Hi All:
Awhile back, I bought one of the Phantom Grip limited slip differentials from Mini Mania, figuring that I'd have it installed...someday. Well, I've gotten tired of waiting for someday, and my impatience is someone else's good fortune. As far as I know, it will fit in all Minis with a manual transmission. The LSD is new in the box, complete with instructions. I paid $399 plus shipping, but $225 will get it shipped to any buyer within the continental USA. Send me a PM if interested. I would also trade for new parts such as a 22mm swaybar, coilpack, wires, etc.

***Correction*** Will fit the MCS with the 6 speed.

*************************SOLD!******************** *************

 

Pls state if its Race or Street version.

 

It is the "gold" version (street?) rather than the x-treme (racing only?). It has standard springs. According to phantom grip's website, an upgrade spring kit for 300hp+ is available for around 30 bucks

 

Nope only the MCS 6sp.

Steve

 

My bad. Made a correction to the first post in the thread. Thanks, Mielnicki!

 

how does this compare with the MINI MCS optional LSD?

 

I don't really know- I read about the factory LSD when the option first became available, and there seemed to be a bit of confusion regarding its construction. The factory unit might be a clutch type of unit. According to the phantom grip website www.phantomgrip.com :

"Phantom Grip serves two distinctive functions in your street or race vehicle. First, it functions as a disc-type limited slip in cornering and braking. Disc plates exert pressure against spider gears using spring pressure to regulate the amount of slippage at the wheels. Helping to accelerate earlier, while exiting corners at a higher speed.

Secondly, the Phantom Grip works as a locker in hard acceleration. The disc plates pivot, locking spiders, causing both wheels to exert equal power to the road, providing less torque steer than an ordinary differential. With over 120,000 miles of testing, there has been no significant wear of these plates. Although seemingly simple, the 'Phantom Grip design' offers as much maximum traction as other limited slips. The Phantom Grip is extremely strong and durable and comes with a Lifetime Warranty for breakage and manufacturer defects." - Hope that helps.

 

I've been running the Phantom Grip "Street" version for just over 3 years now. Also been doing some Autox. Once a year i change all my Fluids including the Tranny or Gearbox oil. Something ive been doing for over 20+ years. This is the first time I've run the Phantom grip vs standard LSD's.

I did alot of talking to alot of people (mainly Neon people) That ran the PG. The info i was getting was really what i wanted to hear. It wasn't until i spoke with Tony Nuzzo. Yes that Tony Nuzzo that races in the Grand Am series and he runs the Phantom grip as well (Race version of course) That convince me to go with the PG. The Major concern i had .. had to do with Metal shaving in the tranny. I've hear rumor after rumor where the PG would destroy trannies. which were from guys who never changed the Gearbox oil. Also the common response to the question about Metal Shavings is that there is NONE. This answer never set with me. You have a Metal block pressing and grinding against two Metal gears and there are NO metal shavings. I DONT THINK SO. When i spoke with Tony he stated Heck yes there are shavings but as long as you change your Oil twice as often you should have no problems. Also with my racing (nuzzo speaking) i put it through more of a torture test than you will find on the street and havent had a problem yet.

Now to compare it to the stock LSD. The stocker is a clutch type LSD which I'm use to and does not have a Locker condition Like the PG does. This works both for and against the PG. The PG will rotate and become locked if there is enough Pressure difference between the engine output and the wheel torq. This is in both accelleration and decelleration.. If you should break loose and start spinning 1 wheel before there was enough pressure to lock the PG then it will never lock and it will act like a clutch type LSD and will add power to the wheel that is not slipping allowing for more accelleration. But if there was enough to cause the PG to lock then you have what Feels like a Solid Front end. Which will accellerate harder but cause excessive Push for turning. This also happens when your slowing down as well. This wasnt a problem until i started to go to sticky tires and really attack the corners. After Braking hard if i didn't blip the throttle to UNlock the PG I would get Push from heck. Which is something i didnt have to do with the Stock LSD (drove a friends car) or the other LSD's I've driven in the past.

Installtion is a bit more intensive since its not a simple Pullout switch ring gear and slap in. So you mechanic may Disown you later, But its a very good product. Most are expecting more out of the street version. Since in the past when adding a LSD to a car it was pre-set more to the area of the Race version. Or to say practally a LOCK rear end with no single wheel spinning possible. Which i was under the same expectation since my Past cars were all Rear wheel drive or 4WD and its what i came to expect from adding LSD.

Hope this helps if thinking of adding the PG to your car. If someone would ask me if i would do this again. I would answer Yes but i would need to find another Mechanic

 

Thanks Mugami! Installation is an involved process, (although the instructions make things look easy once the diff is pulled) so the Phantom Grip is great for someone who's already going to have the tranny off the car, say, for a clutch replacement.

 

np .. btw i was looking for a "Race" version myself Which is something i made switch to in about another 3 years

 

Did I mention that other than the JCW kit, my MCS is stock? I'm in the market for an unused rear swaybar, coil, wires and other bits. If someone has some spare go-go goodies, I'd be willing to trade.

 

Bump

 

Bumpity-doo

 

How 'bout someone making me an offer on this? A reasonable one, please.

 

Just had this sale fall thru because of sponsorship issues. The price on that deal was $200 shipped. I'll make the same deal to anyone in the lower 48 who wants this. Outside of CONUS pays actual shipping.

 

check PM