Kleemann LSD Vs. Quaife LSD
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Joined: Jun 2011
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From: Silicon Valley, CA
C63 AMG, P30
Kleemann LSD Vs. Quaife LSD
Hey guys,
What have you guys heard or experienced in terms of these two LSD's.
Quaife is the helical diff, while the Kleemann is the spring operated diff.
Which one is better? And why?
Thanks,
Daniel
What have you guys heard or experienced in terms of these two LSD's.
Quaife is the helical diff, while the Kleemann is the spring operated diff.
Which one is better? And why?
Thanks,
Daniel
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 406
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From: Ft Lauderdale FL.
05 crossfire w/SL55 drivetrain installed by Rudy Compart Intake/Needswings best et-10.76 @ 129
the only problem is neither make a lsd for the c32,,, only wavetrac is the only one we have for the C32 and the Crossfire,(same rear) and i think Needswings carries them ,,,jim
http://www.crossfireforum.org/forum/...2-srt-6-a.html
http://www.crossfireforum.org/forum/...2-srt-6-a.html
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2002 C32 AMG
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,318
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From: Silicon Valley, CA
C63 AMG, P30
the only problem is neither make a lsd for the c32,,, only wavetrac is the only one we have for the C32 and the Crossfire,(same rear) and i think Needswings carries them ,,,jim
http://www.crossfireforum.org/forum/...2-srt-6-a.html
http://www.crossfireforum.org/forum/...2-srt-6-a.html
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From: Houston, TX
a car.
I don't know anyone that has the Kleeman model. That's not to say it's a bad unit, just never had any first hand reviews. I have the Quaife installed in my car and it was night and day difference. It feels like I'm actually getting the 374 hp to the pavement and not losing it on a retarded one wheel burnout. The hardest selling point for me was that it cost so much and I didn't see a direct translation to increased power (read: dyno numbers). However, no matter how many power adders you have, it's kinda wasted when you can't put the power down.
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From: Silicon Valley, CA
C63 AMG, P30
Thanks guys. For some reason though, the Quiafe unit has gone up in price substantially and would be around $200 installed. It's just way more than I want to spend. The Kleemann unit is priced much more reasonbly and is within my reach. I know not to many people have it, but I'm really looking for true differences between the two and pros and cons to each. I know the Quaife is a helical type while the Kleemann provides the box/spring spider gear deal.
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From: Canada
eclectic assortment of cars
You would be best served, in my view, in saving up for the Quaife instead of buying the Kleeman Phantom Grip type piece. The Quaife is the real deal; the Phantom Grip pieces are useful when there are no other options. Do it right the first time and be done with it.
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From: seattle
1990 300ce supercharged and intercooled
Definitely go with the Quaife. I have installed quite a few. I have also dealt with the Kleemann. As said. If there is no other available option the phantom grip units are ok. The problem is that they are just metal on metal on the spider gears. No clutches like a real spring loaded lsd clutch. The slip rate is set and does not have a high % of load. And the cost of installation is really not any different. In fact I would probably charge a little more for the phantom grip. Once the carrier is out of the differential swapping it with the Quaife one is really easy.
The Quaife unit is torque biasing. It is constantly adjusting the transfer of torque two each wheel. The only down side to the unit is that if you lift one wheel off the ground it goes open and spins that tire. Which can be good if you are driving hard. May keep you from spinning out. Also lifetime guaranty on the Quaife unit. It is also seamless in daily driving.
The Quaife unit is torque biasing. It is constantly adjusting the transfer of torque two each wheel. The only down side to the unit is that if you lift one wheel off the ground it goes open and spins that tire. Which can be good if you are driving hard. May keep you from spinning out. Also lifetime guaranty on the Quaife unit. It is also seamless in daily driving.
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Joined: Aug 2010
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From: Ontario, Canada
2002 C32 AMG
Just got my Quaife installed. I love it. Ironically, the place I got it installed at was a Kleeman dealer so he was trying to push his LSD product hard. 
They did a good job. The Quaife unit has gone up in price substantially. I paid $1600CDN and that was at a friends discounted rate. Installation was a bit pricey too as a Kleeman dealer did the install for me. However, I would glady pay more for it to be installed once and installed correctly.
BTW, for those planning on installing these on the 2002 C32 models, you no longer need the updated axles. Qauife makes a newer design LSD that works with the 2002 Axles. I just had the guy put in new seals, washers etc and everything lined up, no leaks.
BTW, if the phantom grip / Kleeman units were the only choices for an LSD For my car, I would pass and spend the money on something else. Quaife all the way or nothing. The Kleeman LSD parts the tech showed me came in a ziploc bag. There wasn't much too it and didn't inspire confidence. I can put the power down much easier. The car loves to go sideways when I get both wheels spinning in a straight line. It's an odd feeling. I haven't had a chance to take it to the track, but turn in is so much sharper and I can actually put the power down properly through the corners. I suspect I should keep up with the M3's a bit better this time on my next track day. Not just blowing by them in the straights.
