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 Posted: Nov 28, 2017 06:49PM
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thanks for all the ideas much appreciated

 Posted: Nov 28, 2017 08:16AM
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US
And take speed bumps at an angle, one wheel at a time.

 Posted: Nov 28, 2017 05:34AM
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I bought my first mini in 1968. I was lucky enough to live right between two guys who were very involved in early minis in this country. The first thing I was told was to always put one tire on a man hole cover. Steve (CTR)

 Posted: Nov 27, 2017 08:23PM
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sorry, completely missed that you have hydro suspension. That's the most comfortable suspension there is on a mini. You can overpump it and raise it up without the need for hilos.

If you compare different wheel/tire sizes that fit on a mini, the overall difference in height might not amount to as much as you want

https://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalcold.html

 Posted: Nov 27, 2017 11:47AM
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Thanks for all the thoughts and ideas

the suspension is with in spec

no leaks and I have the book explaining the measurmenat

also I have a pump for it so I can adjust as needed
the car has shrader valves installed in a remote location for easy adjustment

I don't think it's a matter of the car being low

i think its the dumb exhaust currently installed and also with road conditions near my house

 Posted: Nov 27, 2017 08:05AM
 Edited:  Nov 27, 2017 08:41AM
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Quite frankly I came out of Colorado and never had a problem with raised manhole covers however in addition to all the other ideas people have posted you might want to consider a full length sump guard that's the only way you're not going to hit your transmission. I don't remember the cost anymore but it's probably $350 to $500. Ask me how I know. Look for a Stump jumper such as CA JJ 3320 at $212 or find an older style that won't Bend when you hit it at 40 mph

 Posted: Nov 27, 2017 07:06AM
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Look at the outside diameter of the tires. You would only gain a very small height difference with larger size tires. I think the ten inch tires are around 19.5 inches diameter, and the 13's are only 20 or 21 inches. So even gaining a inch and a half of tire would only give you 3/4 of an inch in ride height. You need to look at why your suspension is too low and start there.

 Posted: Nov 27, 2017 06:35AM
 Edited:  Nov 27, 2017 06:39AM
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You may need to pump the hydro up. Not uncommon the car will be low. I'm sure someone here can you give you the measurements of where it should be - I can find if not.

If that doesn't resolve it, 12 inch wheels are a reasonable option, especially since it gives you a cheap brake upgrade option.

Don't touch 13 inch. Handle bad, ride bad, look bad on a Mk1.

By the way one of my Mk1's has 12 inch wheels on it. If it wasn't for the 4 pot brakes I have on it that don't fit over 10 inch wheels, I'd go back to the 10 inch right away.

 Posted: Nov 27, 2017 06:09AM
 Edited:  Nov 27, 2017 06:55PM
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 Posted: Nov 27, 2017 05:05AM
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The problem is really the manhole covers
they are raised here and all over the road
atleast in my area

i had no choice but to take one head on yesterday given there was a car next to me
it was either hit it or hit the car beside me

the mini was not happy with me

the bottom of the car didn't hit but my exhaust did


mostly because someone put a performance exhaust on the car which I plan to remove also 

 Posted: Nov 26, 2017 09:38PM
 Edited:  Nov 26, 2017 09:55PM
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The biggest wheels you can fit without body mods are 12 inch maybe 12 x 4.5 or 5. The 13 inch wheels have to run a low profile 50 series tire with a small sidewall to fit, the 145 or 165 70 10 inch tire or the 145 70 12 inch tire has the larger sidewall and probably the most amount of give on rough roads.
New suspension donuts and shocks and knuckles if worn will help the ride some along with hi lo's if you are not doing the rears so the car is level.
Also tires get hard with age but may still be in good shape, manufacturers recommend to run tires no older than 7 years check the date codes on your tires.
Generally you should have roughly 2 to 3 fingers width between the fender and tire, if you have less than that you will be hitting the bump stops on rough roads.

If in doubt, flat out. Colin Mc Rae MBE 1968-2007.

Give a car more power and it goes faster on the straights,
make a car lighter and it's faster everywhere. Colin Chapman.

 Posted: Nov 26, 2017 09:07PM
 Edited:  Nov 27, 2017 07:54AM
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And brakes bigger than Cooper 7.0" discs.

 Posted: Nov 26, 2017 08:49PM
mur
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I always thought Colorado had nice roads. You should see what happens to roads in Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

If the car has properly functioning suspension set at the correct ride height you should have no problem on any roads. Larger wheels and tires add substantial rotating mass, often require bodywork modifications, wear out the wheel bearings quickly and still pretty much require properly functioning suspension set at the correct ride height.

 Posted: Nov 26, 2017 08:25PM
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 Posted: Nov 26, 2017 07:35PM
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So my Mk1 has very nice 10 inch wheels on it. Original to the car. 
Its a cooper with front discs if that means anything to the conversation. 

The roads in my state are terrible and I was looking for a bit more ground clearance

I see mini mania sells a wide set of 13 inch wheels 

Is it even possible to fit something like this on a Mk1 without modifications?
What is the common size to run on a Mk1?

I don't want to take away from the originality or the handling but I'm going to kill this poor car driver around on Denver roads unless I do something about it. 

Any ideas? 

thanks