To quaife or not to quaife...that is the question?

**Tdola** · 04-03-2009, 09:37 PM

What's the consensus on the Quaife for the 6.1? First let me explain...I currently am looking to acquire the DSS axles and want to install them with the Quaife (saves on labor) but I'm trying to decide on whether or not to buy the Quaife. Currently I have 440 hp 425 tq at the rear wheels. My overall plans are to install a 426 in the next year or so and then after that, possibly install a supercharger. So, I want to get all of the other bull**** upgrades/mods out of the way first (tranny, rear end, fuel supply, etc...). Also, although I won't go to the track that much, I want the option to do so. Hence, I want to be sure that any and all components that I install now will be able to handle the added power down the road. What are the hosepower parameters/limitations of the Quaife? Any opinions would be greatly appreciated.

**Cam** · 04-03-2009, 09:42 PM

The quaife is a excellent unit. The key is to never break a halfshaft off in it. Once that happens, it's all over. But you have the right plans, so go for it bud!!. I've had my quiafe for two years now and it was trouble free until I did just that ^^. That's the short version. But right now I'm running the stock open dif and really REALLY hate it.

My suggestion is to go for it and don't think twice.

**NYCSRTATE** · 04-03-2009, 09:48 PM

Originally Posted by Cam

The quaife is a excellent unit. The key is to never break a halfshaft off in it. Once that happens, it's all over. But you have the right plans, so go for it bud!!. I've had my quiafe for two years now and it was trouble free until I did just that ^^. That's the short version. But right now I'm running the stock open dif and really REALLY hate it.

My suggestion is to go for it and don't think twice.

Cam what happened after you broke a halfshaft?

Did the halfshaft snapping break the Quaife also?

**Cam** · 04-03-2009, 09:55 PM

Originally Posted by NYCSRTATE

Cam what happened after you broke a halfshaft?

Did the halfshaft snapping break the Quaife also?

What happens is that for a split second the unit torque biases everything to the other side. This in turn does two things: one is it damages the housing at the stub shaft point because it causes the outboard gear to ride up into the housing and galls the bush area of the housing and the intact halfshaft, when this happens it stretches the housing at the weakest point which is the spider gear shafts. After that, it's only a matter of time before you wind up breaking the spider gears.

But in their defense, they will replace it

.

**Tdola** · 04-03-2009, 10:01 PM

Originally Posted by Cam

What happens is that for a split second the unit torque biases everything to the other side. This in turn does two things: one is it damages the housing at the stub shaft point because it causes the outboard gear to ride up into the housing and galls the bush area of the housing and the intact halfshaft, when this happens it stretches the housing at the weakest point which is the spider gear shafts. After that, it's only a matter of time before you wind up breaking the spider gears.

But in their defense, they will replace it

.

And that only happened because you broke the STOCK halfshaft....right??? If you had the DSS 1000hp axles than this would not have happened...right??? Also, how do you think the Quaife would handle with slicks at the Drag strip? Would the Quaife still be able to handle it?

**Cam** · 04-03-2009, 10:14 PM

Originally Posted by Tdola

And that only happened because you broke the STOCK halfshaft....right??? If you had the DSS 1000hp axles than this would not have happened...right??? Also, how do you think the Quaife would handle with slicks at the Drag strip? Would the Quaife still be able to handle it?

Absolutely. And right now we have Trojans ride doing exactly that. Over the next couple of months this combination will be tested at the 125% level. So if it makes it through it without blowing the hell apart, welp, there ya go. But his has had it from day one with zero issues. Matter of fact, no one has busted a quaife that has not busted a halfshaft off in it prior too. I did my homework after I broke mine wondering why.

**Tdola** · 04-03-2009, 10:18 PM

Originally Posted by Cam

Absolutely. And right now we have Trojans ride doing exactly that. Over the next couple of months this combination will be tested at the 125% level. So if it makes it through it without blowing the hell apart, welp, there ya go. But his has had it from day one with zero issues. Matter of fact, no one has busted a quaife that has not busted a halfshaft off in it prior too. I did my homework after I broke mine wondering why.

