Re: BTCC Cntr Diff Riddle

["Graydon D. Stuckey" <graydon@apollo.gmi.edu>]

On Mon, 14 Oct 1996, mike tipton wrote:

> I have a "friend" whom says Audi and AP Racing have been working 
> together on a "new type" of traction control differential, simular in 
> function to that of a Quafe! 

Are you referring to the original Quaife diff or something new?  The old 
Quaife is simply an alternate implementation of the same principles upon 
which the Gleason Torsen is based.  My guess is that since AP is a 
supplier of brake pieces, that should be a clue to the possibility that 
Audi and AP are working on an electronically controlled clutch pak which 
determines the proportion of tork to the front and rear axles.  Like a 
clutch-based diff with a servo on the clutch-pak pressure.

> In an article in "Race Car Engineering" they are quoted as saying the 
> gearbox houses a front and center diff all in three separate units that 
> bolt onto the back of the bell housing. The center diff is quoted as 
> being in the rear part of the gearbox, while the foward diff is in the 
> front section of the gearbox.

With this amount of detail, that describes perfectly the standard Audi 
Quattro transmission which contains the centre and front diffs, as well 
as the transmission.  So what's the difference?

Later, ---------------------------------------------------------- 
Graydon D. Stuckey 	'85 Mazda RX7 GS, no toys 
graydon@apollo.gmi.edu 	'86 Audi 5000 CS Turbo Quattro, has toys
Flint, Michigan USA	'89 Thunderbird SC, lotsa toys