Labour costs for torsen swap

[Roadster2]

Good Afternoon all! Its been a long time since I’ve posted on here.

Basically I’ve got a nb with a 4.1 torsen that I’d like to swap into my NA. Just wondering what the costs would be to have this swap done at a workshop. It would mean removing the torsen from the NB, putting the stock diff into the NB, removing the NA stock diff and installing the torsen diff in the NA.

The other more logical option would be to sell the NB with the diff in it, find another torsen and have a workshop install it. While this would mean one less swap for the workshop, it might be more difficult for me to sell the nb at a higher price with the torsen it which is why I’ve hesitated to go this path so far.

[hks_kansei]

So you'd be taking the fully assembled diff from one and putting into the other?

If so, that's the simplest, least labour intensive method.


First off make sure your NA is either an NA8, or already has an NA8/NB diff/tailshaft/halfshafts fitted.
To put a 1.8 diff into an NA6 you'll need the 1.8 shafts, since they're a different size to the 1.6 ones.


Anyway, assuming all that is good, generally the steps are:

Raise car
Drain diff oil
for NB remove ladder brace
Undo tailshaft flange
Pop half shafts out
Undo PPF
Undo main diff bolts
Lower diff out of car

Install is the reverse process.


So far as time taken to do it, with air tools and a hoist, it could probably be done in a couple of hours per car (i'm assuming they wont be rushing). Maybe a little longer if the PPF doesnt want to play (the dumb spacer arrangement Mazda used can be fiddly)





To be honest, it's not that hard of a job, and can be done with basic hand tools at home if you'd want to save money.
Only real "specialist" tool you'll need is a pry bar or a decently rigid flathead screwdriver to get some leverage to pop the half shafts out of the diff.

(also maybe a big 32mm(maybe 34? cant remember 100%) socket, and a long pipe to extend the socket handle, for the hub axles if you totally remove the half shafts. I cant remember if stands give enough access to remove the diff with them left on the car like you can do on a hoist)

The rest of the tools needed are just standard spanners/sockets.

[bliu6757]

Diff trans nsw is quoting me $583 for a swap


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[project.r.racing]

I see no issue with the costing since the are doing one diff pull out and one diff install.

If you wanna save some money, do the diff pull out yourself.

I'm guessing the NA has a diff already attached, so possibly another diff pull out.

[hks_kansei]

^

I agree.

what you're proposing is essentially 2 jobs.

Remove and replace on the NA
Remove and replace on the NB



So yeah, if it's at all an option, I'd strongly suggest having a crack yourself.

[Mr Morlock]

diy if you are confident and have the time and the facility. Its often just easier to pay someone else and pick up the finished product without interfering with other responsibilities . If a pro charges $600 its probably 6 hours work and for an amateur it might be 9 hours.

[StuwieP]

almost easier to drop the whole rear subframe. then you can remove the diff and half shafts at leisure. Just separate the axles from the hubs while the car is on the ground.