Welp, she's in the shop (Maztech)
 

Just for a new top. I'm already itching for her to get back. getting a robbins streamline canvas with defroster glass in red, and the color is a pretty close match to the garnet mica. Plus new tires coming from amazon to put on her. I went with the Ventus V2 Concept 2, as it seems like the best price for the life + traction.

only thing left is to decide whether its worth the effort to swap the open diff for an LSD

Red velvet cake?

WUT

Am I missing something?

Mmmmmm beetus.

well, its time/effort/energy/money/frustration/messed up axles/etc to do the swap, and I'm not sure how soon i'm likely to throw a turbo on her. So with factory horsepower i'm not sure it's really worth the potential horror stories i've gotten asking about swapping the rear.

Other than that, there's nothing I want to do to it short term. has 51,000 miles on it now (a 2003) and runs and drives great. I do plan to turbo it, but probably not in the next year or 2

I wouldn't drive a miata without a LSD. Even on stock power, you should notice a difference in the corners and on takeoff. There is no way in hell I'd drive a turbo car with an open diff. But thats just me.

oh i'd way prefer one, it's just the effort and risks of how long the car might be apart that worries me. Its a low miles very clean florida car, so I don't likely have to deal with rust or anything, but i'm still a little worried about getting the shafts out of the hubs now.

I think more guys on here have talked me out of doing things than talked me into them :D

I'm going to approach this backwards.

apparently that didn't work out for me, but I do have a fun miata to drive and given its low miles I have time to make mods :)

For the love of god and all that is holy, put an LSD in it. Mine still isn't turbo'd, but it makes a huge difference at low speed, even with stock power. Open diffs are filled with the same sadness that used to fill automatic slushboxes :barf:

I checked, Maztech said he'd do it there for around $200 if I buy the pumpkin, so now just need to buy one :) and here she is with the new top

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...91e9fd0252.jpg

If you're by yourself, swapping a diff isn't that complicated. I'd take your time to do it though. For the first time, I'd budget 6-8 hours to be on the safe side. It helps if you have a jack to help bring down the old diff and help position the new one. Time can vary based on how rusty things are. That and how stubborn the axles are getting out.

I'd recommend swapping diff bushings at the same time as you install the new diff.

Also, I'd swap the entire diff instead of just the pumpkin.