My R50 03 5spd Midland died, I am looking to go thru the 6 speed swap process. For those that have done swap already where did you source your 6 speed? I have already dropped the 5spd tranny and in the process of sourcing all the required parts, axles, shift cables....but getting a reliable tranny is first and formost.

 

MiniTransmission.com below will ship gearboxes from UK to USA normally within 72 hours max:
http://www.minitransmission.com/

Other useful Midland info:
http://forum.minicooper.org/showthread.php?t=9643

Fixing the Weak Link:
http://personal.stevens.edu/~jdunn/FixingtheWeakLink.pdf

 

I got mine from a junkyard in California. A junkyard in my town had one at the time, but even with $80.00 shipping, it was cheaper to buy the other one, which was a 2005 with LSD. It's pretty important that you get a later box with the revised ratios.

If I could do it all over, I'd put another Midlands in there, though.

 

Blackbomber, I am curious why another Midland if you could do it again. I agree the cost is more...axles, cables, mounts...etc. Depending how long ago you did the swap wouldn't the cost be worth it in the long run?

 

That was what I thought too, going in. But then I tallied everything up after finishing, and I was in it for over $3k. Granted that includes a new clutch which I'd need anyway. But I could have done the Midlands twice over with money to spare. And even with the revised ratios, the car is just plain sluggish out of first gear (and I'm using a 20# flywheel). Then there is the issue of resale. The car is worth more with the stock transmission, although at 129,000 miles, my car is worthless anyway. It's amazing how mileage affects these cars.

I did mine almost a year ago, and have 9,000 miles on it.

 

Let me translate some of what I wrote above into honest truth: I bought my car for $1,500 with a blown Midlands, thinking I could fix it up, and have a nice cheap car I could drive for a year or two, and still get my money out of if I decided to sell. Well now I have almost $5k into a car that is worth $4,500 at best, probably less. I'd rather have put another time bomb back in there, and crossed my fingers. So in the end, I spent more money than I wanted to because I didn't completely count the total cost beforehand, and am now pissed at myself.

 

OK....I am already in 400 for the new clutch and polished flywheel, which it needed. But that's what final pushed the midland to the edge and it blew. I just want to drop a tranny in that will atleast last a few years, in it for the long run. Your the first I have heard express a good point against the swap.

 

The clutch and flywheel for the 5spd and 6spd are different, so you'll have to get a complete kit. I recommend our Valeo kit its the best bang for the buck.

We have a couple used 6spds with the axles and conversion parts avail. We have our very own MINI junk yard.

I can also sell you a brand new Midlands for $1800 with a 2yr warranty. FYI.

 

I didn't mean to rain on anyone's parade. Just take my lesson, and add it all up before deciding if it's for you. Don't forget the starter PLUS core charge (since you can't turn in the R50 starter in it's place unless you pull a fast one). Not only is the pinion center offset for the larger flywheel, but the ring gear tooth pitch is different as well.

 

Na there is no rain on the parade, it hasn't even started. Just try to decided between the options.... risk vs. reward

sourcing all the required parts for a 6 speed $$$$
vs.
already have a new clutch, refinished flywheel, etc. I could use the money saved from not doing the swap for other upgrades. $$

then in two years complete the swap

 

Just so I'm clear, is the new clutch / flywheel for the 5 speed, or 6?

 

His clutch is for the 5 speed. He mentioned it in one of his previous posts.

 

yes, 5 speed....

It all started with a noise that was different than before, the whirling helicoptor noise others have spoken about. So I decided over the holiday to drop the tranny and replace the clutch/TO bearing/PP and resurfaced the flywheel. All was good even after everything was back together. Except after the first start and I let the clutch out while in netural i still heard the whirling helicoptor noise, i knew the tranny was it.

Drove it around a few miles and final died just outside the drive way, dropped all the transmission fluid and croked.

Thus i am now at the crossroad do i do the 6 swap or just stick with the 5 spd midland.

Waymotors makes a good case for a new(rebuilt) 5 spd midland with a 2 yr, then in 2 yr I could so the swap and have time to source the parts. At this time I need to get the coop back on the road.

 

I wouldn't want to pay $1800 on a new trans with the intention of doing the swap later. I also wouldn't want to spend $1000 on a used Midlands trans knowing I could have gotten new for less than half the price. Of course with the used trans, you can probably fully recover the investment if you buy it correctly. Maybe I'm not getting OP's intentions here, but to me I'd go the whole hog with the conversion, or put in the new Midlands with the hope of beating the odds, and having it last.

 

at first the discussion started out as where to get a 6 speed sources. But i should have titled it as would you do a 6 speed swap again? if so where did you get your 6 speed.

 

Well Way did offer what he has available. He also knows exactly what other bits and pieces are needed, and can probably supply a "package" so to speak. I don't know your location, but as I said, shipping wasn't bad for me, and that was cross country. My trans came UPS ground in a box, not freight. But aside from Way Motor Works, any junkyard that happens to have the right car can help.

 

http://www.usedminicooperparts.com/

Here is where I got two of the 05-06 Getrags one an LSD unit

There was full diy and parts list on txspeedwerks but I think way took it down.

 

Mab posted the link to the diy I was thinking of. It's also the one I referenced when I did my trans and clutch install. Tons of great info and pics.

 

6-speed diy is now available here:
http://personal.stevens.edu/~jdunn/F...heWeakLink.pdf

 

Correct me if I'm wrong but it seems like most discussions here on NAM are about either rebuilding Midlands or swapping them out for the Getrag 6 spd. Why not swap the Midlands 5 with a 5 speed Getrag? Is that not a viable option?

 

I know....I know....

But im going with a reman 5sp Midland. I need to get my coop back on the road. 6sp swap will be later. Update post in a few weeks.