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Quaife ATB diff....opinions please


Mark_

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After my disappointment at not being able to donut at Dunsfold, Im now looking at getting a slippy diff.

Ive read the whole internet today, a nd it seems like the Titan is regarded as "best" for a 7, but the Quaife appears a little marmite.

I like the fit and forget idea of the Quaife vs the Titan servicing requirements.

My car is predominately used on the road, I may do the odd track day, but I wouldnt want to compromise road manners for track use if that makes sense ?

Id be interested to hear your thoughts on how you felt it improved the handling as well.

Id like to have the choice of controlled oversteer at will in addition to the other benefits of a slipper.

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Firstly the titan is not the best out there for a 7 - the Tracsport version knocks this into a cocked hat 

The Quaife is not an LSD its a torque biasing unit and never offer a lock up at all.

If you want the best that's proven, silent and can handle the punishment without cooking its plates or breaking belleviles then this is where you need to go:

page 2 on the linky below.

https://www.tracsport.com/lsds

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After many years with a Quaiffe ATB I swapped to a ZF plate type and much prefer it for track work. It seems to have noticeably reduced understeer on my VX which is nice ... For road work the quaiffe unit was fine, but not quite as kind as the ZF unit on track ...


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I have a quaiffe ATB and am pleased with it - you can do doughnuts with one :-).

I used to do a few track days and it was fine - the only downside I’ve read about is that if you lift a wheel it can snap drive shafts when it lands.

If your seven experience was predominantly 10 10ths track work I’d go for a plate type diff. If you just want it more sure footed on the road then the ATB is the fit and forget choice - no special oils, additives, graunchy 3 point turns or rebuilds when the plates wear.

Ian

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I agree with wrightpayne. The atb is quiet, fit and forget, and most importantly allows donuts and power slides at will. I’ve not noticed understeer but most of my driving is road based and my track driving some way off ten tenths! Recommended for your usage by the sounds of things. 

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I've put nearly 40,000 miles on a Titan plate diff. Donuts at Dunsfold were very easy, very enjoyable on a car limits day and the traction in bad conditions on road is much improved. As with all lsds you have to watch out for total loss of traction with too much power, ok when you expect it, but not so easy when it is some mud on the road.

Noise wise, the odd clunking noise is nothing compared to all the other sounds from a Seven. I fitted mine on the advice of Phil at Road and Race and it hss been my best upgrade.

Duncan

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Not bothered about nosie at all tbh, just dont want to get caught out by a plate when a Torsen will give me what I need...

Ive read today that this topic is complex, and its not a cheap thing to do, so checking all my options.....

Will looks at Tracsport to, thanks.

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Just one thing to consider Burton are selling the Quaiffe diffs for £480. I put one in mine and do track days and it works for me.If you just do track days for fun and are not chasing lap times it will be fine and it is probably a better option for the road.

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Hmmm...Having now spoken at length to Road and Race Transmissions, they have "nearly" convinced me that the Titan diff is the favoured option for a 7. Can you tell me what or how you noticed or felt RE handling after having one fitted or driving an open diff and then getting a car with.....
Its a lump of cash to spend and find it doesnt suit my style so to speak..


 

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  • 3 months later...

Mark, what did you end up with: ATB or Plate LSD? I'm having the same discussion with Road & Race, who favor the plate type. I am predominantly road use, with a couple of track days per year. The ATB is commonly recommended for road use, but it's not clear to me if that's because it's cheaper/quieter/maintenance-free or if the behavior of the ATB is more predictable/progressive when it does engage. I've seen some folks remark that the ATB is progressive, while plate-type is more on/off.

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  • 3 years later...

Plate diffs can be set up in a myriad of ways from virtually fully-locked to fairly "slippery".  This makes direct comparisons and definitive statements problematic.  For the track, with a good experienced crew and a bucket full of spares, I think you can get more out of a plate diff.  However, just like everything else on a race car, set-up will change with different tracks and different conditions on the same track.

An ATB diff is just plain fit and forget.  I have fitted ATBs to three cars now and am a big fan of them for road use.  While not tuneable for the ultimate performance, the ATB is a consistent performer.  I find it especially helpful when "dancing" with the limits in poor conditions.  For obvious reasons, I simply do not drive to the limit on public roads in clean, dry conditions.

YMMV

John

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If you want an ATB, i think they are a good choice for a road only car, google "Wavetrac" differentials.   Wavetrac are an ATB but they incorporate a wave type plate/washer that when the wheel wants to spin it moves to the high point on the wave and locks the diff.  Quaife are not the only makers of ATB differentials.  That said in the end i went with a drexler diff center built by RRT.

My 2 cents spent.

Dave

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  • 3 months later...
On 27/07/2023 at 12:58, K7 VCT said:

Have had a quaife ATB  in my BMW diff for 3 years , only road use. Its great and fun....fit and forget most importantly 

Hey K7VCT.. The BMW Diff.. is the 168L right? Which quaife model did you go for? (Which is the right one for Caterhams with bmw diff?) I have a 2016 275S with it and want to go for a LSD.. 
Thank you in advance,
Kind Regards

Edited by joaofscabrita
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