I just aquired a 2000 model and the guy I got it from said he put a spoon diff in it, now 3 months later the car is vibratind and clinking, so basically undrivable...took the pumpkin out and took the diff out...it seems like he does have a clutch type diff in it...now does the vibration and undrivability of the car as well as these clunking noises be caused by diff and the warn clutch plates...they look nomal although i did not take the actual unit apart as it has springs in the center...dont think i have the equipment to compress the thing back up...Also anyone have a pic of the Spoon S2000 diff unit itself...I will post some pics later...but the unit has no markings and the shape of the diff case looks almost identical to that of Cusco!!!

Also can anyone confirm that kia sportage and miata 96-98 have the same exact differential that i can just swap out and just mount the stock round gear to!!!

Also the AP1 and AP2 model rear diff...what was the change that they did, was the case improved and the diff was the same...did they improve the diff itself and can i use the AP2 diff as a replacement in the AP1 diff case pumpkin???

Thanks alot in advance guys as i am new to this model and there is not much covered about some of my questions!!!

 

This is a great set of questions for "Under the Hood" forum.

I would not be surprised that the Spoon LSD is the same as the Cusco. The few Spoon parts I've purchased, I've noticed are exactly the same product sold by low cost vendors but packaged in a Spoon box.

The vibration may not be the diff. Was the car lowered after it had 20-30k miles or more? If so, the problem is more than likely your inner CV buckets. Do a search on CV vibration in UTH and you will find explanation of why the vibration exists. The fix is to swap the right & left CV buckets or replace with new if you have money to waste.

Clunking...not sure. Common issue with the car is a clicking, especially when moving from a stop. Tighten the rear axle hub nuts to 220 ft-lb...the manuals and documentation incorrectly have 180 ft-lb as the torque spec.

I don't believe that the diff is the same for the KIA and Miata. The ring & pinion are interchangeable however and that is where some folks get their 4.44 or 4.77 gears.

The only differeneces between the ap1 & ap2 diff are the flange bolts on the drive shaft end and the end cap design is slightly different (perhaps a bit stronger). Otherwise, the diffs are identical.

 

Thanks for the reply...I will check out the "inner CV buckets", but to reiterate the drivetrain issue...the rear of the car feels like one side is constactly going over a 1inch high stone, over and over and over again...also the power does not go into the rear wheels when trying to move up a hill...its not the clutch...as i dont smell it..., just when under load there is simpl no power...i could not get the car up the drive way slowly as i start and get stuck in the middle...flooring of slightly tapping the throttle...so i had to back up, gain speed and just use the momentum of the speed to make it up the driveway...heh