Noob question here - Is it relatively easy to convert say a 1980 Mini auto to manual with proper engine/tranny swap?

I was not sure if there are differences within the car (subframe, etc) - or even really hard to find parts (manual shift linkage, etc) that would not allow such an easy or posssible swap, etc.

Thanks in advance.

 

Weird, I plan to do this exact same thing to my 1973/1980s Mini. Right now I have a 998cc engine with an auto gearbox. I'm planning on swapping it with a 1275cc powerplant, with one of the 5-speed gearboxes from the later Mini Cooper S models. I still have to do my research as to what this swap will entail.

 

you can use your old subie. the subie just requires a 3/8 spacer between the motor and mount. you will need to redrill the left motor mount front hole as the auto is different.

 

How about driveshafts? Are they different between the transmissions, or can you use the automatic driveshafts with the manual unit?

 

To be honest, i'm not 100% sure since i never did the swap myself.

 

Angel...Is your automatic working? If you are interested in selling the entire lump drop me an p.m. I am located in Ohio. Thanks

 

I'm swapping it out for the very reason that it is malfunctioning.

Under certain conditions, when the engine is under load, and the gear selector is in "D", the transmission will sometimes disconnect the engine from the wheels, almost as if I was in neutral, even though I'm still in "D". I give the car more gas, and the engine revs up, but none of the power is transferred to the wheels. I slow the car with the brakes, give it another quick tap of the gas, the transmission makes a "clunk" and the car pops back into gear. I don't know what is failing on the transmission. And it's very frustrating because I like driving the Mini very...er, very sportingly.