so i've had the cravenspeed ssk for a couple of years. it's definitely better than stock (imo) but not anywhere near perfect. today i got to thinking - hmmmm, the helix ssk is an insert, not an entire replacement for the oem shifter like the cravenspeed. and, it's affordable ~$40. wonder if i could add it to the cravenspeed set up and get a truly tight, awesome short shifter (maybe almost as good as the honda s2000 shifter)

any thoughts?

 

I see where you are going, but I'm not sure. These companies probably have done R&D on the tolerances that the tranny can take, or optimum shift points. I'm guessing it probably wouldn't hurt anything, but then again I haven't seen an aftermarket SSK that was actually seriously extreme, so I'm wondering if they set the limit for a reason.

 

that's an interesting point - this may be a question for danny at minicorsa

 

My opinion on this subject is that you will probably never get to the S2000 shift feel as that is a direct connection to the transmission and the MINI has cables/levers/etc. There will always be some kind of spongieness (if that is a word) to the shifting even with a good SSK. I think your idea of mixing the Cravenspeed with the Helix might be a good thing. Let us know how it goes.

Good luck,
Mike

 

Like the poster before me I havent a clue about any sort of compatability between theese two seperate parts.
They are right on the getting your shifter to feel like one that is directly conected into the transmission tho. Any shifter with a linkage will have some give to it, and that is just the way it is.
I think that if this does work you are going to have way too little throw to the shifter if the Craven stick is adjusted all the way down. That is all a ssk does is reduce throw(shifter movement to get to the next gear)
I say go ahead and try it and let us know how it works Hey its like $40.00 if it dont work skip going to Starbucks for a couple days, it will be like you never lost the money

 

The Craven is the adjustable one, right? If dropped as low as possible... plus a Helix SSK... I don't think the cable box will allow for that severe of an angle between where the housing ends at the box and the cables attach to the shifter, especially at 2-4-6. Plus, you might not be able to bang the heat shield away far enough to keep the cable from hitting it and/or the exhaust.

 

i do worry that there might not be enough space, etc to handle the addition of the helix, which is something i figure someone with experience like danny might be able to answer.

re: the points made about never achieving a solid or nonspongy feeling to the shifter b/c there's no direct connection to the gear box - i don't know if this is entirely a true statement. here's why (imo) and based on previous experience albeit with a different manufacturer's sports car (2005 porsche 987). in that car (in my case i had the 5spd mt) i replaced the oem shifter with an aftermarket kit made by schnell. in the 987 boxster one replaces the shifter directly inside the car (there's no need to get underneath the car). also, the porsche uses a series of cables that connect to the shifter. from what i recall (i did the swap myself b/c i didn't have to get underneath the car), there was no direct link to the transmission. however, the end result was absolute perfection - in fact, i'd say it was even better than the s2000 - but then again, driving a 987 is a little bit above and beyond the experience of the s2000 (altho for the $ the s2000 is a damn good car!)

the schnell replaced the oem bearings with metal ones (much like the b&m does for the mcs). thus, to achieve (my kind of) perfection, the pathway may include the cravenspeed + helix + b&m metal bushings. hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

and yes, IanF - the cravenspeed is the adjustable one.

 

I wasnt aware that anyone had aftermarket shifter bushings for our cars, I,m gona check that out. I know that just adding a urithane bushing to a Honda makes them feel pretty good, I added a ste to my '87 Suzuki Samurai rock buggy and the shifter feels like it fell out of a Ferrari
Since space is an isue I would try the bushings first if you can find them. It really might surprise you.

 

the b&m seems to be the only aftrmkt ssk for the mcs that replaces the bushings. some folks driving 02-04 mcs have been able to find really affordable b&m (or knock off) ssks for under $40 so easy access to metal bushings. but for those of us with 05 and newer its not that easy. i'm a little surprised that someone hasn't jumped on this manufacturing idea yet

 

The limiting factor is space under the shifter lever. If you have an aftermarket or JCW exhaust, you'll smash into the resonator with the bottom of the lever. I've installed the B&M kit with and without the bushings, and I have to say that I can't tell much of a difference.