Introducing the PRECISION STEERING AMPLIFIER
for 2002-2006 R50 MINI Cooper, R53 Cooper S, and 2005-20008 R52 Convertibles.

A NEW product from Mini Mania now IN STOCK!

The PRECISION STEERING AMPLIFIER (p/n NMS6000) improves front suspension geometry for better handling and car control. Works well with stock suspension on and off the track, and even more effective on lowered MINIs. The PSA is “track-tested” following complex computer simulation models.

The PSA is compatible with your 2002-2006 R50 MINI Cooper, R53 Cooper S, and R52 MINI Convertibles. Requires 17" wheels or larger.

 How it works:
The Roll Center Axis of an automobile plays the major role in providing feedback to the driver. An Axis drawn between the Roll Center for the front suspension and the Roll Center for the rear suspension is called the Roll Center Axis. The drivers perception of the direction that the automobile is moving , yaw and roll, is determined by the Roll Center Axis motion. The front and rear Roll Centers are points that the car is actually rotating about, and is determined by the front and rear suspension geometry.

A primary objective in the design of a performance automobile is to have the front and rear Roll Centers maintained close to center of the car (that is, the left to right center) and vertically position above the ground. As an automobile is maneuvered the front and rear Roll Centers move left and right as well as up and down and hence the Roll Center Axis moves accordingly. The feedback to the driver about the motion of the car is based on motion sensing relative to the Roll Center Axis. The Roll Center Axis is the true Axis of roll and yaw.

Computer simulation models were used extensively to study the R53 MINI Cooper S suspension. The Roll Center on the front suspension of MINI Cooper S has large left right position changes when cornering. This is particularly true and evident in MINI’s that have been lowered. The result is poor feedback to the driver and poor handling characteristics.

This Roll Center movement can be significantly reduced by lowering the front ball joints. The PSA was created to correct this problem and to significantly reduce the front Roll Center motion during cornering. The PSA is installed between the ball joint and its mounting surface on the hub carrier. The result is dramatically improved handling characteristics on street and competition MINIs. The improved feedback to the driver is significant. The roll center movement is substantially reduced by lowering the ball joints as has been verified by calculations and computer simulations, and proven on the track.

The Data:

The table below shows the roll center movement of the MINI for the stock position at 6" above ground and the lowered ball joint at 5.18 " above ground ( lowered by .82"). This data table was generated from a computer simulation of the MINI Cooper S suspension. A brief explanation of the table follows.

Ride is the ride height change from static height of the MINI

Roll is he body roll angle of the MINI

Steer is the steering angle input

X and Y are the horizontal and vertical position of the roll center X=0 Y=0 is at ground level at the center of the MINI

Camber L and Camber R are the camber changes for the left wheel & right wheel

The rows from the first row to the last show the dynamic changes that occur for a typical turn. With an explanation of the first 4 rows you should be able to understand how the remaining rows relate to the dynamic changes that occur for a MINI turning.

Row 1 shows the MINI in a static position

Row 2 shows braking first which causes the ride height to decrease.

Row 3 shows the beginning of the turn off the brakes, front rises a bit, the beginning of steering input and some roll

Row 4 show further into the turn, body rises and rolls a bit more with more steering input.

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The Analysis:

The changes in the X and Y (the roll center position) and the camber changes are of significance. In particular, note the range for the horizontal roll center X for the stock ball joint from -39 to + 40 right in the middle of the turn. Recognize that this is the feedback the driver is feeling as the roll center moves from one side to the other (about 80" of movement). Now contrast this with the horizontal movement of the roll center for the lowered ball joint suspension and note that the total movement is only 11.8" and the center never moves from one side to the other side.

This is not only a great improvement in the diver feedback, but it is also an improvement in the suspension geometry. In addition, the effective spring rates are also increased due to the shorter moment arms acting through the roll center. The roll center Y dimension has also been improved in that it is never negative (negative means below ground level), and has been raised. This improves the effective roll stiffness by increasing it. The camber changes were studied to confirm that the changes with the lowered ball joints did not adversely affect the handling. Further study of the table should give you an insight into the significant improvements realized from the lowered ball joints.

The Bottom Line:

With the PRECISION STEERING AMPLIFIER installed, your MINI will feel smoother through the corners with better feedback, enabling better control and lower lap times!

