[tuscan_thunder]

hi,

from my experience racing a lightweight, reasonably powerful front wheel drive car, a front strut brace is not what you want.

firstly, why do you want the bar?

if it's to help get rid of understeer, then a front strut brace is not the way to go. a REAR strut brace is. this will turn the back of the car in better and will reduce understeer. a front brace will only help kill understeer if the rear is stiff, the surface is totally dry and grippy and you are on track. too many people think stiffening the front will get rid of understeer. it will actually make it worse except under full, or near full, load.

stiffening the rear, springs, dampers and a strut brace will help the front of the car. the mini isn't too bad for spring and damper stiffness versus speed and weight at the rear but a strut brace would improve matters.

a front strut brace will also make traction worse. you will suffer more wheelspin especially if you pull away 'smartly' from a wet junction.

this does sound perverse, and previously I wouldn't have believed it, but it is based on experience. (for more details on handling get a copy of the ultimate book about handling, geometry etc: Alan Staniforth's Competition Car, construction, preperation etc book. can't remember the full name, and it's at home, but do a google or amazon and it'll show up. it's genius!)

if you aren't lookign for the bar to help get rid of understeer, then i've just gone off at a tangent so apologies!