[skim7x]

Hey everyone… I had the fortune of being able to jump on the VAC Motorsports Quaife Supersale this past month. Since I was from out of town, I opted for the “used-core” where VAC would build my new Quaife unit into a slightly-used core differential compatible with my vehicle. This way, I could just show up, have the entire pumpkins swapped, and receive a refund for the price of the core.

First of all, I’d like to give a shout-out to Mike@VAC for setting this great deal and answering dozens of phone calls / texts I’ve bothered him with over the past month! I’d also like to give a shout out to Dale, who installed the diff, and Klevis, who helped install the diff and has done other work on my car. These guys are the most professional, knowledgeable, and capable mechanics anyone could ask for and I couldn’t be happier with the experiences I’ve had at VAC. I really feel at home with these guys and trust them with my vehicle (which says a lot… I don’t let just anyone touch my car).



Impressions:
I spent the first 100 miles taking it easy, but oddly enough, I did feel a difference, even with regular freeway driving. Some of you may think this is Placebo Effect, but let me explain. In 2003, I purchased a G35 coupe. I remember the first time I took my father for a drive, we were on the freeway accelerating and he mentioned that the car had an “urge” to move forward. I felt the same way, but wasn’t sure why. Somehow, I’m reminded of that feeling driving my car now, which wasn’t the case prior to the diff.

After the first 100 miles, I started pushing the car more. I’m currently running Cobb S2+D. Prior to installing the LSD, flooring the car from a stand-still would give me wheel-spin all the way through 1st and most of 2nd gear and I felt that 1st gear was basically useless. It was very annoying because I felt like I had to really baby the car to avoid wheelspin – I hated it. NOW, with the Quaife, I get much much MUCH more traction. Because of the massive torque, I still spin in 1st gear, but since both tires are fighting for grip, there is a significant improvement in acceleration. 2nd gear only chirps at the shift, and then immediately gains traction and I’m off. Honestly, my S2+D feels like when I was on the S2+Agg maps… I can’t wait to feel what S2+Agg feels like with the diff (I downgraded to S2+D because I was having a lot of timing being pulled in multiple cylinders… need an intake valve cleaning [which I’ll be getting done at VAC next month, as it turns out ]).

So far I’ve only been talking about straight-line improvements, but I’ve also experienced improvements on corners… now, I haven’t taken the car VERY aggressively around corners, but there’s definitely a significant difference with the Quaife. I am getting quite a bit more traction going around freeway ramps and find that the car accelerates much more quickly out of corners. The only way I can describe it is that the “efficiency” has drastically improved… with the same amount of power and throttle, the car seems to accelerate much more quickly and confidently through trans-freeway ramps.

I’ve only had the Quaife for about 8 hours and I can already feel a huge difference. I don’t know that these differences could really be appreciated at stock power levels, but anyone running a tune and EVERYONE running with FBO power levels NEEDS an LSD, no question.

And as a side note, the Quaife differential is 100% silent... no clanking, humming, or rattling when cruising, idling, or changing gears.

All questions and comments are welcome. Thanks again to the VAC team… another outstanding product and installation.

Gotta represent

[F80M]

I want to do this mod too but not sure if I want to do it comparing getting a twin turbo upgrade. I would love to hear more reviews so that it convinces me to do this LSD upgrade first...lol

Anyways, congrats to you!

[skim7x]

Originally Posted by 91Octane

I want to do this mod too but not sure if I want to do it comparing getting a twin turbo upgrade. I would love to hear more reviews so that it convinces me to do this LSD upgrade first...lol

Anyways, congrats to you!

You definitely should get this before a turbo upgrade. What's the point of more power when you can't even use all of it? Believe me, that much power will be pointless without an LSD. I held out as long as i could, but honestly Cobb S2+ power levels are enough hp tq to warrant an LSD.

[BobS]

Awesome, getting mine installed on the 30th!

[CJ421]

Great review! I have the Quaife by VAC as well and feel the same way.

In corners especially - with the open diff I didn't realize how much I was pressing down the gas pedal to accelerate after passing the apex. Now with the LSD it is effortless. The car is responding directly to your pedal input. It's a great feeling.

