differance between standard and lowered Spax
Turbo Mini Forums

does anyone know the measurements to check? I've done a wee search on-line but nothing coming up.

I'm trying to confirm if a set i've got on the shelf are lowered or not

cheers

Rob

http://minispares.com/Articles.aspx?ty=ad&aid=282

TBH the standard or short spax are much of a muchness as the 'lowered' dampers still let the suspension fall appart when you lower tha car more than 1/2" !!!!! Makes you wonder what spax think a lowered car is.

cheers colin - that answers my question.

I did look on the minspares site aswell but couldn't find the info for myself!

Spax are quite helpful on the technical side. I'm not clued up on suspension, but let them know the length of travel req'd etc. Phoned them up about rebuilding my shocks, sent photos etc.

Does anyone know Wich dampers will work the lowest? I have had to raise mine because the dampers are bottoming out after tubbing arches. I need to lower it back to where it was the torque steer is unbelievable with the back end high.

Thanks for checking rob.

Only last night did I discover that there is something fundamentally wrong with that table linked to above on Minispares website.

I both the standard and lowered height Gaz dampers. closed length there is a difference of at least 25mm, but that table only reckons on 6mm........No chance!!

I have also tubbed the rear arches and fitted the lowered dampers. I assembled everything without the cone to work out clearances on everything only to find that the damper bottoms out before anything else comes into contact with the bodywork. Fair enough, but On track days i want to slam the car as low as practical on track, and still have anough bump in the damper before it bottoms out.

I've not had the car on its wheels yea with the cones fitted, but already see the bump at around 2" before the damper would bottom, with the wheel in a similar position to what it was before messing with it.

What dampers do others use and would they allow your wheels to touch the bodywork with tubbed arches.

Am I just being over concerned?

Protech dampers
Lowered

Front 303mm open with a 93mm stroke

Rear 347mm with a 109mm stroke

If thats of any use to you colin

Thing is, where is the measurement taken from and to on the rear damper? the front is easy. Is it the center of the lower pin hole to the middle of the two bushes at the top? but then is that with the bushes compressed as fitted, or loose fitted as they come in the box?

I measure the Gaz lowered rear damper at 245mm closed between the centr of the lower pin hole and the center of the two top bushes as they come out of the box.

I get the feeling that it is open to interpretation.

Ideally I need a fitted closed length, but how many of you have the cones out and damper fitted to be able to measure that, lol, me

Hmm, i could have a look tomorrow if i simply drop the cone out. Ill let you know chap.

If you fit the lowered spax/gaz, your radius arms will hit the chassis before they bottom out.

I use lowered GAZ on the hillclimber, tubbed arches, no problems. I also put the brake pipe on the bottom of the radius arm rather than to top to make sure it was clear.

Edited by wil_h on 26th Aug, 2011.

Fastest 998 mini in the world? 13.05 1/4 mile 106mph

Will, I have the lowered gaz fitted and the long braded brake pipe. The damper bottoms out before anything touches the bodywork. I can get my fingers round the top of the radius arm at full bump and I still have about an inch before the tyre contacts the tubbed arch.

It will probibly be ok, I just dont like the idea of hiting a huge bump in the road for the damper to bottom out. If you find the gaz damp ok, it probibly just me looking at the problem too in depth. I have fitted front conical bump stops to the seat squab pan and they bear on the flat bit where the brake pipe bracket used to be on the top of the radius arm. I had to cut the top off the conical bit to get them to fit properly

Fair enough.

For the front I actually had some dampers made a further 25mm shorter when closed.

Fastest 998 mini in the world? 13.05 1/4 mile 106mph

I like to take advantage of everybody else experience/breakages