Why are Quaife Prices so high here?

[Coloviper]

In looking at Quaife prices for an SRT-10 today, it looks like most places states side are charging $4,000 installed, yet you can buy and ship a brand new Quaife diff here right from Quaife in London for around $1,650 usd shipped right to the doorstep, then purchase the miscellaneous items for a swap and pay to have it installed yourself or install it yourself if you are able.

Surely install and whatever miscellaneous additional parts, like new bearings, gaskets, etc. required to do a professional job the first time, don't add another $2,350 to the ticket? I had my Viper Tech at the Dodge dealer price out the install and all additional items (like new bearings, etc. required for a swap such as this) and the total bill doesn't even come close to that $2,350 number.

Can someone explain to me why the price gouge on this particluar item here in the US or am I really missing something? A Viper taxed answer is obvious, but it clearly makes no sense to me for such an obvious difference.

 

[MikeR]

Well to install the Quaife takes work, you have to machine the rear end to get quaife to fit. I bought a exchange unit for $2900. It was built and had 3:33 gears installed and a whole rear end unit was shipped to my house. I didnt want to mess with myself or someone local messng it up. It does take a good 3-4 hours or so to swap out rear ends. So if your not able to do yourself, expect around $3k plus labor to remove and install new rear end.

 

[SquadX]

So if you buy one from the source for 1650 shipped and install is 400 plus mis. parts, let say 200, thats 2250. Yes, were do these 4k prices come from?

 

[MikeR]

So if you buy one from the source for 1650 shipped and install is 400 plus mis. parts, let say 200, thats 2250. Yes, were do these 4k prices come from?

They will charge almost $400 or more just to remove and install the rear end. Then what are you expecting to pay to actuallremove the cover off diff, machine it and get the quaife to fit and gears all set up. Its more work the you think.

 

[Viper Specialty]

Hmm... I could see 4000 installed *in the car* and including a gearset if you went all-out on all the options... but even that is pushing it a bit.

 

[1fastviper]

Mike what do mean (machine the rear end)? Also what tools are involved?

 

[MikeR]

Mike what do mean (machine the rear end)? Also what tools are involved?

Honestly Im not sure what all they do, it was explained to me once and more work then i wanted to try doing, so I ordered it all built and ready to go with new gears.

Our cars are a pian compared to others. I used to have a Camaro, you could pull diff cover, swap gears and call it a day. On the Viper the whole rear end has to be removed to do any work. That in itself is alot of work to get rear end out.

Jon B or Daniel At Viper specialty, Dc Performance or any other vendor could explain what is needed to make quaife fit better then I could.

 

[Coloviper]

Okay, I was not aware of any machine work required to the rear housing in my rationale. The removal of the rear end is not an absolutle major. They removed mine and replaced the rear gears for about $400 labor at the dealership, so it can't be too hard.

I would like someone in the know to really explain what machine work is required on the rear diff to make the Quaife work. Is the machine work, just open it up, have two six packs of beer, charge the customer an extra $1500 and then put everything back together? Joking, but I would like to know.

If machine work is required, that could be pricey and where the costs are coming, but if not, then the prices do seem out of line.

I would like to get a Quaife in my 06 Coupe over the winter which is why I am asking. I am not going to do the work myself either because I am ill equiped at home. f there is major machine work, then buying it installed as such for $4,000 is probably what I will have to do.

Thanks

 

[MikeR]

Okay, I was not aware of any machine work required to the rear housing in my rationale. The removal of the rear end is not an absolutle major. They removed mine and replaced the rear gears for about $400 labor at the dealership, so it can't be too hard.

I would like someone in the know to really explain what machine work is required on the rear diff to make the Quaife work. Is the machine work, just open it up, have two six packs of beer, charge the customer an extra $1500 and then put everything back together? Joking, but I would like to know.

If machine work is required, that could be pricey and where the costs are coming, but if not, then the prices do seem out of line.

I would like to get a Quaife in my 06 Coupe over the winter which is why I am asking. I am not going to do the work myself either because I am ill equiped at home. f there is major machine work, then buying it installed as such for $4,000 is probably what I will have to do.

