to be honest the Ford Motorsport 9" unit is the way to go if you can afford it

either uprated VC (600Nm tarmac)or a xtrac plated unit

saying that i have a 450+ 3dr cos with a 7.5" gripper plated diff and i have never broke it , as mark k knows i have had the diff for years the only thing i have done was to have a new set of plates , the plates lasted me about 5yrs that was constant road use and track day abuse

the gripper is a great unit for what your paying it really is value for money and it works and works well

i agree that no matter what 7.5 unit you have either a ATB or Plated diff the weak point will always be the crown wheel and pinion

same goes for the normal standard VC lsd the weak point is mainly the planet gears

atleast the plated diff or the ATB unit does away with these planet gears so there is one less thing to worry about

im lucky enough to own a 9" Xtrac plated unit for my escort cos , but i have never driven with it so i cant say how good or how bad it is

only thin i will say with the gripper you can have it set for what ever you like progressive or full on either way great value for money

cheers marco