BOXING CLEVER
COST
Depends what you pay for your replacement engine!
TOOLS REQUIRED
Socket set, hammer, chisel, ball joint splitter, engine hoist, jack, axle stands, and oil and water catcher.
TIME TAKEN
A day if you are lucky and work really hard!
CONTACT
Sleaford Mini Centre 01529 460049 www.sleafordminicentre.co.uk
DIFFICULTY
Converting an automatic Mini to a manual gearbox is a fairly straightforward exercise as long as you replace the complete unit – that is the engine and gearbox in one go. It is possible, with considerable work, to modify an engine from an auto Mini to go onto a manual gearbox but if you can pick up a complete unit, it just isn’t worth the hassle. The front subframes on both cars are different but, with the use of some adapter plates on the engine mounts it is possible to retain the auto gearbox front subframe.
When doing the swap, as well as the engine and gearbox you will also need to obtain a rod type gear selector unit, clutch pedal and spring, clutch master cylinder and associated pipe work. Everything else, you should be able to use from the auto engine although this will depend on
