I have an 05 MCS/Works car without the LSD option. I am thinking about the quaif but have a stupid question. Does the quaf effect the gear ratios. i.e., 02-04 vs 05?

I am used to RWD where the tranny and diffs are seperate... so you can go with a shorter diff ratio and not change the tranny gearing/ratios.

So I guess my question is... is the the quaf for an 05 the same as 02-04?

I have also searched the archives and can't find anyone that did the factory LSD swap. Anyone out there getting any info from their dealers that we can get the factory LSD as an aftermarket swap?

Vince

 

even in rear wheel drive cars the dif and the gears in the housing are two separate things. so no the dif, lsd or not, will not change the gear ratios.

 

Is the factory installed LSD a quaf type?


Noob Question...


Ryan

 

No. Totally different design and supplier for the OEM LSD.

Scott
90SM

 

is it a "good" LSD, quality and performance... I wonder becasue 600 seems very cheap for a LSD to me... I ordered it anyway,...



Ryan

 

$600 is the incremental charge for the lsd parts... the rest of the cost was already in the base cost of the vehicle.

 

Thanks for the explination... I always thought that quaf was a type of LSD, not a brand...and that there are other, "less good", types out there....


Thanks..


Ryan

 

The Quaife brand limited slip diff is a torque sensing, helical geared differential. The stock LSD is a clutch type, as are most aftermarket LSDs. Many other OEM LSDs use viscous fluid.

Viscous designs are zero maintenance, and relatively cheap for the auto manufacturers. Think "classic" Nissan Sentra SE-R, most Subarus, and many others. These are the least effective, but a darn sight better than an open diff. They don't last forever either, but we are still talking about years of service.

Clutch type will eventually require service, and can be tuned for the % lockup by adjusting the clutches. These are probably the best bet for rally cars, and offer advantages if you road race and drive over the curbing frequently, as the continue to work with one of the wheels up in the air.

Helical gear LSDs are maintenance free, and quite. The new Sentra SE-R V-Spec has one, as do some Acura V-6's and the old Integra Type R. I'm a fan of this type, as they don't just limit the amount of slip between the wheels (as the other types do) but send more torque to the wheel with more grip (torque sensing). When cornering hard, the outside front tire of a Quaife equipped MINI will get a higher percentage of the engine's torque than then lightly loaded inside wheel. This not only keeps the inside tire from spinning, but also allows you to both accelerate as well as tighten your line at the same time. Pretty cool. This only applies in relatively high grip situations, because if you stand on the gas in a tight corner in 1st gear both front tires will spin and the car understeers until you ease up a bit. For faster turns (2nd gear or high 1st gear) or those with high grip (good surface and tires) where the engine doesn't have the power to break both front tires loose, then all is right with the world. Down sides are cost as well as the fact that there must be some load on the wheels for the diff to work. If one of the front wheels comes completely off the ground, no power is applied. Not cool for rally cars, not typically a big deal in the real world. Snow offers enough resistance for the diff to work.
In summary, the optional MINI LSD is better than what many auto manufacturers offers and should be perfectly adequate for most applications.

For autocrossing or really, really hard driving, the Quaife is probably superior but at a far higher cost as you have to buy the diff as well as install the thing. I'm not sorry that I had a Quaife installed in my car (not sorry at all, as despite the cost it was one of my favorite mods), but I didn't have the option of a factory installed LSD for the relative bargain price of $600.

Hope that helps.
Scott
90SM

 

Thank you for that info, now I understand AND feel very confident in my purchase of the factory LSD!!!



Thanks again!


Ryan

 

Where can I find information on the installation of a CAIFE in a 2005?

I found the price of the part and I know how to do gear swap with correct gear lash in a Corvette, so I assume this should be easy enough, where can I find a service manual for a 2005 MINI and will it cover this?

I can do my own work but usually with the help of a service manual or how to sections on the web.

Thanks.

 

Has anyone found a quaif for less than $1,100.00?

 

Yep, less than $1000 but it was also a couple years ago. Helix had the best price at the time, and also did the install. Highly recommended on both counts, though to be fair there are other options out there depending on where you live. If you are even remotely near Philly, give Helix a call. For me, that meant a 750 mile drive each way, and I'm not sorry that I made the trip.

Scott
90SM

 

Did anyone have a how 2?