Wow haven't updated this in a bit. Since I wrote last I sorted out the computer issues that were keeping the car from trying to start. Bought a new battery and was ready for another test run. Oddly there was an issue with the fuel pump piping. There are 2 fuel lines coming out of the pump, one is for a siphoning pump or something. Previously I had just left it to recirculate back into the tank but it appears it needs some back pressure or nearly all the pressure goes out that line. Odd it hadn't done it before. For now I plugged it. With that solved the engine ran good and let it run for 5 min before deciding to shut it off.
Next on the to-do list is sort out a differential. Wanted to go with a BMW E36 LSD with a 2.93 ratio. I've purchased a 2.67 set of gears that I could swap in as I don't think I'll need much help getting off the line with about 3x the power and low RPM on the freeway would be great. Pretty set on the LSD as with the extra power really need the help getting it to the ground.
Previously I had stopped by a junk yard, a couple hours away, to get one that was listed as LSD but when I went to pick it up it wasn't LSD so no go (visually looked inside after by spinning it didn't feel like it had LSD). Tried another yard on vacation that listed one but they said I should give them a week to pull it. Perhaps next time I'm by this way. Since we haven't been by we call them and see if they will ship it. After several calls to them and getting they are checking on it with no return calls we give up (they never have called back). So we order one from a junk yard far away that has it listed as LSD and the right ratio etc. Told them if it isn't LSD don't ship it. They say they checked it and it's LSD and ship it to me. When I get it the diff has a totally different case and mounting as it's from the wrong year of car and the year range of car it's from NEVER came with LSD at all. I have a diff just like only feet away from where I open the box. I'm beginning to think that the yards don't know how to tell an Open diff from LSD. The yard isn't willing to admit their mistake and I end up having to cover shipping back to them at the tune of $83. Being charged for their incompetence doesn't sit well.
Think it's time to abandon looking for the unicorn differential. Buying and aftermarket LSD spool to add LSD is crazy expensive. Do I use the open diff I have or hold out for some other LSD. Looking for alternatives there are few modern vehicles with LSD. And few cars seem to have the ratio's i'm looking for open or not LSD. And to top it off the only versions that do have LSD seem to be from performance V8 cars so the diff is BIG. Would be over-sized for what I need and smashing a huge diff in this little car seems unnecessary but might be the way to go.
