The much-heralded aluminum rear trailing arms on the R56 (and GP cars) have one slight change from the previous cars, there is a bushing on the stock lower shock mount that extends into the trailing arm. If you try to bolt after market shocks like Konis or coil overs onto the car, you will destroy the lower shock mounts. We now have a solution in our stainless steel, precision CNC machined rear suspension bushings.
Helix is proud to announce the next evolution of our rear-adjustable control arms--the strongest and lightest on the market. Already the industry standard, we have made several improvements to the design to reduce maintenance, prolong the life and maintain the adjustability of the control arms. We use the best, most expensive spherical bearings, powdercoated roads and rubber weatherproof boots. The control arms are constructed of 6061 heat-treated aluminum for incredible strength and use premium, Teflon-lined heim joints for long-lasting durability. There are no rubber or poly bushings to give a mushy feel under hard cornering. Unsprung weight is 50% lighter than stock! No other control arms, regardless of design, are as durable.
The arms are shipped pre-adjusted to stock geometry settings and are assembled with suspension lubricant. We recommend a starting point for your alignment setting to be 0 toe and 1 to 1.5 degrees of negative camber.
The Helix short shifter is the simplest shortest shift kit on the market. Other kits "shorten" the throw by using a short-stalk shift lever, forcing the driver to reach down by their right knee to make shifts. Our kit retains the proper shift knob position while providing the shortest throw available for the MC or MCS. The kit comes with complete installation instructions, and can be done with jack stands and typical mechanical tools in about 1 hour.
The Bilstein PSS9 Performance Suspension System features 9 dampening adjustments. It includes adjustable monotube gas shocks with nine precise compression and rebound settings from comfort to competition. The front and rear springs have progressive rates and allow accurate adjustment of the vehicle ride height and center of gravity. The PSS9s allow for a track ready suspension, that can adjust to daily driving. Professional installation recommended.
Reduce chassis flex to improve steering response. CROSS strut tower brace bar reduces the amount of flex in the car's chassis by tying the shock towers together enhancing rigidity and strength. Each aluminum strut tower bar features a high polished, show-quality, shaft and ridgid mounts.
This is a good quality part which shows and functions very well. It should, like any strut tower brace for a MINI, be considered as much a show piece as a performance piece.
*Also available in carbon fiber through Special Order
Racing improves the breed. H&R Threaded-Body Coil-Over Suspension Kits come directly from engineers who design and develop racing suspensions.
Blueprinted as coil-overs (not just a modified shock body), the H&R units are hand- assembled in Germany by H&R Speziafedern under rigid ISO 9001 and German TÜV standards. Strict attention to the function of the complete suspension system is the number one design priority.
Their threaded body means that the outside of the strut or shock tubes are threaded like a bolt. This allows the threaded spring perch to be moved up or down to fine-tune the ride height, optimizing looks and handling.
Equally at home on the street or the track, H&R Coil-Over Suspension Kits provide enhanced performance, improved corner-holding ability and a sleek, aggressive stance for performance driving characteristics without harshness. Professional installation recommended.
Ride Height: Adjustable Threaded Sleeve
Note: Avg low 0.7-1.5"F 0.6-1.5"R
Lowering heights may vary on models with factory sport suspension. For models after 3/02.
Perches, bushings, and plates from your MINI shown in this picture are not included.
H&R produces suspension components for the highest levels of racing and street applications. The H&R name is synonymous with the most discriminating customers, and carry a lifetime warranty. All H&R springs are put through the exclusive "Blok Setting", a process whereby the springs are pre-sagged, preventing any settlement on your car. The Stage 2 springs lower the car 1.2" in the front and 1.3" in the rear and are 30% stiffer than stock for the Cooper and 24% stiffer for the S. Professional installation recommended.
The Stage 2 springs on the 2007 Mini Cooper S R56 lower the car 1.4"
Hotchkis Sport Rear Control Arms are perfect for lowered Minis. They have an adjustment range from zero to negative four degrees for increased rear grip. Each Link is simply adjusted by loosening the lock nuts and then rotating the hex center for more or less camber. The Sport Rear Control Arms are designed and tested to suit any street or track environment. Each Arm comes fully built from H Sport and is pre-set to the stock length. With the Arms pre-set to the stock length, you can then use that camber setting as your new baseline. The Arms themselves are made up of two tubular steel outer arms with a billet aluminum hex center. The polyurethane bushings can be greased by utilizing the zerk fittings at each end. Durable, yet highly functional, the Sport Control Arms give you the freedom to set your Mini's rear camber at any setting. Professional installation recommended.
