How To R50 Drivetrain :: Getrag 6-Speed Swap - Full How-To

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Old 09-24-2008, 03:46 PM
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R50 Drivetrain :: Getrag 6-Speed Swap - Full How-To

Many of you may have read our trials on swapping in the Getrag 6-speed, and some may have read the pared down article in NAM Alliance... The full tech article was a mere 30ish pages (which, naturally, would have taken up a lot of space... hah!).

Anyway, we've sent out lots of electronic copies - so, rather than have to send it out, we've put it online for all to enjoy and contemplate.

It's the full story, with a parts list, tips and tricks, suggestions, etc.

Enjoy! (someone might wanna make this a sticky?)

Slow connections beware, this is a 3MB file!

http://www.txwerks.com/images/Instal..._Weak_Link.pdf
 
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Old 09-25-2008, 12:36 AM
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Amazing write up! This has to be a sticky.
 
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Old 09-25-2008, 07:25 AM
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Still waitin on my flywheel from fidanza....Oh, and btw...I want to thank Brent (Haggardsk8tr) for all the parts donations. Without him the project and my car would be on hold.... And I would just like to say that having zero tranny fluid...going 95...accidentally popped into neautral..and redlining to 7800 rpm wasnt good for my once fixed midlands. Its sounds like metal jiffy pop and I lost 3rd and 4th gear.....GOOD TIMES....lmao!
 
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Old 09-29-2008, 01:10 AM
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Still running strong on my original Midlands, but I got this excellent write-up stored so when the time comes, if it does, I'll be ready.
 
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Old 09-29-2008, 08:58 AM
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I'm planning to make the swap (hopefully before next summer) and this write-up is the key!

Thank you!
 
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Old 09-29-2008, 03:51 PM
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I will be doing it this weekend finally. Got all my parts...
 
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Old 09-29-2008, 05:05 PM
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Originally Posted by UKSUV
I will be doing it this weekend finally. Got all my parts...

have fun with that... i will be workin...lol
 
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Old 09-30-2008, 09:19 AM
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im doing mine as soon as i find a tranny with LSD in
 
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Old 09-30-2008, 03:38 PM
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Originally Posted by kalbone
have fun with that... i will be workin...lol
YOU have fun workin while Im playing.... And...Its a miracle mine will be done before yours. You gonna have it done by 2009?
 
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Old 09-30-2008, 03:53 PM
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Originally Posted by james f
im doing mine as soon as i find a tranny with LSD in

i know whos doin a swap this weekend... i can snag u the 6spd...u just gotta find yer own LSD though..
 
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Old 09-30-2008, 03:58 PM
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Originally Posted by UKSUV
YOU have fun workin while Im playing.... And...Its a miracle mine will be done before yours. You gonna have it done by 2009?

HAHAHA! are u doin the install yerself? if yes, then i'll get my car bak before u get yer tranny in..LMAO!
 
  #12  
Old 09-30-2008, 04:30 PM
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Originally Posted by kalbone
HAHAHA! are u doin the install yerself? if yes, then i'll get my car bak before u get yer tranny in..LMAO!
HAHAHAHAHA....Go get me an egg burrito on your way home...
 
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Old 09-30-2008, 04:35 PM
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Old 10-03-2008, 11:32 AM
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Damn! If this was around when my tranny went I wouldn't have sold my Cooper! Finally a clear solution to the weak low torque limit Midlands!
 
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Old 10-03-2008, 11:45 AM
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Hey Scott. Do you know the weight difference between the Midlands 5 and the Getrag 6? Also, I assume you don't miss the dual-mass flywheel even though this is an S transmission, true?
 
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Old 10-03-2008, 01:25 PM
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Originally Posted by kurvhugr
Hey Scott. Do you know the weight difference between the Midlands 5 and the Getrag 6? Also, I assume you don't miss the dual-mass flywheel even though this is an S transmission, true?
If I recall correctly, the difference in weight is minimal - something like 10-15 pounds is all. I put the car on the scales after the swap and didn't have to touch anything - still sitting at 49.9% cross weights (and no, I'm not going to spend 2-3 more hours chasing that 0.1% difference! ).

