NAC: Miata Torsen

[RyanWeath at aol.com]

I am certainly no expert, but I believe that Quaife, Torsen, Halex, Detriot 
Locker, etc, are all various trademarks of different systems of "limited 
slip" (aka posi-traction, perhaps also a trademark) differentials of one type 
or another.  They accomplish the same task (splitting power between the 
wheels that grip using some sort of a clutch/lock/etc), in different, 
patented ways.  

A Torsen diff is an option on the miata because stock it comes with a NON 
limited slip rear diff (Aka around turns you will be able to light up the 
innner tire as the outer tire grips) which is a lame, very poor handling way 
for a sports car to be.

There is some website floating around that outlines the various changes in 
audi diffs throughout the years (manually lockable, electronicaly lockable, 
torsen, etc).  Currently most (all?) new audis use the halex system, not 
torsen diffs.  In fact, I think that Torsen equipped Audis don't have 3 
torsen diffs, only one or two of them is a torsen model. . me thinks. . 

I'm sure there are many out there that know far more about this subject than 
I .. feel free to correct me and/or fill in the blanks.

-Ryan
'91 CQ
Chicago, IL