Dampers for 13" wheels...
Turbo Mini Forums

Anyone got any experience with this for fast road/track? Obviously the increased unsprung weight works the dampers differently than a 10". Made me wonder what a performance mini damper is designed to work with in terms of wheel weight??

Is the only answer double adjustable dampers and hours on the track?

Any thoughts?

Nick.

I'd have thought its the tyre sidewall that makes the big difference between 10" and 13" wheels, this is also the common factor, as you can get 13" wheels that are lighter than 10"s.

Fair point about the weights, but an average 13" is typically heavier.

Tyre wall differences can be managed with geometry more.

Most mini owners throw on some adjustable dampers and turn them up so the suspension is overdamped.

Wondered if anyone had spent some time with a typical 13" wheel and dampers to get a good ride/handling compramise?

Nick.

RogerM talked about this alot and recons that he could get the 13s to handle better than 10s on track, obviously less tyre roll. However, the 13s might not be so good on the road, as we all know, the Great British roads are not flat.

Any adjustable damper for a mini will be more than up for the job of 13" wheels. Although 13" wheels are typically heavier than 10" wheels if you wind a damper up to max it is always way too much, in my experience.

http://www.twin-turbo.co.uk
http://www.hillclimbandsprint.co.uk/default.asp

A man without a project is like a like a woman without a shopping list.

I didn't know if the bump and rebound balance was different for a heavier unsprung mass? Does the extra weight require less rebound resistance for example?

Adjusting a single adjuster damper does not alter the bump rebound balance.

Not wanting to open the whole 13s vs 10s handling debate, just wondered if there was some simple science that might help damper selection.....

Nick.

Damper manufacturers just make a standard adjustable damper type. Then they change the dimensions to fit as many cars as possible. They put very little thought into the damper rate. It is up to you to then tune it. They don't have the time or the resourses to develop dampers for all cars and configurations.

As always, by the best quality you can afford.

http://www.twin-turbo.co.uk
http://www.hillclimbandsprint.co.uk/default.asp

A man without a project is like a like a woman without a shopping list.

I was leaning towards the Avo adjustable as they appear to be the adjustable of choice from recent years. I agree this is really an area where quality costs, so some of the cheap adjustables out there are not great.

nick.

What about these?

http://www.swiftune.com/Product/735/konisw...ni-dampers.aspx

I'd seen those and I guess these will be the best developed for a performance mini, but for that money you can get a double adjustable damper...... and then you have to spend the time setting them up!

nick.