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Econovan 4:4 diff in MX5?
Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 11:29 am
by Cal
Apparently a crown wheel and pinion from an Econovan can be used in an MX5 diff. Has anyone done this? Is there any modification required?
Cal.
Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 11:51 am
by Andrew
Think Matty is the man to ask about this one.
Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 12:23 pm
by Babalouie
Yes, I think my diff gears are Bravo, but Econovan is doable too. I'm not sure if all Mazda commercial diffs will fit, but the ones with the 7in crownwheel should be ok (at one point the commercials started using 8in).
You have the 1.8 diff now, yes?
Re: Econovan 4:4 diff in MX5?
Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 12:46 pm
by Matty
Cal wrote:Apparently a crown wheel and pinion from an Econovan can be used in an MX5 diff. Has anyone done this? Is there any modification required?
Cal.
Doable according to solomiata. Just check the stamped code on the ring gear ("M054" as I recall).
I haven't done mine yet, it's in the garage (still.........................). Randy Stocker did one (search for 4.44 on the big forum).
No mods required, just a professional installation needed to set the pinion depth and backlash...
Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 2:07 pm
by Cal
Yeah Babalouie the green car has an 1.8L 4:1 torsen in it. Not overly happy with it, but not changing it either.

This is for the race car. It has a 4:1 open and I have another 4:1 torsen centre for it, but would rather a 4:3 or 4:4. The 4:3 would be perfect, but hard to come by.
Thanks Matty, I'll look into it.
Cal.
Re:
Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 2:50 pm
by Babalouie
Cal wrote:Yeah Babalouie the green car has an 1.8L 4:1 torsen in it. Not overly happy with it, but not changing it either.

This is for the race car. It has a 4:1 open and I have another 4:1 torsen centre for it, but would rather a 4:3 or 4:4. The 4:3 would be perfect, but hard to come by.
Thanks Matty, I'll look into it.
Cal.
My 1.8 diff has 4.3 gears in it and I believe they came out of a Bravo....
Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 3:35 pm
by Cal
Thanks, had not heard about Bravo being an option.
Cal.
Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 3:47 pm
by Babalouie
The Bravos are a good source, I think at one point I think I confirmed that the front diff of a diesel Bravo 4x4 is a 4.6:1 and fits into the 1.8 diff...
Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 4:36 pm
by CT
Don't you trust me Cal..........

Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 5:39 pm
by Cal
lol....forgot you were telling me about it. Someone else mentioned it on Saturday while I was dropping off some wheels. Apparently the 4:4 is a bit short for some circuits like Eastern Creek and Phillip Island. You not noticed that?
Cal.
Re:
Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 5:47 pm
by CT
Cal wrote:lol....forgot you were telling me about it. Someone else mentioned it on Saturday while I was dropping off some wheels. Apparently the 4:4 is a bit short for some circuits like Eastern Creek and Phillip Island. You not noticed that?
Cal.
Not short at Eastern Creek, might be for PI - but depends on your redline as well.

Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 5:55 pm
by Cal
Probably only 7000-7500....not 8000 like some.
Cal.
Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 6:40 pm
by Okibi
This is a little dated now, but it shows the S2000 drivers talking about the same thing. They quote the $US saving through buying Kia parts.