How to IMPROVE your classic mini's suspension
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 26 ก.ย. 2024
- Our tech tip videos teach you technical skills for working on your car. Our goal is to create a resource of educational information specifically for working on older cars, classic cars, and weird cars. Subscribe for more!
Note: these are just our thoughts on how to improve the mini's suspension setup. The best parts for your car will probably be different, depending on what you use it for. We hope that sharing our ideas might point some people in the right direction, and we ALSO hope that we can learn some new things from your comments!
Mini parts www.stevestonmotorco.com
Thanks for the great video. I suggest you box up the entire upgrade kit, and sell it yourself. If you do tell me. I will need one
Also took an MG1100 engine from an austin america on the ship and blue printed it when we were out at sea..changed the drive gear milled the head..ported and polished chambers and balanced it too..we had a great machine shop..the Chief Petty officer would come and ask what we were doing..we would tell them its an auxiliary engine for a small boat haha.. all fun stuff when youre a car nut!!
MG 1100 engine is great for a Mini, about 1969 I bought an ordinary 1100 engine from breakers yard, rebuilt, put in Duplex timing gears, 12G295 head, 1/1/2" carb. Changed the final drive to a 3.44:1. This went in my 1961 Mini. Had virtually the performance of an S, but more economical on fuel. 100 MPH was easy, in fact, one could cruise at this speed. Engine was in the car for 30 years, replaced it with a fairly 1275, guess what, not as fast or economical. I still have the 1100 (1098) engine, it's in good condition. Also still have the 1961 Mini.
Great info! You gain a subscriber, with a video from 6 years ago, I'll be watching some more
I laughed at your graphs. Back in the 80s me and my mini freinds all bought adjustable trumpents we all only ever adjusted them once.
We all thought we would actually adjust them all the time in reality we set our fav ride hieght and never adjusted them again. We all agreed for steet we should have cut to adjust ride height and used our little hobby funds some where else.
Always great videos. "Cafe racer mini is my fav"
David Vizard was always cool. Because he dyno compared every after market part.You could make a choice. A very informed expert parts selection compared on results from the dyno runs graphs he posted in his books.
Funny story I lived in Atlanta in the 80s. Most of use in the club were always building minis. David Vizard books were a valuable tool we all shared. Then he came out with a big thick "bible we called it"
We all read the same book discussed all the dyno findings and every body ended up with completely different motors carbs and set ups.! One would expect very similar. Cars.There were all across the spectrem !
Just goes to show you everyone can read the same book , but interpret it "completely different"
On an even funnier note.
The Atlanta ga. Mini club in the 80s we had a mini meet in south Carolina with a few other clubs.
In south Carolina three of our minis were fueling up when a local family a Dad and four sons ( young kids) pulled up to get gas in an old mini traveler. He thought he was the only Mini in the USA. His boys were in heaven checking out our lowered modified flared racing seat cars.
Asking endless questions. Then the Dad said " Ive NEVER SEEN ANOTHER mini now im seeing 3...wow !!!'
Well we knew in a minute or two the gas station will be swamped in 30 more minis...we smiled and said "OH THERE AROUND....!!!!"
THEN ALL HELL BROKE LOOSE AND MINIS TOOK OVER EVERY SPACE OF CONCRETE THE STATION HAD EVER GAS PUMP WAS MINIS MINIS AND DRIVERS CODRIVERS AND THE MAN AND HIS KIDS WENT BAZZERK !
Hey, thanks so much for sharing your memories. Got a kick out of them. I can only imagine the disbelief of the guy at the gas station!! haha
Haha! That’s awesome!
Great comment, Vizard the Wizard.
That's one of the best tutorial i have seen on YT period... Well done !
Wow, thank you!
Had SMCO redo my suspension based on everything in the video. Nailed it. That was 4 years ago and its still as tight as a rock.
Lovely to see this knowledge being passed on - its what we used to do to our minis in the 80s to go rallying on tarmac.
