Hi everyone! First of all I have been searching if there was a thread out there that explains how to do a automatic to manual swap for the R53 unfortunately I only found some or little info, that’s why I decided to open this thread and I hope that the knowledge gurus out there would chime in and give they’re valuable inputs.
i recently acquired a R53 in really good shape but the transmission was busted so I decided to install a 6 speed getrag transmission. I have gone thru the whole mechanical swap already and also did some upgrade on the car too. As you can see I already installed the tranny with single mass fly wheel but it’s not all that easy there were some hurdles the driveshaft mount wasn’t same as the automatic car it was a bit lower we had to get the correct one . The engine mount had to be changed too but I guess that was already expected. Biggest part now is the wiring we still have to figure out the clutch signal , reverse signal and after I need to have the computer boxes programmed from WMW. I would really appreciate if anyone has info in the clutch signal and reverse signal . I’m hoping we can come up with a guide for everyone that has the same issue or wants to do the same conversion. Thank you in advance!

 

This is one auto to manual conversion I am aware of.

 

you should not have to recode modules just change options with ncsexpert

if you have cruise control the clutch sensor wire should go to pin 85 or 103 I forget which one at the connector x60004 if you follow the MFSW retrofit guide it shows how. The directions say to de-pin the whole connector I chose to drill it out instead, the connector will have unused pins blocked off, I drilled holes for the retrofit but your procedure will basically follow the same steps

 

There use to be a step by step write up on the other web site.

 

Thanks Guys! the wiring tips helped a lot .. got the car running this morning I will be adding more info and pictures re: what we ran into during the conversion .. thanks again

 

Things needed for the conversion
Automatic mini cooper S R53 which i bought for only $1500 (busted transmission)

$500 manual transmission used preferable 05' and up
170$ manual shifter assembly ebay has a lot I got 05' model
300$ driveshaft (CV) left and right
free$ driveshaft mount ( for manual) passenger side
379$ clutch kit (valeo single mass fly wheel)
145$ intake duct manual transmission mini mania part # nme7627
42$ intake snorkel pipe (if not using aftermarket intake) mini mania part # nme8693
10$ wiring adapter lead (clutch signal, cruise control) bmw part # 61116911072
195$ manual transmission mount mini mania part # nmg7613
+ECU programming
my mechanic said its very similar to BMW SMG to manual conversions he did from the past.
pictures to follow

 

nice! does everything work?

 

when we got the wiring pin installed and connected the 3 wires it crank late last night when pressing the clutch pedal and this morning when we finished the wiring we had it running.. short answer yes everything works but im thinking i might not need to have the cruise control running i will using the car for track most of the time

 

Congratulations!!

Pics and info will be greatly appreciated. I was thinking this would never be feasible without a ton of $$$ and resources. Hopefully your info will make this conversion more common.

 

Update programming done no more check engine light yahooooo! The ecu was looking for the transmission and was throwing a code the shop got a software upgrade and was able to program it for me. I’m picking the car up today and start driving to do a shake down. I will posting pictures soon

 

ECU programming worked like a charm no codes passed smog today too. Thing i have upgraded so far MSD ignition with 8mm ignition wires
JCW 380cc injectors, 17% pulley , Evans waterless coolant, Mishimoto aluminum Radiator , powerflex bushings..
upgrades on the way ATI crank pulley, 20 row engine oil cooler, ST XTA coilovers, R56 brake conversion, Sparco Sprint seats
I'm thinking of exhaust upgrade but still undecided on the brand

 

just got some goodies!! ST XTA by KW

 

New to the forum, I just finished my R53 Manual swap, I need my egs either programmed or coded out to get rid of my P0700 faults. Can anybody in the Raleigh Area help me out? BPC wants 600 bucks to rectify this. My F56 lease is about to expire and I have to get my R53 on the road asap!! Thanks guys.