Very good information Cam. Unless someone can refute Cam's testimony (lol), it looks like a "Go" on the Quaife.

**NYCSRTATE** · 04-03-2009, 10:26 PM

Originally Posted by Cam

What happens is that for a split second the unit torque biases everything to the other side. This in turn does two things: one is it damages the housing at the stub shaft point because it causes the outboard gear to ride up into the housing and galls the bush area of the housing and the intact halfshaft, when this happens it stretches the housing at the weakest point which is the spider gear shafts. After that, it's only a matter of time before you wind up breaking the spider gears.

But in their defense, they will replace it

.

Great stuff Cam, thanks!

If I upgrade to a Quaife im doing halfshafts too!

**Tdola** · 04-03-2009, 10:34 PM

How do you think the Quaife and the DSS 1000hp axles compare to the 2009 226mm LSD and the 2009 half shafts? I think that although the DSS/Quaife is more expensive, that it is also much stronger than the 2009 set-up. Thoughts???

**richierevs** · 04-03-2009, 10:47 PM

Originally Posted by Cam

Absolutely. And right now we have Trojans ride doing exactly that. Over the next couple of months this combination will be tested at the 125% level. So if it makes it through it without blowing the hell apart, welp, there ya go. But his has had it from day one with zero issues. Matter of fact, no one has busted a quaife that has not busted a halfshaft off in it prior too. I did my homework after I broke mine wondering why.

^^^Ditto on Cam's input. I've got the Quaife and did the DSS V1 (1000 hp) half-axles. Their a good combo. In addition, I ended up changing out the stock struts and self-leveling shocks for KW V1s. Also, doing the Quaife is also a good time to do the rear sway bar if you have plans for it.

**ujokin2** · 04-04-2009, 12:58 AM

Not to say getting a quaife is not a good idea ... but within the past month or so... an new wrinkle\opportunity has presented itself. With the getrag LSD and shaft setup from the 09 Challenger which InferAL has layed out.... wouldn't that another avenue specially for those that have not ventured out and bought those DSS shafts ?

**Tdola** · 04-04-2009, 11:19 AM

Originally Posted by ujokin2

Not to say getting a quaife is not a good idea ... but within the past month or so... an new wrinkle\opportunity has presented itself. With the getrag LSD and shaft setup from the 09 Challenger which InferAL has layed out.... wouldn't that another avenue specially for those that have not ventured out and bought those DSS shafts ?

I think the 09 rear set-up is definetly a great option, but it doesn't appear to be as strong of a set-up as the 1000hp DSS axles/Quaife option. How much of a strength difference remains to be seen. It's definetly cheaper...$1500 for 09 set-up vs $3300 for the DSS/Quaife set-up. I'm just looking for the strongest possible set-up. The axles are good to at least 1000hp and I've been told that the Quaife is good to at least 650hp. All numbers are at the rear wheels. We'll see how the 09 set-up stands up against the members torture tests in the months to come as more and more people acquire it.

**budoboy** · 04-04-2009, 01:57 PM

Originally Posted by Tdola

I think the 09 rear set-up is definetly a great option, but it doesn't appear to be as strong of a set-up as the 1000hp DSS axles/Quaife option. How much of a strength difference remains to be seen. It's definetly cheaper...$1500 for 09 set-up vs $3300 for the DSS/Quaife set-up. I'm just looking for the strongest possible set-up. The axles are good to at least 1000hp and I've been told that the Quaife is good to at least 650hp. All numbers are at the rear wheels. We'll see how the 09 set-up stands up against the members torture tests in the months to come as more and more people acquire it.

Don't forget to include whatever extra cost to split open the diff and install the Quaiffe vs. just installing a 226 pumpkin.

**Tdola** · 04-04-2009, 03:05 PM

Originally Posted by budoboy

Don't forget to include whatever extra cost to split open the diff and install the Quaiffe vs. just installing a 226 pumpkin.

Actually, I wasn't including labor for either of the options since labor rates differ from area to area. Not to mention the Do-It-Yourselfers who will pay no labor at all.