NA6 with 4.3 Torsen?

Hoho2 · Postby **Hoho2** » Sat Feb 04, 2017 11:56 pm

Hi guys,

Firstly I'm new so if this question is in the wrong forum, my apologies to the mods.

A seller is offering my a 4.3 Torsen LSD that supposedly came from a NA6 in Japan. I tried googling whether this is possible or even exists - but had no luck finding any trace.

I'm sceptical on whether this is a scam and I'll end up with a wrong diff when it arrives.

Pics are attached.

Many thanks guys!

The American · Postby **The American** » Sun Feb 05, 2017 7:51 am

NA6 had a smaller diff than later models, different axles and prop shaft, and Torsen was not an option, so to my knowledge, No.

NA8 - yes

Someone who looks at these more frequently may be able to ID it visually. It does look like a Torsen to me.

smy0003 · Postby **smy0003** » Sun Feb 05, 2017 10:25 am

Since it's already apart, a quick measurement of the ring gear would tell you if it was from an na6. 6"=na6=not a Torsen. 7"=na8/nb=possibly a Torsen.

Sent from my LG-H815

93_Clubman · Postby **93_Clubman** » Sun Feb 05, 2017 11:35 am

JDM NA6 did have an LSD, but it was a viscous LSD or VLSD, not Torsen LSD:
https://www.miata.net/garage/diffguide/index.html
https://www.miata.net/garage/vlsd.html
http://www.solomiata.com/Drivetrain.html

Hoho2 · Postby **Hoho2** » Sun Feb 05, 2017 12:04 pm

Thanks for the help guys.

Unfortunately the diff is in another state and the seller is asking about $550. Right now I'm thinking it's not worth the risk (?)

93_Clubman wrote:JDM NA6 did have an LSD, but it was a viscous LSD or VLSD, not Torsen LSD:
https://www.miata.net/garage/diffguide/index.html
https://www.miata.net/garage/vlsd.html
http://www.solomiata.com/Drivetrain.html

I had a feeling it'd be vicous but he insists on it being torsen :S

Hoho2 · Postby **Hoho2** » Sun Feb 05, 2017 12:30 pm

Just an update from the seller - apparently it's an aftermarket centre. So the original owner purchased a torsen centre and put it into a 1.6 diff..

smy0003 · Postby **smy0003** » Sun Feb 05, 2017 12:38 pm

You can't put a Torsen centre into an NA6 diff, it is physically far too big.
There are aftermarket LSD centres for the NA6 diff (Kaaz, Mazdaspeed, Cusco etc.) but I'm fairly certain that they are all clutch type units.
Without proof it's not worth the risk, stock NA6 diffs are worth nothing so $550+shipping is too much of a gamble.

Hoho2 · Postby **Hoho2** » Sun Feb 05, 2017 12:40 pm

smy0003 wrote:You can't put a Torsen centre into an NA6 diff, it is physically far too big.
There are aftermarket LSD centres for the NA6 diff (Kaaz, Mazdaspeed, Cusco etc.) but I'm fairly certain that they are all clutch type units.
Without proof it's not worth the risk, stock NA6 diffs are worth nothing so $550+shipping is too much of a gamble.

Legend.

Thanks heaps for that smy0003

flycasta · Postby **flycasta** » Sun Feb 05, 2017 3:33 pm

That is definitely a Viscous LSD...... give aways are the shape of the LSD...... nothing like a Torsen, the Viscous has the slope opposite the Crown wheel that goes out to the side bearing...... the other major give away is the stub axles...... different lengths and the spigot on the end of the longer stub axle.

Hoho2 · Postby **Hoho2** » Sun Feb 05, 2017 4:17 pm

flycasta wrote:That is definitely a Viscous LSD...... give aways are the shape of the LSD...... nothing like a Torsen, the Viscous has the slope opposite the Crown wheel that goes out to the side bearing...... the other major give away is the stub axles...... different lengths and the spigot on the end of the longer stub axle.

Is it worth for casual track/skidding? Or am I better off with a welded diff?

smy0003 · Postby **smy0003** » Sun Feb 05, 2017 4:44 pm

Flycasta knows his diffs so that settles it.
The VLSDs supposedly wear out over time and are non-serviceable, so many report that their VLSD behaves as if it were open. Even when new, a VLSD could not behave like a Torsen and were not designed for massive skids.

VLSDs change hands for not much money, so I would forget about paying $550 for one.

The problem with welding (besides looking like a knob in the carpark, wearing tyres out and generally being a PITA on the street) is that the NA6 diff is more prone to breaking than the larger NA8/NB diffs, so if you're really going to lean on it you may have issues. But as the cost of replacement is so low, it might be something to consider.

The Torsen is a really good option for street/track, which is why they were offered from the factory from 1993 onwards in one form or another.