Forgive me if I was not able to find this via a thread search.

Just bought my 3rd mini, a great little 05 with the CVT. As I prepare for the eventual failure of the CVT and as I would like it to remain an automatic i have to ask this question.

Has anyone successfully replaced their CVT with the Asin?

At first look some of the harnesses are different, and of course the cooling and linkage location, so i dont know if the best route is a donor car for harnesses and a computer, or build adaptors and reprogram the existing.

Thanks in advance

Ron

 

Would you be able to clarify a bit of info? Do you have a 2005 R50 with a CVT and asking to convert it to the Aisin?

If that is the case, I can't think of a single instance where it has been done. Physically you could probably get it all to bolt together but you would have to also get the R53 flexplate and starter. Electrically would be a completely different story. To my knowledge, the R50 never had any provisions for that transmissions so you would almost need to find a custom ECU to drive both the motor and the transmission. If you want to stick with an auto, your best bet is to put another CVT back in. A number of us on here have converted the cars into 6 speed manuals and that is done easily enough (if you are a decent mechanic).

 

Your title is misleading; should say R50, not R53.

 

Apologies,

It is a R50, 2005 naturally aspirated.

my thoughts are, (and they may be wrong) from the donor car I would need.

Trans
Linkage
Wiring harness(s) to trans
ECU
flexplate
Possibly Key and tumbler
cooling lines and possibly trans cooler

I guess my biggests questions are,

How difficult would be the intigrating of the trans electrical systems. I assume it would talk to the ecu as it is its previous partner. I also assume a reprogram will be necessary so the new ecu talks to the existing engine and throttle..

I guess, I should present this differently, if I had a complete 2010 donor car, what all would i need to do to swap the engine and trans into the 2005.

Smashed up coopers are $1000.00 here, used CVT's are $1500.... and you still have a bad transmission.

R

 

To my knowledge, no one has ever done a CVT to Aisin swap. It probably can be done, but you're going to be best off having an entire first gen donor car to get all the parts you'll need. Taking from a second gen 2010 as you mention opens up a whole range of variables and problems related to fitment that I think takes it far out of the realm of a real possibility.

There will be custom coding that would need to be done too. The only one I know who might be willing to try the coding for you would Way Motor Works in Atlanta. I know the CVT to 6-speed coding makes the car "know" it has a 6-speed, so it can likely be coded to "know" it has an Aisin, assuming all of the necessary wiring and Aisin control unit is wired in.

Speaking of wiring, be prepared for messing with a lot of additional wiring too, like adding pins to existing connectors etc., as I believe the Aisin has a different control unit than the CVT. Adding pins to the main ECU harness can be challenging and nerve-wracking, speaking from experience of adding one pin to get the cruise control working after my 6-speed swap.

You can cross compare parts on realoem.com to see what other compatibility issues might show up. I'm pretty sure you're going to need different axles too for instance.

Overall, there's a reason why most folks with a bad CVT either go with the reliable 6-speed swap or just put in another CVT. The swap to the Aisin is not going to be cheap and will be very challenging.

 

To add to the last poster, the gearing of the Aisin would not be good for the Cooper. 5th and 6th gears in the auto are very tall overdrives. As in less than 3k at 80mph. The Cooper would have difficulty pulling that on anything other than a flat road. Not to mention the addition of 100lbs extra weight on the front suspension. Those Aisins are heavy.

 

Ok,

It's sad that so many will just be destined for the auto wrecker simply due to a bad trans. I have such a soft spot for the first gens (this is our 3rd).

I rebuilt one CVT already and it was so difficult to find parts, literature etc.etc.

Parts I found were outrageously expensive. Bearings themselves were ridiculous and could not be cross matched by an organization such as BC Bearing.

My kids will just have to learn how to drive a stick, which is no big deal. I just wanted to keep them away from the S that I want to build over winter.. Dad needs one that is close to 300hp and is track ready, so he can go Mustang hunting on twisty roads...

Thanks everyone in helping me make decision.

Zap

 

I'm a huge fan of the first gens too, and I think they're pretty solid after getting the 6-speed in. I have tentative plans to find and fix a few of them for my kids when they get to driving age....which is still a ways off...

Good luck with the projects!

 

Don"t worry, they age quickly.

These are great little cars, I don't know better to put it either than they were built to come apart.

I just fixed the "signal light stays on" issue in about 15 minutes. Taking the assembly out and taking it apart was a joy compared to some work I just did on my wife's Tahoe and my F150. Unlike these products everything comes apart as it should and is of great quality so it goes back together properly. Too bad the ZF CVT isn't like the rest of the car.

Maybe its BMW's influence but an X3 that we also have is the same way... Now my GT550 is another story all together it's a piece of crap, and a disaster to work on.

Zap