Haldex controller

[Mo_S3]

Ok guys, may as well post a question on this forum......

Has anyone got the Haldex controller fitted to their car? If so how is it controlled? And what benefit is it to the driver? How adjustable is it? etc etc.

The more the information the better. and IIRC VST has one fitted to his ..?? Yes? No?

Cheers

[Edward]

Mo, i think MTM's 380bhp S3 uses one and to quote Audi Driver mag:

"MTM has a trick up its sleeve. Power and torque are fed through the racing clutch to the factory Haldex coupling, now with a cockpit adjustable control box allowing the driver to alter the torque distributation from 52/48 front/rear to 75/25 or any combination in between."

Hope that is of interest.

Going by how well that S3 did in the Tuner GP i think it will make a large benefit to the driver, perhaps VST can enlighten us a bit more as i too am interested to know more about it.

Cheers, Ed

[bjacks]

Simon Elman has one and I'm sure that it is not adjustable as there is a little toggle switch under the dash to switch it on and off. I've had a brief drive in his car and it is quite a weird sensation as you feel like you're being "pushed" round corners by the back of the car. I'm sure owners of the controllers can fill you in more.

Cheers

Ben

[ChelseaMick]

Yes I have also driven Simons car and I'm quite sure that he metioned that with the controller engaged, there is a 50/50 split of power. I don't believe there is any adjustment in it, just either on of off...

[Mo_S3]

No adjustment ?? So basically its an expensive switch?? [img]images/graemlins/<beep>_you.gif[/img]

[bjacks]

No adjustment ?? So basically its an expensive switch?? [img]images/graemlins/<beep>_you.gif[/img]

It's a new ECU mate. Obviously it's still got plenty of thinking to do and readings to take so I can only presume that the standard Haldex ECU code is not able to be re-written so must be replaced completely.
IIRC they've come down in price a bit recently.

Ben

[ChrisG]

I cannot think why anybody would want to switch to 50/50 split, except in the most difficult of traction conditions like deep snow or muddy. Having owned an early 80 quattro with 50/50 split it is not imo a step forward , remember all the early Ur Quattros with terminal understeer [img]images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img]

[Mo_S3]

Im still failing to see why anyone would consider this controller an ideal 'enhancement' for ur car?? So far all ive noticed is that it is a reprogrammed ecu for the haldex with a simple switching facility.

Why ?? [img]images/graemlins/033102bad_1_prv.gif[/img]

[VST]

I cannot think why anybody would want to switch to 50/50 split, except in the most difficult of traction conditions like deep snow or muddy. Having owned an early 80 quattro with 50/50 split it is not imo a step forward , remember all the early Ur Quattros with terminal understeer [img]images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img]

Trust me,its a step forward! [img]images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]
My S3 has pretty much every chassis mod going,H&R Coilovers,Goodyear F1s,really light genuine Porsche 18in wheels,adjustable rear tiebars,a lot of playing with ride heights/geometry etc and it handled well,but when you were really pushing on,the car still understeered and if you were really on a charge it felt like it was possible to confuse the haldex,like as if it didnt know where to send the drive? [img]images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img]
Now I have to add this all happens well into tyre sqealing four wheel drifting lunatic territory.....LOL

but anyway, Kim from QST sent me an MTM haldex controller(which I believe is substancially cheaper than some other companies offerings) to try out and to be honest it really brought the car forward ability-wise.But unless you push on,I mean really drive the thing,you'll struggle to notice the difference.Obviously in tighter corners you'll notice how much "tighter" the transmission feels,but its when the car is starting to move around or slide in a corner its much more controlable,predictable and neutral in its behaviour and its possible to carry more speed through the corner,also if you are taking a 90deg turn its possible to hang the arse out!(havent really had the time to practice/perfect this yet though).

The car doesnt really feel as if the back is pushing you on,more like the nose is just much more resistant to running wide.

Put it this way, I'd buy another one.


Rgds

Tom
[img]images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

[bjacks]

Tom, if you don't mind me asking, what did you pay for your unit?

[VST]

The controller was 750 sterling from qst.

The version of the controller used on the tuner GP car had a variable torque split feature and also a left foot braking option neither of which were carried through to the production unit,not sure if MTM will sell you a unit with these features.

Cheers

Tom

[sitas3]

I cannot think why anybody would want to switch to 50/50 split, except in the most difficult of traction conditions like deep snow or muddy. Having owned an early 80 quattro with 50/50 split it is not imo a step forward , remember all the early Ur Quattros with terminal understeer [img]images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img]

Is this why Simon Elman nearly ended up off the track at Castle Coombe whilst 'trying his controller out' i wonder? Or was is a case of simply overcooking it going around Quarry?? [img]images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[bjacks]

[img]images/graemlins/clap.gif[/img] [img]images/graemlins/clap.gif[/img] [img]images/graemlins/clap.gif[/img]

Best be leaving that to Simon to defend himself [img]images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[simonelman]

Hi
Good car Crappy driver

I think the problem was the Haldex controller induced to much understeer on the tight bend and pulled me onto the grass and then I had no chance moving backwards at 70 mph with my foot hard on the brakes wheels locked up and the car heading towards a tyre wall.
SimonS3MTM

[VST]

Simon,

I think there might have been a few more contributing factors to your on track "moment" than the Haldex controller.... [img]images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Unless of course yours works radically different to mine..
My whole reason for fitting it was to reduce understeer which it does,it does require a different driving style though,where previously I would have been lifting off in a corner to lighten the rear and tighten the line,now I find I need to keep my foot in and the extra drive to the rear will result in the car holding the line longer,eventually going into a very controllable four wheel drift.
The only problem being that you're going 10-15mph faster and if you get out of shape it happens much quicker than it used to without the controller......