Mk1 MX-5 LSD question

NathWraith · 10 Aug 2012 at 17:01

I have a torsen LSD

What do I win?

DRZ · 10 Aug 2012 at 17:02

I loved my supercharged 1.8iS Mk2 with Gaz Gold Pro.

Unless I was being a total goon I found it next to impossible to get the rear end to step out under acceleration.

On my old E34 the LSD was really, really noticeable. On the MX-5 it wasn't.

crinkleshoes · 10 Aug 2012 at 17:09

DRZ said:
I loved my supercharged 1.8iS Mk2 with Gaz Gold Pro.

Unless I was being a total goon I found it next to impossible to get the rear end to step out under acceleration.

On my old E34 the LSD was really, really noticeable. On the MX-5 it wasn't.

Did it wash out a bit on entry to corners (ie, tendency to understeer)?

Sounds like the setup could have done being tweaked a bit. Setup makes a massive difference to how these handle... before I realised (and was a poor-ass student)... on my first mk1 1.6, I used to just stick the rear tyre pressure up to 37-40psi and keep the fronts at 28-30... that was fun.

Also, softening up the front suspension & firming up the rear is a great fun combination.

My 'charged mk1 1.8 (@220bhp) was awesome... you could fling the back end around so easily

shoes · 10 Aug 2012 at 17:12

DRZ said:
I loved my supercharged 1.8iS Mk2 with Gaz Gold Pro.

Unless I was being a total goon I found it next to impossible to get the rear end to step out under acceleration.

On my old E34 the LSD was really, really noticeable. On the MX-5 it wasn't.

Loved? What happened to it?

DRZ · 10 Aug 2012 at 17:24

crinkleshoes said:
Did it wash out a bit on entry to corners (ie, tendency to understeer)?

Sounds like the setup could have done being tweaked a bit. Setup makes a massive difference to how these handle... before I realised (and was a poor-ass student)... on my first mk1 1.6, I used to just stick the rear tyre pressure up to 37-40psi and keep the fronts at 28-30... that was fun.

Also, softening up the front suspension & firming up the rear is a great fun combination.

My 'charged mk1 1.8 (@220bhp) was awesome... you could fling the back end around so easily

Yeah it did to a small extent but I only really noticed when off the public road. On a dry road I rarely had an issue with the front end unless it was bumpy or dirty/dusty/greasy. In those latter conditions it was really, really nervous though. Generally speaking, I could turn in as hard as I dared and hold as tight a line as I could hold whilst staying in the seat/car without ever thinking about it.

shoes said:
Loved? What happened to it?

Replaced with an Audi S6. Needed a practical one car solution...

crinkleshoes · 10 Aug 2012 at 17:51

DRZ said:
Yeah it did to a small extent but I only really noticed when off the public road. On a dry road I rarely had an issue with the front end unless it was bumpy or dirty/dusty/greasy. In those latter conditions it was really, really nervous though. Generally speaking, I could turn in as hard as I dared and hold as tight a line as I could hold whilst staying in the seat/car without ever thinking about it.

Sounds to me like the setup needed tweaking a bit matey

Standard setups wash out a little on purpose as it's a "safer" setup.

It's that slight tendency to understeer that shows it. Had similar on my first that I mentioned... dialed it out by simply unbalancing tyre pressures.