These are good quality pieces: if you are considering them, also look at the Helix Control Arms. They are a slightly different design, but ultimately lighter and stronger.
Competition
The Competition Rear is a massive 22mm, tubular, 4130 chrome moly sway bar weighing in at only 5.5 pounds! Recommended for competition use only, the Competition Rear has three adjustment positions with the softest setting being the more neutral balance. From there, the middle setting will really aid the Mini's medium to long mid-corner speed where there will not be any throttle feathering needed to turn the car. The stiffest setting is most beneficial through very slow, tight corners where without the bar you'd find yourself on and off throttle several times. With the Competition Rear, this type of corner should only be a one throttle application corner with a rear-steer feel. Although handling characteristics may vary depending on your set-up, each position of the Competition Rear is very distinct and useful. Now you have an advantage at the track and auto-cross course! The set comes complete with polyurethane bushings, bushing brackets and 90-degree zerk fittings for easy lubrication, which should be done every 12 to 18 months.
Please note: This Kit Is Powder Coated Black
Sport
Due to popular request, H-Sport now offers the Sport Rear Bar! The Sport Rear is a 3 position, 19 mm, solid sway bar. Recommended for street and track use, the Sport Rear may be used in combination with the stock front bar. All three settings on the Sport Rear are very useful if you attend track days, yet the bar itself is perfectly suitable for daily street use without any harsh ride effects of a larger bar. Plus, you may find yourself using the hardest setting at the track and then backing down to the middle or softest setting for your daily commute. The Sport Rear adjusts easily, in most cases it may be accessed directly through your rear wheel spokes! The set comes complete with polyurethane bushings, bushing brackets and 90-degree zerk fittings for easy lubrication, which should be done every 12 to 18 months.
The KONI FSD (Frequency Slective Damping) shock is an excellent balance of great road handling characteristics with no-compromise comfort levels. It's a two-in-one solution from KONI that doesn't require the installation of sophisticated electronics, cables or sensors. Firmness for sporty driving on even road surfaces. Smoothness for a comfortable ride on uneven road surfaces.
How It Works
In standard shock absorbers the main damping characteristic is defined by the oil flow going through the piston assembly.
Combining it with the FSD feature, KONI added a special valve that controls an oil flow parallel to the one going through the piston rod. This parallel oil flow is closed by the FSD feature, giving a rise in damping force almost linear to the time that the piston is moving in one direction.
Put simply
The FSD feature is a hydraulic amplifier that delays the build up of pressure. In some ways an extra tuning option has been created in order to get the best possible combination of handling and comfort.
Since it is an integrated part of the hydraulic valve system inside the damper, no additional cables, sensors or any other electronic devices are needed to operate an FSD damper.
What's the biggest complaint that you have visually about your R56? Is it the ride height? Thought so. If you want to completely transform the look (and improve the handling) of your 56er, Mach V Technic has the solution. Mach V Technic springs are a progressive rate spring, lowering the R56 model about 1.25" front and rear. They are 30% stiffer than stock for the Cooper S. The red powder coat finish is tough and durable. Goodbye wheel gap.
The stock rubber bushings are known for failing, even on low mileage cars that tread daily on bumpy roads.
The Powerflex bushings are made of polyurethane which will outlast the stock rubber bushings. It will also improve handling by reducing suspension flex.
Craven Speed STDs are a preventative measure against Mushrooming. Instead of suffering the consequences of a lack of protection, using STD's to your advantage will strengthen your MINI's strut towers before deformation can occur. By sandwiching the sheet metal between the strut and our 1/2 inch thick aircraft aluminum plate, it is strengthened ten-fold. Craven Speed STDs retain a 1/2 inch thickness throughout ensuring that there are no weak spots. Installation is easy using the included instructions, it will take about 10 minutes to ensure that you do not have to go through a lengthy and expensive alignment repair. For once, STDs and protection go hand-in-hand.
