Suspension Brakes 1st Gen Most liked posts in thread: Coil-over suggestions

You might also take a look at Bilstein's PSS9. The progressive springs might work with your daily driving better.

 

I have the TSW V2's and IMHO the V3's are not necessary for anyone but a racer. There are a ton of variables that affect how the car will handle on any given day, track conditions, air temp, tire wear, etc. Adding another variable like different ratios between compression and rebound is not necessary for even the serious track junkie.

As far as the performance of the V2's, I have been very happy with them. You might review some older threads on here with respect to spring rates. I seem to remember Greg (Onasled) recommending some different rates than what the TSW ones normally ship with.

 

I have the TSW V2, but I am such a novice I cannot compare with anything.

But here are some links that helped me make my decision:


http://www.motoringalliance.co…..ailed.html



http://www.motoringalliance.co…..g-tsw.html



http://www.motoringalliance.co…..-want.html



http://www.michiganmini.org/fo…..ic=2455.30



http://www.fes-auto.com/upload…..0Basics.pd

 

I have TSW V-3s on my car and love them. I am also running the fixed camber plats and have not had any problem. I have a slight difference in camber left to right, that I will probably correct with adjustable plates. I am running 400 LBs springs front and back, because I wanted to have a serious autocross set up. I do not find the stiff springs terrible on the street unless you are driving around on city streets with bad pavement, but I do not believe I would recommend them for a daily driver. I use my MINI as a sometimes daily driver. I have a good bit of race car background, and understand how to tune double adjustable shocks. It isn’t that hard to learn, but you need to ask yourself if you want to add the complication. If you are autocrossing or driving on the track, is your time better spent thinking about you’re driving or adjusting the car? The KWs are twin tube shocks and that means they are shorter for the same stroke than mono tube shocks. Mono tube shocks are generally considered better for a lot of good reasons, but the KWs are very very good twin tube. I will point out that Olum the manufacturer of the most widely used professional racing damper makes twin tube shocks for small formula cars. The advantage of the KW twin tube shock is that it changes the mounting point and has a shorter overall length for the same stroke. That means at a lowered ride height you have the same travel as stock. When the car gets on the bump stops it will understeer. Can you say PUSH. The point of stiffer front springs is to stop the push and stiff rear springs is to balance the handling. Bilstein makes excellent products, but I think the TSW / Way KWs are better for the MINI. First you should be aware the KWs from Way are different than KWs normal product. The damping is different, and springs are linear. I have stated one difference between the two already, here are some more. What do you respond to and what conveys control when you turn into a corner? Most people prefer a linear response from the car. They like the car to roll smoothly over. Progressive springs make the car roll rate progressive. The idea of progressive springs is to have a more comfortable ride at lower speeds when you aren’t trying to corner fast. They are affective at that. Almost all pure race cars use progressive linkage between the wheel and the coil over. The reason is down force. They are trying to balance out the affects of down force. Bilsteins are single adjustable for bump and rebound. I could write 10 pages on all of this, but let’s leave it at this. If you look at real racing shocks they are non adjustable, single rebound adjustable, or double adjustable, and the really expensive ones are more adjustable. Shocks that are more than double adjustable increase or decrease the damping force at different shaft velocities. Rebound is the most important shock adjustment. If the car is pushing stiffen the rear shocks. If the car is loose stiffen the front shocks.

 

I am running Bc coilovers with Swift springs and really like them

 

I would suggust something but looks like you bought already, let us know how you like them.

 

opcorn:

Can't wait to hear your impressions. This one's on my short list of future mods.

 

Great thread! Following this thread early on is originally what helped me finally decide on the KWs when I was researching which coilovers to buy.

Can't wait to get them installed in Fort Worth as well.

Come on Discount...deliver my tires already!

 

Aaron is doing the install himself. He's hardcore.

 

Which springs did you go with on the KW's?

 

Agreed. There are a lot of great coilovers out there but in the end I decided on the TSW spec'd KWs because the springs are chosen specifically for the Mini. As far as I know you can only get them from Way Motor Sports, and only the KW V2 and KW V3 have the custom springs.

Pair a set of KWs with the Vorshlags and you'll have a great setup. I also got the H-Sport swaybar and lower control arms, all recommended by Way.

If you're still unsure give Way a call and let him know what you're aiming for and he'll make solid recommendations on what your options are.

 

I wish I had the know-how to do the install on mine. Even if I did my garage is so tiny I probably wouldn't have the room.

 

Its not for everyone. I wouldn't be able to do it by myself. I wouldn't know where to start nor would I have all of the tools required.