Were LSD's fitted to n/a's?

[anthonyg]

Just a quick question, i'm trying to decide what car to base next years Nurburgring thrasher on and was wandering, were any of the Mk2 n/a's fitted with LSD from factory or would i have to fit aftermarket diff or get hold of a tubby gearbox or whats the easiest way around it?

Cheers

[toxo]

The search function is your friend

http://www.imoc.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=99513

They were optional from revision 4, and IIRC the EPC lists them as standard equipment for about the last six months of production.

A lot of people with revision 5 S54 gearboxes are unaware that they have a limited slip differential because they are of the torque sensing (torsen) type. They're notoriously difficult to test for and you can't tell just by jacking the wheels up and spinning them.

[steve b]

Woodsport will convert n/a boxes to TorSen LSD using mk3 diffs

[Rogue]

The search function is your friend

http://www.imoc.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=99513

They were optional from revision 4, and IIRC the EPC lists them as standard equipment for about the last six months of production.

A lot of people with revision 5 S54 gearboxes are unaware that they have a limited slip differential because they are of the torque sensing (torsen) type. They're notoriously difficult to test for and you can't tell just by jacking the wheels up and spinning them.

Lol - that saved me some typing! As Steve says, the torsen diffs are interchangeable between mk2 n/a and mk3 gearboxes. You may also find the occasional MR2 Championship racer who finds one in their gearbox and can't use it...

Patrick

[anthonyg]

The search function is your friend

http://www.imoc.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=99513

They were optional from revision 4, and IIRC the EPC lists them as standard equipment for about the last six months of production.

A lot of people with revision 5 S54 gearboxes are unaware that they have a limited slip differential because they are of the torque sensing (torsen) type. They're notoriously difficult to test for and you can't tell just by jacking the wheels up and spinning them.

I did try the search but i didn't find that. Cheers

[anthonyg]

Are the torsen type any good and are there helical options available for the mk2 n/a?

[Marf]

Are the torsen type any good and are there helical options available for the mk2 n/a?

Same question but for a tubby.

[steve b]

Are the torsen type any good and are there helical options available for the mk2 n/a?

Same question but for a tubby.

Helical & Torsen is the same thing, also the same thing as a "quaif" type.

I thought (maybe wrong) early tubbys if they had an LSD had a plate diff and then later on Torsen as stock.

Plate type are more aggressive than torsen, my Eunos has a Torsen it only really comes into play when on power and loaded up. i.e. put a wheel on wet grass one on tarmac and it'll sit spinning the wheel on grass as it doesn't generate any load. Be on power exiting a dry grippy corner and it loads up and bites hard.

[Marf]

Are the torsen type any good and are there helical options available for the mk2 n/a?

Same question but for a tubby.

Helical & Torsen is the same thing, also the same thing as a "quaif" type.

I thought (maybe wrong) early tubbys if they had an LSD had a plate diff and then later on Torsen as stock.

The early tubbys have a viscous coupling, I'd much rather have a helical one, assuming that is that the helical ones on later cars bite up faster than the viscous units.

[toxo]

I was under the impression all MK2 turbo's had a viscous diff?

[Neil_turbo]

Just a quick question, i'm trying to decide what car to base next years Nurburgring thrasher on and was wandering, were any of the Mk2 n/a's fitted with LSD from factory or would i have to fit aftermarket diff or get hold of a tubby gearbox or whats the easiest way around it?

Cheers

Yep - our rev 5 NA has LSD - great fun

[anthonyg]

Cheers guys, starting to get somewhere now

SO...... New question.....

Which type of diff will lock up the quickest and most often, where do i get one from and how much will it cost?

[JohnnyC]

Consider it confirmed. They were optional from revision 4, and IIRC the EPC lists them as standard equipment for about the last six months of production.

Just to clarify, last 6 months of production...
Do you mean the last 6 months of the rev4 NA had LSD as standard ?
Or the last 6 months of the NA mk2's in total had LSD as standard ?

I have an EPC, but still can't figure whether I have LSD.

[mattcambs]

The early tubbys have a viscous coupling, I'd much rather have a helical one, assuming that is that the helical ones on later cars bite up faster than the viscous units.

LOL, I thought it was the other way around!
I'm pretty sure rev1 tubbies had plate LSDs which are prone to wearing out, but are more agressive when in good shape. Rev2 onward had viscous coupled diffs, which are less agressive (a good thing for a road car) and much more reliable.

Patrick, you'll know the truth

My old tubby had an uprated LSD and it was interesting to say the least. Prepare for power-understeer and lift-off oversteer if you want an agressive diff! If it locks under deceleration (2 way diff), it'll cause understeer into a corner too. Basically, I wan't a good enough driver to get the best out of it!

[Lauren]

Cheers guys, starting to get somewhere now

SO...... New question.....

Which type of diff will lock up the quickest and most often, where do i get one from and how much will it cost?

If you want a tight diff a plate type is the best option. Rev1's had plate type diffs as did MK1 SC's. Am not sure if there are any fitting issues with an NA box though. IME the plate diff's i've tried on SC's always seem to be very tight which is exactly what you want on track.

[anthonyg]

Cheers guys, starting to get somewhere now

SO...... New question.....

Which type of diff will lock up the quickest and most often, where do i get one from and how much will it cost?

If you want a tight diff a plate type is the best option. Rev1's had plate type diffs as did MK1 SC's. Am not sure if there are any fitting issues with an NA box though. IME the plate diff's i've tried on SC's always seem to be very tight which is exactly what you want on track.

Thanks Lauren, i did think about a Mk1 SC but after having one i fancy trying a mk2 n/a as they are a cheap base with 170bhp as standard and i really want to try nitrous

It's either that or Sierra Sapphire with a Granada Cosworth Engine as i'm also really fancying something v6/v8....

I take it i could just get a rev1 box with a plate diff and fit it to a rev 3 n/a or will need the shafts aswell?
Do plate diffs wear out, whats the average life span.....ish?

[Lauren]

Thanks Lauren, i did think about a Mk1 SC but after having one i fancy trying a mk2 n/a as they are a cheap base with 170bhp as standard and i really want to try nitrous

It's either that or Sierra Sapphire with a Granada Cosworth Engine as i'm also really fancying something v6/v8....

I take it i could just get a rev1 box with a plate diff and fit it to a rev 3 n/a or will need the shafts aswell?
Do plate diffs wear out, whats the average life span.....ish?

I'm not sure on the compatibility with a rev1 box and NA driveshafts. You certainly needed the driveshafts with an SC box to convert a MK1. I guess safest bet is to get the driveshafts as well because then you know it will work.

I expect someone else will know if there is a difference driveshaft wise between a tubby and an NA.

Well plate diff's can wear out though mine must be 20 years old now and was still going strong the last I heard, so as long as it's nice and tight it should be fine.

[Marf]

As Steve says, the torsen diffs are interchangeable between mk2 n/a and mk3 gearboxes.

What about between NA and Turbo boxes?