Hello all. Like the title says, how do I tell which NBs have torsens? Preferably from photos and not from attempting a burn-out. Specifically pre-facelift models. I've seen a few for $2500-3000 and I'm intrigued.
Hello all. Like the title says, how do I tell which NBs have torsens? Preferably from photos and not from attempting a burn-out. Specifically pre-facelift models. I've seen a few for $2500-3000 and I'm intrigued.
There's a writeup for this on miata.net somewhere, but from what I recall all leather package (tan top, tan interior) had torsens. PEP and sport package cars had Torsens, but are hard to id from exterior photos. Sport had a shock tower brace and 15" wheels, but those could easily have been swapped by this point. PEP cars also had Torsens but again are really hard to ID from photos. The special edition cars (10th anniversary, etc) had them too. Anything with an automatic is an open diff though.
In reply to codrus :
Call the Mazda help line, give the VIN #, and ask them. Very nice woman will check build sheet and tell you what the car left the factory with.
outasite said:In reply to codrus :
Call the Mazda help line, give the VIN #, and ask them. Very nice woman will check build sheet and tell you what the car left the factory with.
Yup, I did this a few years ago when I visited the Miata graveyard and pulled two torsens out of NBs for $125 each.
For 99 models, if it has the PEP it is a Torsen car. I just looked for the wind blocker, cruise and power antenna when I was NB shopping.
Like previously mentioned, all the leather cars have the torsen.
Not sure if the same rules apply for 2000.
Find It, Fix It, Trick It has all the spotting info. Or you can analyze the brochures year by year.
On a test drive, you don’t need to do a burnout. Just put the wheels on different traction surfaces like a gravel or grass shoulder and apply a bit more power than that traction level can support. Works on every kind of LSD because it tests exactly what an LSD is.
Online VIN decoder won't tell you?
JM1NB3536X0124966
Is my copart miata, I thought it had one but now I am thinking maybe not?
It’s not coded into the vin. Mazda references the build sheets when you call.
At this point those cars are so old that I wouldn't put too much stock in how it was originally equipped. Who know's what's been added, removed or broken after all these years. Particularly with a Miata, which may be the most modified car model on the planet. You really need to check and Keith's road test technique is that easiest way to do that.
Ok, silly question. What is PEP?
I have a 99 Base edition with manual hand crank windows, no cruise control, no power antennae. Came w/black vinyl top and black cloth seats that has I replaced w/Robbins cloth top and Corbeau seats. I know mine is open diff. Just curious what is PEP, seen the term a lot lately. I'm an old geezer that just doesn't know these factory code terminology that is thrown around a lot here. I've figured out some and learned some others.
In reply to wlkelley3 :
I'm like 90% sure that PEP stands for Popular Equipment Package.
Keith Tanner said:It’s not coded into the vin. Mazda references the build sheets when you call.
Where do i find your test technique in the find it fix it trick it book? I dont see Torsen or limited slip in the index
Well, it's in this thread just up a few posts 
If it's in FIFITI, it'll be in the section about buying one. You can get a pretty good idea if it came from the factory with one by looking at the year over year changes at the back.
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