Hey guys, I have a 2006 Mini cooper S with an Automatic transmission. It has been giving me some problems lately and I am wondering if there are any DIY threads on swapping over to a manual transmission. I have done these swaps on Honda Civic's in the past and I can't imagine it would be too difficult to do in the Mini. If I were to do it, I would probably buy a wrecked M/T cooper for a donor car. Any info is appreciated. Thanks!

 

Have you found any resources on this yet?

 

There is a thread floating around somewhere and if I remember correctly it is not too easy to do due to computer issues. I was thinking for a time of buying a blown trannie auto and then putting in a stick but decided not to.

 

1. Manual Transmission
2. Clutch Brake Pedal Assembly (pre facelift have different clutch sensor setup)
3. Clutch Master and Slave Cylinder
4. Feeder Line from Brake Master Cylinder
5. Fluid Line from Clutch Master to Clutch Slave
6. Clutch/Pressure Plate/Throw Out Bearing Assembly (18 tooth)
7. Left and Right Axles
8. Flywheel
9. Shifter Assembly
10. Wire clutch sensor to ECU, repin ecu (pins are blocked off drill out or find new harness connector and repin the whole thing)
11. Find someone who knows how to reprogram all the computers in the car from automatic to manual coding.

I do not know anyone that's done it, it's more common on bmw's and its the same procedure

 

WMW did this on a Cooper not too long ago. I saw it in their Facebook feed about a month or so ago. Hit them up, they may know.

 

that place you referenced will not answer questions

 

I was in construction and built some very special stuff. One of my sayings was that with enough time and money there was not too much that could not be accomplished. On your auto to stick issue, IMO the saying would hold. It comes down to how much time and money you want to spend.

How many miles on the car? You the first owner? Has the transmission been serviced recently?

 

In my case, I have an 06 R53 with 80k miles-At 28k is when I purchased it when it had zero mods(now has several) When the Auto goes, I want to install a manual as I feel I'll have more control. I can do all the work myself so this helps on $ but at the same time, I wanted to know an exact dollar figure so I can plan on what to do when/if the auto does go out

 

He answers emails fairly well. He's a knowledgeable guy but stretched very thin and IMO, not the best in business but is very successful at what he does so this can me because he's stretched thin.

 

Thanks for this information.