We have prepared and maintain a number of hillclimb cars and track cars.

The 4.7 Ratio Differential (4.655) reduces the gearing, enabling high revs to be maintained at a lower speed. That might not sound benefitial, we'll explain later.

The lower ratio differential is used by many hillclimb competitors and a people doing trials. The current hill record holder for the upto 2000cc Road Going Production MX5 Rules cars is held by a DoctorMX5 customer.

The standard ratios for Mazda MX5 differentials are: 3.6:1, 3.9:1, 4.1:1 and 4.3:1.

This is a 4.1:1 ratio crown wheel and pinion. The crown wheel has 41 teeth and the pinion 10.

The converstion involves removing the crown wheel and pinion from the Mazda casing. A 4.655 ratio replacement crown wheel and pinion is prepared using the bearings from the original Mazda differential, these are pressed in. The replacement crown wheel and pinion are put back into the casing and are set up for back-lash which is a difficult and time consuming process.

We can do the converstion to open and limited slip differentials with flang or pop-in drive shafts.

This converstion is not available for standard Mazda differentials for Mk1 1.6 cars built between 1989 and 1993 with changing the differential.

Once the work is complete, the differential looks like any other standard one.

The five speed Mazda MX5 gearbox has a significant "gap" between 2nd and 3rd, the car falls off the power band. This might not be significant on the road but in competition it could be the difference between first and somewhere else! 

The final drive ratio change, moves where is gap is, making the gearbox have lower ratios. Technically, wind resistance increases exponentially with speed. So reducing the speed at which gears change, reduces the amount of power needed to push the car forward.

It is becoming increasing difficult to find 4.655 crown wheel and pinions. The Kia Sportage Mk1 front differentials have become exceptionally rare. Kia will provide you with a new one. However, last time we asked, they said they would have to come in from overseas and had NO delivery date. But we needed to pay up front!

Mazda do still have a 4.44 ratio crown wheel and pinion available, at the time of writing (December 2020). The 4.3 ratio is no longer available.

The 4.44 ratio was also fitted to a fourth or fifth generation Mazda B series pickup 4x4. This platform was shared with the Ford Ranger 4x4. Exactly which model seems to be very difficult to find out. We have undertaken significant research but not reached any sensible conclusions.

Contact us - we may have one in stock or know of a customer is selling one

Try and find the right Kia Sportage front diff.

Contact Mazda to find whether they are selling the 4.44 ratio crown wheel and pinion .

Look out on Ebay and other selling sites for a differential. Make sure you buy from a good seller as there are a few people claiming to have 4.7, 4.4 and 4.3 ratio diffs and they are just 4.1s!

Call us today: 01489 896907

KEEPING YOUR 5 ALIVE