Jump to content

Quaife Front Diffs


Decked
 Share

Recommended Posts

OK, with the normal diff on a car - the torque will travel down the route of least resistance, so if you're cornering right, the inside wheel will tend to spin first.

In layman's terms (if that's possible!) the Quaife diff effectively almost "locks" both driveshafts together, so that they both get equal drive in a straight line, but on the corners, it will let one wheel run slower, but no slower than the actual diff.

Basically what you get is more grip 169144-ok.gif

They were a favourite on the old Capri 280s, because they were so prone to spinning one wheel and going nowhere...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

And here's some more technical stuff for your Ross, old boy:

The Quaife torque biasing differential enables your car to accelerate quicker corner faster.

How? By getting power to ground! The Quaife Differential powers both drive wheels under nearly all conditions, instead of just one. With an ordinary open differential, standard on most cars, a lot of precious power wasted during wheelspin under acceleration.

This happens because open differential shifts power to wheel with less grip (along path of least resistance). The Quaife, however, does just opposite. It senses which wheel has better grip, biases power to that wheel. It does this smoothly constantly, without ever completely removing power from either wheel.

In drag-race style, straight-line acceleration runs, this results in a close to ideal 50/50 power split to both drive wheels, resulting in essentially twice grip of an ordinary differential (they don't call open diffs "peglegs" for nothing).

In cornering, while accelerating out of a turn, Quaife biases power to outside wheel, reducing inside-wheel spin. This allows driver to begin accelerating earlier, exiting corner at a higher speed. The Quaife also controls loss of traction when front wheels are on slippery surfaces such as ice snow or mud, providing appropriate biased traction needed to overcome these adverse conditions.

The Quaife Differential provides constant infinitely variable drive. Power transferred automatically without use of normal friction pads or plates seen in over limited-slip designs. The Quaife's unique design offers maximum traction, improves steering, puts power where it needed most. A definite advantage whether on track or on street.

The Quaife is extremely strong and durable since Quaife gear operated, it has no plates or clutches that can wear out need costly replacement The Quaife is great for street driving or racing. Racers don't have to put up with locking mechanisms or spools that created unwanted understeer under power, or in case of front-drive cars, even tear steering wheel out of the driver’s hands when cornering.

Because it behaves like an open differential during ordinary driving, street drivers will have trouble telling it's there until pushing car's limits.

The Quaife has been proven in everything from SCCA Rally to Formula 1. It provides autocrossers with such an advantage, it has become "required" equipment for a winning effort. More and more auto manufacturers are specifying Quaife ATB Differential as original equipment in their high performance models - for good reason - it works!

beerchug.gif

Link to comment
Share on other sites

[ QUOTE ]

So the Quaife diffs being offered for sale are ATB rather than LSD? confused.gif

Edited to say: I've probably used the wrong smiley there really. I'm sure ATB is a far better option for the road. 169144-ok.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Shaun did mention LSD and it's the same as the one on the ATB website, i'm yet to find it on the website. If someone speaks to them that understands it slightly more they will be able to explain a lot better than me. UHOH7.GIF

Link to comment
Share on other sites

[ QUOTE ]

ATB means Torque Biasing.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yup. 169144-ok.gif

So no messing about with changing worn plates which would happen eventually with a traditional LSD. I haven't driven a car with an ATB diff, but I'd think they're nicer to drive as it 'should' only feel different to a normal diff when it's being pushed a bit.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...