We're getting closer to the weekend thrash! Glad I took a vacation before we're about to tackle the surgery this weekend...

The rest of the parts arrived, too - the last one we came up with was the transmission mount, which is different on the Getrag v. the Midlands. It's the big cast piece that bolts to the trans, kind of looks like a half moon - not only is the mounting different, it uses M12 bolts instead of the M10 bolts used on the Midlands. The big arm that bolts to the unibody is shared across the R50 and R53.

 

We race two JCW MC's here, and both of us have suffered gearbox failures over the course of two seasons. We came 1-2 last year, and that was with one Midlands DNF. The units are known to be weak, so we concentrated on being gentle, especially with the 2-3 upshift, and they lasted a lot longer than we thought they might.

Going to a different road racing class this year, we are allowed to change the gearbox, and we are looking at going to a 6-speed Getrag and dealing with the gear ratios, with the Quaife unit, lightened flywheel, etc.....while we're in there, we might as well do it all....

Stephen.

 

I'll make sure you get a copy of my write-up, in case you need it. My car will also get a full race prep in the future for BMWCCA Club Racing... Right now, we're putting down ~145 whp and 140 ft/lbs or torque - one reason the Midlands grenaded.

We're going forward with the later model Getrag with the lower ratios... I believe that Quaife makes two gearsets for the Getrag now, though - a Group N and another set. BUT, they are WAY expensive.

The funny thing is that this latest tranny was babied in comparison to the original one... Shrug. Both of our failures were between 1st-2nd gears. The dog rings on the 1st-2nd synchros rounded off on the first one, and on the 2nd one, I believe that we're missing teeth on the 1st gear. Regardless of whp, I just don't think the Midlands is reliable for autocross, time trials, heavy DE use, or racing...

 

Many thanks....funny, we both lost our boxes the other way....we don't use 1st gear except on our standing starts, but 3rd and 2nd take a relative beating on 3-2 changes, typically. And it's dead easy to beat the synchros on the way up.

I would be very interested to know what you can do with the ratios....

Good luck with the install!!!

Stephen.

 

Can't wait to see the results of the "surgery", txwerks! Take lots of photos!

 

Back on the road!

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=121758

Pics and write-up to come!

 

Sign me up for that MOD! Once again TSW raises the bar for R50 Mods.

 

I think that if my tranny goes a second time I will do this swap. Or if I have some extra cash laying around. Man I wish I had a money tree right about now.

 

I'm seriously interested to this swap...can't wait for the complete piece list so that i can get a complete idea of what I need...just one thing, was your one a post-facelift Cooper or was it a pre-facelift? Because my one is pre-facelift so I might need some more things than you...

 

Mine's an 11/02 build date (2003 model)... As far as I can tell at this point (after LOTS of research), any 2002-2006 Cooper would require the same parts that I ended up with (except the shift lug and shifter cables, which you should match up to your car's build date).

Everything was pretty much plug and play! The only thing that really had to be modified was the reverse light switch harness - had to add about 14" of wire to it and splice it in, but that was a no brainer.

I'll be working on the write up tonight...

 

Can't wait for the pics!!!!!

 

Yeah, I already knew about the reverse light swich harness...but if you have pics of how to adapt it, that would be great. My one is a 01/2004 build, I already checked and the lug is the same for the post-facelift Cooper S, so that is one thing I don't need. The shifter cables however are different so I'll need them...

 

Got the pics downloaded earlier today... will post a few teasers here in a bit...

 

Hey look! A Cooper with a Getrag 6-speed?





I'll be working on finishing up the install write-up this weekend...

 

I think we found the problem with the old tranny... Hrm... ya think? A pic of what was 1st gear and its mesh gear...



And a handful of teeth...

 

Hey guys, I have a 2003 MINI Cooper with almost 111,000 miles on it. I am already on my third tranny! The first one went out around 44,000. The second at around 94,000 and the third still going strong for now! The problem I had with these trannies were not leaks but lots of noise. As the tranny got worse the noise increased in all the gears. I have already been through 2 clutches (my third one is a Spec Stage 1) and 2 flywheels! ABOSTLY CRAZYINESS FOR A NEW CAR TO HAVE ALL OF THESE ISSUES. I live in the fear every day that my tranny will go out again. Should I drive like a little old lady now? I SHOULD NOT! That is not why I bought a MINI for!
And last time I was at the dealer for my tranny replacement they said "We will not replace the tranny again because of abuse and high milage. What a bunch of bull! I really want to keep my car, but next year it will be payed off. Should I keep it and see what happens or sell it and get another type of car?

SORRY ABOUT THE LONG STORY!

 

Based on your history above, I'd save your money, order a 6 speed and head to TX for a long weekend in 20,000 miles. If/when mine goes out I'll be looking to make the exchange to a 6 speed.

 

How much is it for a 6-speed swap?

 

Oh man, good thing I never wanted to be a hand model - sorry folks!

 

That looks like some chocolately goodness....

 

Well...Im still on my strong...original tranny (75K) and I beat that sucker down like the submissive beotch it is...lol I dont know why people have so many problems. Im TRYING to grenade my tranny and I still cant...

 

Well, that gives me and the rest of us early MCers hope.

 

Well it's a double edged sword with these midlands trannys.....I'm at 82k and all seems well. Don't get me wrong, I've been concerned ever since the midlands started blowing out. This seems to be the only permanent fix seeing how we've seen 2 of the "upgrated" MiniMania UK trans give up....one of them being THAT trans in the pics above. I can't wait for the full write up. I really wanna know how the MC performs with the S ratios....

 

I'd imagine 1st would be a little livlier; 2nd would be between where the current 1st & 2nd is; 3rd would be between the current 2nd and 3rd; 4th, 5th, and 6th would be nearly identical to the current 3rd, 4th, & 5th.

I ran the numbers last night. I looked up a stock r50 dyno on here, and came up with the following. Assuming both transmissions have equal efficiencies and that the tires have a radius of 1 ft (205/50/16 - the size I seem to remember my tires are, though I may be mixing numbers with the size of my other car). If you have more power than stock the lines will be shifted up. If you have smaller diameter tires, lines will shift up as well. Black lines are gears (thrust at a given speed), red is resistance (drag, etc):
Early 5 Speed

Late 6 Speed


for reference, I also came up with ones for a late 5 and early S transmissions:
Late 5 Speed

Early 6 Speed

 

My late build 2003 Cooper blew the tranny around 43,000 miles or so. Had it replaced under warranty, and finally sold it at around 60,000 miles. I'm driving a 2005 MCS with 68,000 miles now, and no tranny issues at all--so no fear of the tranny blowing, although that's not to say I don't have other reliability issues that concern me, lol.