After 10 weeks of driving my '08 R56 MCS JCW, it's clear to me that adding a short shifter would be a great initial improvement.

Which short shifter brand(s) should I consider for an R56 (and why)?

 

Because I have a Whalen Shift ****, Craven Speed was my option because their short shifter has the adapter for it to work seemlessy with my new ****. Works great.

 

i went for the helix shifter extension and i really like it. plus the install was a snap and the price is affordable.

 

You might check out ours. We have used the same design since 2002 in the MINI, and adapted it to many other cars with REALLY good success. We were the originator of the adjustable technology and have continued to refine it over the years. Bulletproof, shifts great and easy to adjust in mere seconds.

Let me know if I can help in anyway!

CLICK HERE

 

Adam:

Will the top of the shaft on Alta's short shifter be compatible with my Mini's JCW carbon fiber shift ****?

About how long should it take an experienced Mini mechanic to install Alta's short shifter?

Bob

 

I've heard mixed things about the helix Short shifter. I have heard the reduction is too much for the cables to do their job properly, causing unwanted stress to the gearbox. Is that true?

I have the B&M and a mini madness SS both awaiting install. I guess I have to choose which one I want!

 

I have had Helix type kits on both of my MINIs and never had any troubles. So far 70,000 happy motoring miles.

What I like better about the Helix type kit is the fact the **** doesn't get further away from the wheel but the length of the throw is noticably shorter. Quicker to get your hand to the ****, perform the shift and return to the wheel. Much nicer than having the **** down close to the center console and having to stretch to reach it every shift.

 

the helix adapter also requires you to remove the box above the heat shield for the exhaust. i think it was there to prevent dust from collecting but with it removed... any potential problems?

 

the only one i have noticed is if you have an alta catback and a lowered car. since the resonator the use is big sometimes it will scrape with a big speed bump pushing the heat shield up and causing the helix kit to scrape against it. it goes away after a few throws.

 

B&M is one of the short shifter brands I'm considering, since I've got one in another car. Anyone know which venders (preferably, on NAM) sell B&M's?

 

Yes it is. Just specify that you want the kit for the OEM ****. (Might have to order via phone.)

Experienced mechanic should take 1-1.5 hours.

Hope that helps! Thanks for asking!

 

The only thing I have heard against B&M is that it is SO low it tends to hit on the heat shielding. Can't be adjusted like the ALTA. Again nothing AGAINST the quality etc. of the B&M just a functional difference.

 

this may be a dumb question... but how do you remove the exhaust to install the shifter? is there a point in the exhaust system where it is bolted together?

 

Up near the front of the car there is a small flexible section of pipe. Just ahead of that where the exhaust starts to bend upwards in front of the engine there is a V-Clamp that detaches the exhaust. Near the resonator in the middle and at the back attached to the muffler are rubber hangars. They take a good amount of effort to pry off the first time but with the right tools and a bit of lube its no big deal at all.

 

I've installed a few Cravenspeed shifters on R56's. They are Real easy to adjsut with the adj. ****.

 

I've got 22K on my Helix extension and have no regrets. The toughest part of the install was tweaking the cable end to the correct orientation. Otherwise, it's been flawless, doesn't rub anything anywhere and I have the same shifter orientation in the cockpit - with a short throw. Worth every cent of $50.00

 

Thought i would humor everyone, Mini does,its called an automatic.Q

 

Thats pretty good!

 

After five years in my Subaru Outback (which comes with a terrific stock short-throw shifter), I thought "I gotta shorten my new MINI shift" ... then tried out two short-shifters on cars in my MINI club.

Data: they're a LOT more stiff -- leverage changed so much that I almost had to SLAP the shortened shifter to get it into reverse.
Suggestion: try one that's already installed, and maybe drive yours "as is" for a few months first; you may warm up to it.

 

I got to ask. Are you wanting to decrease the throw between gears... Or just want to shorten the length of the shift lever? MAKES A HUGE DIFFERENCE.

 

Principally to shorten the distance between the gears, e.g., from 2nd to third. I'm OK with the height and angle of the stick.

Thanks for asking (sorry I wasn't clearer to begin with).

 

I had a short shifter in my VW and it was stiffer.
I got used to it.

 

Totally Acceptable.

Some folks come from the import scene and think that all they need to make a short shifter is a hack saw and some goop to glue the **** back on!