Technical Notes
SWIFTUNE ATB DIFFERENTIAL
What is a ATB Helical LSD differential?
The Automatic Torque Biasing Helical LSD differential, developed and patented by Quaife, provides smooth, constant traction for racing or slippery road conditions. It is ideal for Minis because it has no adverse effect on the steering of a front wheel drive vehicle so combating FWD torque steer and understeer.
The ULTIMATE Differential
The Automatic Torque Biasing Helical LSD Differential enables your Mini to accelerate quicker and corner faster. How? Simply by getting the power to the ground!
The Swiftune differential powers both drive wheels under nearly all conditions, instead of just one wheel. With an normal open differential much precious power is wasted through wheel spin under acceleration. This happens because the open differential shifts power to the wheel with less grip - along the path of least resistance.
The Quaife differential, however, does just the opposite. It senses which wheel has the better grip, and automatically biases the power to that wheel. It does this smoothly and constantly, and without ever completely removing power from the other wheel.
In cornering, while accelerating out of a turn, the ATB diff biases greater 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 Swiftune differential also controls loss of traction when the drive wheels are on slippery surfaces such as ice and snow or mud, providing the appropriate biased traction needed to overcome these adverse conditions. The drive is both 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 ATB Helical LSD differential's unique design offers maximum traction, improves handling by reducing understeer, curbing steering 'fight'and puts the power where it is needed most. A definite advantage, whether you are on the track or on the street.
The ATB differential is extremely strong and durable, and since it is gear-operated, it has no plates or clutches that can wear out and need costly and regular replacement. There is no maintenance required to the unit, so once installed the unit can be forgotton, apart from the better road responses.
The Swiftune ATB differential is great for performance or track day Minis, rac ing or rallying. Racers don't have to put up with locking mechanisms or spools that 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 it's there until pushing the cars towards its limits.
The Quaife ATB differential is proven in everything from SCCA Rallying to drag racing and Formula 1. It provides autocrossers with such an advantage, it has become "required" equipment for a winning effort.
Swiftune has exclusive rights to the Quaife patented ATB diff for Minis.