Can't believe I've only just found this channel great work on all your videos. subscribed
So happy I've found your TH-cam channel
Great info if you can find a Mini to work on. Haven't had my 997 for 40 years and I still miss it.
:(
Wicked video guys 👍🏻 explained beautifully with great performance updgrades
Wonderfull video, exactly what I was looking for. I'm completely rebuilding a Mini now for the first time so this is very usefull information. Much appreciated!
Another quality explanation, great work! Thanks!
Can you please produce a video on how to set up a suspension with the performance upgrades you highlight in this video.
Great video, I've saved for later when my mk1 arrives. Do you guys have something like a parts list?
Really well explained. I actually understood it all😀
Thanks for the great info - just installed some new shocks (like your recommendation) and looking forward to seeing if I can tell the difference. Old ones definitely past it!
Great video! I’ll be sure to follow it when I get my Mini.
Great video! The level of detail is spot on. Well done Phillip! Please keep these coming... without becoming an infomercial it would be good to see where you are getting the parts.
Just what I needed. Thanks!😄
In the process of doing some of the upgrades shown pitty I'm not confident enough to take out the front sub frame to weld it or change the cones but great video your stuff has helped me alot
Welcome. With some time and persistence, you can do it!
Excellent video. Really wish you were able to suggest parts for street use only. My aching back really needs it :)
good stuff , thanks for sharing
Can you please put the part numbers and suppliers in the description? Great vid! Thank you
This.
And I'm still here sitting on hydrolastic, great vid.
Shaun Zell Haha! Thanks
Best Mini videos on the net, diferent from those Hollywoodians youtubers out there
Watched this great video. Extremely simple and well comprehensive explanation. Learned a lot! Mnay Thanks for your time with us owning the Little Big car....
Very good overview. Chosen most of these parts for my 99 Mini Cooper road car. At a later stage, I will make the front and rear fully adjustable but here in NZ is a certification regime that means this level of change needs engineering compliance or $450 of my money for someone to say I can bolt this all together. Go figure. For the moment I am going for the best OEM standard. 😁
My favourite TH-cam channel by far! I’ve just finished fitting this exact set-up with smaller break disks and 10 inch wheels. The ride height is really high even at its lowest setting, everything is seated correctly but it’s not sitting as low as I’d hoped, there’s 4 inch gap between the top of the tyre and the front arch. Should I expect the cones to settle or is there something I can do to get car sat lower? Thanks, and keep the great content coming.
Interesting topic and great information, As I really like and working on building a (car ) Cafe racer. I am interested in the Tilton brake setup, and wanted to more information on the parts selected and tubing sizes selected, also how you have set it up. I have not had great luck with the factory units brake booster and master cylinder. and the aftermarket Mini brake booster servo single line system.
Thanks, they're both .75" bore units. We always prefer non-servo brakes, or manual brakes. They give the best Pedal feel and because the cars are so light to begin with, boosting them isn't necessary.
Factory non-servo master cylinders work great.
Very informative and clear explanation, thanks.
Hey Mini Guru: I have a 1975 Mk3 RHD from New Zealand, here in California. Just powder coated and beefed up both sub-frames, put in a nasty 1380, and 5 speed. Took out the rubber cones, and went to the red springs from 7ENT with High/Lows. BUT..... once they are installed, and I try to back the nut off and lower the high/lows & springs down for the normal ride height..... the springs and trumpets flop around badly / wildly in the tower..... and if I go over a bump, the springs may not land back in place..... but land cocked off to the side in the tower. This could damage the tower, the tower centering lip, or change the ride. It seems like the tower should have a stiff foam insert, with a slippery cylinder like sleeve that will keep the spring firmly in place..... under pressure, or not. Thoughts? Thanks Doug in Sacramento
This is expected with a very low ride height. Helper springs would be one solution (or foam, as you described) but would probably be expensive and costly. They might also have trouble working because suspension travel is so short. The ultimate solution most race cars use is a shorter extended shock length, so that the shock is still holding the spring assembly in place when fully extended. Custom shocks can be built to spec.
