Shane Ingate wrote:
> Vance is absolutely right; avaoid the Phantomn Grip like the
> plague. It is not well made (requiring regular parts
> replacements) and still allows a lot of slip to the undriven
> wheel.
I asked about the Phantom Grip about a year ago, and I too felt at the time
that information about its effectiveness and reliability were inconclusive.
That said, I've been keeping up with what the Import Crowd is doing with
them and also there are a number of people on the FOT list who are using the
Phantom Grip in their seriously modified Triumphs.
I have included, at the end of my message, the email text from Joe Curry
about using the Phantom Grip in his 240HP (Honda S2000 drivetrain) Spitfire.
The biggest problem doesn't _seem_ to be with the product, but with who
installed it and in what condition your differential is already in. A great
many of the import people are nothing but high school hacks and are
attempting to install the Phantom Grip in differentials that are already
trashed (just go read any of the Honda boards to read about their exploits).
The people reporting success have had well maintained diffs with the proper
tolerances.
Mini Mania is claiming that they have had a Phantom Grip installed in a mini
differential for over 100,00 miles without any issues. I believe this was a
"classic Mini" differential from what I remember in the flyer I receive from
them monthly, but you can check out their website for further info. Mini
Mania has a tech line and tech email, and can probably answer more specific
questions about their installation and any troubles they've experienced.
But their business is to sell this stuff, so use your own discretion.
I'm still undecided about the viability of the product, of Joe says at the
end of this season that his Spitfire is still operating correctly with the
Phantom Grip, then I will be convinced.
Kai
-----
When I went to the 3.27 diff I now have in Tiny Tim (the 240 hp
Spitfire) I could no longer use the Quaife Limited Slip carrier I have been
using. So I decided to give the Phantom grip a try. I figured that it had
to be better than an open diff and less trouble than welding the spider
gears.
I got the Green Unit (with heavier springs) and installed that. It took
only about 10 minutes to install once the carrier is removed from the case.
Since then I have used it in 3 autocross events and frankly, I can't tell
any difference in the Phantom grip and the Quaife I had before.
For my money, it is worth every penny.
Regards,
Joe
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