Engine Drivetrain 1st Gen Cooper S Most liked posts in thread: Clutch Kit Time - What else?

Not everyone likes a lighten flywheel on a street driven car. It will feel different than what you are used to. You might try & find someone to let you drive there car with a lightened flywheel before you buy. Once it is in there it is no easy task to change back.

 

Definitey a good opportunity for lower control arm bushings. Check for oil leaks, too. Check lower engine mount and transmission mounts for tearing in the rubber, otherwise no need to replace.

 

Are you going with a factory LSD or aftermarket?

 

Professor is chronicling his diff swap on this thread: http://www.motoringalliance.com/forums/project-car-builds/6632-professors-r53-3.html#post91058

Might be worth checking out. Anything you see exposed could probably be replaced easily.

 

I think that is a good plan. Why spend a pile of money before you need to?

My MINI has an intermittent clutch noise. The clutch works well so I plan on ignoring that noise for the foreseeable future.

 

Are you sure that is the clutch you are hearing?

Donuts are known to cause some disturbing noises also.........

 

Usually it's first thing in the morning before donuts. No donuts in the house. I get them at my dealer Tim's place. :donut1:

 

I've been having that noise for quite some time, and it got worse around Dragon time this year. I actually have my transmission out now, and my clutch disk looked PERFECT - the clutch material i hardly half gone after 80,000 miles. No hotspots either. My guess for the noise is that the throwout bearing was beginning to wear out, but time will tell. I hope to have the car back together on Wednesday.

Also, I'd highly recommend you stick with the stock clutch - unless you're making silly power (250+ HP), it's by far the best option. If you can deal with a grabby clutch and really want a lighter flywheel, the OS Giken kit is the only way to go, but it's VERY spendy.

Good luck with your car!


-P

 

I've been having that noise for quite some time, and it got worse around Dragon time this year. I actually have my transmission out now, and my clutch disk looked PERFECT - the clutch material i hardly half gone after 80,000 miles. No hotspots either. My guess for the noise is that the throwout bearing was beginning to wear out, but time will tell. I hope to have the car back together on Wednesday.

Also, I'd highly recommend you stick with the stock clutch - unless you're making silly power (250+ HP), it's by far the best option. If you can deal with a grabby clutch and really want a lighter flywheel, the OS Giken kit is the only way to go, but it's VERY spendy.

Good luck with your car!

 

Paul - the OS Giken is not much lighter than the stock flywheel - but it sure holds really really. If you car is only street driven it is overkill... Many will not like it because it can be very abrupt - I love mine.

 

Check with Keith on his availability of the OS Giken GT clutch. Here is the link to his post.




http://www.motoringalliance.com/forums/engine-drivetrain/1503-os-giken-mini-products-werkin-mini-2.html

 

I replaced my OEM with this Valeo single mass unit.

Valeo R53 MINI Cooper S Clutch Kit - Detroit Tuned

I've had it almost a year with no issues. Just my 2¢.

Cheers!
Chris

 

^^^ this is a very nice unit for the street. very easy to drive, a few pounds lighter, made by the same company and the price is to die for! while your in there, replace the control arm bushings. be ready to maybe replace the slave and or bleed it. other than that, you should be good to go.

Chad
Detroit Tuned