The Quaife Differential powers both drive wheels under nearly
all conditions, instead of just one. With an ordinary open
differential, standard on most cars, a lot of precious power is
wasted during wheelspin under acceleration. This happens because
the open differential shifts power to the wheel with less grip
(along the path of least resistance). The Quaife, however, does
just the opposite. It senses which wheel has the better grip, and
biases the power to that wheel. It does this smoothly and
constantly, and without ever completely removing power from the
other wheel.
In drag-race style, straight-line acceleration runs, this
results in a close to ideal 50/50 power split to both drive wheels,
resulting in essentially twice the grip of an ordinary differential
(they dont call open diffs peglegs for nothing).
In cornering, while accelerating out of a turn, the Quaife
biases power to the outside wheel, reducing inside-wheel spin. This
allows the driver to begin accelerating earlier, exiting the corner
at a higher speed.
The Quaife also controls loss of traction when the front wheels
are on slippery surfaces such as ice and snow or mud, providing the
appropriate biased traction needed to overcome these adverse
conditions. The Quaife Differential provides constant and
infinitely variable drive. Power is transferred automatically
without the use of normal friction pads or plates seen in other
limited-slip designs.
The Quaifes unique design offers maximum traction, improves
handling and steering, and puts the power where it is needed most.
A definite advantage whether on the track or on the street.
The Quaife is extremely strong and durable and since the Quaife
is gear operated, it has no plates or clutches that can wear out
and need costly replacement.
The Quaife is great for street driving or racing. Racers dont
have to put up with locking mechanisms or spools that created
unwanted understeer under power, or in the case of front-drive
cars, even tear the steering wheel out of their hands when
cornering. Because it behaves like an open differential during
ordinary driving, street drivers will have trouble telling its
there until pushing the cars limits.
The Quaife has been proven in everything from SCCA
Rally to Formula 1. It provides autocrossers with such an
advantage, it has become required equipment for a winning
effort.
More and more auto manufacturers are specifying the Quaife
ATB Differential as original equipment in their high
performance models for good reason it works!