[ModoMini]

Whoa whoa whoa. What machining are we talking about? Is it something simple you can take car of with a grinder or what? Need details so I'm preparred for whatever I run into.
Great info so far gentlemen. Very helpful!

p.s. Still waiting on my bearings. D*@# Ford!

[dpayne1]

I should have a picture tomorrow of where the "little machining" needs to be done. I only had it described to me on the phone, so my details are still sketchy, but as I understand it when you install the quaife and put the case back on the tranny, the quaife does not quite clear the inside of the case in one spot. The resolution was to machine some material off of the quaife (How much I can't say) as well as clear some material off of the inside of the case where is was hitting.

I pick it up in the AM. Driving impressions to follow...

[jlm]

just got home...all's well!

short impression:
the quaife works, although i was only able to do very limited testing: driving very hard out of a slow, tight turn, the thing drives hard with practically no wheel spin as expected. without the lsd, the inside wheel would spin and no drive would go the the outside. The quaife is a much better built gizmo than the stocker.
install: it takes a few shop hours; after the tech gets it down, figure at least 10 hours. Apparantly, BMW's service policy is to not open a trans for repairs, but instead just swap it out for another one. Consequently, experience, parts and info are scarce. The guy I used had to get what he needed from Ford. Part of the case interior interferes with the steeper shoulder of the quaife; problem fixed with carelful application fo a die grinder to the high spot in the aluminum case
anomalies: I'm hearing more noises out of the tranny than before and they vary slightly depending on whether power is applied or the car is coasting...it will take some getting used to to figure out.

flywheel: this is interesting, as it has no downside I could find. i had expected shifting to be more demanding, but not so. Clutch engagement is fine, just a little different, due to the fact that anti-snatch springs are not used in the friction plate and the new flywheel is a solid design whereas the stock flywheel had a rotational damper to control snatch. the old wheel weighs a ton (I'll weigh it tomorrow) so goodby to un-needed pig iron!
I couldn't really test engine pick-up, but the buttmeter says yea!

Also had the ecu firmware re-flashed with version 3.2, just out yesterday. a very interesting process. the ecu keeps track of how many upgrades and you only get 13 past the original. Here is a tid-bit: the tic-toc sound when operating the turn signals is computer generated and completely artificial. It's there as a comfort to sound like what we are used to hearing with standard blinker relays.

more as the saga reveals itself.

[jlm]

the stock flywheel weighs 29 lbs;
the BMP lightweight: 12 lbs. Its a killer!

[CSDan]

Jlm--CONGRATS--
I am very jelouse!
We need to have a NY meet so some of us can get a ride .

Who did you use to install the unit and where in NY are they?

Daniel

[jlm]

I used Helix in philly: they provided the quaife and a tech to do the install down there.

[SteveS]

I'm thinking that a lighter dual mass might ease strain/shock loads on the transmission, compared to a lighter single plate. Did you look into alternatives to the lightweight one you used?

Let us know whether/how it affects your mileage.

How much was installation?

Would installation have been less without installation of the ltd. slip?

[jlm]

from what I have seen, the way the dual mass unit works is similar to the tangential springs for a standard clutch friction disc as far as smoothing out the impact of clutch engaement. If you shift smoothly, no problem; if you are brutal with the rpm matching, you may have difficulties.

as far as rotational impulse dampening, I'm not sure. It is possible the extra noise and tiny rumble i am getting is due to now not having the second feature and extra weight to even out power pulses. I am going to do some research on this type of flywheel dampening and will report.

as far as cost, it depends on your tech's hourly rate. i paid for 20 hours, but got some other things done as well...it was the first time he worked on one, dah de dah.

i would guess 80% of the work is to r and r the transmission, needed for flywheel access and 20% is to fit the diff. I would apply those figures to a 15 hour estimate. BMW probably has a flat rate to r and r the trans; you could use that as a guide.

[dpayne1]

Only got to drive the car to work and home in DC rush hour traffic today. I can tell it's there but no torque steer to speak of. Took one corner in a hurry - a 90 deg left turn onto a ramp. On exit the car felt like it was literally shot out the turn. That torque is now applied and not wasted.

[ficcion]

Nice to hear some positive results so far. Looking forward to more, Thanks

[CSDan]

Yeah guys--keep us well informed--all sounds quite promising


Daniel

[RSAmerica]

Have you guys noticed and increase of understeer with the Lucy in the sky with diamonds (LSD)?

[jlm]

I haven't really been able to thrash it, but if anything so far, just the opposite. that outside front wheel just keeps pulling you through the turn and the back wants to come around to suit. You definitely feel more action in the steering wheel as well...you have to hold on, but in a good way.

[DaveNagy]

Has the lighter flywheel allowed revs to drop faster when you get off the throttle? I'm interested in hearing whether that "rev holding" effect is due to the flywheel, the electronic thottle programming, or both.

-Dave

[gowest]

I have updated the first post with all the latest info, if you have not re-read it you should, if you are thinking of getting a Quaife installed.

Please save this thread for LSD info and post flywheel info in another thread.

My installer, a Neon owner, and the last few years, a fellow STS autocrosser, has seen 3 people with the Phantom grip in their Neon's, break the diff. with the result being a hole torn in the side of the case. If you are considering this for your MINI, good luck.

[jlm]

gowest:
where will you be autox-ing next weekend?

[dpayne1]

Quote:

Originally posted by jlm
I haven't really been able to thrash it, but if anything so far, just the opposite. that outside front wheel just keeps pulling you through the turn and the back wants to come around to suit. You definitely feel more action in the steering wheel as well...you have to hold on, but in a good way.

I agree. You do get pulled through the turn with little or no wheel spin -- and you go shooting right out the exit instead of waiting for grip. There's no hesitation after getting back onto the throttle. I've tried it with DSC on and off and can't yet tell any difference. The steering is much more alive - and I notice it most on uneven road surfaces. There is a new sound in the tranny as well when/if you let the car labor in gear momentarily. It's also harder to chirp the tires on takeoff (dsc off).

I just added the Madness Rear sway bar, and that makes the rear easier to scoot out and the steering feels more neutral.

David

[gowest]

On my first test drive I did a few drop clutch starts with the traction control off. The first two were from about 3.5k, one was from a stop sign while making a right turn. The result was two black marks around the entire turn and I needed to correct the steering back to the left to stay on the road. The second time I was going straight and had to back out of it or it may have left a pair of black marks forever. The third drop clutch start was from apx. 2.8k going straight and it left two short black marks and rocketred away. My Test and tune was snowed out today but I've got my fingers crossed for the autocross this Sunday.

[ModoMini]

Started my install Friday. What a nightmare! Everything has to come off to get that darn transmission out. Got as far as the lower sub frame before I had to quit for the day. If aynone has any suggestions for speeding the process please post here. Looks like Monday & Tuesday are going to be long days.

[Andy@Ross-Tech.com]

Stick with it and let us know how it goes (take pics if possible). Bet you swore a little at the skidplate, eh?