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Ready to begin my RX7 LSD swap!

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Old 09-15-2007, 04:54 AM
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Default Ready to begin my RX7 LSD swap!

Sorry for my noobedness, but I just wanted to make sure I get everything right the first time!:gay:



So I have a 90 Mariner Blue that's itchin' for a real LSD. Here is my current parts list [of what's available to me and what I have]:



*N/A 88 RX7 rear housing and diff
*99 Miata pinion housing / ring / pinion
*94+ Miata driveshaft and halfshafts
*Miata diff. bushings and new diff. seals

?- Should I use the RX7 circlips or the Miata ones? I've read of the RX7 ones being too small but the Miata ones being too large? lol I have no clue

So yeah, is there anything I'm missing? Should my local mechanic be able to adjust the backlash?

Thanks very much! If I get provided with answers I'll post a write-up on how I did it with lovely pictures!! :gay:
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Old 09-15-2007, 10:26 AM
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I used the miata circlips, its a tight fit but it worked. I know of at least one other on here using em with no problem. Any transmission shop could get it set up for you. Also if you are looking for a little more lockup, its possible to "shim" it out with thin washers. I have actually heard of lots of people doing this with cutouts from coke cans, aresol cans, beer cans etc and using the various thickness of each brand to get the correct ammount.
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Old 09-16-2007, 04:00 AM
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Originally Posted by akaryrye
I used the miata circlips, its a tight fit but it worked. I know of at least one other on here using em with no problem. Any transmission shop could get it set up for you. Also if you are looking for a little more lockup, its possible to "shim" it out with thin washers. I have actually heard of lots of people doing this with cutouts from coke cans, aresol cans, beer cans etc and using the various thickness of each brand to get the correct ammount.
Where would I put the washers?

And does the rest of the list look good?
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Old 09-17-2007, 10:16 PM
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sounds good, would be a good write-up
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Old 09-17-2007, 11:06 PM
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clips are axle specific. miata axles, miata clips.
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Old 09-18-2007, 02:25 PM
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I also have the miata c clips in mine, make sure ur lsd isnt worn out or ull b pissed pulling it in a month cuz its slipping like a bastard. MY complete rebuild kit with seals and thicker washers was only 200 bux canadian.

Also getting the old bushings out of the rx7 carrier can suck, use heat and beat the **** out of them.

Dont forget about better diff fluid like redline, youll also need the axle nuts from the bigger axles, mine didnt come with them but OI salvaged a set from the wifes work(mazda dealership).

Also remember to support your tranny as when undo the ppf ur engine will hit the firewall.
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Old 09-18-2007, 03:09 PM
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I'm using mine since 2 Years/5000miles without a problem.

I would suggest a rebuild prior the install. Chances are high the washers are worn.You can get new ones from www.mazdatrix.com (also with more lock up)

If you're cheap, you can shim it with really thin metal pieces (cut out coke can) on the very end of both sides, just put them on a place whre is NO friction area (obvious when opened))

I would change the order of the disks inside to the style the aftermarket disks are build for more lockup

This means
friction plate/ washer/friction plate/washer
instead of
washer/ washer/friction plate/washer
or
friction plate/ washer/washer/friction plate
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Old 09-18-2007, 03:18 PM
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Cool cool. How can I tell how wore down it is?
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Old 09-18-2007, 03:25 PM
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I lucked out, the preload on mine is about 180ft/lbs. its pretty much always locked.



the best way to tell is if it's installed (go figure)

basically, you put it in gear and jack up one wheel, with a torque wrench on the axle nut, you measure how much force it takes to slip the clutch plates.
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Old 09-19-2007, 03:02 AM
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Coolness. Can't wait to get all the parts together!!! :gay:
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Old 09-19-2007, 11:33 AM
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post pics of the install
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Old 09-19-2007, 02:24 PM
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Will do. I'll probably do a writeup!
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Old 09-19-2007, 06:16 PM
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K this is the open diff, right?






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Old 09-19-2007, 07:05 PM
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Yup. That's an open diff.
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Old 09-19-2007, 07:12 PM
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Originally Posted by Joe Perez
Yup. That's an open diff.
crap.

gotta go back tomorrow and tear apart the 84 rx7 and exchange diffs

oh well, at least I got the rear housing :gay:

EDIT: and thanks for your rear end!
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Old 09-19-2007, 07:35 PM
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Originally Posted by big john
and thanks for your rear end!
Loki, if you make a single wiseass remark about this, I will steal the oil out of your engine. Same goes for Ben, same goes for Magna. (I'd threaten Philip too, but I doubt that would end well.)
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Old 09-19-2007, 07:57 PM
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haha, I like this forum. Soon I'm gonna start hating mnet right?
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Old 09-19-2007, 08:31 PM
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WTF yep that is a open dif you do know all you need is the lsd right? Swap the lsd onto the ring gear of the 94 RP and reset your backlash and viola insta lockup. GL bud/
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Old 09-19-2007, 09:40 PM
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Originally Posted by magnamx-5
WTF yep that is a open dif you do know all you need is the lsd right? Swap the lsd onto the ring gear of the 94 RP and reset your backlash and viola insta lockup. GL bud/
Yeah, but I drive a 1.6 and needed the hole rear end. I got the pinion housing and the rest of the open diff for a 1.8 from joe, so I needed the rear housing [which I got from the rx7] and the diff.

Is there a way to tell if it has the clutch lsd without taking it apart?
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Old 09-19-2007, 09:46 PM
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Originally Posted by big john
Yeah, but I drive a 1.6 and needed the hole rear end. I got the pinion housing and the rest of the open diff for a 1.8 from joe, so I needed the rear housing [which I got from the rx7] and the diff.

Is there a way to tell if it has the clutch lsd without taking it apart?
There's suposed to be a tag on the drain bolt that says to use the limited slip aditive if it's a lsd. My experience is these tags are often lost.
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