Cal Club Autocross Forums

I remember reading that it's legal in stock classes to substitute an optional part from one year of a given generation of car to another year of that same generation as long as there were no major changes between model years. Is that the case?

Let me lay it out for you. Since the R56 version of the Mini (Cooper S) was introduced in 2006, it's had an optional factory limited-slip diff. Starting with the 2010 model, they've replaced the mechanical LSD for BMW's freakin' e-diff (can you say new brakes every couple months?). If I got a 2010 R56, could I legally have the factory LSD from a 2009 installed in my car? I looked in the solo rulebook, but all I saw was upgrading the same model year car from one package to another (like adding the MSR package to a MX-5).

No way.

2011 is going to get a power boost and improved interior!

Of course by then MCS might be in A-Stock

Kurt Rahn wrote:I remember reading that it's legal in stock classes to substitute an optional part from one year of a given generation of car to another year of that same generation as long as there were no major changes between model years. Is that the case?

Let me lay it out for you. Since the R56 version of the Mini (Cooper S) was introduced in 2006, it's had an optional factory limited-slip diff. Starting with the 2010 model, they've replaced the mechanical LSD for BMW's freakin' e-diff (can you say new brakes every couple months?). If I got a 2010 R56, could I legally have the factory LSD from a 2009 installed in my car? I looked in the solo rulebook, but all I saw was upgrading the same model year car from one package to another (like adding the MSR package to a MX-5).

What you want to do is covered under update/backdate. The bad news is U/B isn't allowed in Stock. In Stock, you can take a 2009 Cooper and upgrade it to a 2009 JCW as long as it's a COMPLETE exchange of parts. [Of course, the example I site would border on insanity for several reasons, not the least of which is the JCW chassis is stiffer. In fact, you could order two different levels of stiffness, both greater than the Cooper or S models.]

Bob Beamesderfer wrote:

Kurt Rahn wrote:I remember reading that it's legal in stock classes to substitute an optional part from one year of a given generation of car to another year of that same generation as long as there were no major changes between model years. Is that the case?

Let me lay it out for you. Since the R56 version of the Mini (Cooper S) was introduced in 2006, it's had an optional factory limited-slip diff. Starting with the 2010 model, they've replaced the mechanical LSD for BMW's freakin' e-diff (can you say new brakes every couple months?). If I got a 2010 R56, could I legally have the factory LSD from a 2009 installed in my car? I looked in the solo rulebook, but all I saw was upgrading the same model year car from one package to another (like adding the MSR package to a MX-5).

What you want to do is covered under update/backdate. The bad news is U/B isn't allowed in Stock. In Stock, you can take a 2009 Cooper and upgrade it to a 2009 JCW as long as it's a COMPLETE exchange of parts. [Of course, the example I site would border on insanity for several reasons, not the least of which is the JCW chassis is stiffer. In fact, you could order two different levels of stiffness, both greater than the Cooper or S models.]

Worth a shot. The update/backdate rule is what I remember reading about. Didn't realize it doesn't apply to stock. Time to buy stock in Porterfield and Brembo, folks!

You could make the MCS chassis stiffer by removing the jacking pucks and spraying foam in the frame rails. }:)

(Don't really do that!)

Sebastian Rios wrote:You could make the MCS chassis stiffer by removing the jacking pucks and spraying foam in the frame rails. }:)

(Don't really do that!)

Welcome to Mod?

Kurt Rahn wrote:Worth a shot. The update/backdate rule is what I remember reading about. Didn't realize it doesn't apply to stock. Time to buy stock in Porterfield and Brembo, folks!

Just found out Mini wil offer the mechanica LSD until March, so the point is moot :gpower: :gpower: :gpower: :gpower: :gpower:

Kurt Rahn wrote:

Kurt Rahn wrote:Worth a shot. The update/backdate rule is what I remember reading about. Didn't realize it doesn't apply to stock. Time to buy stock in Porterfield and Brembo, folks!

Just found out Mini wil offer the mechanica LSD until March, so the point is moot :gpower: :gpower: :gpower: :gpower: :gpower:

Oh great, another Mini ...

Kurt ... you did see the write up on Mike's 'Stang in the April '09 issue of SportsCar