MK1 LSD's???

[300bhp/ton]

Sure this has been asked lots before, so happy to be pointed at the answer


But how easy/cheap is it to fit a LSD to a non LSD equipped MK1 MX-5??

Also, which ones have them or are more likely to have them, and is there an easy way to tell if it's got one or not?

My understanding is many JDM Roadster's have them, but that they changed from viscous units to Torsen at some point. Is there any real adv/disadvantage from one to the other?

[skinny]

torsens don't wear out, viscous can.
also, viscous tended to be 1.6 model diffs, torsen 1.8's, which meant the torsen was stronger in terms of the torque it could take. they are all interchangable, if you change the shafts and hubs tho.

[Eiffel]

The other consideration is the gearing of the diff. The torsen I have is taller geared than the VLSD orginally fitted to my car (difference is about 5%, which means that the speedo is now very accurate rather than optimistic... but I won't win drag races as a result).

[GravelBen]

http://www.miata.net/garage/diffguide/index.html

http://www.flyinmiata.com/tech/gearing.php

Edited by GravelBen on Saturday 31st July 00:47

[300bhp/ton]

Cheers for the links very useful

[skinny]

i find my mx5 undergeared anyway, i'd love to make it at least 10% longer if not more

[300bhp/ton]

skinny said:

i find my mx5 undergeared anyway, i'd love to make it at least 10% longer if not more

short gearing and plenty of revs would suit me fine tbh.

[pbirkett]

Would imagine it'd just be easier and cheaper to sell a '5 and get one already equipped with an LSD than retro fit one, would it not?

[GravelBen]

300bhp/ton said:

skinny said:

i find my mx5 undergeared anyway, i'd love to make it at least 10% longer if not more

short gearing and plenty of revs would suit me fine tbh.

I found the short gearing good with standard power, with the turbo I wouldn't mind longer gearing though.

[GravelBen]

pbirkett said:

Would imagine it'd just be easier and cheaper to sell a '5 and get one already equipped with an LSD than retro fit one, would it not?

Nah, diff swaps aren't that complex and second hand LSDs are pretty cheap too.

[300bhp/ton]

GravelBen said:

300bhp/ton said:

skinny said:

i find my mx5 undergeared anyway, i'd love to make it at least 10% longer if not more

short gearing and plenty of revs would suit me fine tbh.

I found the short gearing good with standard power, with the turbo I wouldn't mind longer gearing though.

Is yours a 1.6 or 1.8?

[GravelBen]

Mine is a '90 1.6 with VLSD - FWIW with the extra power (255 rwhp according to previous owner) a more aggressive LSD would be more fun too as it can still light up the inside wheel out of tight corners.