They did a good job. The Quaife unit has gone up in price substantially. I paid $1600CDN and that was at a friends discounted rate. Installation was a bit pricey too as a Kleeman dealer did the install for me. However, I would glady pay more for it to be installed once and installed correctly. BTW, for those planning on installing these on the 2002 C32 models, you no longer need the updated axles. Qauife makes a newer design LSD that works with the 2002 Axles. I just had the guy put in new seals, washers etc and everything lined up, no leaks.
BTW, if the phantom grip / Kleeman units were the only choices for an LSD For my car, I would pass and spend the money on something else. Quaife all the way or nothing. The Kleeman LSD parts the tech showed me came in a ziploc bag. There wasn't much too it and didn't inspire confidence. I can put the power down much easier. The car loves to go sideways when I get both wheels spinning in a straight line. It's an odd feeling. I haven't had a chance to take it to the track, but turn in is so much sharper and I can actually put the power down properly through the corners. I suspect I should keep up with the M3's a bit better this time on my next track day. Not just blowing by them in the straights.
Last edited by Autotechnica; Oct 8, 2012 at 09:58 AM.
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From: Diamond Bar, CA
W206 PHEV AMG
Like said, kleemann is a seudo diff. Quaife is an actual replacement diff. If you feel the need for a LSD setup for your driving (i could use one, but dont feel like spending) by all means go for it. 
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From: Silicon Valley, CA
C63 AMG, P30
Okay guys, the Quaife may be slightly better for tracking and an overall better diff. However, I got a quote for it installed and because of the increase in the actual price of the diff the install price has come to about $2000. I simply cannot justify this price for the way I drive. Sure, if I was trakcing my car and such the Quiafe would be the obvious choice. However, I'm not. I simply want the diff for fun purposes. I want to be able to put two black lines on the ground instead of having the back end squirm around trying to figure out what its going to do.
With that said, will the Kleemann fulfill my expectations?
So far, Ive yet to hear a bad review about it so if you have one or know of one please tell me.
Any other inputs would be highly appreciated.
With that said, will the Kleemann fulfill my expectations?
So far, Ive yet to hear a bad review about it so if you have one or know of one please tell me.
Any other inputs would be highly appreciated.
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Joined: May 2009
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From: Canada
eclectic assortment of cars
"You pays your money, you takes your chances."
"You wanna play, you gotta pay."
Trite phrases, but they are very true when it comes to this sort of thing. You would be better off spending proper money for a proper LSD as opposed to the band aid type solution. Phantom Grip type units should only be used when there is no other option, IMO. In my Saab Turbo tuning days, basically the only option was for a Phantom Grip, so that's what people gravitated to. But what everyone wanted was a Quaife....
"You wanna play, you gotta pay."
Trite phrases, but they are very true when it comes to this sort of thing. You would be better off spending proper money for a proper LSD as opposed to the band aid type solution. Phantom Grip type units should only be used when there is no other option, IMO. In my Saab Turbo tuning days, basically the only option was for a Phantom Grip, so that's what people gravitated to. But what everyone wanted was a Quaife....
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,318
Likes: 171
From: Silicon Valley, CA
C63 AMG, P30
"You pays your money, you takes your chances."
"You wanna play, you gotta pay."
Trite phrases, but they are very true when it comes to this sort of thing. You would be better off spending proper money for a proper LSD as opposed to the band aid type solution. Phantom Grip type units should only be used when there is no other option, IMO. In my Saab Turbo tuning days, basically the only option was for a Phantom Grip, so that's what people gravitated to. But what everyone wanted was a Quaife....
"You wanna play, you gotta pay."
Trite phrases, but they are very true when it comes to this sort of thing. You would be better off spending proper money for a proper LSD as opposed to the band aid type solution. Phantom Grip type units should only be used when there is no other option, IMO. In my Saab Turbo tuning days, basically the only option was for a Phantom Grip, so that's what people gravitated to. But what everyone wanted was a Quaife....
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,846
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From: Canada
eclectic assortment of cars
I had a Phantom Grip type unit in my Saab a long while back. It was inconsistent in its functioning. I must emphasize that it wasn't a Phantom Grip, but it functioned in a similar manner. At the time, if I had the funds and if it was available then, I would have gone with a Quaife definitely.
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Joined: Dec 2008
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From: San Francisco
2016 Freightliner "daily driver"
Okay guys, the Quaife may be slightly better for tracking and an overall better diff. However, I got a quote for it installed and because of the increase in the actual price of the diff the install price has come to about $2000. I simply cannot justify this price for the way I drive. Sure, if I was trakcing my car and such the Quiafe would be the obvious choice. However, I'm not. I simply want the diff for fun purposes. I want to be able to put two black lines on the ground instead of having the back end squirm around trying to figure out what its going to do.
With that said, will the Kleemann fulfill my expectations?
So far, Ive yet to hear a bad review about it so if you have one or know of one please tell me.
Any other inputs would be highly appreciated.
With that said, will the Kleemann fulfill my expectations?
So far, Ive yet to hear a bad review about it so if you have one or know of one please tell me.
Any other inputs would be highly appreciated.