Excellent video. Bought a mini last summer, it's already got the Gas-a-just shocks so I'm *really* hoping it has HiLos on there too, haven't checked yet! Really need to raise the back-end though.
Used to cut bits of the trumpets to lower and add washers to raise, much cheaper than high/low. But the rear ratio is around 9:1from memory, so 0.125" on trumpets is 1.125" on ride height.
I have fit a 1275 sprite motor.I remember band sawing the rear main bearing cap flush and fitting mini rear face plate and 1275 mini crank. But it was alot cheaper way of getting a 1275 in the 80s.Never had any issues with rear main seal or rear main bearing cap.had that motor in my mini for ten years of enthusiastic road driving .Always shocked the jacked up, pick up trucks , that thought they were superior in hp and height.
One such country guy with his girl friend.rev up his motor in challenge nobody was about but we three
I performance launched and got five mini car lengths away, from the start, his gf was laughing at her bf defeat, and was punching him in his arm.
I smiled resuming , road manners....a good 1275 does bring smiles. I followed Vizards conservative mods good single intake manifold big single carb , k&n filter.
Very light head detail and exhaust header, a very mild cam regrind.
And the best 10" tires at the time.
Really great and informational video. Thanks
Welcome
I am u r big fan from india....👏👏👏👍👍👍
Nice Video and explanation although if memory serves the mini came originally with a single brake master cylinder later replaced with a twin split system and both had a brake limiter valve fitted for the rear brakes the early one controlled by a spring allowing a piston to shut off the brake pressure to the rear wheels thereby stopping the car swapping ends under heavy braking the later split system had a different method it had a heavy ball inside it that was moved by the braking G force I only mention this as if you fit the Tilton brake balance valve you will need to remove the existing one fitted to the rear subframe .I f you want to know how I know this all I can say is that in 1970 I started with a brand new shell.
Many thanks! Can not await the coming season.
Thank you for a great video I go with the same set up.
I would love to see a video on clutch upgrade kits (lightweight flywheels, types of performance clutches, up grade on pins and arms) for the 998 & 1275’s
Great vid,like a public information film,welding looks a bit,,,iffy mind.
Any chance you could link to the parts?
Another great informative and detailed Video.
I have never hear the Mini described as supple before! Why would you want more castor? Just asking - I assumed that would increase understeer. (I mainly come from a RWD Classis Lotus experience.)
Since I didn't see it in any of Q/A, I'll ask...what are your views on the coil spring setup over the rubber springs?
They can be good for straight-line comfort when paired with GOOD shocks, but generally poor at everything else.
@@Stevestonmotorco how about for comfort and just for daily driver?
Hope you'll be selling full suspension kit like your setup and can be shipped anywhere, like me I'm from the Philippines. All your videos are awesome, by the way.
As you’re welding the subframe and pieces to the suspension, the flex is transferred to ??
Good Video. You should also add in a future episode of Dinky polyurethane suspension cones. amazing for racing and road handling.
We'd like to try those out for sure.
Great Content! Simple and detalied
keep posting
Thx Enrico :)
and weld extra plates to the floor where the rear of the front subframe bolts to
Sounds like a good idea. To clarify, do you mean adding the reinforcement on the inside of the car?
Another great video
Great video. What is the refence of the Tilton master cylinder and brake bias adjuster?
Thanks for the video . Has anybody ever fitted anti roll bars to a mini
Yes, KAD makes nice versions. Many folks run rear anti-roll bar only and some run both front and rear. We like them.
Do you guys sell any of the parts listed in the video? You mentioned the aftermarket shock mounts but didn't mention what brand they were.
Great vid!
Cheers Cole!
