MFactory Differentials (15+ Years of Proven Performance at Tegiwa!)
For over 15 years, Tegiwa has been the European distributor for MFactory Competition Products, bringing you some of the finest drivetrain components available. A differential might not be the flashiest upgrade, but it’s one of the most transformative, fundamentally changing how your car puts power down.
We often get asked about the differences between limited-slip differential (LSD) types, oil requirements, and installation – so here is your essential guide to getting the most out of your MFactory LSD!
Peace of Mind: The MFactory Warranty
When you choose MFactory, you choose unrivalled quality and durability. They stand behind their products with a guarantee:
All MFactory Helical LSDs come with a Lifetime, No-Hassle, Globally Transferable Warranty.
All MFactory Metal Plate LSDs come with a 1 Year, No-Hassle, Globally Transferable Warranty. (Excludes motorsport use)
Promotion
This means that whether your car is used on the Street, the Drag Strip, or the Race Track, your MFactory LSD is covered. This warranty is a testament to the engineering and quality control that MFactory puts into every single unit.
Helical vs. Metal Plate LSDs: Which is Right for You?
MFactory offers two primary types of Limited-Slip Differentials: the Helical and the Metal Plate. The choice depends heavily on your driving style and the car’s primary use.
Helical LSD
- Mechanism: Uses worm gears and pinion gears to mechanically limit the amount of torque that can be transferred to the wheel with less traction.
- Pros:
- Maintenance-Free: No clutches to wear out.
- Warranty: Covered by the MFactory Lifetime Warranty (see above).
- Smooth & Quiet: Operates silently and smoothly, making it excellent for daily driving and street performance.
- Progressive: Engages seamlessly without the harsh ‘clunking’ often associated with plate diffs.
- Cons:
- Less Aggressive: Cannot generate lockup if one wheel is completely lifted (zero traction), as it relies on some input torque from both axles.
- Best For: Street use, track days, and light circuit/drag racing.
Metal Plate LSD
- Mechanism: Uses clutch plates and friction discs (just like a manual clutch) sandwiched together. When torque differences occur, the plates press together to lock the axles. The ramp angle of the internal pressure ring dictates how aggressively it locks up (1-way, 1.5-way, or 2-way).
- Pros:
- Maximum Lockup: Can provide 100% lockup even if one wheel is completely airborne, giving superior traction in extreme conditions.
- Warranty: Covered by the MFactory 1-year warranty.
- Customisable: Lockup characteristics are fully adjustable by changing the clutch configuration, ramp angles, and preload.
- Cons:
- Maintenance: Requires periodic rebuilds as the clutch plates wear.
- Noise/Harshness: Can ‘chatter’ or ‘clunk’ at low speeds, especially when cold, due to the friction plates binding and releasing.
- Best For: Dedicated circuit racing, drifting and rally.
Low-Cost Maintenance Parts
Unlike with the Helical LSD, the Metal Plate LSD will require regular maintenance to keep performance at its peak. To ensure your season is never interrupted, Tegiwa keeps replacement pre-load springs and clutch plates always in stock and offers them at an affordable price.
Differential Oil: The Fluid of Performance
Using the correct oil is critical to the performance and lifespan of any differential. MFactory specifies different requirements for its different LSD types.
MFactory Oil Notes for Helical LSDs:
DO NOT use Limited-slip Friction Modifier, as Helical (Torsen style) LSDs rely on friction to function.
- FWD applications: Genuine Honda MTF Gearbox Oil or Torco MTF
- RWD applications: Heavier Motul Gear 300 75W-90
MFactory Oil Notes for Metal Plate LSDs:
Contrary to popular belief, there is no such thing as “Special LSD Oil.” By using a regular synthetic oil like Motul Gear 300, you avoid excess friction modifier pre-added.
If you find the chatter of the Plate LSD too much, you can always add additional Friction Modifier (MFactory recommends Torco Type-F) to fine-tune the LSD to your comfort level as modifiers lower the LSD’s effective torque threshold.
The Break-In Procedure
Once your new MFactory differential is installed, you can’t just thrash it immediately. A proper break-in procedure is mandatory, especially for the Metal Plate LSDs.
- Warm-Up: Drive the car lightly for 15-20 minutes to get the differential oil and components up to operating temperature.
- Figure-Eights (Plate Diffs Only): For Metal Plate LSDs, perform 10-20 full-lock figure-eight turns (5-10 left, 5-10 right) in a safe, open area. This action repeatedly loads and unloads the clutch packs, allowing them to seat and mate properly. Helical LSDs do not require this step.
- First Oil Change: For Metal Plate LSDs, it is highly recommended to perform an oil change after the first 500 miles to remove any break-in wear particles from the new clutch plates.
Fitting Notes and Pointers
An LSD installation is a complex job that should ideally be performed by an experienced professional with specialized tools. It involves precise measurements and shimming.
- Bearing Fitment: Be aware of the bearing inner race fitment. Some transmissions/housings require the differential to be pressed into the bearing, while others require the bearing to be pressed onto the differential. Incorrect pressing can damage the MFactory unit.
- Backlash Check: The gear backlash (the gap between the ring and pinion gear teeth) and bearing preload must be measured and set precisely using shims. An incorrect setup will lead to premature wear, noise, and potential failure.
- Final Drive/Ring Gear: If you are swapping from an open differential to an MFactory LSD, you must transfer your existing final drive/ring gear to the new unit. Ensure the mounting bolts are torqued to the manufacturer’s specification.
Helpful Resources
Below you will find a guide on how to setup your MFactory Metal Plate LSD.
It’s not just differentials that MFactory manufacture, they also have a huge range of close ratio and final drive gears that can completely transform your gearbox. If you need some help deciding which ratios are best suited to your requirements then our gear calculator is the perfect tool.
Ready to transform your traction with the reliability of MFactory? Head over to the Tegiwa or MFactory Europe website to find the perfect MFactory LSD for your vehicle!