I have followed the multiple threads concerning Limited-Slip Differentials and the various options/possibilties with great interest. I, like many others apparently, am an owner of a pre-05 MCS and would like to add a LSD to my car. The car is a daily driver that is also autocrossed frequently (2-3 events a month), and with over 62,000 miles, I see a clutch in the not too distant future anyway. I have seen the positive effect a LSD has in autocross events (and I am talking about the pre-05 geared cars with aftermarket Quaife LSDs, 3 of them to be exact, so the 05+ gearing is not a factor verses my open-diff '03).

The hesitation I have had is that I keep hoping for a good quality, yet lower-cost option to the $1200 +/- for the Quaife part plus install costs. The Focus SVT LSD thread just seemed to have died. An OEM LSD is apparently not an option as a part. I have seen some Quaife dealers on-line and the part #s are the same for the MINI and the Focus, but the prices are all around $1100-1200.

For those posting in the other LSD threads and anyone else - Are there any suggestions for equipping cars with a LSD in the most affordable fashion? Are there enough of you out there to participate in a group buy on the Quaife if it was offered? Are there any vendors willing and able to do a group buy on the Quaife?

Len

 

The Quaife is amazing...without a doubt the best mod I have done to the car, until it's running with the twincharger that is

The best of British engineering too, eh?!

Hope that a vendor on here can sort something out for you guys.

Cheers,

Henry

 

I'm somewhat interested, if I could come up with the cash. I'm slightly hesitant, though because I keep thinking of saving up for the new '05-'06 gear ratios. My brother has an '05 and even with my intake, exhaust and 15% pulley, his still feels faster than mine.

 

same here...its very tempting. I'd say if enough bodies decide to go at it and considerably lowers the price, I'll join in as well. Out here in Socal, we've got a great MINI guru, Steve, that might be able install it for me or knows someone that could.

pw/b jcw

 

i have heard of an LSD called the phantom grip. i think that tony nuzzo is running one on his car. i dont believe it is the same type as the quaiffe and torsen

 

Not even close and much much cheaper.
Mugami, on this site, is/was running one for quite a while.
Worked well for him.

Here's a good look at the install

 

So, the Phantom grip is lower quality?

 

I would be interested in this......

 

For what it is the quality is fine.
What it isn't is a fully engineered limited slip unit.

Tony has a pretty beefy motor and Phantm Grip has held up well I just haven't talked to him about it in a while so don't know much current about it.
They were quite the hot topic a few years back but seem to have faded out of interest..

 

I looked into the PG and it is a nice piece for the $ but I think the Quaiffe is the "real deal"..... If I was racing and had to do a lot of rebuilds it would not matter so much but I am hoping to put it in and have it last forever.... the clutch mechanism of the PG just did not seem like that kind of piece/quality.....I could be all wrong about this.... just my impression

 

i'm interested as well

 

My 03 MCS (which I've own for 3 years) just got a 05 tranny transplant and the new gearing rocks!! It feels like a completely different car.

btw, LSD is also awesome!

 

Yup, that's the kind of thing I'm hoping for. I'm taking my car in tomorrow for a transmission related problem. On the outside chance they'll need to replace it, here's hoping I'll get an '05 instead of an '03.

 

Count me in !

 

If the price is right I'm interested too!