I want to lower my rear and bought HiLo and KYB gasajust standard height. But the rear is still way to high.. should i have bought ‘lowered’ shocks for the rear?
Hey guys, hope all is well. Wondering what brand of tie rod you used for the upgrade. Need to replace mine, and always trust your judgement. Thanks!
Another great video lads! It’s awesome having the explanations as I knew most of these mods were quite common but not the reason behind it!
With the subframe mods, what thickness steel did you use? I have some 4mm plate I’m guessing would be fine for this
Thanks! Can't quite remember but it roughly matched the original subframe metal thickness. It was lighter than 4mm but that should do the trick.
What are your thoughts on air ride?
Very good video
Awesome video!
Thanks Jacky!
Can you make a video about coilovers for minis.
Very well explained #Quality
What a fab video..
Someone else already asked but can you post the part numbers and where we can shop for the parts south of the border (ie. USA). Also, anyone have a spare LHD steering rack for my '67? :-)
Great video. I have subscribed. The background music is very annoying as it makes what your are saying harder to hear.
Would be cool to know the full cost of the mods.
Where do we get those solid subframe mounting kits?
awesome channel !!!
Nicely explained. Can u pls tell that don't we need coil springs to absorb energy of the shocks faced by the vehicle ? U have uesd only damper in the case?
The rubber cones do the job that springs would normally do.
Another great video. I am currently running a very similar setup. Only major difference being shocks. Interested in what specs you will be running once all together, inclduing front/rear camber, toe and front caster. Also, ride height. I measure mine from the edge of the bottom seam line front and rear.
We will be doing an alignment video to show how to build an alignment jig and set everything. Will be sure to give all the specs on what we end up running as well :)
What are your thoughts on Hydrolastic suspension front and back ?. Many years ago, I had a 1968, Morris Mini Cooper S
with 1275 engine, factory fitted Hydrolastic suspension.
Apparently they work great, but we don't have enough personal experience with them to comment.
Would it be time for a update video on this suspension video? Have you tried the new evolution cone available since 2020?
On one of the newer videos you recommend bilstein shocks, could you do I run through video on your current favorit setup for spirited driven road Mini.
Thank You for very nice and informative videos!
Are this specs good for a 1988 mini moke.thank you
HI, do you have a manual instructions of Mini?
Thanks
Fantastic video! Thank you for all of the info - really useful. Can I please ask you what thickness steel you use for the front subframe reinforcements/gussets? I’m in the UK and just about to start work on my subframes. Thanks.
Cheers. Looks like 1/8" steel.
Brilliant, thank you!
What are the alignment settings you like to use with this setup?
i have a mg metro engine with a gt15 turbo 69 mk2 mini all stock with ford front weel disk brakes other than that it´s all stock, basically it´s a death trap but very fun to drive xD
MultiDopper that’s awesome, my personal car has an MG metro engine and fiesta brakes as well!
exacly! glad that i`m not the only one scavenging for parts xD
Where you buy this kits you talk? Thanks
Those new upper shock mounts, who makes and supplies them please and the same for the rear bracket for the swing arms?
All of the big suppliers offer them
Phil
what is required to adjust ride of 69 countryman.
I have a lean to one side.
one side is 5/8 ' on drivers side and 1 1/4" on pass side?????
New rubber cones front and back.
Ideas????
Great stuff. Takes me back. But don't do the unnecessary background music. Please. Silence is OK you know.
very nice, any suggestions if this set up would be good if a Honda V - tec engine is put into the mini?
With engine weight being a roughly the same or a little lighter with the vtec, yes. But some vtec swaps will have a subframe that converts the front to a different suspension setup, so it depends on what subframe will carry the drivetrain.
Another question: Regarding the brake conversion to 7.5" discs. What diameter master cyl did you get from Tilton? In my case I am going drum to 7.5" disc so most likely will need a different master and am considering your recommendation bore diameter.
