Suspension Springs, struts, coilovers, sway-bars, camber plates, and all other modifications to suspension components for Clubman (R55), Cooper and Cooper S (R56), and Cabrio (R57) MINIs.

Suspension TSW X-Brace for R56

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  #1  
Old 09-08-2008 | 11:49 AM
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From: Tejas
TSW X-Brace for R56

Coming soon - our X-brace is in the process of being modified to work with the R56. The main issue to be tackled is clearing the exhaust system, which is different than on the R50/R53 platform. We're getting close, though, as the rest of the geometry is similar.

Hope to have a prototype here in the next few weeks for fitment...
 
  #2  
Old 09-08-2008 | 12:11 PM
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Alrighty!! I want one, hurry up....please!
 
  #3  
Old 09-08-2008 | 03:49 PM
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Someone tell me what the X Brace does and what kind of benefits you'd feel as a driver. Gracias.
 
  #4  
Old 09-08-2008 | 04:22 PM
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From: Car Nut Since 1987, Owner Since Fall 2005, Vendor Since Fall 2007
From my site http://www.autoxcooper.com/tsw_suspension.html

TSW X-Brace for the 02-06 MINI mounts under the vehicle for better torsional rigidity. Dr. Mike gets complete credit for the ingenious design done in true grassroots motorsports style. Fabricated and welded in the USA using 7/8" 4130 Chromoly and laser cut gussets then powder coated black. The TSW X-Brace uses 4 existing bolts and installs in 10 minutes.

Why the X design? Way, way more torsional rigidity than any other design, especially those with a ladder arrangement. Our design picks up the lollipop mounting points and ties those into the front rear subframe mount - we personally feel this will provide more benefit than anything else out there. From what we gathered while spending many nights laying under the car, there's really no point in going much farther up the front subframe. There's a lot of gussets and welds up there, and it's a pretty solid piece. The weak points, in our estimation, are the rear tie points and the lollipop mounts.

The X-style brace is designed to resist the twisting motion that goes along with the torsional loading of the chassis. In other words, the suspension will react more precisely to uneven surfaces, particularly in situations where one wheel experiences a bump or dip. It's designed to tuck up as far as possible but take it easy on those nasty speed bumps!
 
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Old 09-08-2008 | 05:09 PM
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Originally Posted by AutoXCooper.com
In other words, the suspension will react more precisely to uneven surfaces, particularly in situations where one wheel experiences a bump or dip. It's designed to tuck up as far as possible but take it easy on those nasty speed bumps!
Thanks AutoX. But what does "react more precisely to uneven surfaces" mean to the driver? That the car tracks better? Doesn't get thrown off line as easy? Holds a line even on rough surfaces?

I'm looking for the super dumbed down explanation. Thanks.
 
  #6  
Old 09-08-2008 | 05:39 PM
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From: Car Nut Since 1987, Owner Since Fall 2005, Vendor Since Fall 2007
Originally Posted by scruffylooking
Thanks AutoX. But what does "react more precisely to uneven surfaces" mean to the driver? That the car tracks better? Doesn't get thrown off line as easy? Holds a line even on rough surfaces?

I'm looking for the super dumbed down explanation. Thanks.
You got it, all of the above.
 
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Old 09-08-2008 | 09:38 PM
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Much obliged for your time...
 
  #8  
Old 09-23-2008 | 05:50 PM
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From: Tejas
Initial prototype is in the jig!
 
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Old 09-23-2008 | 06:41 PM
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now I'm doing the jig
 
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Old 11-06-2008 | 08:49 AM
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Any updates??
 
  #11  
Old 11-07-2008 | 08:05 AM
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Well, our supplier HAD started on it... but then was "interrupted" by no less than 8 Porsche race cars that needed completely custom headers, exhausts and cages... Needless to say, we dropped to the bottom of the pile.

HOWEVER, we are supposed to have the prototype by the end of next week.

Sometimes, it sucks being the little guy...
 
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Old 11-07-2008 | 09:40 AM
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Well, keep us up to date on it! I want one bad.
 
  #13  
Old 11-12-2008 | 09:53 AM
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From: Tejas
Prototype will be in hand tomorrow... test fitment this weekend!
 
  #14  
Old 11-12-2008 | 02:44 PM
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Hey. Does this help with touque steer as well??
 
  #15  
Old 11-13-2008 | 07:40 AM
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Originally Posted by UberAndreMan
Hey. Does this help with touque steer as well??
It did on the R50/R53... can't imagine it would be any different on the R56, since we're using the same geometry and mounting points.
 
  #16  
Old 11-13-2008 | 05:43 PM
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Have you looked at a Justa to see if this will also? After seeing your X-Brace save Gnatster's bacon, it's high on my list.
 
  #17  
Old 11-13-2008 | 08:21 PM
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1. Chromoly again?

2. Pricing / Group Buy? ... I would imagine it will be close to the 1st Gen

3. Any perceived issues with aftermarket exhaust?
 

Last edited by elpappy; 11-13-2008 at 09:55 PM.
  #18  
Old 11-14-2008 | 08:34 AM
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From: Tejas
This version will have the same ERW tubing, l-brackets, and gussets as the current 1st gen production version...

Pricing should be close to the 1st gen, yes... And, we will offer a group buy on the 1st run of production braces.

There are no perceived issues at this time, as long as the aftermarket exhaust sits where the OEM one does. The 1st gen brace actually "fits" the R56, but there is interference with the OEM exhaust - thus, we had to make a couple of tweaks to the design to drop the center section.

Here's a couple of pics of the prototype (spot welded for now for fitment):



 

Last edited by txwerks; 11-14-2008 at 09:09 AM.
  #19  
Old 11-14-2008 | 09:02 AM
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I'm in
 
  #20  
Old 11-14-2008 | 04:15 PM
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TSW: It looks great! It is always good to see a vendor putting pics/info on it's products out for all to see. Not to mention answering questions openly. TSW!
 
  #21  
Old 11-14-2008 | 07:24 PM
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looks nice! crazy color powder coating time haha
 
  #22  
Old 11-17-2008 | 07:38 AM
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Sunday fell through, so we're trying to get a local over this week for test fitment... Stay tuned!

I'll take pics of it on the car...
 
  #23  
Old 11-17-2008 | 10:26 AM
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Dang..I had an R56 all weekend as a loaner too. I was thinking of calling to see if you needed to borrow it for any testing too...guess I should have.
 
  #24  
Old 11-17-2008 | 11:55 AM
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Originally Posted by gnatster
Dang..I had an R56 all weekend as a loaner too. I was thinking of calling to see if you needed to borrow it for any testing too...guess I should have.
Oh, for the love of...
 
  #25  
Old 12-09-2008 | 01:16 AM
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so im comparing tsw's brace to this one by gtspec

it looks to me that tsw's brace is more beefy because of the thickness of the bars that they are using. so because of this, would you say tsw is more "stiffer" i am no suspension guru so i want to bring this up since i can only think of three companies who are doing underbody braces. they are revspeed or revspec (i think thats one of them) tsw and gtspec. gtspec is looking to be really nice because of the cost but again... tsw is really nice and strong looking.

so the whole point of me bringing this up is this... can you tell me the benefit of a "ladder system" vs an "x-brace" system?

although i cant speak for anyone here, i think people who arent in the "know" would actually like to know.

i appreciate your input and thoughts. thanks

-nam
 


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