Part No Application: NMS6000

Article Date: May 06, 2008
Car Accociations: NEW_MINI
Hits: 1194

Order and Shipping Information

Worldwide Shipping Charges
Shipping Address Policy
Worldwide General Shipping Information
Shipping Schedule
When Will I Get My Order?
Entering APO/FPO Addresses
Backorders

World-Wide Shipping Charges

How can I get a shipping estimate?

Just click "Buy Now" on the product page to add it to your cart. Continue shopping and when ready for the shipping estimate, begin the checkout process. Shipping charges for most items are calculated and displayed during order checkout. You will NOT need to log in or create an account to use the 'shipping quote' button.  If you're not ready to order, simply use you browser's "back" button to return to previously viewed pages.

Shipping Methods appropriate for your destination are displayed to you during order checkout. Once you've decided on the items you'd like to order, consider how quickly you would like to receive your shipment(s), evaluate the shipping cost displayed, and choose a shipping method.

What if no shipping charges are displayed?

Shipping charges are calculated at time of shipment based on the actual package weight and dimensions. In some cases, we may not have weights or dimensions in our computer system for one or more of the items you ordered. In this case, shipping is not quoted. The amount you will be billed is the carrier's standard charge. We don not charge any handling fees. The cost of shipping your order will be sent to you in a confirmation email message at the time of shipment. No action is required on your part.

Shipping Address Policy

When you order product using your credit card we initiate a process to check the address information you enter to see if it matches the address that your credit card issuer has on file and matches your billing address. If they do not match then the issuer of the credit card will not approve the transaction 100%. This is because much of credit card fraud occurs by having products shipped to the address of the person who stole the credit card instead of to your address – the billing address. The fraudster steals the credit card, orders products and has those products shipped to the fraudsters’ address and you don't know anything about it until you get your credit card bill.

This works great for those people that have products shipped to their home address and their credit card bill is also mailed to that same address. But some people use a PO Box or their personal credit card to order products for business. In those cases they want the product shipped to their office but the statement (billing address) is still being mailed to their home address or PO Box. This normally would be a rejected transaction because of the two legitimate, but different, addresses.

The way to get around this is with an Alternate Shipping Address. You can add an Alternate Shipping Address to your credit card so that orders will be accepted at both addresses. The alternate shipping address does not have to be your business address but is used here simply as an example.

Simply use the toll-free number on the front or back of your card to contact your credit card company and create an Alternate Shipping Address which is simply a note on your account authorizing purchases that are delivered to a destination other than your billing address. With the Alternate Shipping Address feature in place you can have credit card orders shipped to two different addresses but your credit card bill will continue to be mailed to the original billing address.

Add the Alternate Shipping Address to your credit card account before placing your order. After your credit card company has updated your credit card account you can then order products with your credit card and have them shipped to the alternate shipping address you have on file with the credit card issuer.

* Please note that on your initial order items must be sent to the billing Or ‘Alternate’ address as registered with your credit card company. See this Policy for more details or contact our sales staff at 800-946-2642.

Mini Mania, Inc. primarily uses FedEx, UPS and the US Postal Service to ship orders world-wide, each of which may be available only in certain areas. Truck freight items may be shipped using our choice of a variety of motor freight carriers. The customer pays shipping costs unless stated otherwise.

When choosing a shipping method, remember that carriers charge considerably more for expedited delivery. Expedited delivery also generally requires the package be signed for at the time of delivery. Check with your selected carrier locally if you or your authorized representative may not be available to sign for the package at the time of delivery.

For some destinations, we offer the choice of Mail (USPS). While often less expensive, remember that items shipped via Priority Mail, while insured, are not always reliably delivered and cannot be tracked. By choosing Priority Mail, you accept responsibility for your order once it leaves our facility.

Customers outside the domestic United States should exercise particular care when selecting a carrier or expedited shipping methods. If in doubt, consult with your potential carrier for information about shipments to your country. Import duties, local taxes, customs charges, etc. are the responsibility of the customer. If Mini Mania is invoiced by any carrier for import duties, local taxes, customs charges, or similar fees, the customer's credit card on file will be charged immediately for these fees, and an invoice explaining the charges will be sent to the customer.

Shipping Schedule

Most orders phoned in to Mini Mania before 12 noon Pacific Time are shipped the same day; orders received later usually ship the next day. If you must receive your order by a specific date, please make this clear when placing your order.

Most Internet orders are processed the next business day and are shipped within 1-2 days.

If there is more than one item in your order, we will ship your items as they become available.

Depending on availability, your order may be sent in more than one shipment. You will be charged shipping for each shipment.

