SHOCK ABSORBERS

Technical lowdown on shock absorbers,what to look for and what to buy Having introduced the fairly unknown Kayaba (KYB) range to the mini market in 1997 I am still amazed how gullible people are when buying cheap dampers. I have tried every type popular type available in the last 35 years, Armstrong including their adjustables, Girling, lockheed, Koni, Spax., Avo, Bilstein,Monroe,Boge,Gabriel and GMax The best to date were probably the very expensive special design Koni adjustables that we had built for the Monte Carlo rally. I also used the spare set on my 8 port car. You get what you pay for? For a non adjustable, Bilsteins rate highly although like the Koni specials are expensive, but you get what you pay for. The essence of a quality damper is to upgrade performance by using more sophisticated higher quality component build in the valving, piston, rod and seals etc along with a performance upgrade to improve the cars road holding.

Exhausts - Basic information

The sheer volume and diversity of bolt on goodies available for our cherished Minis underlines the fact that a very large portion of them is modified in some way. Be it just dress up items to personalise it aesthetically, or tuning parts to improve performance.

In the latter’s case, either more power or more economy are sought - both being desired by many. Should it also enhance the looks at the same time, so much the better. Unfortunately not many components can achieve this without integrating with a number of others. The exhaust system, however, is one of the few.

Although the exhaust’s efficiency and effectiveness is reliant on a well matched system from the exhaust valve in the cylinder head to the tail pipe, the majority view it as two separate pieces - the exhaust manifold, and the ‘system’. Not entirely mis-placed, as this is how vendors present them - folk buying one or the other, though mostly both, dependent on guidance

Historical Article - Nov 1992 - History in the making

Having built one Cooper ‘S’ for Timo Makinen to use in Historic Rallying, in which he won two International Rallies, I decided to build another one with more power and less weight than the previous one.

One lesson I learnt the hard way building the first car, was that a reliable source of new parts with in-built quality, especially where obsolete parts were being remanufactured, was essential. Mini Spares of London...

Historical Article - Nov 1992 - History in the making

Having built one Cooper ‘S’ for Timo Makinen to use in Historic Rallying, in which he won two International Rallies, I decided to build another one with more power and less weight than the previous one.

One lesson I learnt the hard way building the first car, was that a reliable source of new parts with in-built quality, especially where obsolete parts were being remanufactured, was essential. Mini Spares of London...

Historical Article - Nov 1992 - Little Red Booster - fastest road legal mini

In the November 1991 issue of Mini Tech News, we found ourselves with a half page to fill, and for no particular reason really, decided to throw a picture of our man Phil Oram’s recently departed Riley Elf racer...

Historical Article - Nov 1992 - Little Red Booster 2

A strange choice, you might think, for inclusion in Mini Tech News but, surprisingly the GTM has more Mini parts on it than the Elf! (because the Elf is nearly all space frame).

Historical Article - Nov 1992 - Little Red Booster 2

A strange choice, you might think, for inclusion in Mini Tech News but, surprisingly the GTM has more Mini parts on it than the Elf! (because the Elf is nearly all space frame).

Historical Article - October 1993 - Converting WET to DRY suspension

Converting WET to DRY suspension The following is a practical way of converting your wet suspension to dry, acknowledging the fact that with enough skill, enterprise and facilities...

Historical Article - April 1994 - 8-Port Project Min

Mini Spares - 8-Port Project Min If you refer back to the October 1993 edition of Mini Tech News, we were about to embark on modifying the suspension. As luck would or would not have it, we had the advantage of setting up and sorting out the Monte Carlo Mini, which would help us in some directions. After checking the ride height of the car, it was higher on the left hand side by 1 Vs' at the front and W' at the back.

Historical Article-August 1994-Lilly the Pink

Lilly the Pink Progressing swiftly from Norfolk cruisers to International 14 racing boats - the aquatic equivalent of Group B rally cars - James Hoseason steadied his sea legs...

Historical Article-August 1994-Lilly the Pink

Lilly the Pink Progressing swiftly from Norfolk cruisers to International 14 racing boats - the aquatic equivalent of Group B rally cars - James Hoseason steadied his sea legs...

Historical Article-August 1994- 8-Port Final Set Up

8-Port Final Set Up The final setting up of the Mini was accomplished over the Easter holiday and in April I played around with the different Konis and ended up with Koni sports as supplied new, set soft on the rear, with the Monte specials set fairly hard on the front to stop the tramping effect (throttle steer)....

Historical Article-August 1994- 8-Port Final Set Up

8-Port Final Set Up The final setting up of the Mini was accomplished over the Easter holiday and in April I played around with the different Konis and ended up with Koni sports as supplied new, set soft on the rear, with the Monte specials set fairly hard on the front to stop the tramping effect (throttle steer)....

Historical Article-August 1994-Steady Eddy

Steady Eddy My first visit to Mini Spares must have been over 12 years ago and while buying the usual go faster bits, I enquired about a Saturday job. A very lean and handsome Keith Calver could only offer me full time employment. I declined and subsequently have spent a small fortune over the years and drunk far too many pints of beer with K.C.

Historical Article-August 1994-Steady Eddy

Steady Eddy My first visit to Mini Spares must have been over 12 years ago and while buying the usual go faster bits, I enquired about a Saturday job. A very lean and handsome Keith Calver could only offer me full time employment. I declined and subsequently have spent a small fortune over the years and drunk far too many pints of beer with K.C.

Historical Article-August 1994-Whiffin's Clubman

This is the first clubman we have featured in Mini Tech News, although I can't think why. This example belongs to Mini Spares staffer Paul Whiffin, who has obviously spent a great deal of time and money getting if right. I can't help thinking that the front end looks a bit like my old BMW 3 series. (we're allowed to say BMW now. Bernd would approve. He used to own a mini, you know).

Historical Article-August 1994-Whiffin's Clubman

This is the first clubman we have featured in Mini Tech News, although I can't think why. This example belongs to Mini Spares staffer Paul Whiffin, who has obviously spent a great deal of time and money getting if right. I can't help thinking that the front end looks a bit like my old BMW 3 series. (we're allowed to say BMW now. Bernd would approve. He used to own a mini, you know).

Historical Article - April 1994 - Monte Mini - Preparation

The Monte Minis were entered in the 1300cc Group A category, which demands stringent safety requirements and a minimum weight of 760kgs. Our Mini weighed 760kgs prior to a full removal of all sound deadening material. The new homologated multi point roll cage from Safety Devices was fitted. This is not a job for the average enthusiast.

Historical Article - April 1994 - Monte Mini - Preparation

The Monte Minis were entered in the 1300cc Group A category, which demands stringent safety requirements and a minimum weight of 760kgs. Our Mini weighed 760kgs prior to a full removal of all sound deadening material. The new homologated multi point roll cage from Safety Devices was fitted. This is not a job for the average enthusiast.

Historical Article-November 1995-Wheel of Fortune

Wheel of Fortune If there is one aesthetic accessory that commands more debate, confusion, and disappointment it has to be the wheel. Since the inception of the Mini, if any manufacturers have produced a vast array of different designs and' sizes of wheel rim.Many are now defunct, although some of the rims still surface through garage clearouts and the like .. Many of the rims specifically made for the Mini generally fit with no problems, others have been adapted from a rim made for another vehicle.