DIFF

Milford Autoelectrical · Post by **Milford Autoelectrical** » Wed Apr 17, 2002 6:32 pm

Hi yoll,

Im after someone who has fitted a stronger diff into their MX-5. It has got to handle 500Hp! Does anyone know how much Hp or abuse the 1.8L Torsen diff can take? Who has killed one?

500Hp?? I hear you saying?

The car at the moment is a 1990 with a 1.8L DOHC Turbo here are some of the mods:

MX-5 1.8L Block, Forged pistons and rods, Mazda Familia GT-R head and cams (fully worked), Garrett T3/T4 Turbo, KKK External Wastegate, 18PSI, Antilag and launch control, VR4 Intercooler with water sprayers, Link Plus engine management, BIG injectors, twin feed fuel rail with twin fuel lines, Surge tank with external Bosh Motorsport Pump etc etc etc...

Personalised plate - 11 SEC (Diffs too weak to prove it...)

I have already gone through a couple of diffs and am getting sick of it! PLEASE HELP ME!!!

Any input is appreciated,

Steve

darryl · Post by **darryl** » Wed Apr 17, 2002 7:26 pm

Try fitting an S6 RX-7 LSD. May take a bit of work, but will be worth it.

Fletcher Blades · Post by **Fletcher Blades** » Wed Apr 17, 2002 7:55 pm

Steve,

The 1.8 torsen is completely safe for about 250 HP

It will survive 300-350 HP if you are nice to it,

There's a guy in the states running about 400 HP with one welded up, but now
he breaks axels and gear-boxes instead.

The diff from the Series 5 and 6 RX-7's can be adapted I believe...

Best you go to www.miataforum.com and click on the "power mods" section, or
subscribe to the Miata power list...

Good luck,

Fletch.

shaznandy lockyer · Post by **shaznandy lockyer** » Wed Apr 17, 2002 8:37 pm

DUDE no way is the miata torsen diff gonna handle that much power!!!TRY a SERIES 6/7 RX7 LSD AND Gearbox!that'll handle it...

ilford Autoelectrical <milfordautoelectrical@yahoo.com> wrote:
Hi yoll,

Im after someone who has fitted a stronger diff into their MX-5. It has got to handle 500Hp! Does anyone know how much Hp or abuse the 1.8L Torsen diff can take? Who has killed one?

500Hp?? I hear you saying?

The car at the moment is a 1990 with a 1.8L DOHC Turbo here are some of the mods:

MX-5 1.8L Block, Forged pistons and rods, Mazda Familia GT-R head and cams (fully worked), Garrett T3/T4 Turbo, KKK External Wastegate, 18PSI, Antilag and launch control, VR4 Intercooler with water sprayers, Link Plus engine management, BIG injectors, twin feed fuel rail with twin fuel lines, Surge tank with external Bosh Motorsport Pump etc etc etc...

Personalised plate - 11 SEC (Diffs too weak to prove it...)

I have already gone through a couple of diffs and am getting sick of it! PLEASE HELP ME!!!

Any input is appreciated,

Steve

shaznandy lockyer · Post by **shaznandy lockyer** » Wed Apr 17, 2002 8:40 pm

Hey, Darryl...any suggestion on a set of extractors for the 1600cc mx5??

darryl <BITCHN.7@xtra.co.nz> wrote: Try fitting an S6 RX-7 LSD. May take a bit of work, but will be worth it. Darryl Curran, Bitch'n Performance
3 Gummer Place, Morrinsville, NZ
0064 7 889 1613 ph/fax

Lou Girardin · Post by **Lou Girardin** » Fri Apr 19, 2002 8:11 am

Hi Steve,
I've heard of a Sierra diff being used for a race car. Pete at Marshall
Tyres knows the guy who did it, call him on 09 524 5500
Lou.
P.S search the Miata.net forum

Lou Girardin · Post by **Lou Girardin** » Mon Apr 22, 2002 8:48 am

It depends on whether you want to own an MX5 or a bastardised rotary.
Lou

shaznandy lockyer · Post by **shaznandy lockyer** » Mon Apr 22, 2002 4:05 pm

Not a Rotary fan, then Lou?
Lou Girardin <lou@caralarm.co.nz> wrote: It depends on whether you want to own an MX5 or a bastardised rotary.
Lou

From badcat@xtra.co.nz Fri Apr 27 16:03:25 2007
User-Agent: Microsoft-Entourage/9.0.1.3108
Date: Mon, 22 Apr 2002 16:14:00 +1200
Subject: Re: Diff
From: "ken.newell" <badcat@xtra.co.nz>
To: mx5 list <mx5list@mx5club.org.nz>
In-Reply-To: <20020422040508.84411.qmail@web20307.mail.yahoo.com>
Mime-version: 1.0
Content-type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Precedence: list
Message-ID: <zcu3_C.A.aCB.0jXMGB@L733>

Ever OWNED one, lou?

