Hi,

I picked up a torsen diff from ebay and I have a stock 1.6 NB. I already figured I'll need a different prop shaft as the hole patern on the dif flange is different, but what else do I need to have to do the swap? Do I need to change drive shafts as well? Any other bits and bobs? I would like to do the swap over the weekend, so I'd like to be prepared... (I will probably brake something and the car will be on jack stands for four weeks, but I can at least make an effort to have the parts I could have known I would need.)

Thanks,

Hugo

 

You need 1.8 axle shafts and driveshaft. I can have them sent out to you in a day or 2.

 

Hi,

thanks for the info. You could make me an offer via PM, but I am in the Netherlands so I fear shipping will kill a deal.

Cheers,

Hugo

 

For a NB that's not true AFAIK; a torsen LSD should be a straight swap for the stock unit.

 

That is right

 

Hmmm, OK, that would be nice. So what can I check, just to be sure? From looking at 4352348579876234 youtube movies, I think:
- The bolt spacing on the flange of the nose of the dif
- It seems the non-fitting drive shafts (NA 1.6) have a bolted flange near the diff, the 1.8 ones don’t have this flange. Is that the true difference I can use to check? Or do I need to measure something else to be sure?
I’ve added PU bushings to the list, the bushings in the bought item are well passed their due date.

Cheers,

Hugo

 

If you have non bolted axles, you're good to go!

 

Jeeeee, no flanges and bolts:

(pic taken 4 minutes ago)

I just added gear box oil, dif oil and a speed sender unit to the list. I'll have to figure out the final drive change and get the correct sender, I presume. The NB has an electric sender, so that should be easy. And I might do some derusting while I'm there

Cheers,

Hugo

 

That's a direct swap, yes

Mine was the same, pretty ugly underneath there. If you want to change the gearbox oil, try to penetrate the oil fill bolt with some kind of oil, these things can get stuck pretty good.

For gearing calculations kmiata is your friend -> Kmiata Gearing Calculator

Have fun wrenching!

 

Hey OP. I am doing a LSD swap as well, upgrading to a 1.8 4:30.

What I did was find a super low mileage NB subframe at a junkyard with an open diff for $350. Earlier in the year I bought a 4.3 Torsen LSD for $500.
You can also search ebay for NB subframes. There is a JDM importer out of Texas that can sell you an entire front, and rear JDM RHD subframe with an open diff shipped for $999. The rear sub is a direct swap.
Compare this to swap kits that only include diff, and drive shafts only for $1300+

http://www.ebay.com%2Fitm%2FJDM-99-0...D-Axles-Brakes

 

OP is from the EU, where the NB 1.6 drive line is AFAIK completely identical to the NB 1.8 with open diffs.
So the NB 1.6 prop shaft and axles should work with the Torsen diff.