Mx5 rear diff help!
Discussion
Open diffs don't lock unless you weld them. It's kind of the point of a differential 
You need to be a bit more specific about which model of MX5 you mean. The mk1/mk2 diffs are very different to the mk3.
Claire - you're right - all of the /manual/ mk3 2L came with an LSD.
OP - What are you trying to achieve? Are you interested in LSDs or specifically the TorSen type LSDs? Plenty of MX5 came with non-TorSen LSDs.
You need to be a bit more specific about which model of MX5 you mean. The mk1/mk2 diffs are very different to the mk3.
Claire - you're right - all of the /manual/ mk3 2L came with an LSD.
OP - What are you trying to achieve? Are you interested in LSDs or specifically the TorSen type LSDs? Plenty of MX5 came with non-TorSen LSDs.
Its a bit long winded, but im building a oval race car. I shall be using the mx5 rear diff and complete independent suspension. Ive tried to do as much searching as i can and its all starting to get a bit confusing.
So far i know the mk1/mk2 are pretty much the same. Also ive read the viscous lsd's can also be free after a while.
So it would be the torsen lsd im after.
If not what are they like to lock? I know they need to be welded but some can be fairly tricky.
So far i know the mk1/mk2 are pretty much the same. Also ive read the viscous lsd's can also be free after a while.
So it would be the torsen lsd im after.
If not what are they like to lock? I know they need to be welded but some can be fairly tricky.
I had an MX5 a few years back and was really into them, but this is from memory so forgive any mistakes...
All MK2 and MK2.5 1.8s should have an LSD. Most are Torsen but after 2002-2003 they come with a Tochigi Fuji diff clutch type diff which is fragile and not what you want.
MK1's that come with LSD diffs do vary but again it tends to be later 1.8s and some special editions that come with Torsens. When my fuji diff broke on my 2004 car I replaced it with a Torsen that came from a 1994 car. 1.6's tended to come with open or viscous diffs I think but Id imagine most viscous diffs are now open.
Final drives are not a guarantee of a LSD or not, instead read up on the specs of the cars as that tends to indicate most of the time if a diff was fitted. 5 Speed final drive = 4.1 , 6 speed 3.6 or 3.9 from memory.
From what I have seen its pretty simple to weld up an open mx5 diff however you of course lose some of the drivability i.e car will skip around tight corners etc. There are a multitude of pages on sites like MX5 nutz about diffs I suggest you spend an evening reading those!
But if I was in your shoes look for a Torsen from a high spec 1.8 litre mk2.5 provided its from 2001-2002!
All MK2 and MK2.5 1.8s should have an LSD. Most are Torsen but after 2002-2003 they come with a Tochigi Fuji diff clutch type diff which is fragile and not what you want.
MK1's that come with LSD diffs do vary but again it tends to be later 1.8s and some special editions that come with Torsens. When my fuji diff broke on my 2004 car I replaced it with a Torsen that came from a 1994 car. 1.6's tended to come with open or viscous diffs I think but Id imagine most viscous diffs are now open.
Final drives are not a guarantee of a LSD or not, instead read up on the specs of the cars as that tends to indicate most of the time if a diff was fitted. 5 Speed final drive = 4.1 , 6 speed 3.6 or 3.9 from memory.
From what I have seen its pretty simple to weld up an open mx5 diff however you of course lose some of the drivability i.e car will skip around tight corners etc. There are a multitude of pages on sites like MX5 nutz about diffs I suggest you spend an evening reading those!
But if I was in your shoes look for a Torsen from a high spec 1.8 litre mk2.5 provided its from 2001-2002!
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