Non-Aligned Drift Cars

Alright, everyone makes a big deal out of 240SX/S-CHassis and AE86. What do you think could make a good car for our favriote motorsport, but gets no recognition

For Me

Mazda RX7
Infiniti M30
Infiniti J30
Toyota Cressida
Toyota Supra(MA70)
Nissan/Datsun Z Cars
Merkur Scorpio
Chevy Chevvete
Camaro
Firebird
Porsche 944
BMW E36 3-series
BMW E39 5-series(with electronic aides off)
Buick Grand National
Lexus IS300
Lexus SC400/SC300
Old Caddy Deville
Chevy Impala SS
Chevy Caprice Police Package
Ford Crown Vic Police Package
Mazda Miata
Toyota Starlet
Toyota Celica And Corrolla(All Pre-1986 Celicas were RWD, All pre 1984 Corrollas were RWD)
Datsun 510
Mazda RX-2, RX-3 etc.

you said all the ones i was....:mad:

how about a truck:bigthumb:

I love the RX-2, but they're so hard to find these days.
http://www.monito.com/ForSale/wintercup2-cw254.jpg
Very nice looking cars.
Toyota starlet for sure(needs more power), but the RWD corollas are not too suited I think, they tend to understeer, even when pushed (like I've said, the FWD Corolla-Tercel understeers less than the RWD corollas of the same years, 1980-1982) Though with a stronger engine, who knows what one could do?
The Toyota Cressida, a big heavy luxury sedan - but with surprisingly sporty performance - definately a good candidate.
And the little Chevy Chevette, with alot more power could probably slide with the best of them (otherwise it's mostly just good for donuts in a parking lot)

Some of Japan's earlier rear engined Kei Jidosha could possiby do it, but because of how small they are they'd have a hard time going all the way through the corners the larger cars can (but around even tighter corners would probably be good)
I nominate the Suzuki Fronte SSS, and the Subaru 360 SS.

I can't belive you left out the Japanese/American Dodge Colt (of the 70's)

Buick GN's are too heavy to drift unless your driving in the snow, haha and I should know I own 2 other Gm cars built on the same platform. The car is made more to straight line power not to get sideways in the corners.

Originally posted by Amish_kid
Buick GN's are too heavy to drift unless your driving in the snow, haha and I should know I own 2 other Gm cars built on the same platform. The car is made more to straight line power not to get sideways in the corners.


Ya but with twin turbo V6 power :D

Trucks are too tall and have a shitty center of gravity, so you would roll before you drifted.

I like the K-Cars, but theyre so rare I wouldnt wanna wreck one :(

Originally posted by Dorikin



Ya but with twin turbo V6 power :D

Trucks are too tall and have a shitty center of gravity, so you would roll before you drifted.

I like the K-Cars, but theyre so rare I wouldnt wanna wreck one :(

K-cars rare???
geez man you live under a rock I could probably go out and buy one with less than what is in my pocket right now at about 10 different places and that is without ever looking.
(btw the Gn was only single turbo :redface: )

Originally posted by Amish_kid


K-cars rare???
geez man you live under a rock I could probably go out and buy one with less than what is in my pocket right now at about 10 different places and that is without ever looking.
(btw the Gn was only single turbo :redface: )

OLD K-cars he means.

derek - i think the RX-7 and IS300 receive enough attention in Japan to not be on that list. and i've heard bad things about MA70's drifting. apparently they're too heavy. an MA61 would be sweet though.

what about the Mitsu Starion and Chrysler Conquest TSi? or the old Datsun pick-up trucks that were based on their small cars (like Josh from Oki has)? or Datsun 510's and all their other small RWD cars. GT-S Skylines are somewhat over-looked when compared to most of the more popular Japanese cars...S12 Silvia's are definitley over-looked, as are Z31 300ZX's.