You have to swap the flywheel over to a Cooper S variant while you're doing the swap - nope, I don't miss a thing (especially not the grinding noises!).
 
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Old 10-03-2008, 01:33 PM
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Cool.

So, does "Cooper S variant" flywheel mean dual mass? How heavy is the one you used (if you remember)?
 
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Old 10-03-2008, 02:06 PM
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How much would that cost to have done at a mechanic (not the dealership btw).

Im not so mechanically inclined, but would like to have that done if the time comes....
 
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Old 10-03-2008, 02:21 PM
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Originally Posted by kurvhugr
Cool.

So, does "Cooper S variant" flywheel mean dual mass? How heavy is the one you used (if you remember)?
I went with the Exedy Hyper Single setup... It's MUCH lighter than the OEM dual-mass, but a smidge heavier than the previous lightweight Cooper flywheel setup by about 2 pounds, IIRC.
 
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Old 10-03-2008, 02:22 PM
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Originally Posted by burley
How much would that cost to have done at a mechanic (not the dealership btw).

Im not so mechanically inclined, but would like to have that done if the time comes....
I'd wager a good 14-16 hours of labor if someone's had a MINI apart before... So figure that range X whatever the going rate is in your area (here it's $88/hr. for a really good local MINI guru, but the BMW/MINI tuner shops are ~$110/hr.).
 
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Old 10-04-2008, 08:19 AM
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Originally Posted by txwerks
I'd wager a good 14-16 hours of labor if someone's had a MINI apart before... So figure that range X whatever the going rate is in your area (here it's $88/hr. for a really good local MINI guru, but the BMW/MINI tuner shops are ~$110/hr.).
I was able to get my tranny out and back in in about 6 hours (with quite a few breaks inbetween). The swap will be a little longer since you have to add a line and bleed to system....
 
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Old 12-20-2008, 02:32 PM
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I_have_a_2003_mini_cooper_R_50_and_my_mechanic_say s_my_transmission_has_gone.
I_wanted_to_know_where_the_part_numbers_came_from? _Im_having_trouble_finding_the_parts.
And_do_you_know_if_the_haynes_book_is_any_good?
PS_my_space_bar_is_broken
 
  #23  
Old 12-20-2008, 04:23 PM
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Originally Posted by williamrdavis08
I_have_a_2003_mini_cooper_R_50_and_my_mechanic_say s_my_transmission_has_gone.
I_wanted_to_know_where_the_part_numbers_came_from? _Im_having_trouble_finding_the_parts.
And_do_you_know_if_the_haynes_book_is_any_good?
PS_my_space_bar_is_broken
The part numbers are valid. You also need MCS shift cables and MCS bolts for the clutch and flywheel.....
 
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Old 01-12-2009, 04:43 PM
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Im currently doing a 6 speed swap on my 04 cooper. I've hunted down several transmissions and was wondering if anyone knew of a reputable source for new or rebuilt 6 speeds. I've also been collecting the txwerks parts list. i read the txwerks write up but is the quaffle really worth the money im on a fairly tight budget. Also a Stage 1, 2, Or 3 clutch?
 
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Old 01-13-2009, 04:22 PM
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Originally Posted by laggy
Im currently doing a 6 speed swap on my 04 cooper. I've hunted down several transmissions and was wondering if anyone knew of a reputable source for new or rebuilt 6 speeds. I've also been collecting the txwerks parts list. i read the txwerks write up but is the quaffle really worth the money im on a fairly tight budget. Also a Stage 1, 2, Or 3 clutch?
The quaiffe and Stage 2 or 3 should be out of your range if you said "tight budget". I did my swap as cheap as it gets. Less than 2K. I need to upgrade to the quaiffe and put a Stage 4 setup in there but not until I touch the motor. So Im happy. The car is so much more fun to drive. And to answer the question...no, you dont need the quaiffe and setup if you arent doing anything major..
 


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