13 replies to this topic

[Luke.c123]

Hey guys,

I'm in two minds whether to put a x pin diff in my gearbox I'm putting on my engine in doing,
1310 block
Stage 3 head
Kent 276 cam
Aldon yellow dizzy
Hif44 carb
3.44 final drive

My dad recons there's no point because he thinks if it can't put the power down it will just spin?

So can someone explain the benifit of a x pin and what pros there are to fitting one and what it will do.
This is my daily driver so I want drivability

Thanks in advance
Luke

[Steve220]

Cross pin is merely a stronger version of the original diff by the introduction of 2 more planetary gears. It is not a limited slip diff.

[Spider]

Cross pin is merely a stronger version of the original diff by the introduction of 2 more planetary gears. It is not a limited slip diff.

 

Yeap, that's all they are, but they will last 3 - 5 times longer than a stock diff.

 

Fit a Quaife and be done, much better and safer than an open diff. 

[Luke.c123]

What's a Quaife ? Never heard of that before

[Spider]

What's a Quaife ? Never heard of that before

 

http://www.swiftune....assic-mini.aspx

 

Many new front drive cars are fitted with this style of diff from the factory these days.

[Luke.c123]

Ohhh right okay, thanks, is there any other benifit to the x pin other than strength?

[Guess-Works.com]

An x-pin is a belt a braces approach to a very real problem with the mini gearbox.. the diff pin is the weakest link.

 

Long final drives and high torque motors will kill a standard differential, while the x-pin provides great stability to the output shafts in the differential with 4 pinions ( 2 pins which cross, hence the name ) and being manufactured of superior material to the standard cast iron and steel pin. At £165 they will out last the gearbox, car and probably you.

 

An ATB is a different kettle of fish, although it is still an open differential like the x-pin, through mechanical means it transfers the torque to the wheel with the most grip, until a driven wheel becomes unloaded, at which point it becomes an open diff and drive is lost. This can make it very strange to handle when on the edge of traction, and at £600-£700 is a vast investment where 99 times out of 100 an x-pin will be well up to the job... 

 

Consider this, most track classic mini formulas run x-pin differentials.

[Guess-Works.com]

PS... Wheel spinning also wrecks differentials.

[coopdog]

I've fitted one on my turbo motor as I don't fancy having to take the engine out again to change the diff if it does go, plus it could cause other damage

[Luke.c123]

Thank you that clears it all up for me now :)

[Spider]

This was the link I was after, but I couldn't get it to load last night

 

http://shop.quaife.co.uk/differentials

 

They are not an LSD, but also not an 'Open Diff' either, more the happy meduim.

 

After trying my first Quaife (ATB) in a Mini a few years back, I was so impressed that just about all our Minis and Mokes now have them, apart from being a diff that doesn't break, I've found that in less than favourable conditions, the vehicles behave far more predictably.

 

They also have a life time guarantee.

 

<edit: I'm trying to find a Youtube clip of a Ford Focus RS (?) that was done in the wet, these were fitted with ATBs. It really does show how well they work>

Edited by Moke Spider, 18 January 2015 - 04:38 AM.

[vx220]

Had one in an FRST, very good

[The Matt]

See, I fancy an ATB for my Mini, but a couple of mates I've talked to regret fitting them and wish they had gone for a normal LSD in hindsight.

This is why it's great to gauge loads of opinions on a forum. :)

[Spider]

See, I fancy an ATB for my Mini, but a couple of mates I've talked to regret fitting them and wish they had gone for a normal LSD in hindsight.

This is why it's great to gauge loads of opinions on a forum. :)

 

Interesting, but I also guess depends on what the cars are being used for.

 

I did try a few LSD many years ago (Salisbury and a locally hatched one) and while they certainly did give the traction I was looking for, I also found them too un-nerving fro regular road use, it would cause the car to 'steer' itself, but not necessarily where you wanted to go!  This was in the days before X=Pins diffs were made or available, so I ended up removing the clutch plates from the Salisbury and fitting thrusts, efectivly converting it to an expensive X-Pin unit. Never broke a diff again!