Did a lot of searching around the forums for this but I have not found any posts for this year (2008).

My experience with Whalen Shift Machine was so great that I feel DOug deserves recognition.

After several design changes, and correspondence with Doug, I finally decided on my design. I sent my design to Doug on July 8th and he sent me a picture of the finished product 2 days later. I just received it today. I couldn't be happier with the finished product.

If you want a custom shift ****, or just a different one, Whalen is the way to go.

Post your pics here! Plus there is a gallery at shutterfly if you need ideas.

Here is mine.

 

+++1 to this thread!

I want to note that Doug will be @ MTTS in Wisconsin this weekend, Saturday, 7/26. Look for him at the Boot Sale.

I for one will be searching for him to check out his offerings. Maybe I'll bring one home with me as a little souvenir!

 

Looks awesome...Doug does great work!

 

Yep, I have one of only a few shift ***** Doug made for CVT shifter. Very .

 

Which matches the standard, non chrome gauge trims the best?
Brushed or Bead Blasted?

 

I would think that bead blasted. The trim in the R56 looks like a very fine bead blasted surface to me -- very similar to what I've used on jewelry in the past. I'm not sure how fine Doug's bead blasting is, but I think any bead blasting would match better than the linear texture of brushed metal.

 

Yep, bead blasted is a great match for the standard finish. Here are a couple of pics courtesy of Doug: of my first, bead blasted Whalen **** for Topper (R53) which had standard finish instrument rings, and of my second, polished **** for reincarnated Topper (R56), which has chrome instrument rings. Doug worked with me on both designs and really does do great work.

 

Love the design! Might have to invest in something like this!

 

Just picked up a BEAUTIFUL Whalen **** at MTTS on Saturday, and insalled it today.

I'm telling you....not being mechanically inclined in the LEAST, I was able to do this install in 5 minutes. And THAT was taking my time and reading these directions (which are the best on NAM's site):

http://coopermods.com/archives/3

I did it without a single tool, and the Whalen **** fits like a GLOVE. It feels great in the hand, and is worth every penny that you'll pay for it. Oh yeah......Doug and his wife are really nice people, too! Thanks for taking the time to talk to my wife and me at the show, and for all of the tips given.

Here are the pics of my install:











Yes, there IS hope for all of you mechanically-challenged MINI fanatics. I am proof that this is do-able for any and all!

 

Absolutely top notch for fitment and quality. Two things I noticed right away. 1) it sits lower than the stock **** so it acts like a short shifter and 2) the weight of the **** makes throwing the shifter around completely effortless. Excellent feel.

Yes, my wife named her car

 

I'll try to remember to take and post a pic of mine tonight.

 

How is that **** actually made and engraved?

 

Both of these look really good. I'm impressed. magic08mini's looks great too! I want one.

 

Here's mine. It's rather simple, but that's what I wanted. Doug does really nice work.

 

Mine was made with our club logo on it.

 

I make them myself. (Owning a one-man tool & die job shop helps a lot!)

I buy the stainless steel ***** and do the preliminary machine work on them.
I make the components for the attachment fittings myself.

For engraving, if the design is something that I'm able to draw, I do that myself; then I generate the CNC mill program.
For anything too complex for me to draw (cartoon characters, logos, etc) I need a DXF file; I can program from that format.

Engraving is done with a 3/64" diameter carbide ball end mill.

Here's a shot of my machining center.
Of course, I didn't buy it specifically for engraving shift *****; but it does a good job of that, just like it does with my industrial work.

 

Doug,
What's the diameter of the billiard ball ****? Is it smaller than the stock **** diameter on a '08 MCS. I'd like to order a **** which is smaller than stock.

 

I use standard 2 1/4" diameter pool *****. That's slightly larger than a stock R56 ****.

A couple of folks have bought their own 1 7/8" pool ***** and shipped them to me for making *****; so those are available.

 

Wow. Good stuff!

What else can you CNC?

Maybe some R56 MSC 1:60 scaled models?

 

I'm busy every day (and many nights) with industrial work.

The shift ***** are a fun little sideline, but I wouldn't have the time for anything else.

Heck, I can't even find the time for the parking brake handles that I promised to make, several years ago.
That project is still on my "list", but I haven't gotten to it yet.

 

Got a plain-Jane 6spd gate pattern. This thing has got some serious heft to it! Can't wait to drive to work tomorrow! (uh..wait, did I just say that???)

 

Do the R56 use the same locking mechanism as the R50/52/53? I have one on my R50 and would love to move it to my R57.

 

Same mechanism; but a bit different, dimensionally.
MINI modified the shift lever slightly in 2007, and I now have to make one fitting for the first gen cars and another for the second gen. They are not interchangeable.

Sorry! Blame those darn design engineers.

 

i would love to have one of those ***** but i just cant afford it right now... i think it would look killer with the cravenspeed shift well cover

 

Then you should come to MITM4 and try to win one!