Options for locking diff

Skm3201 · Postby **Skm3201** » Fri Oct 17, 2014 11:13 am

I've been looking for a 'spartan locker' for my mx5 but no one seems to make them. Has anyone got any options (I'm NOT welding it) What are the LSD's like that fit in mx5's?
I have an 01 6 speed
Thanks

zossy1 · Postby **zossy1** » Fri Oct 17, 2014 11:34 am

Skm3201 wrote:I've been looking for a 'spartan locker' for my mx5 but no one seems to make them. Has anyone got any options (I'm NOT welding it) What are the LSD's like that fit in mx5's?
I have an 01 6 speed
Thanks

Why wouldn't you weld it? If done properly, it will work fine.

Mania sell a spool centre - http://www.mx5mania.com.au/product1524.htm

There are lots of good LSD options - the best units are the high end clutch units like the Kaaz which is very popular and can be set up for full 2 way operation. The OS Giken is widely considered the best diff but is bloody pricey.

Skm3201 · Postby **Skm3201** » Fri Oct 17, 2014 1:02 pm

zossy1 wrote:
Skm3201 wrote:I've been looking for a 'spartan locker' for my mx5 but no one seems to make them. Has anyone got any options (I'm NOT welding it) What are the LSD's like that fit in mx5's?
I have an 01 6 speed
Thanks

Why wouldn't you weld it? If done properly, it will work fine.

Mania sell a spool centre - http://www.mx5mania.com.au/product1524.htm

There are lots of good LSD options - the best units are the high end clutch units like the Kaaz which is very popular and can be set up for full 2 way operation. The OS Giken is widely considered the best diff but is bloody pricey.

The only reason behind not wanting to weld it is it's my everyday car I still want it to sort of nice to drive haha!
Thanks for the advice I'll look into it thank you!!

speed · Postby **speed** » Fri Oct 17, 2014 5:26 pm

Sounds like you're after a lsd not a locked diff.

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zossy1 · Postby **zossy1** » Fri Oct 17, 2014 10:27 pm

speed wrote:Sounds like you're after a lsd not a locked diff.

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^^^ this. Spool = weld.

siddiqueNB8B · Postby **siddiqueNB8B** » Mon Oct 27, 2014 4:44 pm

Torsen is supposed to be the best for street & track... I'm looking for one too [WINKING FACE]

zossy1 · Postby **zossy1** » Mon Oct 27, 2014 7:28 pm

siddiqueNB8B wrote:Torsen is supposed to be the best for street & track... I'm looking for one too [WINKING FACE]

No. Torsens are great for street cars and the best option for track cars that require OEM equipment. But the Torsen is a sub-par option for a track car. Better than an open diff, but not on par with the clutch diffs or a spool.

mx5002 · Postby **mx5002** » Thu Nov 20, 2014 4:49 pm

unless you want to shorten your gear ratio while your at it, i'd get a kaaz or similar. i have a cusco 1.5 way in my roadcar. it clunks a little when parking etc but is way worth it.

and know i can do a u turn in almost any narrow sydney street :wink:

Skm3201 · Postby **Skm3201** » Thu Nov 20, 2014 6:53 pm

mx5002 wrote:unless you want to shorten your gear ratio while your at it, i'd get a kaaz or similar. i have a cusco 1.5 way in my roadcar. it clunks a little when parking etc but is way worth it.

and know i can do a u turn in almost any narrow sydney street

haha thanks mate! does it lock every time under power?

mx5002 · Postby **mx5002** » Thu Nov 20, 2014 7:32 pm

Not really if you are easy on i, it slips but as soon as WOT it locks. Mine is adjustable by setting up the clutch plates in certain configurations.

chrons_rotary · Postby **chrons_rotary** » Thu Nov 20, 2014 10:20 pm

Agree with the TORSEN being average for a track car. I have a TORSEN and do a decent amount of hillclimbs and have had to remove the rear swaybar to try to keep the inside wheel on the ground, as it will act like an open diff if one of the wheels lightens too much.

lightyear · Postby **lightyear** » Fri Nov 21, 2014 6:25 am

I have never had an issue with a Torsen diff on the track. Never tried a better LSD, but can't imagine much improvement. If you can get both wheels to spin with a Torsen on exit, how is a better LSD going to help?

zossy1 · Postby **zossy1** » Fri Nov 21, 2014 7:35 am

It's a much bigger problem at higher power and/or grip levels. As chrons said, when you unload the inside rear it spins up.

From what I have read, a Torsen will transfer somewhere between 2 and 2.5 times the torque from one wheel to the other before it opens (there are heaps of threads on this on the big forum and on mt.net). The amount apparently depends on many things including the amount of wear in the diff, weight of oil, and whether it is a T1 or a T2. My turbo car had a T1 and at around 200whp, it would routinely spin up the inside rear on the track - mostly as you rolled into the throttle on exit from a tight corner like the fishhook at WP- and that was on street tyres.

A clutch diff may or may not be better depending on how you set it up and your power/grip level. Being adjustable, you can make them transfer more or less torque depending on how much torque and grip you have. Other factors (like the weight of your rear sway bar, or if you are running one at all) have an impact, as does your driving style. I had my Kaaz set up in a 1.5way configuration and on days when I found big grip, it would still occasionally spin up the inside rear... But usually only when it came off the ground.

zossy1 · Postby **zossy1** » Fri Nov 21, 2014 7:39 am

There is also an article I read somewhere where a race shop tested an S2K with factory Torsen, a Kaaz, and a Giken. They only found 2-3 tents with the Kaaz, and another 2 tenths or so with a Giken. It's not huge, and it is probably dependent on track, driver, car setup, etc, but there are benefits to the clutch diff in the track.