mx5cartalk.com

Hi all,
Being new to this forum, just haven't got the hang of using the search function. Seems to bring up the same thread multiple times.

So sorry if my question has been deliberated before but just need a quick answer. I've recently bought a s1 nb without the leather pack so presuming no LSD. Can I fit a 2nd hand Torsen LSD from ebay directly into the diff and is there any other parts required to fit one in? Can I reuse the driveshaft etc

Thanks in advance

If it's just the torsen center you can have that installed into your NB diff or it's an entire diff complete with housing you need to make sure the diff ratio is correct.

NB MX-5s with the 5 speed gear boxes have a different diff ratio from those running the 6 speed box.

it's just the Torsen centre. Not the complete diff. There's a couple for sale on ebay for around 320

Not sure what ratio my diff is but it's a 5 speed on a 1999 nb with the non LSD rear

I'll get a set of semi slicks first and track the car to see how it handles before I jump the gun getting LSD

If you're having trouble with the search function, try using Google with the query "site:mx5cartalk.com". For instance, "site:mx5cartalk.com fitting torsen to nb8a".

You won't need any other parts to use the Torsen centre, but I believe you will need to get the centre professionally fitted. From memory, that's generally a few hundred dollars in itself so be aware of that extra cost.

NB8A has a diff ratio of 4.1
(that's the 5 speed one, 10th Anniversary had a different ratio)


If you buy a centre only you can fit it into the existing housing, nothing else needs to be changed.
But bear in mind that you will need to get a diff shop to fit it for you, the backlash needs special equipment to be set properly, if it's not set properly the egars can just chew each other to bits and then ruin your diff.

And since the question will come up at the time, Torsen Type 2 diffs use the same oil as the factory open diff. (they don't use special LSD oils)
Torsen Type 1 diffs need EP (extreme pressure) rated oil from memory (look into it, I can;t remember since I've got a T2)

You are better off buying the complete diff with torsen and with the alloy housing that way you just drop out your old one and put the whole new set up straight in, there are a few on eBay for about $800.

I had a mate look at some of the 2nd hand part importers in malaysia for a lsd diff for the 5, he said theres a couple of 4.3 torsen units marked na6ce but very little nb units. I've searched the internet and couldnt find if these were compatible.

Can someone in the know please tell me what the differences are and whether the na6 unit is

a. Worth the $$$ ....will it give better accel compared to the 4.1 open which i think i have in my car at the moment
b. compatible with nb without having to buy additional parts like driveshafts n halfshafts?

1:
Na6 and NA8/NB diffs are able to be swapped between cars, BUT an NA8 diff needs NA8 or NB halfshafts and tailshaft (NA6 ones won't fit)
Vice versa for NA6 into an NA8/NB

2:
There are no factory Torsens for NA6 diffs, they must be marked wrong, or are NA8/NB units (which fit an NA6 with appropriate shafts etc)

3:
NA6 uses a 6" crown
NA8, NB6, NB8 all use a 7" crown, all housings are the same, the difference between NA8 and NB was the tailshaft and half shafts were slightly different, they still fit though.

4:
Bigger number = lower gearing
Lower gearing = better acceleration but less top speed (and higher revs for the same speed)

Changing either will make the speedometer and odometer incorrect, to correct these you'll need a spedometer sensor suited to the new ratio.

Thanks for the detail reply. They were prob marked that way coz was out of a dismantled na. He did confirm they were torsen units coz the housing was just lightly bolted back together. They apparantly did a full fluid drain and opened it up to clean prior to shipping from japan.

Is cheaper than getting one locally so i might just give it a try and ship one over.

Cheers mate.