Ok so I have been searching around trying to make sense of the differential options for my base model 1986 rx7, but am still feeling lost.

As of rite now I have a open diff, I don't want to do a welded diff because i still use the car for some DD at the moment. I have been reading that a torsen diff will fit into a N/A fc housing, is this true for non lsd diffs, and what would I need to do the swap.

 

torsen is waste of time.

welded is fine for DD duty. i used to do it and know plenty of people that still do..

you can find a clutch lsd from an s4 gxl but it will most likely need a rebuild, or you can see if there is an aftermarket(i.e. os g, kaaz, mazdaspeed...) one for na's.

if you cant and want something legit, then you will need to find a t2 rear end, axles, drive shaft and transmission.

 

if you go t2 rear end, you can pick up the s4 t2 lsd (must be s4as its clutch type. s5 are viscous). you can "shim" the diff. you put in extra plates (or buy the thicker plates from mazdatrix and remove/replace yours.) and flip the springs to make it lock harder. kinda works like a 1.5 way I was told. good for dd, decent for dori. google search this site for shimming diffs or stacking plates. just put "site:rx7club.com" after your terms in google and it searches just this site. the more you know!

 

A t2 setup would cost more than I can afford, but i was looking at this

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mazda...item27b95e91ec

how easy would it be to install

 

That's a stock S4 GXL LSD.

FYI, I daily my 7 with a welded diff, and it really isn't bad at all.

 

I have that exact rear end. It is complete with stub axles and axles, and the rest of the housing. Came out of my S4 GXL. I bought it as a shell for my T2 swap, that is why I don't need it.
I can pull the unit out just like that AND include the stub axles for the same $99. Just pay for shipping and it is yours. PM me if you want more info.

 

Deftforce make a LSD for a n/a I believe

 

If you wana keep it simple just go stock s4 lsd. I have had mine for a while and have had no problems with it. Luv it! Got it for like 150 I think...

 

I will say this much. If you are in a pinch, welded all day.

It sucks but it will make you better because it turns your car into an understeer machine at times and you have to just man up, get over it and CONTROL it so it doesn't understeer.

I drove on mine in the rain and in the winter and if i DIDN'T have it, it would have been bad news for my car. Traction is boss. Drifting is super predictable.

Currently, i'm pretty drunk so bear with me. If you are not wanting to spend money, just weld an open up. For real. I dunno why people are so scared of doing it to their dd's....

 

for what its worth, I'm having my vsld welded up. Its gonna be my first season drifting, but I've autocrossed a few times and I have to say that I HATED the way the car would snap back and get traction all of a sudden during a hard slide. And from the people i've spoken to about it, the consensus seems to be that a welded rear is WAY more predictable in that sense. I decided to take the dive and just do it. Plus, I could justify spending a G on a kaaz/tomei when i'm just starting and I don't even have coilovers yet. bugh.