Which MX5's Have LSD? (trippy man!)

[Munter]

No this is nothing to do with drugs ...

Can anybody tell me which MX5/EUNOS mk1 (pop up lights), have LSD's?

I'm thinking about getting a 1.8 but would like it to have the LSD.....I'm just a bit confused as to which ones it's fitted to? (All imports?)

[PJLarge]

Most import 1.6's have an LSD of sorts - a Viscous unit. They're supposedly good for about 100k mileage. Some get more, some less. Only base models with manual windows and steel wheels will not.

As far as 1.8's go, again most 1.8 imports have LSD's. The 1.8's have a stronger rear end than the 1.6's, good if you're thinking about upping the power. 1.8 imports that have an LSD will have a true LSD, a Torsen unit. This is infinitely better than the viscous one in the 1.6 cars.

Most UK cars, both 1.6 and 1.8 Mark 1's do not have an LSD of any kind.

If you've driven a RWD car with an LSD before, it'll be pretty obvious if the car you're testing has one or not. Just give it a bit of provocation somewhere quiet and see how it behaves. Another way to tell if you have access under the car is to remove the diff oil filler plug. Take a torch and have a look inside. If you see worm gears in there, it's a torsen.

HTH

Phil.

[cptsideways]

Yep most Eunos come with one.

There is any easier way to test a viscous unit though.

Stick it in gear & jack one rear wheel up. The wheel will turn with some effort, 17ftlbs 180 deg in 15 sec's to be precise. Ie a fair bit of effort.

If it spins freely it's either knackered or does not have one.

[RobDickinson]

The UK mk2 1.8S models have torsen LSD's I believe - no others.

[Munter]

cptsideways said:

There is any easier way to test a viscous unit though. Stick it in gear & jack one rear wheel up. The wheel will turn with some effort, 17ftlbs 180 deg in 15 sec's to be precise. Ie a fair bit of effort. If it spins freely it's either knackered or does not have one.

Does that only work with the viscous ones? or will it work with the Torsen ones too?

Thanks for the info. I've not driven a RWD car with an LSD before but knowing what it does i'd like to have it! What it looks like i'll do is look for a 1.8 Eunos and then it looks like i'll struggle to go wrong.

[PJLarge]

Cptsideways' test is the test for a viscous unit only. If you're looking at 1.8's (raised letters on the cam cover as opposed to sunken ones on the 1.6) it won't have a viscous.

Phil.