I'm new here and I'm not sure if this is the right forum for this post.
I saw a thread the other day about maybe a Mini Cooper S being introduiced with a CVT. the thread seemed to be all speculation but I was wondering if instead of waiting, it would be possible to retro fit one. I really like both the looks and the performance of the MCS but because of a medical condition I can only drive a auto. The major problems I can see are 1. reprograming the software for the increase in power. 2. the actual fit of the transmission to the engine, and 3. the ancillary (sic?) parts that are involved. (I've read that the air intake on a CVT is different than on a stick MC.) Any advice would be appreaciated. Thanks in advance

Chris

 

It is not possible to retro fit, and currently there arent any solid plans for a CVT MCS.

 

Welcome to MCO kahrhoff

It would be quite an undertaking, but it might be possible to retrofit an MCS with a CVT. The only problem is that you'd never get the kind of performance you're looking for. The CVT, even chipped, doesn't come close to the HP of an S.

Instead, you could modify the exterior with S parts (stock bumpers can be found cheap/free from dealers that are installing a lot of body kits). Also available are the S side repeaters, fuel door, spoiler, and badge.

For better S-like performance on the CVT, aftermarket springs, exhaust, intake and chip should give you what you are looking for. Diamond Racing has done some nice mods to their CVTs and they claim their cars can smoke a stock S. They are rumored to be developing even more performance upgrades for the CVT.

I happen to LOVE the Cooper look, but have done the following performance upgrades on my CVT: Helix exhaust, drop in air filter, H-sport springs, RDR adjustable rear sway bar, SSR Comps 16 X 7 with Bstone Potenza S-03 Pole Position tires. It's amazing what a few good mods can do for the CVT.

 

thanks alot ants and harmini,
so if I did the performance mods what would need to be done to make the rest of the car look like an MCS? obviously the hood, and the little side vents, also the exhaust, but what else? I'm normally not a big fan of mods on cars but I really like the looks of a MCS? How does a MCS with an aero differ from a stock MCS looks wise? Do you have any pictures/

Chris

 

Please dont take a Cooper and try to make it look like an "S". Thats is almost as bad as a ricer, and having a non functional hood scoop is just lame. If you want an "S" learn stick.

 

ants
I agree the ricers are stupid, and non functioning anything is just really lame. But what would you do in my position? I physically can't drive a stick. (cerebral palsy)

Chris

 

Easy ants.......this guy CAN'T drive a stick. Maybe he could put some of the S parts on as I've already mentioned. It's his car, let him make it as unique as he likes.

Chris, the aero kit on the MCS changes the bumpers, side skirts, aprons and grills, basically the whole bottom of the car all around is different. I can't find a pic right now to show ya, but if you get a 2003 MINI motoring accessories catalog, you can see all of the parts.

Take a look at dandp's Cooper with an MCS bumper on it. This will give you an idea of how S parts look.





_________________

 

>>ants
>>I agree the ricers are stupid, and non functioning anything is just really lame. But what would you do in my position? I physically can't drive a stick. (cerebral palsy)
>>
>>Chris

Im sorry I did not realize you couldnt drive a stick. I think you will maybe find the power of the CVT to be quite good though. Also I recommend the aero kit if your going for a sportier look. Either way its a MINI...and you'll have loads of fun!

 

By the way I have heard rumors of a turbo kit.... So us CVT owners may be moving even faster soon...

 

The CVT is lighter than a MCS so it will do OK with a few modifications.
For handling try some suspension mods- springs, rear swaybar, lighter wheelset with non runflat tires
For more power consider a true cold air intake, header, exhaust, ECU upgrade, magnecor wires.
For appearance- the aero kit is nice but very expensive. You can add any or all of the parts and paint them or the wheel arches. Not really worth making the CVT look like an S. Better to make it unique on it's own.
For great overall results- go to driving school and learn how to drive the CVT.

At this time the MCS is not available with CVT- earliest time might be 2005 year- nothing official.