Thanks

If the dealer charged you $400 to remove rear end and swap gears, thats a steal. Id call Jon B at Parts rack, order a quaife all setup, you can even get a different gear like the 3:33 for better accelleration. Shipped its about $3k. Have your tech remove old rear end, installl this one and you ship old rear end back as a exchange. You'll be out of pocket about $3500

 

[RayC]

I think 1650 does not include a gear set or housing. The 4000 may include core rear end that is machined to fit quaiffe, that is you get to keep your existing rear intact. I ordered quaiffe w 3.33 gear already installed, kept my existing core and had it installed for about 3800.

 

[mjorgensen Woodhouse]

There are many different "levels" of prep that Quaife offers and you could be getting the bare bones ones or you can option them out with better gears, bearings, machine work, polishing, end caps... We had a few in here for the race cars that cost me $3975 PLUS shipping. So you can get alot of different things for your money and when the price is the lowest I would think that you are getting what you paid for IMHO.

 

[vipeuup]

Quaife is derived from europe. That is why it is so expensive. If I was in the market for a diff. I would just go with Tru Trac. I know several ppl that track with Tru Tracs. Track them on road courses . And love them.

Detroit Truetrac - Eaton.com

 

[Mopar426]

What is the advantage of the Quaife other than strength?

 

[ILLSMOQ]

Quaife is derived from europe. That is why it is so expensive. If I was in the market for a diff. I would just go with Tru Trac. I know several ppl that track with Tru Tracs. Track them on road courses . And love them.

Detroit Truetrac - Eaton.com

Lots of us would run a tru trac if they made one that would work in the SRT-10 housing.

 

[ILLSMOQ]

What is the advantage of the Quaife other than strength?

The stock hydra lok is barely strong enough to put down the power of a stock viper and it does a poor job of it....one leggers all day long, until if breaks. The quaife will ensure both tires get the power down. there is no disputing the benefit of the quaife..it is costly though.

the 08 visco lok can be had for less than the quaife..no machining requiered.

 

[ILLSMOQ]

also..... Limited-Slip Differentials For Dodge Viper SRT 10 at Geared By UNITRAX!

 

[mjorgensen Woodhouse]

The Quaife is much better at applying power than even the 08' diff. It has the ability to transfer power evenly back and forth across the diff instantly to maintain optimum traction. The other diffs will go into a lock up type mode and this is what causes the rear of the Viper to step out much of the time. The Quaife will adjust to either tire as is needed, and keep the rear end under you.

What is the advantage of the Quaife other than strength?

 

[vipeuup]

The Quaife is much better at applying power than even the 08' diff. It has the ability to transfer power evenly back and forth across the diff instantly to maintain optimum traction. The other diffs will go into a lock up type mode and this is what causes the rear of the Viper to step out much of the time. The Quaife will adjust to either tire as is needed, and keep the rear end under you.

MJ , I heard that the Tru Trac diff. Works the same as the Quaife. But for less $. Even DC Performance recc. Tru Trac.

 

[mjorgensen Woodhouse]

The Tru Trac is a good solution also and has a similar design as does the Torsen T2-R diff I use. The difference may be overall strength and the fact that the Quaife has a lifetime warranty. The diffs either way have proven to be bullet proof so I would feel ok recommending any of them really. The difference in cost and maybe the warranty would be the only differences. I don't know if the housing still needs machining with the Tru Trac though so maybe Dan can let us know that end?

 

[Joseph Dell]

Nobody likes it when I say this, but to avoid Viper Tax, call Taylor Racing in TX. 972-422-0567. They will take your original diff and upgrade it w/ a Quaife. Under 2400 is usually what it costs (including new bearings, etc...). At least it did when I had mine done. I hate to take business away from the viper sponsors of this site, but unless you have to have one that is already ready on the shelf, call them as they are the only official US Quaife distributor. Everyone else just resells their stuff.

flack-jacket is ON. flame away!!

JD

 

[GTSnake]

But it would cost an arm and a leg to ship it to TX....

 

[mjorgensen Woodhouse]

Ground shipping from Quaife US should not be more than $100 plus shipping your core to them first.