While on the subject of brakes, when you do a front drum to disc conversion does the kit push the front wheels out? I heard from some user video that they needed to purchase a spacer or a brake drum with the built in boss/spacer? I was considering a pair of Superfin's from Mini Spares. Let me hear what you think. - Mike
We are using a Tilton 75 series master cylinder in a .75” bore to move an ideal amount of fluid. We are also running .50” rear wheel cylinders. We found that this is our preferred rear cylinder bore size, because larger sizes gave a bit too much bias towards the rear, and it would lock up when hard on the brakes.
As for the conversion, yes the Cooper S disc brakes will have wider track than the drums, so the wheels will be pushed out. For the rear track to match it's recommended to buy the drums with built in spacer. The Superfins look nice!
@@Stevestonmotorco Thank you for the recommendation regarding brakes. BTW, I got the same advise on the rear drums/track width from MiniSpares. They also recommend getting longer wheel studs to accommodate the extra thickness of the SuperFin brake drums. Motor on!
Really good video guys do you have a place we can get this parts from ie the cones and the bump stops?
We buy our parts from a variety of suppliers but the majority of the suspension setup, including the cones and bump stops come from Minispares.com
Well, I've done all the things you listed, except the subframe mounts/gusset welded in. I'm assuming it's not very easy to do with the subframe in the car?
It’s easy with the subframe out but would be a bit tricky with it in the car. Although the gussets that run to the tie bar tabs could be done with it still in and would be a worth while upgrade
Don't the solid subframe mounts transfer a lot of vibration to the car?
A little more vibration is transferred but it doesn't become an uncomfortable racecar. All early minis were solid mounted from factory.
nice and supple at the bottom lol
Fine video Phil ....... hope you'll be selling a kit of parts. gpm
Fairplay lad
Wow
Hi Guys! Cool channel and videos! Can you please upload a parts list? or give up some partnumbers for this build? I'm new to the mini world, and I think my SPI 1995 mini could use a similar suspension setup as yours! Also, where do you buy parts from, minispares.com or? Really hoping that you can give me a hint on the parts! Martin, Denmark :-)
Hi.. the suspension setup that you explain in this video will it also improve the factory sportspack wheel setup?
It depends on what you're looking for. This setup is what we prefer. The most important is that everything is working properly!
Help My mini is sitting on the tires . The suspension bags have holes and the car dropped down big time.
It probably needs new cones
Thanks for the nice video. May I ask where to buy that shock mount at 05:20 ? Cheers
I believe it can be found from any of the big mini parts suppliers
can you give links for the Tilton break cylinders also what bore size
Eduard I Prokhor we are using Tilton 75 series master cylinders in a 0.75” bore. They do require a bit of custom work to fit though, so if you are looking for bolt on it’s best to look for something else.
great! thank you. greetings ,kasper
been there done that..in 1965 haha
detroitbluesguy haha awesome
its the second time that when i am blowing my head on parts you help the right time xaxaxaxa. :D nice tutorial thanks for the info. didn't know anything about the red spot cones or the bushings in the front. keep up the good work. check my instagram i also have a v8 that came in life today
How low can you get with this set up?
All depends how you want the car to ride. Mini’s have very limited suspension travel even when stock, so honestly for best handling you want to keep the lowering to a minimum, however there is a nice middle ground that can be reached with looks/centre of gravity vs travel. The Hi low’s will let you lower as much as you want until you are sitting on the bumpstops if you so wish, wouldn’t recommend this though :)
Stevestonmotorco thanks for the advice! Might just wait and see how your one turns out haha
The standard of welding you have done is pretty poor.
No argument there. It's gotten better.
Hi, have you done a conversion from Hydrolastic to Hi-Lo´s?
idepinedo We haven't had the chance. There aren't many hydrolastic cars left in Canada.
I see, thanks for the answer! do you have a website or similar to ask some questions?
idepinedo The mini forum would probably be a good place to ask.
www.theminiforum.co.uk/forums/