Found a killer deal on an rx7 lsd. I'd be setting preload and all that fun stuff on my own. After everything I shouldn't be more then 3-400 dollars out. Depending on the preload these things act differently correct? Talked to savington and he said it acted more like a 2way LSD and isn't ideal for the track.

Anyways, should I bother building the rx7 LSD / is it that much better than my 1.6 VLSD? Or should I just forget it and wait for a good deal on a Torsen? I havn't really been able to find a killer deal on a Torsen which is why I'm even considering this.

 

The 1.6 VLSD is a weak 6" rearend, the RX7 NA LSD is a 7" unit which is considerably stronger. An operational 7" LSD is still better than an open 7" on the track or on the street. Assuming the RX7 LSD is a clutch type, it is rebuildable so I would advise putting in new clutch friction plates and steels (check the RX7 sites, you may be able to squeeze in an extra friction plate and steel to increase the "lockup"; this is done all the time on Ford Traction Loks) before installing the ring gear and setting up the unit in the pumpkin.

Up to you to decide if you want to keep waiting for a killer deal on a Torsen. If you do the RX7 LSD and find a Torsen later, you should be able to get most of your investment back by selling the RX7 LSD. Drag racers seem to prefer it over the Torsen (Torsens don't seem to last long on drag launches with sticky tires). You could also do an OBX (Quaiffe like unit) for under $300; but you'll have to strip the unit down, clean it, deburr it and re-assemble it with new Belleville washers and new bolts (OBX units ship with crap hardware).