Whether you are competing at an autocross or driving on a Sunday
afternoon your MINI is at risk. Even if you already have some STD's, you
may want to double up. Because around every corner, in the very depths
of every pothole, and the pinnacle of every bump G forces lie in wait.
The occasional G may seem harmless by itself, but at times there may be
several lurking in one rut and once they have done their damage to the
sheet metal atop your tightly sprung strut towers, it will be difficult
to resume normal activity.
Mushrooming
A picture may be worth a thousand words, but you may not be able to
detect the mushroomed strut towers if you looked at a thousand photos.
Less than 3/8" of tower deformation can be extremely detrimental to your
MINI's alignment. This has been a common issue that MINI owners have
had to face. It is a compromise in the design of the vehicle, where the
tight springs allow for the griptastic handling that we love on the
twisties, but are the main reason that our MINI's have a unique
disposition for sheet metal deformation.
Double Up
Craven Speed UTIs are an additional preventative measure. Double up on
protection, using UTIs and STDs together to your advantage will
strengthen your MINI's strut towers before deformation can occur. By
sandwiching the sheet metal between the 1/8 inch cold rolled steel UTI
and our 1/2 inch thick aircraft aluminum plate there is no possible way
for tour your frame to bend. Just like STDs, you'll always get UTIs in
pairs, one for the right tower and one for the left.
UTIs (Under Tower Indurators)
Installation is a little more difficult than the STD, using the
included instructions, it will take about 30 minutes to ensure that you
do not have to go through a lengthy and expensive alignment repair. You
will need to lift the car, bolting the strut unbolt the struts, and
maneuver the UTIs into place before bolting the strut back in place.
Finish:
The pair comes plated in a gold nickel finish. The
finish will have some scratches from the manufacturing process, but do
not fear, the UTI is barely visible once it is installed.
Fits the following MINI models:
R50 2002-2006 Hatchback Cooper
R52 2004-2008 Convertible Cooper and Cooper S
R53 2002-2006 Hatchback Cooper S