Originally Posted by skim7x

You definitely should get this before a turbo upgrade. What's the point of more power when you can't even use all of it? Believe me, that much power will be pointless without an LSD. I held out as long as i could, but honestly Cobb S2+ power levels are enough hp tq to warrant an LSD.

Agreed as well. The 335 is a great car but all that power, even stock, isn't put to the ground effectively without the LSD. The open diff simply pushes power to the wheel with the least resistance - e.g. where it will give you the least return on gas.

[Brian_VACsales]

Thanks Steve, I appreciate it. IMO it should be either the first big mod, or the second after a module/flash.

ps. that sticker looks a tad bit crooked ;-)

[Slops]

Shaweeetttttt... Good choice going to VAC

[Syndicategt]

Originally Posted by 91Octane

I want to do this mod too but not sure if I want to do it comparing getting a twin turbo upgrade. I would love to hear more reviews so that it convinces me to do this LSD upgrade first...lol

Anyways, congrats to you!

Um...you are going to need this (and other suspension mods) before doing any turbo upgrading. You will not lay the power down properly. Just dive in and get the Quaife, it will transform your car!

[skim7x]

Originally Posted by CJ421

Great review! I have the Quaife by VAC as well and feel the same way.

Glad I got to meet you... you're now my go-to guy on e90post for suspension advice Those rear subframe bushings will be next after I do a bit of body work (need to fix my sideskirts =/)

Originally Posted by Mike@VAC

Thanks Steve, I appreciate it. IMO it should be either the first big mod, or the second after a module/flash.

ps. that sticker looks a tad bit crooked ;-)

Dude... thanks for calling me out on that... and don't pretend like you had nothing to do with it, you were right there!!

[phil200tdi]

Out of interest

How long does it take to do a pumpkin swap?

[nafoo]

Originally Posted by phil200tdi

Out of interest

How long does it take to do a pumpkin swap?

2-3 hours with the right equipment.

[E60orBust]

+1 on the LSD before turbo upgrade. No point giving the car more power if it can't put any of it down to the ground.

I second VAC for being an excellent shop too. They are a bit too far north for me, but the shop that did my LSD work sourced the parts from them and they made sure it got out the door for the overnight express to my installer.

[nafoo]

Originally Posted by Mike@VAC

Thanks Steve, I appreciate it. IMO it should be either the first big mod, or the second after a module/flash.

ps. that sticker looks a tad bit crooked ;-)

The "c" needs to be roughly 1-2 mm higher...

[skim7x]

Originally Posted by nafoo

The "c" needs to be roughly 1-2 mm higher...

dammit! Ok that's it, mike, we're redoing it next month when i come up for intake valve cleaning...

[nafoo]

Originally Posted by skim7x

dammit! Ok that's it, mike, we're redoing it next month when i come up for intake valve cleaning...

Lol. The sticker on the car in the back is perfect.

[skim7x]

Originally Posted by nafoo

Lol. The sticker on the car in the back is perfect.

OK let's just concentrate on the Quaife...

[spicish22]

Congrats!

Even at stock power levels this car really needs an LSD

...Now even more excited!

[sickem]

Skim, thanks for the review. Just out of curiosity, are you running 6MT or auto?

[dlbrooks18]

Originally Posted by spicish22

Congrats!

Even at stock power levels this car really needs an LSD

...Now even more excited!

+1

[skim7x]

Originally Posted by sickem

Skim, thanks for the review. Just out of curiosity, are you running 6MT or auto?

Running 6MT for life

[stressdoc]

LSD is critical for E9x. But always install M3 subframe bushings at same time.

Full suspension upgrade can take advantage of the LSD.

[GreekboyD]

Originally Posted by stressdoc

LSD is critical for E9x. But always install M3 subframe bushings at same time.

Full suspension upgrade can take advantage of the LSD.

This is exactly what I'm doing. I own a 335d and this car is dying for a Quaife LSD but I just don't know how to go about it as I live in Toronto, Canada and I'm not doing a 9 hour drive to Philly.