MX5 Eunos - LSD which one?

[andysteele]

I`m looking for a fun summer motor that can a few track days too. I`ve been looking around at what would fit the bill and i think an MX5 might be just right. Looking in the 3-4k region, so cant stretch to the Caterham/Westfield i`d really love! and an MX5 would become a sensible second car.

I hear that the Eunos Jap imports have a LSD. Do all Enuos come with this? Is it just a 1.6 thing or in both 1.6 and 1.8.... is there a special model/models i need to look out for... is it even worth bothering!

I believe its a viscous diff, which do wear out to be a normal loose diff?

Thanks
Andy

[chaosss]

All Eunos come with an LSD as standard.

You are correct in saying it is a viscous diff but this is only on the 1.6's and yes it can become open around 60k miles.

All the 1.8's come with a torsen diff as standard.

[MX-5 Lazza]

Not all Jap spec cars have LSD. It was an option just like aircon, it's just that the vast majority of Jap buyers choose LSD & aircon as a matter of course (in Japan a car is seen as a status symbol so most new buyers tick all the options, i fact it might have even been a delete option...).
You would be unlucky to pick a Jap spec car that doesn't have LSD but they are around.

[andysteele]

So the LSD on the 1.8 is better than the 1.6 and the 1.8 has more power... so that seams to make the decision.

How would you go about checking an LSD is installed?

[GHW]

andysteele said:

So the LSD on the 1.8 is better than the 1.6 and the 1.8 has more power... so that seams to make the decision.

How would you go about checking an LSD is installed?

AFAIK, the diff casings are all the same, so you can't tell from the outside.

Right hand down, right foot down is the best way to find out

Or... if the owner/dealer looks like they might object, just do a very slow, tight radius turn with a bit of power on - my Eunos with a Torsen diff will lock and chirp the rear tyres doing this.

[MX-5 Lazza]

I think that will depend on the tyres. My Mk2.5 1.8 Sport with Torsen doesn't make any noise other than a bit of tyre scrabbling (is that a word?) which you'd probably get on an open diff too. Goodyear F1's don't make much noise though.