So, I have a 7 with a live axle and a Tran-x plated diff.

Not sure I can live with the noise though. Fine when cold, but the minute the diff heats up, then it clanks and clunks when leaving junctions and turning slow tight corners.

I'm also not that fussed for the plates being serviceable parts... which brings me on to the 'fit and forget' Quaife ATB option.

Thing is, I spoke with the guy who built my axle (very well respected, but I'm not going to name names) and he says that the ATB is pretty much pointless on a RWD lightweight. I can't ignore his advice - he'll have forgotten more about this than I'll ever know, but why then do the RGB boys run them... and why do Quaife market them for RWD cars if they aren't much cut.

Over to you LCB Massiv!

cold it be that it needs setting up for your car, If it was originally for a tin top which would be heavier it would perhaps be the problem.

I have a live axle and my car started life with an open diff. It acted like traction control as if you pushed on too hard, it spun up the inside rear rather than spinning the car. I swapped to an ATB and it transformed the car. It suddenly felt like a rwd, all pointy and adjustable. You can use the rear steer to far greater effect than without and it is quite capable of silly drifts/donuts if you wish. I have not tried a Tranx, but I can report I really like the ATB!

I would go for a Quaife ATB for road use any day.

The only people who complain about them in RWD are from cars with poorly set up rear suspension which lift inner wheels on corners and loose traction.

Or from nutters with 300+ BHP who would never get enough traction regardless of the differential.

Got an ATB in my Fury. Works a treat. Never know it's there until you need it and then it works well.

No idea how it compares to a plate diff in the same sort of car (light) It is less intrusive under normal driving conditions in the Fury than plate diffs I've experienced in some other (heavier) cars I've driven... They were other peoples (customers) cars though, so I can't comment on how they were nearer the limit. Why did they say they wouldn't have one?

I use a ATB in the Phoenix, it has been in the car for several years. Certainly a good bit of kit.

The only thing I would add I have recently gone from an open to an ATB (and I caveat that some other suspensions mods were also done) is that from a very understeery 7 to one that feels initially very loose then oversteer ( very very briefly) then grabs well and grips.
It's more a confidence thing, the more I push the better it feels.
I have a friend who is well respected in a major car manufacturer, he says LSD on the road usually promotes understeer, I haven't pushed enough to find that out yet

Earn a lot of waffle but ATB works for me

I swapped from a ford Viscous unit to a Quaife ATB, difference was astonishing, works very well in a BEC, very predictable on track. I've heard plate diffs are better, but I couldn't be arsed with setting them up and extra maintenance. No noise or any foibles to speak of with the Quaife it just does the job.

Are you sure that the diff has the correct oil in it? Might be worth a try changing it to make sure before ruling the plate diff out completely.

Four locosts now in our Isle of Wight gang have now fitted Quaife atb diffs. They seem to work very well and the drivers love them.

This is a 750 mc 1300 racecar fitted with one for a mini drift comp we held at our local car club.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zMry-Hogdtg

There's an ATB as standard in the back of my Ginetta G20 ex-race now track day car. Can't imagine they would go to the trouble/expense of fitting them if they were no good as the car is all about value racing. Granted it's not the lightest car out there mind.

i run a plate in the rear of my car like you its noisy as hell, more so as your sat on the rear of the car i think

i can put up with the noise and it makes the car grip like hell so its doing its job as far as i can see, mine is a cruiser though so do see where your coming from with the noise thing

I had a Quaife ATB in my sprint Locost, wouldn't bother with anything else now. It just worked perfectly and the only maintenance required was an oil change every so often.

As much as the plates are serviceable parts they are not dear to buy and will probably last the
Lifetime of your ownership.

Thanks guys.

The diff was spec'd for the car and it handles beautifully. Is just that the noise at slow speed is almost spoiling an otherwise perfect driving experience!

Get an ATB in the axle

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Originally posted by jeffw
Get an ATB in the axle

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I have plate diff in my car, the only time noise was a big issue was when i used the wrong oil in the axle.

Ian

My TranX has never been nosey at all either

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Originally posted by Oddified
I have plate diff in my car, the only time noise was a big issue was when i used the wrong oil in the axle.

Ian

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I've got a Titan plate diff and it clunks and bangs.... That's with the correct preload and ramp angles, though I know others are not as noisy as mine.

I've also had an AP suretrack, similar to the Atb and that was quite....

Think I'll swap over to a ATB. Should get decent money back on the Tran-x.

Does anyone have any suggestions for diff guru's in Scotland who could do the needful (I can fit it, but not a chance in hell that I could set it up properly!).

Road and Race in Sevenoaks

Fostek near Newcastle?

I've used alpine transmissions in Hamilton a couple of times for diffs. The guy (I forget his name) was incredibly knowledgeable and had done a lot with quaife atbs. He wasn't too bad on price either.

quote:

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Originally posted by jeffw
Road and Race in Sevenoaks

Fostek near Newcastle?

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quote:

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Originally posted by jeffw
Road and Race in Sevenoaks

Fostek near Newcastle?

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quote:

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Originally posted by sdh2903
I've used alpine transmissions in Hamilton a couple of times for diffs. The guy (I forget his name) was incredibly knowledgeable and had done a lot with quaife atbs. He wasn't too bad on price either.

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Any plate type lsd running steel plates is never going to be silent however if you like how a plate type lsd works then the Titan Traction Master with the Carbon XT plates may well be just what you a looking for. That config offers about as quiet a solution as I think it's possible to find and is almost imperceivable as far a noise is concerned even at very low speeds

[Edited on 16/2/16 by atomic]