5 replies to this topic

[95mx5okc]

Pardon my ignorance if this subject has been well vetted on this site. If it has, then direct me to the URL.

 

I am considering the purchase of a 1999 MX-5. Specific to the 1999, what is the best way to tell if it has a torsen diff. I know on a test drive I can put the rear wheels in different traction scenarios (i.e. grass/gravel, vs pavement) drop the clutch and look for a rubber patch on the pavement.

 

Since I will be travelling possibly several hundred miles for test drive or purchase, is there another way to tell if it has torsen (i.e. option package, VIN, have the seller take a few pics of the diff)?

[FTodaro]

Assuming the car is stock and the diff has not been replaced, the first way is to take the vin number to a dealer and they can tell you what it came with.

Most of the time the cars with the leather seats had a torsen, but may cars have been worked on parts swapped, so if its a 99, the most sure file way is to pull a half shaft and look inside, you should not be able to see through to the other side, you should see a sold disk with a pencil size hole in it.

[ChrisA]

If you are looking at a street car, not converted to race car, than look here:

https://www.miata.ne...erica/1999.html

https://www.miata.ne.../99central.html

[95mx5okc]

If you are looking at a street car, not converted to race car, than look here:

https://www.miata.ne...erica/1999.html

https://www.miata.ne.../99central.html

Appreciate it. That goes along with some other data points I have. Yea, I'm looking for a plain Jane donor car. Thanks for the help guys!

[davew]

As Frank said, checking the VIN or using the option guides will only tell you what the car was delivered from the factory with. To know for sure, you must pull an axle and visually look.

[Steve Scheifler]

I tried a borescope though the fill plug hoping to spot the unique torsen gears but was unable to navigate it into the necessary vantage point.