hi guys,

I know that if I searched long enough I would probably find the answer, but I have time constraints on my internet usage so i'm hoping that someone can guide me quickly to the right place.

I was replacing the diff fluid on the car and as I drained the old fluid I noticed that not only was it quite greyish in colour, but the drain plug magnet also had a couple fine metal shards and one small shard from what looks like the tooth of the ring or pinion gear (i cried a little). I replaced the fluid only about 25K ago, so I was surprised to see this but the car has over 100K on it so kinda makes sense I guess since I also track it (road course) a few times per year. been using redline's synthetic fluid for the last 2 changes.

so here are my questions:

1) is there a rebuild kit for the stock differential that will solve this problem but also be durable enough for my track days?

2) is it possible this piece of the gear tooth is from a spider gear? it is curved and thus I presume ring/pinion

3) are there other options that are reasonably priced which would better serve my purpose?

i'm willing to spend a few extra $ if it means that I get a solution that lasts the long-term, is strong enough for track days (road course), doesn't kill the vehicle's handling, and doesn't make it a bitch to drive on the streets.

any input or experienced advice is greatly appreciated!

thanks all,

binz

 

The clutch type LSD from an S4 TII fits in the FDs case with a little work. I had my spider gears blow out on me and had IRP put in the S4 LSD for a reasonable price.

The curved shavings could be from the spiders as the center gears are curved, see the picture of my blown diff for reference. Here is a link to my thread on this discussion https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generati...-here-1014508/

 

thanks for the reply and link.

I couldn't find the carbonetics carbon lsd on banzai's site - looks like they don't sell it anymore, but clearly I need to do some more research on this...

 

We took them off our site until Carbonetic figure out their distribution network. They decided to transfer World Distribution to Performance Partners Int’l LLC on April 1, which has caused the availability and price of the parts to become an issue. We do have the Cusco Diffs which are great units. Cusco LSD (93+ RX-7)

 

Thanks for the info

 

Hi Turk82,

Where did you get your S4 lsd from and how much did this way cost?

 

IRP had one in stock from a customer that swapped it for a welded diff. I believe the diff was 200 or 250 and some additional seals and things to overhaul the rest of the diff while it was out was another 200 or so. You can save on labor if you can do it yourself but it takes proper shimming to get it right. I had them do the work since labor was minimal anyway. You can probably find the LSD for a good deal in the FC for sale section.

 

The Carbenetic carbon LSD is great and my recommendation for you. Will hold gobs of torque and is as quiet as the stock unit. Any metal LSD (Cusco and Carbenetic) will work but they are noisy. If you want a stock sound level and performance, go with the carbon LSD from Carbenetic.

THMotorsports, one of the forum vendors, lists them on their website for around $830:

Carbonetic LSD - Carbon MAZDA RX-8 BASE; GRAND TOURING; SPORT; TOURING 2003 - 2008 1.3 ACZRA10911

I use the 1.5 carbon unit and love it.

 

^ That would be pricing for a 2-way, not recommended for street use. The 1.5-way price was always far more expensive and not listed on that site.

I run the Carbonetics Carbon, it is a great diff, just not easy to get right now. Once they straighten out their distribution problems we will start offering them again.

The S4 TII is a great option if you are on a budget, picking one up used cheap, but it should still be rebuilt prior to install as they are all 25 years old at this point.

Edit* Just got off the phone with Performance Partners Int’l LLC, they said that as of 4/1/13 there is no such thing as a Carbonetic LSD, the entire time Carbonetic was just selling ATS units at a discounted price. We have always done business with PPI for FEED parts, so we will see about carrying the ATS diffs.

 

^ That is correct on the 2 way. They do list the 1.5 but no price:

Carbonetic LSD - Carbon MAZDA RX-8 BASE; GRAND TOURING; SPORT; TOURING 2003 - 2008 1.3 ACZRB10911

According to the Carbenetic website:

"Since April 1st 2013 World Distribution of ATS&ACROSS products (CARBONETIC TRIPLE/TWIN/PRO-SPEC SINGLE METAL/CARBON LSD) have been taking over by ATS USA/Performance Partners Int’l LLC."

So ATS it is. I guess I will have to tell folks that ATS is my new sponsor for my clutch and LSD Good products regardless.

 

Guys,

thanks for all the input on this. i'm not really on a tight budget and don't necessarily want to go through the hassle or exhaust the time to make an S4 TII lsd work. T

@Turk82

I do appreciate your advice and link to your own thread when you went through this

@Banzai

how soon do you think you will be able to get this carbon lsd from ATS now and would you be able to negotiate the price with them soon?

thanks again.

binz

 

Lots of LS1-FD guys run s4 internals for their diffs.
Most are over 400rwhp that track their cars. There are a few that can run 10's in these very same diffs, powered by LSX's (ls1,ls2,ls3...yes Even ls7)

If you've got money set aside for this already, might as well get new stuff that you know will work.

 

So go with the Carbenetic/ATS 1.5 way carbon LSD and call it a day. I think it is part # CZRB (the B is for a 1.5 way) . You'll love it and if Banzai can hook you up, they are great. Have a bunch of their products and they are top notch as well as great people.

 

We have added the ATS LSD units to our site ATS LSD (93+ RX-7)

ATS offers many more options than Carbonetic had available, super silent metal LSD as well as carbon/metal hybrids and street specific LSD units at lower cost.

 

that was fast!!!

there are two versions of the carbon 1.5 lsd listed (street and race I presume). are there different power limitations for each?

i'm guessing for peace of mind with track days, I should be going with the full carbon race?

 

Boom! Banzai to the rescue. Yes, go with the race version, IMO.

 

The TII diff is the most budget friendly while adding strength way to go. There is no hassle. It's a direct bolt in. Remove stock torsen unit. Install TII lsd. Shim and your done.

 

The Street LSD has two carbon discs and two metal discs. The Standard Carbon LSD has 12 internal discs.

For competition use, ATS recommends the standard LSDs.

We run the Standard Carbon LSD in our 20B FD.

 

Ok looks like my decision is made - gonna go with the ATS standard carbon. Thanks again everyone!