MX-5 types in here...

penski · 21 May 2007 at 10:11

'Allo!

in the interests of furthering my own knowledge, can anyone help with the following?

mx-5 rear ends:

do they all have LSDs?
are they all the same?
how wide are they (between wheel mounting faces)?
what are their limits? stock mx-5s aren't that powerful....so can you only throw 150lb/ft through the diff before it grenades? 200? 300?

D)

any more info you have would be very much appreciated...

likewise, the front end; is it just your common-or-garden macstrut setup?

cheers

*n

paradigm · 21 May 2007 at 10:15

They don't all have LSD's, the iS models do (sport), whereas the standard i models don't. Most of the special editions have LSDs but i'm sure they specifics will be filled in by an MX-5 ubernut at some point in the thread.

Firestar's MX5 is comfortably handling the power from his supercharger through the diff with no upgrades.

mattpc · 21 May 2007 at 10:31

no as standard LSD unless IS model. Some of the jap imports have it but you apparently have to be careful as often it is no longer actually working. Many people have them turboed up to 225bhp or so. Don't know about the width etc. Will be different for the different Mks I guess.

penski · 21 May 2007 at 10:35

mattpc said:
no as standard LSD unless IS model. Some of the jap imports have it but you apparently have to be careful as often it is no longer actually working. Many people have them turboed up to 225bhp or so. Don't know about the width etc. Will be different for the different Mks I guess.

225bhp? so they should take 200lb/ft comfortably...?

*n

paradigm · 21 May 2007 at 10:41

mattpc said:
Don't know about the width etc. Will be different for the different Mks I guess.

MK1 and MK2 are pretty much identical IIRC. Only really cosmetical differences between the two.

mattpc · 21 May 2007 at 10:48

penski said:
225bhp? so they should take 200lb/ft comfortably...?

*n

well, probably best to just check out what other people have done and see if their diff has lasted? mx5 owners club has very good forums which you can still use even if you are not a member.

Firestar_3x · 21 May 2007 at 13:23

Two type of LSD on the MX5, Torsen and the Viscous.

The viscous one is pants and will tear itself apart quickly, even with slight power upgrades it tends to go bang!

The Torsen LSD is the one to have, i have a friend running 300bhp and similar torques through it without any issues.

Mine is a torsen, i wouldn't have anything else, as stated its fitted to the iS models.

Firestar_3x · 21 May 2007 at 13:25

paradigm said:
MK1 and MK2 are pretty much identical IIRC. Only really cosmetical differences between the two.

Correct, a common swap is a mk2 diff into a mk1!

penski · 21 May 2007 at 13:44

right...so will the diff from any is model be a torsen jobby?

300lb/ft sounds very promising indeed.

how easily available are the rear clips? (diff, arms, shocks, hubs....) am I right in thinking that the entire rear subframe is a bolt on/bolt off affair?

*n

Firestar_3x · 21 May 2007 at 17:24

Parts can be hard to come by since eveyone wants to upgrade, the MK2.5 diff is designed for the 6 speed box, the mk1 / mk2 1.8 iS are all designed for the 5 speed, not sure how easy it is to mix and match, also the drive shafts between the mk1 / 2 / 2.5 can be diff.

It is a bolt on job though, easy enough to do!

mark66 · 25 May 2007 at 16:30

Firestar_3x, so just to be definite, a Mk2 1.8iS like mine should have the Torsen diff?

I would also like to hear a bit more about your Supercharger, so without wanting to take this thread of topic, I will post a few questions in your Supercharger Video thread now...