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Resto, what to do
https://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=89003		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  dimmo [ Sun Mar 29, 2015 3:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Resto, what to do
Hi Guys, I am restoring a 1978 1275 LS and am not sure whether to fit new rubber cones or put springs in. I would like to stay as close as possible to original but it would cost less to do springs and last longer.

What do you think i should do? :idea:
Author:  cruiza [ Sun Mar 29, 2015 3:39 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Resto, what to do
What ever works best for you and your intended use for the car, its a mini not a Rolls Royce and unless you are going for Con courses restoration add mod touches if it improves the car reliability safety or performance. I know there are plenty who are hung up on originality, and hey if that is thing all power to you but me I drive my cars and if I can make it faster safer more reliable then why not
Author:  willy [ Sun Mar 29, 2015 3:39 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Resto, what to do
Rubber.
Author:  Irish Yobbo [ Sun Mar 29, 2015 5:13 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Resto, what to do
Lots of people will tell you springs are better, others will say new cones are better. I've never tried springs. I swapped out my old front cones for some second hand rear cones. Decent second hand cones can still be fine, and with the new shocks and hilos it's a nice smooth ride (for a mini, anyway). The second hand cones cost me $30.

Remember, the original cones have lasted this long - some minis are still getting around on 40+ year old cones. Good cones do last - just don't go for the $30 no-name ones. Get good new dunlop rubber cones, or go for good condition old ones.
Author:  M-JAY [ Sun Mar 29, 2015 6:35 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Resto, what to do
I'm doing a resto now and swapped the front to rear and side to side. The front had sagged pretty badly as they do in a 38 year old car. Hopefully when it goes back together the car will sit slightly lower and level. I've never tried springs but I say stick to rubber.
Author:  ba_dm_tsh [ Sun Mar 29, 2015 7:27 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Resto, what to do
Many years ago I had Japanese Delta springs. The thing I didn't like about them was that they didn't feel progressive like rubber and because they don't have as much natural damping as rubber I had to wind the shock absorbers up to the point of being pretty unpleasant and a little unpredictable to drive (and I really like driving go-karts).

I could have tried harder to make them work and I've since read that adding a front and rear ARB improves them a lot but then you've got to ask if you really want to spend a whole lot more money to 'improve' something that isn't broken... And I really like minis on rubber cones - just feels right - MS red dot ones are so much better than pancaked 40 year old cones too.
Author:  willy [ Sun Mar 29, 2015 7:58 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Resto, what to do
Let's not reinvent the wheel all these years later.
Do as Sir Alec intended!

Cheers
Author:  drmini in aust [ Mon Mar 30, 2015 9:59 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Resto, what to do
There are good rubber cones and there are bad ones.
Both Karcraft and Minikingdomonline sell good ones. Other shops here do too. Around $90 - $100 ea.
Avoid the cheapies, you do get what you pay for.
[edit]
I'd fit Hi-Los too. Again, there are good and bad. The ones Karcraft and `TheMiniMan' sell are CNC machined from alloy billet, here in Oz. Not cheap imported sand cast rubbish.
Author:  dimmo [ Sun Apr 26, 2015 8:35 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Resto, what to do
Thanks guys. I decided to go with rubber.
Author:  michaelb [ Sun Apr 26, 2015 7:15 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Resto, what to do
Quote:
Thanks guys. I decided to go with rubber.

Good choice.
If you want a smoother ride then check out the Minisport Smootha-Ride kit.
My car feels smoother than a hydro mini.
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