15 replies to this topic

[Brandon]

All NA6 cars had the 4.3 rear-end, correct? Regardless of transmission?

So whether I find the gears alone (in a differential or not), if they came from a NA6 it should be the 4.3 ratio.

What other bits are replaced as part of the R&R of my 4.1 ratio gears?
Pinion seal, differential bearings, axle seals...?


Trying to map out what I need to budget for during the offseason.

TIA!
Brandon

[Mike Collins]

kind of wrong... The 1.6 cars have a smaller diff 6" The 1.8 cars have a 7"... You need a 4.3 from the larger diff.

[Brandon]

Drat!
Which means I need a 4.3 from a NB car then?

[Jim Drago]

Brandon
Cheapest way out is to buy a 4.3 open diff (99-05), we have for $400.00. You can swap your torsen into that ring and pinion. No bearings to buy etc. Relatively easy. We do this for $200 if you want to send your diff in, it is a $600 deal

[Motor City Hamilton]

$600 is a good deal. I spent $750 on a low mileage 4.3 with torsen. The torsen did change somewhere along the line between 1994 and 1999. The newer one that I aquired was a bit smaller and I read that the torsen spider gears are a different torque setting than the one that came with my 1994. It does seem to rotate a bit more freely and for my car that was a good thing.

[DrDomm]

So, a 1994-97 Torsen using a 4.3 gear from an open diff will have a different "character" than a '99+ 4.3 Torsen? Interesting.

Jim, how "easy" is it to put the Torsen into the 4.3 gears? Doesn't it require some type of adjustment? It's not just unbolt and then re-torque, is it?

[Jim Drago]

It is "relatively" easy.. You have to set the gear mesh, but your not pressing on bearings and replacing crush collars etc. Many believe the 94 and early 95 are the "better" torsens, other think the 96 up are better. I run the 99 style in my SM and the 94 style in the STL car

[DrDomm]

It is "relatively" easy.. You have to set the gear mesh, but your not pressing on bearings and replacing crush collars etc. Many believe the 94 and early 95 are the "better" torsens, other think the 96 up are better. I run the 99 style in my SM and the 94 style in the STL car

Hmm. I'm not sure what "set the gear mesh" means. I've got my old 4.10 Torsen Diff sitting around. It would be nice to turn it into a spare 4.30 Torsen.

[Jim Drago]

There are spano nuts on either side to move the ring gear closer and further to the pinion gear. It needs to be set correctly. It is in FSM
Jim

[DrDomm]

Ok. Possible winter project. Thanks.

[Jim Drago]

you can always call if you have a question

[Ron Alan]

Torsen1 vs. Torsen2 ...google and you'll find some interesting reading! Jim says "set the gear mesh", I've always heard it referred to as setting the "lash".

[Jim Drago]

lash is correct, but I think gear "mesh" is easier to understand

[davew]

And you also set the bearing preload

Dave

[Bench Racer]

Jim says "set the gear mesh", I've always heard it referred to as setting the "backlash".

Aw, come on now, cut the Champ some slack (is that the same as backlash), mesh is a carrie over from his RC days.

[Jim Drago]

lots more RC car wins than SM wins ion my past