i just got this Mini and I have a couple of questions. i did some searches and called the dealer and got no help.

it's an 05 MCS with an optional LSD installed. i need to replace the tranny fluid, but i need to figure out which LSD i have first...clutch, gear, viscous??

also, the car came with an aftermarket intake and exhaust so i'm wondering if the PO also did the pully...how can i tell?

 

Look on the side of the pulley....if it has been swapped it will usually have a brand name, and a reduction amount in %. The stock pulley is black. Aftermarket pulleys are usually silver or anodized stainless steel. The factory pulley is also pressfit, aftermarkets (for the last few years anway) are almost always a colet/locking ring type of arrangement with boltholes.
The LSD if I remember correctly does not require matainance....the factory unit is a Quaife (spelling is maybe close, sorry), but it is also avalable as an aftermarket ad on.Good find, not many cars were delevered with the LSD installed!!

 

Your MINI does not use a Quaife LSD (gear type). What they use is called a GNK cone type. More like a clutch type. There is a special fluid that is used. Your dealer parts department can get it for you. IIRC the tranny holds 2 quarts. Like any tranny its fluid should be changed periodically.

Classic MINI gives a nice NAM discount...
Phone:440.205.6404

Congrats on the new MNI.

 

I guess I might be wrong... I could have sworn the factory LSD was a qUaife LSD....

 

Crashton is correct , the unit is not a Quaife.

Randy
M7 Tuning

 

Wish I was wrong, a Quaife would be a much better diff to have.

 

follow up question...i have 3 quarts of Redline 75w90 gear oil on my shelf, would that work for changing the tranny fluid or do i need to go get some MTL?

 

That might be OK for a tranny without a slip, but I would not put that in mine. I'm guessing the stuff MINI spec'd & sells has a friction modifier in it.

Did you figure out if your MINI has a reduction pulley?

 

75w90 does have the friction modifier in it...the 75w90NS doesn't.

http://www.redlineoil.com/content/fi...ech%20Info.pdf

i checked and i do NOT have the reduction pulley.

 

Time to put a pulley on there. It is the biggest bang for the buck mod you can do to an R53.

 

YES you can use the Redline MTL, we've used it in many cars with good results.

As for the pulley, the stock one is pressed on. An aftermarket pulley would have bolts on the face of the pulley that hold it on. So no bolts means it's stock. Like Zippy said most will have a brand name on the face. The stock is also black.

 

I was getting differing opinions so i emailed Redline, here's the reply:

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Chris,

[FONT=Arial]Thank you for contacting Red Line Oil, in your Mini transaxle I would recommend the MTL. The 75W90 is a higher viscosity than called for and contains a friction modifier so would be too slippery for the synchros. If your limited slip is a clutch type unit some friction modifier may be necessary to control it though excess will affect shiftability. I would start with the MTL straight, if noise is excessive then a slight amount of friction modifier can be added, being aware too much will affect shiftability.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]
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[FONT=Arial]Regards, Dave[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]Red Line Oil[/FONT]
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[FONT=Arial]so i guess MTL it is.[/FONT]