 

Thanks everyone for the advice.
I was talking to a buddy of minie about this and he came up with a great idea (or so it seemed to me). Now I'm not all that mechanically adept, b ut how hard would it be to switch the position of the accelerator pedal with the clutch pedal? what I mean is how hard would it be to relocate the accelerator to the far left? Granted no one else wouild be able to drive it. but hey I wasn't planning on letting anyone else drive my mini anyway.

Chris

 

Chris,

Hello and welcome to the MCO!!

Moving the gas pedal shouldn't be too much of a problem since it is electronic (no mechanical linkages to the carb), so I forsee just rerouting or lengthing the control wires. I've never actually seen one apart, so this is my best guesstimate.

 

FYI- the gas pedal assembly slides into a bracket that is screwed into firewall. The bracket also has clips on the bottom which attach to the floor of the car via a set of metal slots. I replaced my OEM assembly with the pedal upgrade kit - I would think you could move it assuming you allow for the attaching of the bracket assembly onto that side. And the control wires as noted above would need to be lenghtened.

And another view of my Cooper with the S bumper...

 

dandp,
where did you get your bumper? how hard would it be to put on a S hood?

Chris

 

How bout the other way round? Swapping a MCS lump into the MC CVT? Easier than the other way?

 

>>Thanks everyone for the advice.
>>I was talking to a buddy of minie about this and he came up with a great idea (or so it seemed to me). Now I'm not all that mechanically adept, b ut how hard would it be to switch the position of the accelerator pedal with the clutch pedal? what I mean is how hard would it be to relocate the accelerator to the far left? Granted no one else wouild be able to drive it. but hey I wasn't planning on letting anyone else drive my mini anyway.
>>
>>Chris

Chris, let's see if I understand what you want to do. Now you're talking about modifying an S to make it possible for you to drive, correct? Your better functioning leg/foot is your right? Thus the ability to be able to employ the clutch? Are you sure your left leg/foot would be able to control the throttle and the brake if you made the switch?

I love this kind of brainstorming. Keep the ideas rolling.

 

>>dandp,
>>where did you get your bumper? how hard would it be to put on a S hood?
>>
>>Chris

Dan's not online now, but I can answer your question. When the dealers install the aero kits on the MCS, they have the stock S parts left over. Pick a Cooper color that is also an S color and you won't even have to paint the bits. Dan's IB is the perfect example. He had bodywork damage and instead of spending bug bucks to get it fixed, he found a dealer who had the S bumper already painted in his color.

 

Chris, my original bumper was damaged and needed to be replaced. I went down to Helix (MINI tuner) in Philly for a brake upgrade, and they saw the damage and suggested a solution. A dealer had been installing aero kits on the MCS and they had a leftover MCS stock bumper in my color. I wasn't opposed to the more aggressive look of the MCS bumper, and it saved me quite a bit of $$$. I've seen an MCS owner put the Cooper bumper on as well.

As far as the MCS hood goes, I can't say. I like the look of my bonnet as it is, and I know I would inevitably get the "wannabe" comments. But if someone came up with a cold air intake using the MCS hood scoop for the Cooper, that might be interesting.

 

harmini,
actually the other way around. my left leg is the one with feeling, right now I drive a automatic Chevy pick up. and I tuck my right leg back and underneath my left and use my left for the throtle and brake. This is why the CVT would work ok, I've already testdriven one and there is enough room. But I really like the look and preformance of the MCS so my buddy and I were thinking that I have enough motor control (no pun intended) to push on a clutch, why not reverse the pedals? My major problem with my right leg is just an inability to tell how hard I'm pushing on something, I have a real lead foot.

Chris

 

>>dandp,
>>where did you get your bumper? how hard would it be to put on a S hood?
>>
>>Chris

If you are willing to wait, BFP is planning to put out a Carbon Fibre Bonnet (hood) for the cooper S you could either get that part when it comes out, or buy the regular bonnet from someone who installs it. MCO is a great place to find such people.

 

didn't realize I was posting right around the same time as harmini!

I guess you could use the dead pedal placement as a place for the gas pedal?