 

can it be done in ncsexpert/ncsdummy? I've changed my kombi module from chrono pack to nav, but never more than that, I have the software working and I'm in pittsboro

 

MrBlah I have been told that Ncsexpert can do it, I just don't know how all of that works to be honest. My R53 isn't on the road yet either so trying to take it somewhere to be programmed/coded is a bit of an issue. I work in Raleigh but live in Zebulon. Im hoping to get some others to chime in as well. Thanks for your reply!

 

Check with G3 Automotive

http://www.g3autosolutions.com

 

I spoke with Chris @ G3 and he said he couldnt do it. Im at my end here... I just want to drive the damn thing already

 

Can you tell me what I need to do with the electrical wiring harness too the automatic transmission and how does this affect the wiring adapter lead (clutch signal, cruise control) bmw part # 61116911072)? We're trying to finish conversion from automatic to manual 6 speed transmission and we're not sure what to do with the electric part of this connection. Working on 2006 Mini Cooper S. Thanks for the help. Please respond to my email address: gailwynne12@gmail.com

 

Can you tell me what I need to do with the electrical wiring harness when I convert from automatic to manual and how does this conversion affect with wiring adapter lead (clutch signal, cruise control) bmw part # 61116911072)? Thank you for your help. Please respond directly to my email at gailwynne12@gmail.com.
Thanks,

 

I have just stared my conversion on a 2006 mini cooper s from automatic to 6 speed manual.removed sub frame and transmission. I bought a getrag 6 speed manual transmission from low mileage salvage car.the wireing harness from the automatic transmission is set aside. what do i need to do with that harness? I have the flywheel conversion kit. changed to clutch and brake pedal assembly with clutch master cylinder' still need hydraulic lines from clutch master to slave cylinder. any advice on what i need to do do with wiring harness and how to wire in clutch signal wiring? i have read your info on your conversion. any help would be great. thanks gail

 

I had a guy known around this forum named Levan remote code my DME and such for the swap. As far as the clutch switch is concerned, I used my auto trans range sensor so it would send signal to the starter. I just make sure its not in gear when I fire it. I dont have the DSC system hooked up either. More fun to drive to be honest. I know these answers are bland in detail. Let me know if I can help any further.

 

thanks for your reply. I am working with my papa on this project and neither one of us are real good with the wiring part of this. when we removed the auto transmission there was a 2 plug wiring harness we disconnected. what did you do with that?on another thread there were talking about certain pin numbers and modifying a plug using a clutch sensor adapter . do I need wiring diagram to figure this out? sorry.still to many unknowns . any help would be great. thanks gaild

 

The best advice I can give you is to pick up a detailed wiring diagram either off of Google images or a proper service manual. This will alleviate some of your headaches. There are two pins on the range sensor connector that you can connect to a clutch safety switch. I didn't go that route as I just left the range sensor plugged in. I then removed the EGS module completely. You can leave it plugged in to retain such functions as cruise control and DSC but I had issues with it still throwing codes for EGS so I just removed it.

 

We've done the swap on the R53 but looks like a lot of info has been left out of this thread. In addition to the parts listed you need to change the cooling system hoses over to the manual setup and also the oil filter housing to have the oil cooler. The AT has the cooler on the trans, and the Manual has it on the oil filter housing. Then we just swapped the entire engine harness with the manual harness which made everything so much simpler and cleaner as it had the reverse light connector and got rid of all the extra wiring for the AT trans.
You also need to swap the pass engine mount bracket, and the lower engine mount bracket as this will make it all sit right. I know there are some other things still missing but these are big things I know need to be done for it to be right.

 

thanks for the info on the wiring harness. I found one on ebay. also looking for the correct oil filter housing with cooling. I guess there is a different cooling hose setup for that to? or I can modify the existing? anyway, trying to find good used clutch master to slave hydraulic lines. add this to list of parts. thanks gaild.I got the 6 speed getrag transmission bolted to the engine. I am having a clearance issue with the transmission shifting linkage hitting on the ac lines and the left side transmission mount dose not want to fit either. I got the correct mount per the part # for a 2006 mini cooper s with 6 speed getrag transmission. what am I missing? thanks for any help.gaild