Ian Lummis Posted November 26, 2022 Share Posted November 26, 2022 Good afternoon all recently purchased the R400 my questions are how do I find out which limited slip diff is fitted to the car built in 2010 and also the chassis needs a little touch up in a few places do you guys rub down and paint or what thanks . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan R Posted November 26, 2022 Share Posted November 26, 2022 I had the same questions regarding my diff after i purchased mine, Martin.Phipps@caterham.com was incredibly helpful as the Caterham archivist. That would be a good start providing its still the original diff. Im sure there will be some very good technical replies along very shortly to explain how to work out what may be fitted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leadership Team SLR No.77 Posted November 27, 2022 Leadership Team Share Posted November 27, 2022 The generally preferred product for the chassis is POR-15. You'll also need disposable gloves, some cheap brushes because you'll throw them away after use plus something to decant a small amount that you intend to use. Stu. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Lummis Posted November 27, 2022 Author Share Posted November 27, 2022 Thanks for reply that's sounds like what I need do you apply it straight on or the undercoat first Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leadership Team SLR No.77 Posted November 27, 2022 Leadership Team Share Posted November 27, 2022 Clean back any rust and treat if necessary, then flat the area to be painted with a medium grade paper (300) and apply directly to the metal. Don't use straight from the tin or put unused POR back in the tin, it will cause the contents of the tin to set ... don't ask me how I know! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative Geoff Brown Posted November 27, 2022 Area Representative Share Posted November 27, 2022 #1 - Diff if FORD would more than likely be fitted with a TITAN LSU with carbon plates. BUT knowing the vagaries of CC also could have a QUAIFE ATB.If BMW Diff then certainly fitted with a TITAN containing carbon plates. Quaife is 'fit & forget' but do check the oil condition or just change as a precaution.If a TITAN unit then a health check is required: BMW Differential Titan limited slip unit - how to check & protect while in service. | Caterham and Lotus Seven Club (caterhamlotus7.club)The above health check would cover the FORD diff as well though the FORD TItan seems to have a very low failure rate. Unlike the BMW unit.Considering the mileage, use of the car on track days & any past Titan servicing (unlikely) then the recommended service requirements of the Titan LSU are: 'Titan recommends that the LSD is serviced every 12 months, race season, or every 10,000 road use miles'. This is a quote from the Titan Express web page.Ratio is usually engraved on under side of casing. If a Quaife then the name or 'ATB' may be engraved. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrightpayne Posted November 27, 2022 Share Posted November 27, 2022 Caterham originally used an AP Suretrac diff in the sierra housing. I wasn't aware of them fitting the ATB.I recall reading an article in lowflying that had pictures taken looking down one of the outputs with a driveshaft removed (obviously). It identified the different makes by what you could see of the diff. Lots of these articles / lowflying backissues are loaded onto the forum - a search should find them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leadership Team SLR No.77 Posted November 27, 2022 Leadership Team Share Posted November 27, 2022 #7 Angus' website has more details. It pre-dates the Titan diff though.Stu. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrightpayne Posted November 27, 2022 Share Posted November 27, 2022 Thats where I'd seen it! The hard disc read head only picking up partial results today :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Vine Posted November 27, 2022 Share Posted November 27, 2022 #7:My 2008 R400D kit came with a Sierra diff and Quaife ATB.JV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moorsd123 Posted November 30, 2022 Share Posted November 30, 2022 Mine too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Lummis Posted December 1, 2022 Author Share Posted December 1, 2022 Just going through some paperwork it looks as my car has a sierra diff with quaife atb.The bearings and seals were replaced and the quaife was stripped and rebuilt with new Belleville washers in December 2020 by road and race transmissions mileage since then approx 1600 what are these Quaife units like I intend to just use car on the road are these units more reliable than say a Titan unit . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amos91 Posted December 1, 2022 Share Posted December 1, 2022 More than good enough for the road and should not require any maintenance. Whereas a Titan will need regular maintenance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Vine Posted December 1, 2022 Share Posted December 1, 2022 #12:I think you must have some other LSD as the Quaife ATB doesn't have bellevilles.(But I second the maintenance-free reliability of the Quaife.)JV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative Geoff Brown Posted December 2, 2022 Area Representative Share Posted December 2, 2022 As stated in #6 Quaife ATB are 'fit & forget' with a high serviceability rate - just oil changes on a regular basis. Every two to three years I would guess dependent on mileage.BUT Quaif ATB does not have Bellevilles so you must have a Titan fitted ?Again refer to #6 for links & advice re precautionary servicing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Lummis Posted December 2, 2022 Author Share Posted December 2, 2022 Thanks for information but on the paperwork from Road and Race transmissions it says rebuild 7" Sierra diff with new. bearings and seals £275.00Quaife ATB Reset Disasemble ATB and rebuild with new washers £75.001litre 80W90 Gl 5 oil So am a bit confused. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR400D Posted December 3, 2022 Share Posted December 3, 2022 There may be washers but not Bellevilles, which are more correctly springs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Vine Posted December 3, 2022 Share Posted December 3, 2022 #16:If Phil Stewart says it's a Quaife ATB, it's a Quaife ATB. I'd be very surprised if his paperwork mentioned bellevilles or springs at all.Anyway, the upshot is that you need have no worries about maintenance or reliability.JV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7 wonders of the world Posted December 3, 2022 Share Posted December 3, 2022 Nice car For an R400 I would look towards an upgrade to a LSD, the ATB offers little in the way of performance upgrade over an open differential.You may want to read the threads on here and join the many of us who use the Tracsport LSD when funds permit.https://www.tracsport.com/lsdsPage 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative Geoff Brown Posted December 4, 2022 Area Representative Share Posted December 4, 2022 With an ATB watch cocking the rear wheels on track kerbs at high speed. Can cause internal dilemmas if done regularly.I endorse the TRACSPORT LS unit in place of the 'chocolate fireguard' TITAN. With the TRACSPORT one is not controlled by the necessity to regularly drop the diff every 2-3 years for inspection & overhaul. But one will be well practiced!Join the club if & when you have to. Might be a tad expensive but longevity is guaranteed.My TRACSPORT has been installed for two years & just changed the oil. Not too dirty & the mag plug just had running finings on it. Break off torque as when built. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR400D Posted December 4, 2022 Share Posted December 4, 2022 How many miles have you done on the Tracsport Geoff? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative Geoff Brown Posted December 5, 2022 Area Representative Share Posted December 5, 2022 #21 - ScottR400D - Fitted October 2000. A tad over 3000 miles in two years. Would be more if not for COVID. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR400D Posted December 5, 2022 Share Posted December 5, 2022 OK. Mine was fitted July 20 and has done about 3k too. I see exactly the same results as you. NigelB is another SPC convert and I think he's done many more miles than we have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R400svn Posted December 5, 2022 Share Posted December 5, 2022 I have now done 8000 miles on the SPC diff. Plus 3 track days and all seems to be working well. Will be changing the oil over winter so will see what thats like Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel B Posted December 6, 2022 Share Posted December 6, 2022 I put a fair few miles on my car in September when I drove to Italy! I've just popped into the garage to check & I can confirm that I've covered 15,144 miles since I fitted the Tracsport.It's still near-silent & very effective! I've changed the oil a couple of times & it comes out completely clean, with a minimal blob of smooth metallic material on the magnetic plug. I'm very pleased with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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