You may choose to contact us by phone or e-mail before placing your order in order to ascertain availability.

When Will I Get My Order?

For Ground shipments, see the maps below for approximate delivery times. For expedited shipping choices, please see your chosen carrier’s web site for details, terms and conditions. Note that in all cases, shipping times do not include the day the order ships, weekends or holidays.

UPS Ground Delivery Transit time Map for Domestic Customers

FedEx Ground Service Delivery Map

Entering APO & FPO Addresses Correctly

Having trouble entering an APO or FPO address on our order form? Following these steps should help:

• Enter the recipient's full name and address in the relevant fields.
• Enter "APO" or "FPO" in the City field.
• Enter "AE" in the State/Province/Region field if the recipient is stationed in Europe, Canada, Africa, or the Middle East. Enter "AA" if the recipient is stationed in the Americas. Enter "AP" if the recipient is stationed in Asia or the Pacific.
• Regardless of where the recipient is stationed, select "United States" from the Country drop-down menu.

  Following these steps will ensure that you're charged the correct shipping amount and that your order will be delivered in a timely fashion. All shipments to APO/FPO addresses are sent via U.S. Priority or First Class Mail. We estimate 5 to 7 business days for delivery once the order has been shipped; however, some destinations may take up to 21 days.

  
  
  
  
  
  

  Backorders

  We endeavor to stock most of the items we sell. The automatic shipment notification email you receive will identify backordered items and indicate the approximate date we expect to receive the item at our warehouse. Be sure to contact us if you wish to cancel your backorder to avoid unnecessary shipping and restocking charges once your backordered items are shipped.

  
  
  

We will match the published price of any US supplier* -- even their current sales prices! If you find an item advertised at a lower price, make a notation in your online order, call or email us your price match request (see terms and details below). We'll sell you the SAME item at the SAME price! If you've already purchased the item from us, we'll even price match (for store credit only) as long as you contact us with your request within 10 days of placing your order.

This offer is restricted to identical items offered for sale in writing or on the web. When making your price match request, you must provide us with a link to the competitor's Internet URL for the item, a copy of the written ad or written quotation, which must include suppliers part number, description and price.

Price Match Terms and Fine Print

We may choose not to price match in some cases; here are some reasons why:

• The competitor's product is not an exact match (identical manufacturer & model) with ours.
• The competitor with the lower price does not have the item in stock at their warehouse.
• The competitor's total price (including shipping, handling, rebates, taxes, etc.) is higher.
• The competitor's product is used, refurbished, reconditioned, or a display model.
• The competitor is not selling in US dollars.
• The product is a clearance or closeout item.
• The item is not found within the first 10 items listed on major search engine results.
• The competitor is not manufacturer authorized or has advertised below the manufacturers minimum allowed price for the item.

* Qualified U.S. Suppliers are established businesses that routinely and regularly sell the item to be matched from an established physical storefront or warehouse.

While we endeavor to maintain the accuracy of item availability, descriptions and availability, we reserve the right to correct errors. We reserve the right to choose not to honor this offer.

How to Request a Price Match

Place an order on-line and leave a comment at checkout. Provide the competitor's name, part number, item description, URL link to the exact item and the competitor's price anlong with your request to price match. If we agree to match the price, your order will be processed at that adjusted price. In the event we cannot match the price, we will notify you by email. We will hold you order for 3 business days.

Alternately, you may call us with your request. We'd love to talk with you. We will generally respond to price match requests within one business day.

SHIPMENT PROBLEMS?

Claims for missing items or error in shipment must be reported within 5 days of order receipt .

BACKORDERS

We endeavor to stock most of the items we sell. For Classic Minis, parts are frequently in limited supply and are difficult to keep on hand. the automatic shipment notification email you receive will identify backordered items and indicate the approximate date we expect to receive the item at our warehouse.

Be sure to contact us if you wish to cancel your backorder to avoid unnecessary shipping and restocking charges once the item(s) you’ve ordered is shipped.

Some items are made available on a Special Order basis. These are typically items with very low demand that we choose not to keep in inventory, or items that are custom built or built to order. These items are ordered from their suppliers solely to fulfill your order. As such, these items require a 100% non-refundable deposit at the time the order is placed (power-unit orders require a $1,000 deposit before work begins). Because of the nature of Special Order items, your order cannot be cancelled once your order is accepted and deposit taken, nor can returns be accepted once the item has shipped.