Ken

On 22/4/02 4:05 PM, "shaznandy lockyer" <shaznandy@yahoo.com> wrote:

[...]

Ross and Meg · Post by **Ross and Meg** » Mon Apr 22, 2002 4:44 pm

Re: DiffM...X...5

good topic for an E-LIST

89MX5

darryl · Post by **darryl** » Mon Apr 22, 2002 5:16 pm

well you can either stick with a gutless N/A powered hair dressers car
(sorry, just using that term for the sake of my argument) or you can have a
hair raising convertable that goes as well as it handles.
Remember, not all rotaries have to be loud, lumpy and driven by 'hoons'!
Oh, and wouldn't that be a bastardised MX-5, rather than a bastardised
rotary?

From badcat@xtra.co.nz Fri Apr 27 16:03:26 2007
User-Agent: Microsoft-Entourage/9.0.1.3108
Date: Mon, 22 Apr 2002 17:18:36 +1200
Subject: Re: Diff
From: "ken.newell" <badcat@xtra.co.nz>
To: mx5 list <mx5list@mx5club.org.nz>
In-Reply-To: <005201c1e9bc$e96ad260$1b2456d2@ca810al>
Mime-version: 1.0
Content-type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit
Precedence: list
Message-ID: <bMCpWC.A.dCB.0jXMGB@L733>

I had a sweet 13b mazda b2000 ute, and I say if you haven't owned a rotary -
you probably won't understand their appeal.
If I could put a rotary in my mx5 = without spending stupid money - i'd be
writing the cheque..

Ken
'90 mx5
185 kilo 120 hp Cagiva Raptor motorcycle.
(yes - mine is bigger)

e will make ALL cars look slow.
On 22/4/02 5:16 PM, "darryl" <BITCHN.7@xtra.co.nz> wrote:

[...]

Scott · Post by **Scott** » Mon Apr 22, 2002 5:54 pm

It'd be cheaper than other alternatives thats for sure. Anything bigger than
a turbo anyhow

Gary Morrison · Post by **Gary Morrison** » Mon Apr 22, 2002 5:59 pm

Hmm,

I wonder what the reason for this need for maximum power would be? Is the
car dull to drive as it is? If you want a rotary - buy an RX-7. Over the
sort of roads that an MX-5 excels on you'd be hard pressed to be much
quicker from point A to point B with more power installed. Most of the speed
comes down to driver skill, something that is easily forgotten.

Gary

From badcat@xtra.co.nz Fri Apr 27 16:03:12 2007
User-Agent: Microsoft-Entourage/9.0.1.3108
Date: Mon, 22 Apr 2002 18:07:18 +1200
Subject: Re: Diff
From: "ken.newell" <badcat@xtra.co.nz>
To: mx5 list <mx5list@mx5club.org.nz>
In-Reply-To: <000d01c1e9c2$e9a18b10$6ec8a8c0@GARY2K>
Mime-version: 1.0
Content-type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit
Precedence: list
Message-ID: <2Tqd9.A.gCB.0jXMGB@L733>

I'm pretty sure I read somewhere that the mx5 was originally designed with a
wankel (gotta love that name) engine.
Or am I just perpetuating an urban myth?
And gary - i'm not going anywhere near that argument.

Ken'

"hard pressed to be much hard pressed to be much
quicker from point A to point B with more power installed. Most of the speed
comes down to driver skill"

[...]

darryl · Post by **darryl** » Mon Apr 22, 2002 6:36 pm

So what happens when your skill out weighs the power of the car? You need
more speed.
MX-5's are nice cars, cool cars even. They are just gutless, except maybe
the MX-5 SP thats just come out.
I found driving my brother in laws '5 fun, just too slow. Ok, you can just
go out and by an RX-7 (already got one).
1, they aren't convertable, if thats your thing, and thats the reason a lot
or people would buy the '5.
2, they are every where, ok, so are '5's, but not MX-5's with rotaries in
them, and you realy need a twack in the head if you put a 1800 4 into an
RX-7 to be different
3, the MX-5 chassis can hadle more power, evryone knows this, if the chassis
can handle it, then it can benifit from it, usualy meaning you will be able
to drive quicker.
4, more power will see the '5 start to excell on roads they don't normaly,
making them a better car.

I think except the cost, running exspences etc, and if maybe you don't like
them, there is no argument against the benifits of going rotary. They are
smoother, just as light, more compact, and above all, more powerful.
my 5 cents.
Each to there own.

Gary Morrison · Post by **Gary Morrison** » Mon Apr 22, 2002 6:38 pm

So what happens when your skill out weighs the power of the car? You need
more speed.

I'd bet there is no-one on this list who's skill outweighs the ability of
the car.

Except maybe one person who I am thinking of, who was faster than any other
car at the Taupo track day the year before last, and in a standard 1.8.
(And there were some other than MX-5s there too)

Gary

darryl · Post by **darryl** » Mon Apr 22, 2002 7:37 pm

I suppose bigger brakes are a waste of time too then. I mean, no one will
ever out drive them eh?

