Hello,

I am wondering if there are any drivetrain or suspension (or anything else that could affect performance) differences between the Coopers from 02-06.

I need to know because the Cooper is classed in SCCA's G Production class and I am trying to straighten out the minimum weight specifications (I am on the rule making committee).

Thanks

 

None that I know of....but I don't know much.

 

Oh yeah...besides the Midlands ---> Getrag transaxle change.

 

Theoretically in mid '03 there was a change made to less-stiff dampers. Not sure exactly when (or even if) this ever happened, but I'm sure there are some NAM threads/posts on the subject. It was hotly discussed at the time.

Here's one thread.

 

Oh yeah times 2...They changed the rear calipers from May 03 to present.

 

Tom,

The 2005 Cooper received an all new close ratio 5-speed Getrag manual transmission that replaced the old Midland Gears sourced 5-speed used from '02-'04. However, the Cooper did not see an increase of HP as the MCS did in 2005. This may be where the confusion is located.

The 2005 also had some styling changes in 2005. Here is the MINI USA Dealer Bulletin about changes made in 2005:

http://www.motoringfile.com/files/MINIhardtop2005.pdf

I think the 2002-2004 and 2005-2006 need to be listed on a different spec line unless you want to allow the Midland to Getrag swap. The Midland is **** to breaking.

Also the Convertible came out in 2005 and the spec line does not exclude or include the convertible.

Gear ratio information that I found on www.mini2.com

+---+-----------------------+
| G | |
| e | Overall |
| a | Ratio |
| r | |
+---+-----------+-----------+
| 1 | 13.463 | 14.400 |
| 2 | 7.671 | 8.327 |
| 3 | 5.252 | 5.476 |
| 4 | 4.153 | 4.105 |
| 5 | 3.333 | 3.509 |
| R | 14.105 | 14.065 |
+---+-----------+-----------+
| > 06/2004 | 07/2004 > |
+------------+-----------+

Ron

 

Thanks for the replies. Since the production classes do not require vin numbers, they can all be raced with the same specs, IMO. That means that you could bolt a Getrag box into a 2002 Cooper.

Based on these answers, I believe they should be on the same spec line with the same weight, then add a note that either transmission is allowed. The chassis differences are parts that would be changed anyway for racing. I'll report this to the committee so that we can put the 2005 weight = to the 02-04 weight, then also add the 2006 car. Thanks again!

PS, build your SCCA GP Mini Coopers!