAD. I think I will still use the rear disc conversion because the wheels planned will show the calipers though and what the car looks like is just as important will bin the coil over idea and revert back to a rear subframe. Will make sure they are well rust proofed. They will be new from Minisport anyway

[Gassmi]

craigjm said:

Hi all, I have got myself an old mini that I intend turning into a fast road spec car. I will start a readers cars on it when it gets going. I am in the planning stage right now and I want to fit it with discs all round. I will probably use the KAD kits to do that. Few questions -

If I fit a rear beam like the KAD kit is there any benefit to that other than saving about 20kg in weight?

Has anyone fitted coil overs to their car? If I move to a beam rear I think I have no choice.

Any suggestions on coil over kits if anyone has ever used one

Any views of KAD? Is the stuff good quality? Looks like they get decent reviews

If I change to a beam on the back and rear disc conversion does that have an impact on the offset needed for the wheels?

Thanks all

Rear beam is mostly about weight saving, but it also stops the rear jacking up under hard cornering which transforms the handling. Yes you'll need coilovers – GAZ Gold or AVO are the go-to, don't go silly stiff on springs. KAD stuff is decent quality, well machined, but expensive and the handbrake can be a pain to set up. And yes the offset changes – the beam and discs push the hubs out so you'll need different offset wheels or spacers. Speak to KAD before buying wheels.

[craigjm]

Gassmi said:

craigjm said:

Hi all, I have got myself an old mini that I intend turning into a fast road spec car. I will start a readers cars on it when it gets going. I am in the planning stage right now and I want to fit it with discs all round. I will probably use the KAD kits to do that. Few questions -

If I fit a rear beam like the KAD kit is there any benefit to that other than saving about 20kg in weight?

Has anyone fitted coil overs to their car? If I move to a beam rear I think I have no choice.

Any suggestions on coil over kits if anyone has ever used one

Any views of KAD? Is the stuff good quality? Looks like they get decent reviews

If I change to a beam on the back and rear disc conversion does that have an impact on the offset needed for the wheels?

Thanks all

Rear beam is mostly about weight saving, but it also stops the rear jacking up under hard cornering which transforms the handling. Yes you'll need coilovers GAZ Gold or AVO are the go-to, don't go silly stiff on springs. KAD stuff is decent quality, well machined, but expensive and the handbrake can be a pain to set up. And yes the offset changes the beam and discs push the hubs out so you'll need different offset wheels or spacers. Speak to KAD before buying wheels.

Great thanks I have been in contact with KAD now and the info you have given and above is great.

Can you fit coil overs without having to modify the body?

[KP328]

craigjm said:

Can you fit coil overs without having to modify the body?

https://www.minispares.com/ck23-coilover-damper-rear-kit-std-height-spax-see-notes

I posted a link with just an example of shocks that will fit without fouling the body, if you notice the parts you bolt in are slightly offset. I have not looked at KAD website so don't know if they do a variation of shocks with an offset.

Ideally you would want to strengthen the top part of the turret shock mount as they were never designed to have coilovers.

[craigjm]

Yeah kind of moving away from the idea of coil overs and wondering what the best solution using standard type components would be. Wondering if I would be better off with something like this

https://www.minisport.com/handling-pack-mini-coope...