Alright, so my cars in the shop right now (S5 GXL) getting ported and stuff, busy at work, don't really have time to explain now. But I wanted to do the LSD while she's down. So as I'm searching around for diffs, I keep seeing places that say N/A is different from Turbo. Then I see, and have heard and thought was true. That you can swap all diffs from 2nd to 3rd gen. I just want an LSD, as long as its pretty cheap (don't have the cash now for KAAZ or Cusco or anything that expensive) If I could find a Mazdaspeed one I'd be very interested.

So can anyone get me one sent here to CO? Can I just swap em with like a stock 3rd gen? Whats the difference, and whats better, Helical or Torsion? Sorry, all kinda noob questions, but I just want my car to drive around in, do some AutoX and Track Days, and eventually start to drift. And my open diff sucks! And I don't just wanna have to replace or rebuild it in 3 months.

Thanks for the help guys

 

I'm allmost positive the turbo and NA LSD sizes are different. A turbo 2nd gen will swap with a 3rd gen LSD. All NA rx7 LSD's should swap, also the torsen LSD that came in some Miata's will work.

The torsen LSD is the best, 2nd is a friction type (could almost be the best with an aftermarket setup), and viscous is last.

My advice, if your car is NA, find a used torsen LSD from the Miata, then bolt on your stock ring and pinion gears. If you are on more of a budget, find a friction type LSD from a stock 1st or 2nd gen NA. I would replace the friction plates inside with new ones, it's not that expensive, and will work well.

 

NA lsds are smaller than the turbo lsds. The outputshafts[stubshafts] are thicker on the turbo lsds. Turbo lsds can be used on fds and s5 turbo fcs... NA lsds are not interchangeable with fds..
But yeah If you can find a fd diff, swap that into your s5 turbo diff housing it should fit... I think fd diffs are torsion and made well for grip racing...

 

Alright, so i just ordered a stock LSD from an 88 gxl from Apex Auto. Should be installed by the time my build is done.

.... So engine rebuild, street port, Apexi SAFC II, LSD, and some new Yoko S-Drives. Can't wait to get my baby back :-)

 

Should be a fun street ride.

 

So what's so great about the miata diff? it is the size or the the technology behind the diff? there is a 92 miata at my pick n pull, so if it's anything good, then I'll get it and install it on my gsl-se.

 

certain models had the torsion diff in them, like said above will bolt right in a NA diff carrier.

 

apex auto?

Didn't a member on here get a water pump from them that was all rusted to ****?

I remember that.....

Oh god. Yeah.

Um, take it apart AS SOON AS YOU GET IT. inspect that ho.

 

Just talked to them today. They have two there, and there gonna check em and send me the one in better shape. And once I get it thats the first thing I'm gonna do. Hopefully they don't do anything gay like that. I once got a bad OMP from them, but returned it and got a new one in two days, and they paid for all shipping. So only wasted two hours of putting it on and off. And second time i did it, it was way faster. So we'll see, I have a 90 warranty with it too.

Thanks for the heads up tho

 

I reasearched that the other day. I guess some 94 and up models offer the torsen. How likely will it be that the torsen at the junk yard I mentioned needs rebuilding, if at all.

 

i was going to say weld it"licoln locker" thats what i did and it works wonders.\make sure to have rear camber at 0

 

So Torsen works pretty good for drifting then? I got an 87 NA and want to hook it up for drifting but yeah i don't have $1,500 lying around and I wanna change my open diff to something budget friendly and reliable to get me sideways.

 

wtf this thread needs help.

this was posted in the DRIFTING section, so I assume it is a question about choosing a differential for DRIFTING.

VISCOUS = FAIL
TORSEN = FAIL
HELICAL = FAIL

Welding your stock diff is the cheapest option, however most "professional" shops will advise against it and/or will not even do it.

Next cheapest option is an S4 N/A clutch pack LSD.

And your BEST option for drifting is a Kaaz, Tomei, or OS Giken. 1.5way or 2way, just depending on your perference. i drove all last year on a 1.5way, but thinking about selling it and getting a 2way

 

Go t2.

Bigger. Stronger. Better.

Oh, yeah and 4.10 gears ftw!

 

Thats what i did and installed. Hopefully it at least lasts a little while. I'll eventually get a real one when funds are available. But I've just dumped 6k into the car this winter. I do wanna start drifting (beyond 2am parking lots and single mountain pass corners) But I wanna make sure I don't look like a fool out on the track... Gotsta practice