Miata Mailing List: March 1997, Message #33
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   From: (none)

Subject: Re: Aftermarket LSD

   Date: (none)



On Fri, 28 Feb 1997 KEldri5694@aol.com wrote:



> I have a '90 and would like to add a limited slip diff.

> What aftermarket companies should I consider

> and what prices am I looking at.

> Thank you in advance. -Ken



Aftermarket...  There are none.  You've got three choices.



1.  Find a used (or new, though that would cost a lot) viscous lsd from a

1990-93 Miata and swap it straight in.  Twelve bolts.  Cost approx $500

US, very little labour.



2.  Contact Rod Millen or others and buy a new clutch style lsd used in

the 1988-89 323 GTX.  It'll require that you also have the two stub shafts

that are used in a viscous lsd, so there's two more parts that you'll have

to find new.  Once you've got the parts, you'll have to disassemble your

existing diff and swap in the clutch pack (changing the ring gear over and

realigning it).  Cost $750 for the clutch pack, ?? for the two stub

shafts, and God only knows how much labour.



3.  Find a used Torsen lsd from a 1994-97 Miata, and buy it, along with

the driveshaft, and the two axle shafts.  You'll also have to adjust your

PPF to mate to the new diff (fairly simple).  Cost approx $1000 US, simple

labour, but more than a viscous lsd swap.



4.  Find a used second generation RX-7 Turbo II and buy the locking lsd

out of it.  Go to a driveline repair shop and have it installed (identical

rear diff carrier) and get your driveshaft and axle shafts shortened to

mate up.  A guy in our club did this last summer when his viscous blew the

ring and pinion gear for $200 CAN for the diff and $900 for the labour.



Depending on your connections and skill, the prices probably get greater

from 1 to 3, but the diff gets better too.  Option 4 is just in there for

completeness, but it is an attractive alternative, as it'll drop the rear

end ratio down to the 1994-97 ratio and, in Canada at least) is cheaper

than finding a torsen.



Regards,



Richard Dekker, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, M-CLUB #90, MCofA #41997

Founder & President, Wild Rose Chapter - Miata Club of America



1990 MX-5 Miata - Mariner Blue with double white stripes

Team 1:1, 1:10, 1:18, 1:24, 1:60, & 1:87 Miatas