Scott · Post by **Scott** » Mon Apr 22, 2002 7:44 pm

Hey, stop bursting bubbles :-p
But of course your quite right, driver skill can easily make up for the
grunt of the car.

Scott · Post by **Scott** » Mon Apr 22, 2002 7:46 pm

Just out of interest, how much more power do you get in a 1.8l over a 1.6l?

Fletcher Blades · Post by **Fletcher Blades** » Mon Apr 22, 2002 9:04 pm

Almost enough to make up for the extra weight of the car!

Actually, thats not really true... the 1.8 is faster than the 1.6..
but not buy as much as it should be, due to extra mass in crash safety
devices...

1.6 were all rated at 116HP
1.8 from '94-97 were 128-133 HP
New shape 1.8's got about 140HP, and the 2001 with VVT claims to have
150HP

Fletch.

Gary Morrison · Post by **Gary Morrison** » Tue Apr 23, 2002 10:39 am

Hey Darryl,

Your messages have raised a question... what sort of MX-5 do you own, and
what modifications have you done to it?

Gary

Ross and Meg · Post by **Ross and Meg** » Tue Apr 23, 2002 10:56 am

Yea Darryl, Do tell
89mx5

darryl · Post by **darryl** » Tue Apr 23, 2002 12:43 pm

What does it matter??

anyway...
Simple answer, I don't own one. Don't need to own one to know they are
gutless standard eh.
As I said in another post, I had driven my brother in laws car a few times.
I loved it, probably more so than our RX-7, handling was awesome, easy to
control in a slide and very predictable (probably the only reason he hadn't
killed himself in it, well being gutless probably helped), but
unfortunately, gutless in a straight line. As our RX-7 would leave it behind
in a straight line, on any hill and anywhere else not consisting of closely
cropped corners, the MX-5 doesn't appeal to me. That's why I say a rotary
would suit these cars to a T. I would love to get one for my fiance, but we
would be putting a rotary in it straight away.
I don't think I need to own one to justify my oppinions, do I?

Also, driver skill can only make up for a lack of power, when the guy in
front of you has no skill, or power as well. Micheal Shumacher wouldn't be
world champ if he didn't have the best car, regardless if he is the best
driver or not. Obviously this only means anything if you are into competeing
with your car in one way or another, or like to have more power for on the
street.

If I did own one, A nice injected 13B bridge port, or Turbo 13B would be the
go, I would import some Racing Beat or TEIN suspension, RX-7 diff
conversion, if a KAZZ/Cusco etc unit isn't available. Big brakes etc. looks,
who knows. Just make it a little more sure footed, a bit more powerful,wind
in the hair, that would be awesome, then we would just have to find a baby
sitter so we could use it. Which is another reason we haven't got one yet.

Gary Morrison · Post by **Gary Morrison** » Tue Apr 23, 2002 2:31 pm

Ummm... never suggested that. But its now clear that Darryl's opinions on
the MX5 are those of a non-enthusiast, and therefore are probably at odds
with those of most of the list members.

Gary

McInnarney, Brendon (B... · Post by **McInnarney, Brendon (B...** » Tue Apr 23, 2002 2:52 pm

Out of interest has anyone on the list done a Rotary / MX5 conversion or for that matter a 1.8 GTX/GTR 323 Turbo engine conversion?

BMc

darryl · Post by **darryl** » Tue Apr 23, 2002 3:22 pm

Did I say I didn't like them? No I just said they are gutless. That doesn't
me I am not an enthusiast.
I don't own a skyline, but does that make me a non enthusiast?
I think rotaries are bloody exspensive to build for big HP, can use a sh*t
load of gas, if not built properly they break, and if you own one you get
sterotyped as an idiot, all majoy flaws of owning a rotary, doesn't mean I
am not an enthusiast just because I point out the obvious.
I consider myself an enthusiast of all cars (well almost) but prefer
rotaries to anything else.
I like V8's, but they are too heavy so don't consider it a good option ffor
an MX-5, I think the Nissan SR20DET is an awesome engine too, but its not
made by Mazda, I think the 1800GTR engine is good too, but for the money v's
power potential I would go with the rotary. Does this all mean I 'am not'
and enthusiast of the above?
Just sharing my thoughts. I mean this thread did start due to an extremely
high HP engine (or the wish to have) in an MX-5. I just gave my thoughts on
the issue.
This was not a "do we realy need more than 100Hp in our MX-5?" thread was
it. It was about performance, and thats what I am an enthiasts of.

McInnarney, Brendon (B... · Post by **McInnarney, Brendon (B...** » Tue Apr 23, 2002 4:01 pm

Darryl,
As a side issue, have a look on page 15 of the May NZ Performance Car mag(if it isn't in the shops now, it will be shortly).
I'm sure you will be pleased.

Regards,
B McInnarney
Senior Parts Product Manager
Mazda Motors of New Zealand

Who is online