A Diff Ratio Question

Anything to do with the MX5 and Motor Sport

Moderators: timk, Stu, zombie, Andrew, -alex, miata

User avatar
zossy1
Racing Driver
Posts: 1979
Joined: Wed Aug 18, 2010 8:48 am
Vehicle: NA8
Location: Southern Highlands, NSW
Contact:

Re: A Diff Ratio Question

Postby zossy1 » Tue Nov 10, 2015 7:53 am

My guess would be 3.9 from watching Stu's video. I don't think it's a 3.6.

ja9
Fast Driver
Posts: 207
Joined: Sat May 26, 2012 6:10 pm
Vehicle: NB8A
Location: Kirrawee, Sydney

Re: A Diff Ratio Question

Postby ja9 » Tue Nov 10, 2015 7:55 pm

It's only fair that I share some of my knowledge about diff ratios.
For the people who don't know their diff ratio, this is how you do it in a couple of minutes.

Mark your tyre with tape or marker pen. Mark your tailshaft in the same way. This unfortunately is a two person job (at least it's much easier). One person turns the wheel 10 times, the other counts the number of times the mark on the tailshaft spins around.

39 spins on the tailshaft = 3.9 diff ratio
41 spins on the tailshaft = 4.1 diff ratio
etc.
UNDERSTEER is when you hit the wall with the front of the car. OVERSTEER is when you hit the wall with the rear of the car.

User avatar
zossy1
Racing Driver
Posts: 1979
Joined: Wed Aug 18, 2010 8:48 am
Vehicle: NA8
Location: Southern Highlands, NSW
Contact:

Re: A Diff Ratio Question

Postby zossy1 » Tue Nov 10, 2015 8:50 pm

I use this calculator for assessing data on ratios -

http://www.apexgarage.com/tech/gear_ratios.shtml

RS2000
Racing Driver
Posts: 680
Joined: Mon Nov 25, 2013 7:38 am
Vehicle: NB8A
Location: Newcastle

Re: A Diff Ratio Question

Postby RS2000 » Tue Nov 10, 2015 9:19 pm

That's only correct for a locked diff !

If your diff is open or torsen, keep one wheel on the ground, and double the final calculation.
eg. If spinning tyre 10 times rotates the drive shaft 18 times , then ratio is 18x2/10 = 3.6

Cheers

User avatar
hks_kansei
Speed Racer
Posts: 6154
Joined: Tue Feb 03, 2009 10:43 am
Vehicle: NB8A
Location: Victoria

Re: A Diff Ratio Question

Postby hks_kansei » Wed Nov 11, 2015 1:47 pm

ja9 wrote:It's only fair that I share some of my knowledge about diff ratios.
For the people who don't know their diff ratio, this is how you do it in a couple of minutes.

Mark your tyre with tape or marker pen. Mark your tailshaft in the same way. This unfortunately is a two person job (at least it's much easier). One person turns the wheel 10 times, the other counts the number of times the mark on the tailshaft spins around.

39 spins on the tailshaft = 3.9 diff ratio
41 spins on the tailshaft = 4.1 diff ratio
etc.



A good way to get a rough idea.

But bear in mind that you need to make sure the rear wheels both spin at the same rate. (not an issue with a welded diff)

I can't remember the ratios, but off the top of my head if one wheel is fully stationary the opposite wheel will spin at twice the rate for the same input speed. (going off memory here, might be wayyyyy off)
1999 Mazda MX5 - 1989 Honda CT110 (for sale) - 1994 Mazda 626 wagon (GF's)

93_Clubman
Speed Racer
Posts: 11854
Joined: Mon Aug 08, 2005 11:35 pm
Vehicle: Clubman
Location: Melbourne

Re: A Diff Ratio Question

Postby 93_Clubman » Mon Nov 16, 2015 1:27 pm

hks_kansei wrote:The 3.9 was only on the 10AE and the Heritage models in Australia.

ADM 10AE was 3.6.


Return to “MX5 Motor Sport”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 61 guests