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Post by crisp on Jan 13, 2019 18:33:30 GMT
Hi,
I'm on the lookout for an MX-5 (most likely a Mk2, but possibly a Mk1) that I can use for autotests and autosolos. For that sort of thing I need an LSD-equipped car, but it occurred to me that it would broaden my options if I didn't have to limit the search to cars with an LSD already fitted.
So ... how easy is it to perform the swap? Can anyone give me an idea roughly how much it would cost to have it done professionally? (That said, I might dust off the tool box depending on the complexity!)
I've had a couple of '5s in the past and nobody seemed to bother swapping the diffs back then. I don't know if that's because it's tricky or just because there was a much more plentiful supply of cheap examples with factory-fit LSDs back then.
Cheers,
Chris
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gbuk
Chats A Bit
Posts: 130 
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Post by gbuk on Jan 13, 2019 18:43:20 GMT
Welcome to the forum, glad you found your way here and good chatting with you yesterday at Smeatharpe. I'm sure there will be lots of good advice heading your way, and good luck with your search.  |
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Post by crisp on Jan 13, 2019 19:05:59 GMT
Welcome to the forum, glad you found your way here and good chatting with you yesterday at Smeatharpe. I'm sure there will be lots of good advice heading your way, and good luck with your search. Good to meet you too and thanks for the recommendation of the forum (just off to have a look in the for sale section in a second!) Funnily enough, it was chatting to one of the other people at the event that triggered the question. The guy who was there in the C2 apparently has a Mk2 for sale, but it's missing the all-important diff. |
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Post by Dweenimus on Jan 13, 2019 20:37:51 GMT
Hard enough for me to have an lsd in my garage for over a year and not fit it, but also easy enough to do on the driveway if you can be rear canoed. I'm just lazy!
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jon
Chats A Lot
Posts: 270
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Post by jon on Jan 13, 2019 21:28:47 GMT
If you have a 1.8, swapping the diff is probably a 3-4 hour job taking it easily...
Unbolt wishbone bolts on both sides (top from memory), ARB mounts, pop out drive shafts by 'folding' hubs out, unbolt prop from existing diff, undo PPF bolts, undo diff wing bolts and drop out. Then reverse with the new diff and make sure you get the alignment right... I'd probably put diff void fillers in at the same time..
If it's not been apart in a long time some of the bolts can be a bit of a pain to undo (especially the PPF bolts).
If you are coming from a 1.6 (possibly only mk1) you may have to swap drive shafts and prop as well which makes it a bit more complex.
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Post by atlex on Jan 14, 2019 16:25:26 GMT
If you get a JDM car you will have a higher chance of getting an LSD - if it's a MK1 it'll probably be Viscous, if MK2/2.5 it'll be Torsen. My mk1s all had Viscous diffs but I've upgraded them to 1.8 Torsens-2s along with the necessary shafts.
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Post by Zed. on Jan 15, 2019 19:24:42 GMT
So ... how easy is it to perform the swap? depends what you mean? swapping the diff assembly or literally fitting an lsd into the crownwheel then setting in the pigs-head / gear mesh & bearing preload? obviously the first is easy enough (believe that the driveshaft outer cv joint splines can get a bit stuck in the hub-splines maybe?) as to the latter, with tools / 'blue' / hammer & 36" stilsons* anything is possible  Rich. *stilsons can be substituted for a good vice to save chasing the diff assembly around the floor when tightening crownwheel bolts etc.  |
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Post by crisp on Jan 17, 2019 17:59:23 GMT
It's become a moot point as I've now found a car with a Torsen diff. Let the hooliganism commence.  For anyone else who stumbles across the thread, the general consensus seems to be three or four hours work. |
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le sigh