8 replies to this topic

[S2000Steve]

Dear all,

 

Im going to be installing my new cooper "S" engine in the very near future. But first of all I will be switching gearboxes from my original engine.

 

Is it worth installing a mini spares cross pin diff while I have the block and box split?

 

Does any one have any experience with these? Was the difference noticeable?

 

The minispares one is approx. £165

 

The minisport one is approx. £150

 

Which one would you go for?

 

Thanks

 

Steve

[HarrysMini]

I would go for the Minispares one. I just trust theirs better.

 

Alternatively, you could get a Guessworks one. If I remember correctly he will build it for free for you (I don't know for sure though).

 

I haven't got one myself so couldn't say whether you would notice any difference, just that it won't snap as easily!

[monster_mini]

A while back the Minisport one had a fundamental problem, i can't remember hearing if they've fixed it or not, but either way I'd use the minispares one, they're proven time and time again, and I had one one in my race car for a year and it came out still looking fantastic!

[The Principal]

The Minispares X Diff is the one to go for, they supply others retailers also

[Cooperman]

The Mini Spares cross-pin diff is the best you can get. I always use that one and they are superb quality and very reliable.

[dean]

Yeap I have a mini spares X pin diff. Very well made. Worth every penny. Knowing that it won't break.

[Dan]

  No, the difference isn't noticeable.  It doesn't really do anything.  Right up until the moment it doesn't explode when a standard diff would do, so really the best thing about having one is that you will never, ever, notice that you have it.

[Cooperman]

I managed to break one! I nearly went off the road on a rally test at a hairpin with a 50 ft. drop off the outside. I handbraked the car around the hairpin and there was some loose gravel I couldn't see as I approached. I thought the car was going to go off the edge backwards, so I gave it max revs in 1st to try to keep it on the road. The inside wheel was spinning and the engine was at around 7500 rpm. This friction-welded one of the planet wheels to one of the diff pins and the pin snapped, which was not surprising. However, the diff continued and I went on ton win the event outright after a further 200 miles of hard driving! Now, that is a real recommendation for the Mini Spares offering. In fact I had to cut the diff outer casing in half to get the output shaft out!

[Carlos W]

Become a TMF + member which costs a fiver and you'll save 7.5% on the diff!

That's roughly a 12 quid saving, so you're 7 quid up on your membership in that one purchase!