Hey everyone, so I decided that my first post should be to ask you Miata know-it-alls, what the hell is in my car!?!

I have a 1991 NA, originally Classic Red, with Power Steering, Power Windows, A/C, Four Wheel ABS, Cruise Control, and an open diff.

My issue is that my driveshaft is clearly newer, and has "2000 Masda Miata" written on it. Clearly whoever wrote it is a pleb. That still leaves my question, can a 2000 Miata driveshaft be a direct replacement for a 1991 driveshaft, OR has someone swapped my diff out for a 1.8 open from a newer Miata. Thanks for any answers in advance!

 

Does you diff have a rubber damper on the pinion?

 

Does it look like a 1.8L diff?

 

Post a picture of it please.

 

they probably upgraded the rear differential with a 7" Torsen after the stock differential blew under the load of that mighty revvy 90 hp motor.

 

Well, turns out I have a stock 1.6l open diff. I know this because I had to tear it out today after it exploded when I was accelerating from a stoplight. Not even doing stupid ****. It's dead, gone, and going to be replaced...

So tight on money, I may just get new spider gears and replace those... The rest of the diff is fine.

 

Where are you located?

Edit: Couldn't see location on mobile...

 

Don't do that. It's not exactly a quick fix, and you won't be any better off in the long run.
Go to your local pick and pull and see what they have.
I picked up a torsen with axles and drive shaft still bolted onto the subframe for less than $200.
You just have to be patient or willing to do the wrenching yourself.

 

lolololol
Related:



But like monk said, just pick up a used diff, much easier

 

Differential Spotters Guide for future reference and to double check what you have. Does yours have the dampner on the pinion?

 

how do you know that's not an open diff from a '00?


And don't lie, you can easily break either when you drive like an *******, as you clearly do. There's no way you just happened to find this site, ask about a diff, then coincidentally blow it up just driving to your boyfriend's house.

 

Viperormiata (Josh) is down there on Summerland Key. He may have a line on some parts. PM him here.

 

I autocross the car, but it was beat to hell when I picked it up in June. Some burnouts, an autocross event, a few tires and a blown diff later, here I am. I don't typically drive like an *******, but I'm probably just about as bad as every other slightly modified Miata driver out there.

And sixshooter, he's actually a good friend of mine. I'm helping him out with his current build, and in return he supplies me with some Miata parts. Win-win. I work as a mechanic's assistant at a small shop, so I have access to a lot more tools and equipment than he does in his (awesome) garage.

 

so how do we know its not an open '00 dff?

 

On a 1.6 the ring and pinion is the weakest link. I have never seen the spider gears go first.

What is the number on the ring?

 

or the diameter of the ring gear?

 

Looks like a 1.6 diff since the bearing caps have flat tops.

 

If that is the case, then the 2000 driveshaft makes no sense at all. OP, take a picture of the thing zoomed out so we can see the case and/ or stub shafts.
This isn't rocket surgery.

 

Definitely a 1.6 open diff. Viperormiata came over to my shop today and helped me re-install the diff today. I know I'll get hate for this, buuuuuuut.....

I welded it.

Before anyone jumps to conclusions, let me put to rest any rumors or bad thoughts you all may have. First, yes. I am a ricer. I have been driving around in a spray painted, lowered, rust-bucket of a Miata with a style bar. But, I can admit it. Second, yes. I do like to drift (But honestly this welded diff thing sucks.) Third, I do in-fact wear Wayfarers (But the fake, off-brand ones), and I look like a try-hard douchebag with them on.

But seriously, the only reason I welded this diff, and I mean this, is because I absolutely needed the car on the road. My girlfriend has two jobs and college full time, so she was unable to help me. The Miata is my only car as of now, as I don't have the funds for another currently, and I don't have any other form of transportation. And, we are leaving Sunday to go back up north for Christmas, and my girlfriend couldn't be the only one running errands and getting the house ready for us to leave it with our roommate for the next few weeks. Those, and a lot of other private reasons are why I needed this car on the road for just a few more days, even if it meant welding the diff.

I have a line on a full 1.8 open swap that I plan on doing, but that will have to wait until I return home from the holiday.

 

Best of luck to you, sir. You'll likely survive. The highest speed limit anywhere in the 400 miles of roads in the keys is 45mph anyway, right? Srsly, most people don't realize the 45mph speed limit is for HOURS of driving.