I was wondering if there is any way to tell what type of differential I have. I was looking at some torsen LSD's. Now I dont know if I have a viscus, clutch, or what the hell in the back. I have a 1989 rx-7 GXL. Can anyone help?

 

I didnt think S5 GXLs came with LSD Anyway, if you do have a LSD, it would probably be a viscous (S5 LSDs were viscous, S4 LSDs were clutch type). Ill look into it but I was pretty sure S5 GXLs didnt come stock with a LSD.

 

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Posted by Icemark:
Series 4 cars (86-88) that had LSD From the factory:
GXL w/manual trannys
T2
88 GTU
Optional on Sports

Series 5 cars with LSD from the factory:
89-90 GTUs
T2
a few 91 coupes had it as an option, but it is very rare.


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And that has been updated, that no Sports came with a Factory LSD optional or otherwise, and it turns out all 86-88 GXLs regardless of manual or auto tranny.


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If you were wondering if you even have an LSD, you can jack the car up in the back and spin one wheel by hand. If the wheel on the other side spins in the opposite direction, then you do not have LSD. Now if you start seeing spots and strange illusions, then you might actually have had LSD....

 

Well I guess I should find out and then buy one if I dont have one already. Will a s4 lsd fit on my gxl, or will it be "inferior" to a lsd that came off a s5?

 

weird....

i tought when wheel spins opposite direction, then u HAVE LSD
and when other wheel does not spin u DON`T HAVE LSD

 

actually, you're partially correct. Sometimes on a non-LSD setup the other wheel will not spin instead of going in the opposite direction because of brake drag or something. But if both tires spin in the same direction (i.e both forward or both backward) then you have LSD

Also, if your LSD system is worn out, it will act like a non-LSD setup.


A funner way of testing for LSD...
you could always drive somewhere and put one tire off in the dirt and the other on the pavement and stomp on the gas. If the tire on the dirt spins and the one on the pavement doesn't spin, then you don't have LSD.

Also, without LSD you will tend to leave only one black mark on the road when pealing out.

 

sounds correct to me

 

I like that way best. Im going to get the car running then do one wicked burn out and soo what happens as far as 2 or more black marks :winks:

 

The burn method doesn't work on smaller tired FCs like the SE or Base or Luxury, since they have a problem with traction anyway.

With a poor traction situation on a single surface, you could also have two tracks/burn marks weither there is a LSD or not.

 

how much power can the S4 LSD's handle?

 

Same direction = lsd. No spin = somethings broken? Ive heard of a few people above 300 with no mention of a new lsd. I think I recall someone mentioning 400-450?

 

im pretty sure u have a LSD.
My 90' S5 GXL has an LSD. All S5' LSD are viscous type. All S4 LSD are clutch type and dont last long, but are rebuildable. 30,000miles?

The turbo and non-turbo LSD's are different, the turbo ones being better... having both a better locking raito and being stronger.. or so i read.

My N/A viscous type seems to work pretty well @ 55,000 miles. I should change the oil in it. i can get both tires going, but you cant pull a u-turn from a standing stop by having the wheel turned and just droping the clutch. --- have to go stright a little first then yank it when both are spinning...

Rear right tire seems to be ez'er to get to spin alone then the left, but this might be because in normal driving, there seems to be more right turns then left. also, this could be caused by the forces of torque on the car.

If i ever do a turbo conversion on my car, i think i would go with a performace rebuild of the S4 clutch type since i hear there more predictable and provide a stronger locking action.

 

Isnt that how viscous lsd's work? They wait until one side slips and then locks?

 

on my car theres a sticker on the inside of the hood that says it has LSD

 

if you have one, it didn't come factory

 

Guys, its really weird

I checked today on my TII diff and it spins

one wheel - one direction, other wheel other direction

And i am confident, it is Turbo II diff