[paulmon]

Who would be up to a road trip down to Helix Motorsport in Philadelphia? I was planning on ordering their Stage 1 brake kit and get them fitted here in Toronto but I think a drive down to Helix might be fun and it's only 8 hours away.

Any takers? I'm thinking a weekend some time in the spring once we can switch to our summer tires without any worry. If there is any interest at all, and I'm not holding my breath, let me know and I'll give the folks at Helix a call and set something up. They have a dyno as well so keep that in mind as an option.

Cheers,

Paul

[ram_one]

I did the road trip this past Friday. Of course for me, it was only 1 1/2 hours.
The Stage 1 kit is pretty cool. I got this as well as H&R springs and the rear sway bar.
Let me know when you plan on heading down. I'd take the ride again. The guys at Helix are really cool and do great work.
I highly recommend them.

[paulmon]

How much of a difference in the brakes do you see? My biggest concern is fade. I'm still not sold on springs, I find the MINI low enough. I want to do the sway bar but Helix's sway bar is considerably more than the MINI Madness one.

I'm not sure how many Toronto area people I'll actually convince to drive down with me. I'd be surprised if I got any, guess they don't like to motor as much as they claim! In fact, I DARE them to drive down with me. hehe.

Paul

[MiniMan7]

Just a dare?!? C'mon, its all about the TRIPLE DOG DARES now adays!!!

[GordonD]

Driving is fine - it's the money you HAVE to spend once you're at Helix which worries me

[paulmon]

hehe. Fair enough. We could have US customs confiscate your credit cards at the border.



Paul

[chris@helix]

I posted this on an other forum but if this trip happens, there are quite a few auto x's in this area starting in the spring. We could spend an afternoon beating up on some of the local hotshoes.

All the best,


Chris

helix MINIsports
helix13.com

(215) 739-8800

[aircanuck]

Hmmm I am looking at some of their items right now, I may be able to be PERSUADED to take the trip..

**Cough** group discount **Cough**

[paulmon]

That's quite the subtle cough you have there. Well, minimc hinted to attending on a seperate thread over at minicooperonline.com so if you come Aircanuck that makes three possibles.

If we do do this how do you think we should arrange the drive down? 8 hours there and 8 hours back isn't far but not exactly a commute either. My thoughts:

1) We leave around 3pm on a Friday and drive down, perhaps Chris@Helix can suggest somewhere in the city to stay? Outside of west philly.

2) We spend Saturday morning/afternoon getting the Helix guys drunk on Canadian beer so they won't notice us playing with their dyno and making off with their last set of coilovers.

3) Hunt for some good food and crash

4) Sunday - Chase down a possible autoX with Chris@Helix's help and leave sometime early afternoon back to TO.

Thoughts? Adjustments to my timeline?

Paul

[aircanuck]

I wouldn't complain about that timeline whatsoever, I am pretty used to driving long distances, solo, nonstop. So no problem with the 8 hour trek. I'm just waiting on a bunch of calls about jobs from all over the place, so that's mainly where my uncertainty comes from. Keep me posted though!

Cheers,
Neil

[ram_one]

Quote:

Originally posted by paulmon
How much of a difference in the brakes do you see? My biggest concern is fade. I'm still not sold on springs, I find the MINI low enough. I want to do the sway bar but Helix's sway bar is considerably more than the MINI Madness one.

I'm not sure how many Toronto area people I'll actually convince to drive down with me. I'd be surprised if I got any, guess they don't like to motor as much as they claim! In fact, I DARE them to drive down with me. hehe.

Paul

I like the difference in the brakes. Maybe it's in my head, but braking feels more confident. I feel more confident and that makes it worth it to me.
The springs make the ride firmer and they don't lower the car that much.

Combined with the swaybar, they make a noticeable difference in the drive characteristics.
The RDR swaybar from Helix is about $50 more than the Madness bar. However, when you factor in shipping (I figured $20-$25, maybe more to Canada), the price becomes very reasonable and you also have the advantage of 3 settings versus 2 for the Madness bar. That's what sold it for me.
Keep thi sthread going and let me know when you're coming down. I'll run with you guys to Philly.
Let's motor.