I also do not want to try and push anyone with this but when you do business with us you know we will be here to help also after the sale and in the future if you need ANYTHING. That is part of being in business, and there is a value in that I hope. No one wants to be gouged but it does cost us all money to be here for you and that should be worth something right?

 

[VIPER BAZ UK]

Quaife is derived from europe. That is why it is so expensive. If I was in the market for a diff. I would just go with Tru Trac. I know several ppl that track with Tru Tracs. Track them on road courses . And love them.

Detroit Truetrac - Eaton.com

Just had DC Performance build me one of these for my 02.....

And quaife are not that far from me.......

 

[Coloviper]

Thanks for the input guys;

Okay I agree you get what you pay for so it will be what it is, I guess. however nobody answered my question as to what machine work is required. Sure costs will increase for gears, bearings, seals, etc. I did do not want to turn in my core, I want to keep it. I thought this was a simple diff swap like in every other car I have owned.

 

[Viper Specialty]

Thanks for the input guys;

Okay I agree you get what you pay for so it will be what it is, I guess. however nobody answered my question as to what machine work is required. Sure costs will increase for gears, bearings, seals, etc. I did do not want to turn in my core, I want to keep it. I thought this was a simple diff swap like in every other car I have owned.

You need to machine the stub-shafts so that you can bolt them to the quaife. The OEM stubs are held in by lock-rings secured through the side of the diff. Since the Quaife is a closed unit, you cannot access the area where these would normally be installed. Bolts through the center is the alternative.

 

[Joseph Dell]

But it would cost an arm and a leg to ship it to TX....

Fed-ex ground from Atlanta + insurance was like $55. If that is an arm and a leg, you need to find a cheaper hobby!

 

[doug@taylor-race]

Thanks for your support Joseph. We are the only Quaife Factory Approved fitting center in the U.S. However, Unitrax also does a great job with installation as well. There is a considerable amount of machining and expertise involved in the Viper application and it's far from a plug & play situation. By the way, we are a supporter of this board and our toll-free number is 1-800-922-4327.

 

[Grant]

the 08 visco lok can be had for less than the quaife..no machining requiered.

I've talked to a few people who've told me the '08 diff is great. One guy knew the R&T driver who drove the ACR at the autocross in their track shootout article. He said it worked fine, and that he might prefer the '08 diff for autocross work, since torsen-type diffs can do a "one wheel peel" when their bias ratio is exceeded (which is probably more common in autocrossing than anywhere else, where an inside-rear might be lifted off of the ground).

Here is a good thread:
http://forums.viperclub.org/general-viper-discussion/616905-differentials-explained.html

 

[JonB]

Diff case internals and axle stubs must be machined and modified to fit / accept the Quaife. Cannnot be done ON THE CAR. The whole thing must be taken off, and apart, to install it, PLUS case machining.

PartsRack has "all years" rear diffs in stock: (we even have new '08s, 0 miles!) We have toe-tags of mileage of our used cores, so we can return a 'similiar or better' unit to you, ready to install / exchange. With a gearset of YOUR choice! Or, you can KEEP your OE diff and pay the core charge if you are so inclined.

There is NO debate, that a Quaife diff is the 'best and strongest' you can buy for street-track use. The 2008 GKN-Visko is a 'poor mans' quaife, because it saves about $700 but is NOT a torque-biasing unit like a Q.

There is no "Tru-Trac" for SRT10...just G1-2;
There is also the new OS-Giken SUPER LOCK for SRT10. No machining needed!

ALL of our machine work and setup is BY UNITRAX ! Our high volume, and in-stock parts, allows us to pass on some savings......Prices rose since MikeR got his fully-assembled Q-diff from PartsRack at $2900.....but NOT MUCH!

EXCHANGE, anyone?

 

[vincy]

Well to install the Quaife takes work, you have to machine the rear end to get quaife to fit. I bought a exchange unit for $2900. It was built and had 3:33 gears installed and a whole rear end unit was shipped to my house. I didnt want to mess with myself or someone local messng it up. It does take a good 3-4 hours or so to swap out rear ends. So if your not able to do yourself, expect around $3k plus labor to remove and install new rear end.

Where did you get the exchange unit? I only saw the gears for sale. A simple exchange makes sense to me.