CMJ's track rear diff to be tested MFO style

**CoolVanilla** · 03-11-2008, 05:00 PM

Lots of interest, speculation, questions and curiosity has resulted from CMJ Performance's announcement that they're releasing a complete rear end replacement system for our cars, from the drive shaft to the hubs and everything in between.

John has been in contact with me as a result of all this, and has asked if he can send me one of his kits, and have it ~~beat to death~~ MFO tested and reviewed.

I've warned him... the MFO blade is cold; it cuts deep and can be very unyielding. Some have greatly prospered as a result... and some have all but disappeared because of it. We tell it like it is; the good, the bad and the ugly. All unedited, unbiased and and unfiltered. We promise nothing more and we deliver nothing less.

After explaining all this, for some crazy reason John still wants to send me one.

The only request he made I think is a fair one; all pictures will be screened by him before posting, to ensure no trade secrets are given away. I promise you though, my writeup will be my own and not for prerelease review.

So, the current plan is to ship out a kit to me somewhere around the 25th of this month. It will go to SVS R&D, where it will be installed on my MeanBean. The plan is to review the install, complete with pics and explanations. Then after verifying all is well we'll literally go beat the hell out of the thing; on the road (obeying all laws, of course), on the strip, on the backroads and hopefully at somewhere like Lagnua or Willow. This kit will get exercised and exercised hard.

Will it break under the strain of my 392 stroker? Will is survive and propel MeanBean deep into the 11s? How does is handle daily driving? How about real twistie switchbacks? Whats involved in the install? Can this be easily undone? What happens at freeway speeds? How about fuel economy? What's required of the tuning? Lets find out.

Stay tuned. Gonna be a VERY interesting spring/summer.

**HULK** · 03-11-2008, 05:17 PM

Nice, maybe this will prove if its got what it takes or not! Should be real interesting to see the outcome of all this..... bet you gotta be grinning from ear to ear knowing that you are going to be able to test it out! At least I get to see it all up close if I need to, and I know the other guy whose car this is going into as well.... thats my only claim to fame in this whole ordeal!

-Pat

**DannyC** · 03-11-2008, 05:24 PM

Does this mean there may be gear sets available down the road? Is this just for the SRT? It's my understanding each version: SXT, RT, SRT8 has a different housing all together.

**Johnparts** · 03-11-2008, 05:29 PM

This housing will replace any of the 3

**Motor** · 03-11-2008, 05:29 PM

damn...this should be interesting...CV gettin down n dirty...keep us posted!

**HULK** · 03-11-2008, 05:30 PM

Yes this means that gear swaps should be available down the road. It is also my understanding that this should be able to go in the R/T or the SRT because everything is brand new back there, but Im sure John will chime in and answer any questions about that.

-Pat

EDIT: Nevermind, he beat me me to it!

**CoolVanilla** · 03-11-2008, 05:33 PM

Originally Posted by SublimeDaytona268

... bet you gotta be grinning from ear to ear knowing that you are going to be able to test it out!

Pat... I'd be a fool and a lier to claim otherwise. But that grin is also mixed with a healthy dose of skepticism. Truth is, I've just done this too much to think everything is gonna go off without a hitch. With all respect and optimism due CMJ, 'stuff happens', ya know?

So while its true I'm looking forward to this, I'm also a touch apprehesive at what it might mean. I think that kind of approach is what has always made me a fair tester. I'm just not willing to blindly look past negatives (should there be any) in order to emphasise the positives.

Originally Posted by DannyC

Does this mean there may be gear sets available down the road? Is this just for the SRT? It's my understanding each version: SXT, RT, SRT8 has a different housing all together.

This is a complete replacement from the tranny output back. So this will drop in place of the pumpkin you currently have, thus freeing you from the gear requirements we're currently under.

In theory, that is... a whole lot of this depends on DS's ability to produce a tune for each gearing.

**gotls1** · 03-11-2008, 05:35 PM

Woot!! Sticky tires!!

**CoolVanilla** · 03-11-2008, 05:40 PM

Originally Posted by gotls1

Woot!! Sticky tires!!

I'm disappointed. It took you a whole 35 mins to see this! How exactly am I supposed to trust your reactions times, eh?

**Motor** · 03-11-2008, 05:43 PM

Originally Posted by CoolVanilla

I'm disappointed. It took you a whole 35 mins to see this! How exactly am I supposed to trust your reactions times, eh?

LOL...yeah seriously!!!

**gotls1** · 03-11-2008, 06:01 PM

Originally Posted by CoolVanilla

I'm disappointed. It took you a whole 35 mins to see this! How exactly am I supposed to trust your reactions times, eh?

I saw it in .05 seconds, but it took me 35 minutes to type my reply. You know us drag racers - we ain't real bright.

Don't worry, my foot is quicker than the squishy stuff between my ears.

**MattRobertson** · 03-11-2008, 06:04 PM

So it looks like we are going to have two separate MFO events, yes? Your test is obviously not going to be a one-day dyno event. Kind of an extended-use deal.

April 10 is Laguna Seca with SpeedVentures :D. Haven't checked Willow Springs out.

**Hemi31** · 03-11-2008, 06:06 PM

Bastage!

**CoolVanilla** · 03-11-2008, 06:40 PM

Originally Posted by MattRobertson

So it looks like we are going to have two separate MFO events, yes? Your test is obviously not going to be a one-day dyno event. Kind of an extended-use deal.

April 10 is Laguna Seca with SpeedVentures :D. Haven't checked Willow Springs out.

Yeah my plan is to literally watch the install, taking pictures and notes and then if the tune is ready to go, I'll drive her home and do the road test stuff for a few days. Then, its 1/4mile time on a given Saturday. If it survives that abuse... then its time for a Laguna/Willow event.

Allowing for 'stuff' you know as well as I do, this is at least a 2-3 week proposition. Most likely longer than that.

If all is well, and John's goons can pry this thing outta my hands, the tentative plan is to ship me their street version. Drop the track version, install the street version and have at it (within the bounds dictated by the purposes of the street kit). Rinse and repeat.

So this MFO test is a very extended test. I consider it independent of the throttle body and associated tests we're gonna formalize in the next week or so.
Heh, with that in mind... I've heard 'rumor' there might be another little something special John includes in that box with the rear... something we all might enjoy seeing run on the dyno at the MFO event...

**ICLOSEM** · 03-11-2008, 06:52 PM

Originally Posted by CoolVanilla

I've heard 'rumor' there might be another little something special John includes in that box with the rear... something we all might enjoy seeing run on the dyno at the MFO event...

am i hearing the rumor of a blower on the bean?