[paulmon]

Were talking April so it's not in the short term and even then it would be a weekend and most people won't call you about a job on a weekend. That being said if you miss out on your chance to pilot a Gulfstream G500 for some famous movie start or rock band don't blame me.

So you like to drive more than fly?

Paul

[paulmon]

Quote:

Originally posted by ram_one
I like the difference in the brakes. Maybe it's in my head, but braking feels more confident. I feel more confident and that makes it worth it to me.
The springs make the ride firmer and they don't lower the car that much.

Combined with the swaybar, they make a noticeable difference in the drive characteristics.
The RDR swaybar from Helix is about $50 more than the Madness bar. However, when you factor in shipping (I figured $20-$25, maybe more to Canada), the price becomes very reasonable and you also have the advantage of 3 settings versus 2 for the Madness bar. That's what sold it for me.
Keep thi sthread going and let me know when you're coming down. I'll run with you guys to Philly.
Let's motor.

Ram_one, you've got the wheels I want for my MCS as they look FANTASTIC on a DS/B MCS. Careful runing with us, I just might have to mug you for those wheels.

Paul

[aircanuck]

Quote:

Originally posted by paulmon
Were talking April so it's not in the short term and even then it would be a weekend and most people won't call you about a job on a weekend. That being said if you miss out on your chance to pilot a Gulfstream G500 for some famous movie start or rock band don't blame me.

So you like to drive more than fly?

Paul

Ah good point, and I don't think things will pick up between now and April anyway. Sounds like a neat roadtrip even if I don't buy anything.

Do I like to drive more than fly? Absolutely not...hence the wings on my mini

[supercuper]

Hey, you guys are crazy but so am I, I'll probably pass on driving but I can keep some one company, split the fuel costs, tell great jokes and snore lots (just kidding...about the jokes, I only know rude ones) Once a date is picked a can make sure it doesn't cross with any of my rallies. There are some products I want from Helix: KW Springs, Ignition Wires and maybe the silicon hose kit.

Keep me posted.

Alex

[paulmon]

Can those that are interested in doing this chime in with a "Yes I'm interested" so that we can see the response. It looks like there's 4 or so of us counting supercuper riding shotgun with one of us. I'm thinking we could do this late march or April/May. Whatever works and what let's us run summer rubber. I was hoping to get the springs done. If I can get a few of us I'll contact Chris@Helix to see if he can throw us a bone.

Chris, if you're reading this can you throw us a bone?

Paul

[GordonD]

Paul

I might be interested if we can make a rally out of it where one could bring one's spouse - sig other etc.

We should see if anyone in the area could suggest a senic drive with limited police survailence.

[chris@helix]

Sure, we can work something out. The third weekend in May (24-25) looks like it will be the best for us. The end of April we will be in a mad rush to fininsh off a Car for the One Lap of America race , which kicks off @ Watkins Glen on the 3rd of May and ends on the 10th of May @ Bever Run. Let us know what you think. We could do a local dyno day as well, letting you meet some of the local MINI owners.


All the best

Chris

helix MINIsports
helix13.com

(215) 739-8800

[supercuper]

Typical, I have a rally on May 24th. If I can't make it then I will put in an order for some springs, wires and hoses. If that is the best weekend then go for it

Alex

[paulmon]

Quote:

Originally posted by GordonD
Paul

I might be interested if we can make a rally out of it where one could bring one's spouse - sig other etc.

We should see if anyone in the area could suggest a senic drive with limited police survailence.

That's an interesting idea Gordon. The "limited police survailence" might be difficult.

Does this interest anyone else?

Chris@Helix, the idea of getting some of your local MINI owners out for a Dyno day or something sounds great. As long as it means you can still install my H&R springs.

Cheers,

Paul