Buying an NB, LSD or no LSD?

[Jamie-rhpkn]

Hi there

I'm looking at buying another MX5 NB, I've previously owned one without an LSD and really enjoyed it.

For my next NB I'm thinking about getting one with LSD but I'm still not quite sure how it affects the handling.

I'd like the car to be more playful vs. planted with the ability to flick the backend out just a little, so tendency to oversteer a bit.

So my question is, does an LSD make the car more playful or more planted? reading around the topic I still can't work out which it is.

Thanks

[AmosMoses]

A little of both to be honest.

I had a 1.8s with the LSD and I found it was very planted and good at getting the power down, but if you hooved it you could provoke a slide.

LSD mainly makes the car a lot more predictable and means that once you start a slide it’s easy to maintain.

[TVRees]

I agree ! Take the LSD version would be my advice.

[GravelBen]

I often wished my old NA had an LSD, it took a bit more finesse to wag the tail out of intersections etc as it would often just track normally with the inside wheel spinning (and losing momentum) if you gave it too much too quickly.

Haven't had the NB (RS with LSD) long enough for a real comparison on sideways behaviour yet, but it definitely has more traction off the mark when you just want to pull out into a gap in traffic or something.

[BEN99W]

All things being equal, the lsd is preferable. But when buying an NB the important thing is finding one that isn't about to succumb to rust although if you've owned one before you're probably already aware. Also later NBs (03 on) had a Fuji lsd which is not very long lived so probably will no longer be an lsd.

HTH

Ben

[yellowstreak]

BEN99W said:

All things being equal, the lsd is preferable. But when buying an NB the important thing is finding one that isn't about to succumb to rust although if you've owned one before you're probably already aware. Also later NBs (03 on) had a Fuji lsd which is not very long lived so probably will no longer be an lsd.

HTH

Ben

This is good advice. Find the bes condition one you can and swap the diff if necessary.

[SAS Tom]

I’d say LSD as well. I bought a non LSD model as it was the best I could find for the money and put a Torsen type 1 in it. It made the car much more predictable and more fun. I found without the diff it would slide but then send power to one wheel and be a bit crap. With the diff it will slide really nicely and you can pretty much control it with one hand. The traction the diff gives is great, you can really feel it work.

[Jamie-rhpkn]

Thanks all

Sounds pretty conclusive LSD it is.

Is there a definitive list of versions with an LSD? I'm finding it difficult to work our which have it and which don't

[AmosMoses]

Jamie-rhpkn said:

Thanks all

Sounds pretty conclusive LSD it is.

Is there a definitive list of versions with an LSD? I'm finding it difficult to work our which have it and which don't

With the NB I believe these UK cars had the torsen type 2 LSD:

1.8s - Should have a nardi airbag steering wheel, chrome door sill plates and a glass rear window

1.8 Sport - Same as above, limited edition in red

10th Anniversary - Metallic blue with polished wheels,blue leather nardi airbag steering wheel

Phoenix edition (1.8)

Arizona edition (1.8)

Heres some more info including JDM cars - https://www.mx5nutz.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=...

Edited by AmosMoses on Tuesday 7th April 11:50

Edited by AmosMoses on Tuesday 7th April 11:53

Edited by AmosMoses on Tuesday 7th April 11:53