Differential Alternative

[Robotech]

http://www.autotech.com/quaife/diffe.../diff_apps.htm

Quaife differentials are now available for the Sky and Solstice. I'm not sure if this would solve the differential problems we see but it is an alternative...a pricey one...but an alternative.

Here is some info on the Quaife differentials.

http://www.autotech.com/quaife/differentials/diffs.htm

They are a torque biasing differential which IS different from a Limited Slip Differential. If anyone wants an explination I can post it but right now I'm going to assume that anyone looking into this will have some basic understanding of the two.

NOTE: This post is meant ONLY for informational purposes only. Don't ask me where to get these from or who all sells them. Sorry, you'll have to do that research on your own. I'm mearly letting the community know they are out there.

[cerberus]

Originally Posted by Robotech

They are a torque biasing differential which IS different from a Limited Slip Differential. If anyone wants an explination I can post it but right now I'm going to assume that anyone looking into this will have some basic understanding of the two.

I'll bite. What's the difference....

[wt2ga]

Originally Posted by cerberus

I'll bite. What's the difference....

I'd guess about $400 .......

[Robotech]

In a regular differential if one tire begins to slip all the power is transfered to that slipping tire. Thus one wheel isn't turning while the other is spinning like the Tazmanian Devil.

With a Limited Slip Differential you have the same issue. The difference is that a LSD doesn't allow the spinning tire to slip as "easily" thus allowing some of the power to remain with the wheel that still has traction. This is why it is much HARDER to get only one wheel to spin with an LSD but not impossible.

A Torque Biasing differential is very differnt. As one wheel starts to spin, instead of that spinning wheel getting all or most of the power as with a standard or Limited Slip differential, power is transfered to the wheel that still has traction.

In the Grand Prix market our big blown V-6s produce a buttload of torque (usually our torque numbers are higher than our HP numbers...stock we're 240 hp and 280 tq at the crank). We haven't found an LSD that can handle the power of our cars without failing and either turning into a regular diff or grenading the entire transmission. Quaife and GM Racing have both developed Torque Biasing differentials that have held up to the power we are putting to the ground with much better success.

[Gerry]

A new case won't address the Getrag issues since, as it seems to me, the problem appears to be in the pinion support and yoke.

If the clutch packs were prematurely burning out, then this is the ticket. But I've not heard of that complaint yet.

[Robotech]

Originally Posted by Gerry

A new case won't address the Getrag issues since, as it seems to me, the problem appears to be in the pinion support and yoke.

If the clutch packs were prematurely burning out, then this is the ticket. But I've not heard of that complaint yet.

I was wondering where exactly the rear ends were giving out. Everyone just says "Differential Leaking" and that's all you hear.

But yea, if that's where the problem with the rear end is I don't see a differential like this helping. Question is, why are we seeing more of this with the LSD units it seems?

[Gerry]

Don't know. I've never seen the two of these apart to compare. But I also haven't seen (nor will I or anyone else outside the secret walls of warranty statistics) what the failure rate is and whether it is more prevalent in the LSD. It may be that there are more LSDs out there than open diffs but that the failure rate is proportionatly about the same between the two.

I always reserve judgment on issues like this over the Internet since forum members and participation tend to give a very skewed impression of the problem. I'm sure Saturn knows, but they ain't talkin'.

[Robotech]

Couldn't agree with you more on that. We'll never know for sure just how widespread the problem even is without a recall.

I thought though there was some where on the net where you could get production numbers of optional equipment on cars and we could find out the differential ratio.

[Isotorque]

there is little to no difference in its operation between the parallel axis that is stock and the Quaife unit. they both have a torque bias ratio of 2:1

dont bother with it IMO.

[Isotorque]

I forgot to mention that the RL comes with a parallel axis type diff, that is all.....

[Robotech]

Originally Posted by Isotorque

there is little to no difference in its operation between the parallel axis that is stock and the Quaife unit. they both have a torque bias ratio of 2:1

dont bother with it IMO.

See, learn something new everyday. So the "LSD" isn't truely like the LSDs I'm thinking of. Good to know.

[snaponbob]

Well .................. I own a Quaife limited slip unit!! It is in my TR8. But, if Quaife is still using the same technology they have used in the past, I can share some information. If it's changed, then nothing I will say really matters.

1) A Quaife is damn near indestructable. They are tough and rather simple.
2) Many years ago Quaife was asked how the unit actually worked. The answer was "not sure, but it does".
3) Quaifes have a MAJOR design "issue" that can't be worked around - if you completely "unload" a driven wheel, the unit will "open up", and that wheel will go up in smoke unit you get off of the gas and get some bite to both tires. A Quaife requires that both driven wheels maintain some level of traction. Weird, huh?
4) Quaifes aren't as rough as a Detroit Locker, but they aren't real smooth in some instances.
5) They are NOT cheap. Per the Quaife web site - $1595 http://www.autotech.com/quaife/index2.htm

My TR8 has about 220hp and probably a bit more torque. It isn't stock . At about 2750 pounds it is "traction challenged" and the Quaife works very well. But I have to say that the LSD in the Kappa is butter smooth, and nearly transparent in the way it works. The Quaife will not change the type of failures that have been discussed and I think offers nothing more over the GM LSD. Save the bucks and get a stock LSD.

[BSRL]

Originally Posted by Robotech

http://www.autotech.com/quaife/diffe.../diff_apps.htm

Quaife differentials are now available for the Sky and Solstice. I'm not sure if this would solve the differential problems we see but it is an alternative...a pricey one...but an alternative.

Here is some info on the Quaife differentials.

http://www.autotech.com/quaife/differentials/diffs.htm

They are a torque biasing differential which IS different from a Limited Slip Differential. If anyone wants an explination I can post it but right now I'm going to assume that anyone looking into this will have some basic understanding of the two.

NOTE: This post is meant ONLY for informational purposes only. Don't ask me where to get these from or who all sells them. Sorry, you'll have to do that research on your own. I'm mearly letting the community know they are out there.

LOL
I already posted this info up on the 18th:
Quaife A.T.B. Differential Saturn Sky (incl Redline)

[Robotech]

Okay, now I feel like an idiot...how did I miss that post????