LSD Brainbuster
#1
LSD Brainbuster
Alright folks, I know this subject has been beat to death and there are countless topics about it. Yes, I've searched. I'm genuinely stumped on if the car I'm looking to buy has an LSD or not. My new to the forum flame shield is up. The car in question is a 2000 Miata.
I've checked in many threads and even called Mazda with the VIN, but the person I spoke with told me that the car did NOT come fitted with a Torsen 2 unit.
Everything I've been reading online says the opposite.
The main reasons I'm asking is because the car...
Now, my question for you guys is... Was the Mazda Rep I spoke with out of her mind?
In the defense of my confusion, the carfax report also came back with the car listed as a LS, and I can't really get underneath of it to look at it either. Pulling the car apart to look is totally out of the question for now.
I really appreciate any input, in advance.
I've checked in many threads and even called Mazda with the VIN, but the person I spoke with told me that the car did NOT come fitted with a Torsen 2 unit.
Everything I've been reading online says the opposite.
The main reasons I'm asking is because the car...
- Has a tan top
- Has a leather interior
- Has a Bose 4 speaker sound system
- Has Cruise control (if I remember right)
Now, my question for you guys is... Was the Mazda Rep I spoke with out of her mind?
In the defense of my confusion, the carfax report also came back with the car listed as a LS, and I can't really get underneath of it to look at it either. Pulling the car apart to look is totally out of the question for now.
I really appreciate any input, in advance.
Last edited by festersays; 02-20-2014 at 03:52 PM.
#6
Supporting Vendor
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...so take it out with a salesperson. Tell them what you're trying to do. If you do the test with one tire in dirt and one on pavement it won't even really abuse the car.
Are you prepared to buy the car if it has a torsen? Chances are good that it's got the LSD. They won't be mad if you end up buying the car. If you don't, not much they can do about it anyway.
--from a car salesman
Are you prepared to buy the car if it has a torsen? Chances are good that it's got the LSD. They won't be mad if you end up buying the car. If you don't, not much they can do about it anyway.
--from a car salesman
#10
I don't really see how it would lock going in reverse????
Seriously, tell the dealer to get in the passenger's seat - go to an empty parking lot or an empty part of the dealer lot; stop; turn the steering wheel all the way to the left; gas it to break the tires loose. (Pro-tip: you don't have to do a 7k rpm clutch dump to make this happen.)
If the car willingly spins around without a fuss, you have a winner. If the car acts like it wants to spin around and then stops, and then tries to go, and then stops.....you have a loser.
Let the dealer know: If you can't test it, he's not selling the car to you.
Seriously, tell the dealer to get in the passenger's seat - go to an empty parking lot or an empty part of the dealer lot; stop; turn the steering wheel all the way to the left; gas it to break the tires loose. (Pro-tip: you don't have to do a 7k rpm clutch dump to make this happen.)
If the car willingly spins around without a fuss, you have a winner. If the car acts like it wants to spin around and then stops, and then tries to go, and then stops.....you have a loser.
Let the dealer know: If you can't test it, he's not selling the car to you.
#13
can't you jack the rear tires off the ground to test for the LSD? if both tires are off the ground, you turn one by hand, the behavior of the other tire will tell you if it has LSD.
If they don't want you to test it by driving, surely they will pick the car off the ground for you.
If they don't want you to test it by driving, surely they will pick the car off the ground for you.
#15
Retired Mech Design Engr
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With my '99 with LSD, when I accelerate from a dead stop, somewhat hard, with steering turned full, the inside rear wheel will chirp due to the Torsen wanting it to rotate at the same rate as the outside wheel. I would doubt that this would occur with an open differential at the torque level available. Not going fast enough for G-forces to lift the inside wheel. This can be done in a parking lot.
On the '99, if you have leather package, you have LSD, 15" wheels, etc. I think it is the same with '00. Per the miata.net FAQ '99 Miata FAQ the leather should do it. Otherwise, see the table of NCXX numbers. This number is found on the PASSENGER side door pillar, not the driver's side.
On the '99, if you have leather package, you have LSD, 15" wheels, etc. I think it is the same with '00. Per the miata.net FAQ '99 Miata FAQ the leather should do it. Otherwise, see the table of NCXX numbers. This number is found on the PASSENGER side door pillar, not the driver's side.
Last edited by DNMakinson; 02-20-2014 at 12:07 PM. Reason: Added Last Paragraph
#19
+1 to donut test, should spin like this:
(52 seconds in)
Miata 1.8L OBX Catback and 4-1 Header Ebay Stylee - YouTube
(52 seconds in)
Miata 1.8L OBX Catback and 4-1 Header Ebay Stylee - YouTube