Welding na6 diff

[drftmx5]

Hi everyone

Im looking to lock my na6 diff would like to have an 2 way though budget does not allow

Just wondering if anyone has done this before and how easy it is to do ?????

[olboy]

I am very interested to here everyones opinions on this
I have been playing with datsun 1200 (race cars) for many years and the best bang for buck you can do to them is lock the diff
I'm reluctant to try it with the mx5 because of the independant rear end and the cost of replacing it if it dosn't work
Datsun diffs are worth next to nothing.
Is yours a daily driver or a race car. If its a daily then don't do it . If it's a racer then do it and let me know what you think

Olboy

[drftmx5]

its my second car

I want a 2 way lsd as i use it for drifting but the budget doesnt allow ATM . On my last track day there was a MX5 with a lock diff and he seemed to not hav any issues i just wanted to get a few opinions

[fattima]

I used to run a welded diff in a Datsun 1200 also (must be something about 1200 owners).

I used to use a piece of steel plate cut to fit in the spider gears then get someone with a high amperage Mig to weld it in place. Some people just weld up the spider gears (spider gears are bit with the blue arrow below) but welding can be poor due to the hardening of the gears. When you have finished welding give the diff a really good clean and use a screw driver to remove any slag off any surfaces before running. I also used to run for a few hundred kilometers then change the diff oil to get any crud out.

[bretauto]

NA6 diffs don't seem to last very long when welded,even shorter if you are running sticky tyres, the bigger diff copes with the extra load better, but still don't reommend it for the road

[Moto]

Can you get mini spools for MX5 diffs? Normally a better option than welding, and still very cheap.

[Benny]

MX-5 Mania do a lot of this.

As they are a forum sponser, why don't you give them a ring and I'm sure they can help you out.

They also do a spool diff centre.
Click on their logo and go to transmissions.

[RG.net]

I run a welded diff, It's a pain in traffic but other then that, its a great (note, cheap) alternative to an LSD, I to plan to get an LSD down the track, but for now I am very happy with the locker, it does everything i want it to do.

But, for drifting, I'd be looking at upgrading the diff, the NA6 diffs are known to fail in harsh driving conditions (with stock power). What you could do is lock the current diff, and save up for NA8, NB diff. If you end up liking the "feel" of the locker, then lock the bigger diff, If not get an LSD installed beforehand.

[kent]

i think i was that other mx5 you are referring to from the vicdrift prac day.

i have had a standard NA6 diff... locked it.... lasted about 6 months (took a fair beating in that 6 months)... got a replacment diff cracked it open and it was the clubman LSD.... so i welded that too and it goes well, skips a beat evertime lol

And yes its my daily i dont mind the locker as you get use to it very quickly and my car is so dam stiff so i feel every bump / line in the road that i dont even notice the locker any more.

Kent

note - Welding it is not hard but make sure you know how to weld or get someone who does cause if you dont do it properly first time there is no second chance really cause all your teeth on the gears will get F%$%ed up.

[drftmx5]

So I went to my mechanic today and he said that he wont be able to lock my diff and that he will have to have a diff specialist look at it possibly put in a mini spool.

He said due to being IRS and not having a removable center a specialist must do it.

Being new to the MX5 world if anyone could share in detail how they locked their diff or another cheap option to get this done would be great.