Limited Slip Differential for my MINI

[schatteman]

Hello everyone!

I'm thinking about purchasing a limited slip differential for my MINI. I was thinking about installing the lsd myself, has anyone attempted this yet?

Thanks,
schatteman

[MINIAC]

Welcome to MINI2

You might want to wade through the following thread ...

Quaife Install Thread

[MINI-Morgan]

Adding an LSD will make very good difference to you cornering Dont know anyone that attempted it themselves as its a gearbox job. But no reason why you cant.

[pocketrocketowner]

Done it, not a nice job but very doable. A LOT easier in a proper shop with a lift and a tranny jack. I did it in my garage, jackstands and an engine lift.

Anyways, pulling the tranny out is straightforward, splitting it to install the LSD is a snap.
You will trash the thrust bearings on the old spool trying to pry them out so you will need a pair of those. MINI does NOT sell the bearings so you have to source them yourself, using the numbers stamped on the races. As it is not a hypoid gear set, no need to preload or anything like that. In go the new bearings, you drop the spool in its place, button the sucker up and you are set. A friend will come in VERY handy if you do not have a tranny jack.
Hope this helps

[KiwiJCW]

[quote=pocketrocketowner]Done it, not a nice job but very doable. A LOT easier in a proper shop with a lift and a tranny jack. I did it in my garage, jackstands and an engine lift.

Impressive. How long did it take?

[pocketrocketowner]

It took like a week's worth worth of evenings. Started on a Monday and had it running again by Saturday night. I figure it took some 25 hours of real work, but then again, I am not the most accomplished of machanics. Areal technician in a bimmer shop could probably do it in 15.....;except he's not allowed into the gear box

[MINI-Morgan]

I'm guessing you dropped the engine right out??

[pocketrocketowner]

No, I did not. I suspended it from the hoist and dropped it a tad, that is after dropping the whole subframe and front suspension. The worst part of the job is actually putting the fecking thing back in as the box is HEAVY!
I should also tell you I got good at it as I had to drop the tranny twice more while I was installing a Beta flywheel /clutch assembly. The first time the T/O bearing was wrong and the second time the pressure on the plate just shredded the material on the disc.
Do I look forward to another one?....not at all, unless in a proper shop.

[MinMax]

Hi KiwiJCW,
Pocketrocketowner is right, what a pain in the @r$e! But man is it ever worth it.
I've done all the mods on my MCS (which are extensive), but chose to go to Randy's shop to do the Quaife LSD, Lighweight UCC flywheel (weighed in at 10lbs) and a Stage I clutch, which I highly recommend. You might want to consider going "whole-hog" as well and do the uprated clutch and lightened flywheel at the same time, and save yourself the labor of wanting to do this later (you know it won't be long before you'll want these other mods as well .

Big kudos to Pocketrocketowner for doing this with jackstands, etc. in his garage, as it was plenty of work doing it in Randy's very nicely equipped shop with a car lift. I don't think I'd want to try this without a lift myself, especially the first time around.

I just finished bedding in the clutch, pressure plate and flywheel, and the car runs like a stripped ape! What a blast. I've heard that sometimes the lightweight flywheel can cause a bit of rattling, but as of yet, I've not noticed it. What a difference! The car feels like it suddenly lost weight, and the pedal feel is actually somewhat lighter than the stock clutch, which is the opposite of what I'd have expected from a high performance clutch.
Well worth while. Randy did an excellent job, and I learned alot, from the little bit that I helped. Only downside is that I take great pride in having done pretty much everything on my car, but it was well worth while to get the mods done.

Bottom line- I would strongly suggest considering the lightweight flywheel and clutch upgrade while you're in there, to maximize your time and effort.

BTW- Randy, Bridgett, Brian, the rest of his team, (wife and kids included) are great people, and I very much appreciated their extreme hospitality while I was there. I had great time during my visit. Thanks folks.

PS- Only thing left for me at this point is Twincharging, which I'm considering after I get healed up from this latest round of mods.
It's true, MINI mods are truly addictive, but as they say, " I don't suffer from insanity....I enjoy every minute of it!"

Cheers!
MinMax

[GARY GP]

hello i v got the 270bhp my fly wheel makes a rat rat tat tat gets on your t%ts. but its great fun!!. thanks.