Hi, i'm new to this forum and to cut a long story short i've become the custodian of the family mini. I have never driven a mini without hydro and I was wondering which is the better set up. The car I have at the moment feels every bump in the road and I'm not that impressed with it. I have always had Koni shocks and Lovell springs on all of my cars. Would they produce a better ride and performance?
I don't care about keeping the car original I want to keep it long term. I'm also interested to hear what add ons people have used in this area.
Thank you

What is your car currently hydro or dry?

General consensus is stick with what you got and work with that. Hydro isn't worse than dry, each can be made to do what you want.

Mini's though DO feel alot of bumps...just a question of whether it handles..

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Starlet Conversion:
http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=15484

My car is currently Hydro. It handles well, nice and tight. Great around corners, I just thought a good set of shock's and springs would smooth it out a little.
Thanks

All Oz Cooper S's were fitted with Hydro as standard, so it can't be too bad

Have a read here:
http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=8018&highlight=convert+dryhttp://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=8018&highlight=convert+dryhttp://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=8018&highlight=convert+dryhttp://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=8018&highlight=convert+dry

http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=1576&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=convert+dry&start=0

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Starlet Conversion:
http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=15484

I've owned minis for 43 years now and having driven probably half a million kms in cars with both suspensoin types I reckon I should have some idea as to which in my opinion is the way to go. If you have a mouth full of fillings and you'd like to get rid of them without going to the dentist by all means use the dry setup. Most forum contributors seem to steer clear of the hydro set up because a hydrolastic pump is needed. People are willing to spend lots and lots of$s on the dry suspension and still end up with a "billy cart' type ride. My current mini has had totally independent hydro for the past 4 years now . I use only standard shocks and no anti roll bars. This set up has a far far superior ride to the standard hydro and handles Wakefield Park's bends more than adequately.I've had passegers who own minis with each type of suspension comment most favourably on the ride and handling of my car. Perhaps there is some food for thought for you out there.Also here have been some very good post on making your own Hydro pump.

Thanks guy's.

Having owned Minis since 1964, I'll agree with dtmini.
I'll add that hydro is more reliable than many people will have you believe. My 1970 car still has the original displacers and plumbing. I do drain and refill the fluid every 5 years...
I have added standard Pedders front shocks to the front, and comp hydro bump stops to the rear. I have no complaints about how it handles Wakefield Pk, either.

ps. we own a dry Mini too- on new Koni shocks- but around town the hydro rides like a limo compared to that.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

How does " independant hydro" differ from the standard setup, and what mods are required?

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69 mini K and a really hip 82 poo brown nissan urvan