[vasillalov]

Ok folks,

I searched and I could not find any decent comparison between the different LSDs available for our cars.

Here is the list:

1. Quaife - approx $1300
2. Wavetrack - approx $1200
3. Dinan ($2599 - $1400 core exchange) - approx $1200

I know that the Dinan is a torsen type differential.

How do these diffs stack up?

[DJKhan85]

All 3 are torsen style diffs. The Main difference is that the wavetrac can operate when there is 1 wheel completely in the air(under no load).

I think your understanding of the price of the dinan diff is off a little. The Diff itself is 2500 and then 1400 added on top.

The real question you should be asking yourself is if you have a welded ring gear or not. That's the big wallet buster.

[scheherazade]

Yes, all are torsen-style (torque-sensing, aka helical).


Price for dealing with welded crown has gone down. Not as bad as it used to be.


Although, the diff itself is just the beginning.
You still have to get a carrier, and do the work of swapping the internals.

Or you can buy a complete carrier, but it's more costly.

-scheherazade

[vasillalov]

Originally Posted by DJKhan85

I think your understanding of the price of the dinan diff is off a little. The Diff itself is 2500 and then 1400 added on top. .

Ouch! I did not see that one.. Yeah, that Dinan unit is indeed expensive...

[DJKhan85]

Originally Posted by vasillalov

Ouch! I did not see that one.. Yeah, that Dinan unit is indeed expensive...

DOn't let that fool you. It was cheaper for me to get the dinan diff than any of the others. My welded crown gear made it much more expensive than it should have been.

Was it expensive? Yes
Would I do it again? YOU BETTER BELIEVE I WOULD. Way too much fun with a LSD.

[vasillalov]

Wait wait... I am bit confused here...

I do believe that I have a welded crown gear in my Oct 2007 production.

When you order your Dinan LSD, what is involved into installing it on cars with welded crown gear vs cars without?

[scheherazade]

Welded :

Crown gear is welded to the stock differential.

You need to :
1) Have the crown gear machined off of your stock differntial, and then prepared (drilled). Attach the machined crown gear to your new LSD, and install the LSD into your carrier.

2) Buy a new crown gear and attach it to your new LSD (Put the old crown gear + lsd on a shelf. Let them gather dust.). Install the LSD into your carrier.

3) Buy a complete carrier, with LSD already installed, all gears included, all assembled and ready to go.

-scheherazade

[vasillalov]

OK that makes sense.

Does the Dinan LSD come assembled with complete carrier? If so, then this might be a better to buy that and have it installed rather than disassembling the diff innards.

[scheherazade]

Originally Posted by vasillalov

OK that makes sense.

Does the Dinan LSD come assembled with complete carrier? If so, then this might be a better to buy that and have it installed rather than disassembling the diff innards.

Not to come off too opportunistic...

I still haven't sold my rear carrier (Wavetrac LSD 3.08 MT).
A little under 10k miles on the clock.

If you're ever in the D.C. area...

-scheherazade

[GaryS]

The Dinan LSD comes assembled in a replacement differential. You swap the diffs, send your old one back to Dinan, and Dinan refunds the $1400 deposit. At least that's how it works if your dff is welded. I don't know if Dinan has other options.

In the Wavetrac group buy I am participating in, it is $1587 for the Wavetrac + assembled diff and $800 for the deposit - great price.

[vasillalov]

Originally Posted by GaryS

The Dinan LSD comes assembled in a replacement differential

You mean they send me the complete final drive unit (the pumpkin) and all I have to do is mount it on the car and attach the half hafts and the drive shaft, correct?

If that's the case then this could be a good option for me...

[GaryS]

Originally Posted by vasillalov

You mean they send me the complete final drive unit (the pumpkin) and all I have to do is mount it on the car and attach the half hafts and the drive shaft, correct?

If that's the case then this could be a good option for me...

Yes. But I believe you can get the same deal from HPA Shop for a Quaife or Wavetrac pre-assembled in a final drive unit that you'd swap for your old one.

[scottp999]

Originally Posted by GaryS

Yes. But I believe you can get the same deal from HPA Shop for a Quaife or Wavetrac pre-assembled in a final drive unit that you'd swap for your old one.

True - I got a Quaife complete final drive unit from Harold at HPAutowerks, had it shippped to my front door, and then I took it to a shop that is a big Dinan dealer in MD to have it installed (atspeed motorsports).

Prices have changed since I did mine earlier in the year, but definitely compare.

[DJKhan85]

Originally Posted by vasillalov

You mean they send me the complete final drive unit (the pumpkin) and all I have to do is mount it on the car and attach the half hafts and the drive shaft, correct?

If that's the case then this could be a good option for me...

Thats what they do. Another option is to have your dinan/bmw dealer install it for you. You don't worry about having to pay for a deposit and can get service right at your BMW dealer.

When I calculated final cost for everything, Dinan came out to be a little more expensive than Wavetrac and cheaper than Quaife. On top of that, I got a discount from the dinan rep(I just asked and he gave it) and a loaner car for when my dealer did the install.

[Mike@N54Tuning.com]

Originally Posted by GaryS

great price.

[vasillalov]

Great, thanks for the info guys. I really don't trust the local shops to mess with my final drive unit. I'd rather have an already assembled, re-shimmed unite that I can just chuck in and out of my car in 1 hour.

I'll definitely inquire abut quaife final drive. I am not very impressed by the technology behind wavetrack and even though we are seeing some good initial reviews from forum members, wavetrack are still newcomers to this game. Only time will tell if their units will last as long as the established makers like Quaife.

[Former_Boosted_IS]

Guys keep in mind there are more design differences between the Quaife and Wavetrac as well. The Quaife uses a scrolled output shaft just like the stock open diff, where the Wavetrac does not. It is well known that scrolled output shafts are to prevent seizure and it is a big difference between the Wavetrac and Quaife imo.

[enrita]

The Dinan is a QUAIFE by the way...... just overpriced.