Ryan's Miata Project

[lawdogg]

Well, no it isn't on constantly (like, there's no idiot light for low oil level ... although I'm not 100% the miata has one). So I hope that's a good thing.

(The CEL does still flash 6 times ... it's the airbag fault code ... haven't really looked into that though.)

[lawdogg]

Discovered today that the car has no rear sway bar.

[Dave_G]

Discovered today that the car has no rear sway bar.

That's not a problem at all. It's a very common thing to alleviate the inherent tail-happiness of Miatas, especially for cars that are autocrossed. Usually people just disconnect one end, though, and leave the bar in place. I had my rear bar disconnected for a long time while I had a stock front bar. When I installed a big front bar, I reconnected the rear one. If you want to replace it I'm pretty sure a used one would be dirt cheap and would install in 10 minutes.

[sachilles]

Discovered today that the car has no rear sway bar.

That's not a problem at all. It's a very common thing to alleviate the inherent tail-happiness of Miatas, especially for cars that are autocrossed. Usually people just disconnect one end, though, and leave the bar in place. I had my rear bar disconnected for a long time while I had a stock front bar. When I installed a big front bar, I reconnected the rear one. If you want to replace it I'm pretty sure a used one would be dirt cheap and would install in 10 minutes.

Not a problem unless you let Jeff drive it that way at slmp.

[lawdogg]

Clutch was slipping bad ... picked up an ACT HD pressure plate & full face disc off ebay. Should fix the problem and be good for spec miata rules.

[8valvegrowl]

^ Nice!

Sounds like you are getting her sorted in proper fashion.

[lawdogg]

So ... progress. Kinda.

Opened the ACT box to find one of the release levers bent down a good 1/16", and the plastic vac. seal has been cut open ... wrote an email to the vendor.

However, found out I DO have an LSD in the back. Upon closer inspection, my stub shaft flange ears look like this ...



So it's a 1.6L VLSD, apparently. But the clutch can't hold well enough for me to test it out.

'next' on the to-do list after putting the clutch in will be buying those Bilstein HDs and an ebay 'coilover' spring kit ...

[Dave_G]

However, found out I DO have an LSD in the back. Upon closer inspection, my stub shaft flange ears look like this ...

So it's a 1.6L VLSD, apparently.

I don't think that's an indication of an LSD. AFAIK there's no way to tell except by calling Mazda with the VIN and asking them if it came with the viscous LSD:
http://www.miata.net/garage/vlsd.html

[lawdogg]

Interesting, so this information is potentially incorrect? http://www.miata.net/garage/diffguide/index.html

I'll do the wheels in the air test at some point - now I'm curious!

[Dave_G]

Interesting, so this information is potentially incorrect? http://www.miata.net/garage/diffguide/index.html

No, you are quite right. I stand corrected. Lance Schall knows his stuff, and I would certainly take the word of his article over the one I quoted. Besides, it's newer.

I'll do the wheels in the air test at some point - now I'm curious!

I don't think that test works with a viscous LSD.