Question,
I am having a clutch and flywheel replaced,would it be cost wise to update to a limited slip diff at the same time? I'm thinking of saving labor since it was torn down. What is a good diff to purchase. Minor autox but daily driver.
Thanks in advance

 

Yes I would go ahead and put in an LSD, most shops will not charge extra labor for the clutch and flywheel when installing the LSD. A quaife is a good unit to use from what I have been told, cost is in the $1250 range, I am having one installed in a couple of weeks.

 

Recommend you read the following threads from start to finish:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=87438

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=87026

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=78882

Just know that the Quaife, which is an "ATB" is different from all the rest (that are available for the MINI). More $$ but lifetime warrantied and relatively smooth transition, and NOT a "locker" (which would be difficult for FWD anyway) and not a "plate" type (which need significant maintenance).

Enjoy.

 

Thanks for the replies, I did some research and looks like I will go the Quaife route.

 

Chili R,

Where are you located? Trouble is finding a shop that knows MINIs and can do the Quaife install in a reasonable time. Some estimates are as little as $800 labor to $1400 (for a first timer).

If in southern calif check with Steve's Auto.

Quaife is no maintenance and built like a rock. If you do autocross it will help a little provided you have enough power, suspension upgrades, enough negative camber, and enough rubber (wide tires).

On the track Quaife works even better.

On the street it will help a little when traction is being lost- when the weather is bad or on poor surfaces. Most of the time you will not use it much.

Quaife is passive and available all of the time. It compliments all electronic traction control including DSC and ASC.

For street driving leave the DSC on and it will work if the Quaife does not allow for enough traction to be maintained. Sometimes DSC can come on but most of the time it will be silent. Depends on how you drive.

For autocross and track turn DSC off for best results.

Finally, don't expect Quaife to turn you into a race driver and don't expect lower track times. You'll have to develop your driving skills to make full use of the Quaife.

 

Totally agree with that last point. After having Quaife installed had to unlearn response to start featuring the throttle on corner exit as soon as I felt the inside tire start to spin up. With the Quaife its mash and go. The inside tire will still spin, but the car will pull. Keeping the throttle mashed will keep the torque bias toward the gripping tire. If you feature the throttle the torque bias goes "off and on" - the poor Quaife can't figure out what you want to do.

Quaife will produce more understear on wet track days at corner exit since both tires will be searching for traction.

Alan

 

what is the cost of labor for installation?

 

See post #5. $800 to $1400.

 

Any chance a dealer would install this while doing a clutch/flywheel TSB?

 

Chili R,

Post what area you live in for recommendations of quality installers. Also, OBX makes one that is available on Ebay. You can read more here:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...hlight=obx+lsd

 

Dealers will install anything for a price. Talk to them and see what they say about adding a Quaife at the same time. They would likely ask for a little more.

 

Any idea on how it would affect my warranty?

 

Upgrades installed by the dealership vary in terms of warranty.

Just talk to your dealership and ask them what warranty applies to the installs done.

Some dealers will install parts they sell you and give you a warranty for a specific time.

Warranty for the Quaife comes from the manufactorer for lifetime.

Some dealerships will not extend a warranty from MINI on the mods. Could be a dealership warranty specific to that one dealership not MINI as a whole.