I've heard bad things bout the MA70 too, but my garage got this video of several top performance cars in differnet forms racing, straightline motorcross, and of course drifting, (it's hilarious to watch an impreza call it's ass draging a form of drifting, it's a friggin tank). Anyways, toyota chalked up the MA70, and it wasn't that bad at all, it compinsates for being so heavy with pure power, the driver must have been shiftlocking to drift, or maybe faint drift, cause it was hella slow, but the way he came outta those corners was kick ass, it has heavily tuned tho, twin turbo and a V8 kicking near 500hp or sumtin like that, i didn't really catch the specs i was rotating some tires on a grand prix.

But i suppose to remain street legal and not to have a cost that will ruin your credit rating (not to mention your unborn children's) completley ruined. the MA61 would be a better choice, also you didn't mention the RX-8, it's pretty nice. Or at least from what i've seen of it. Hmm but truly the Z series from nissan is what it's all about man.


hmm, think think think :thinkerg:, oh did you mention the NSX? Gotta throw that in, but we are coming back to breaking the bank.

It may be a bit large, but I like to see the new Infiniti M45 as a potential drift machine.

I think it's the Nissan Gloria or Cima in Japan???? But it does have decent suspension under it and the big 4.5L V8 from the Q.

Also, what about Cadillac CTS's and the Lincoln LS? Again, I know they're big but they've got torquey engines, RWD, and up to date suspensions.

I figure they'd be in the same league as the Toyota Chaser sedans that are used sometimes in Japan.

And boy howdy do I agree with the Starion as a choice. Mitsubishi designed those things to have crazy oversteer (thought that was what sports car enthusiasts in the rest of the world wanted). Plus they're pretty cheap these days because they're still an "underground" car.

Originally posted by Octagon
It may be a bit large, but I like to see the new Infiniti M45 as a potential drift machine.

I think it's the Nissan Gloria or Cima in Japan???? But it does have decent suspension under it and the big 4.5L V8 from the Q.

Also, what about Cadillac CTS's and the Lincoln LS? Again, I know they're big but they've got torquey engines, RWD, and up to date suspensions.

I figure they'd be in the same league as the Toyota Chaser sedans that are used sometimes in Japan.

And boy howdy do I agree with the Starion as a choice. Mitsubishi designed those things to have crazy oversteer (thought that was what sports car enthusiasts in the rest of the world wanted). Plus they're pretty cheap these days because they're still an "underground" car.

exactly. they're fairly rare. actually, if you go into the classifieds section of Club4AG.com, some guy from Seattle is selling a mint red Starion (dunno if it's turbo or not) for $1300 US. $1300! for that drop-dead sexy, rare machine. i'd go for it were it not on the other side of the continent.

i saw a Conquest TSi the other day around here with Florida plates on it. the things are gorgeous in person. they're extremely rare in Canada as they nor the Starion were ever sold up here.

and you're right, Octy, the M45 is the same body as the current-gen Y34 Nissan Gloria and Nissan Cedric in Japan. the Cima is the Q45.

Corvairs! :tongue:

More wagons, too... :bigthumb:

All the RWD Turbo Skylines are used frequently in Japan, Iv seen several vids and DVDs at shows with lots of usualy R32 GTS-ts drifting, but the old R30 is a great drift car, find some old footage or photos of Australian Touring Car racing from the late 80s, a Kiwi by the name of Jim Richards became famous for being one of the few ppl alive who could keep a fully wound up R31 going in a straight line.

RWD Ford Siera Cosworth, Iv already heard of these being used in the UK.

S2000 (its a Given really)

Old Honda S600, not much with the stock engine, but with a Bike engine it would be a blast

Series V RX7, they step the tail out with very little effort, but still allow you to control it.

Lotus/Caterham 7 and any of the other look a like Kit Cars, just watch a Clubman class race and your garunteed to see at least one doing some drifting.

Triumph TR7 V8. This car was made for Drifting, and thats exactly how it likes to be driven, infact they have been proven to be the only car in existance that goes faster around a corner sideways than straight.

Maserati BiTurbo. Trust me :wink:

Datsun 120Y and 180B, light weight with easy to work on engines, or chuck them away and fit an SR20det.

RWD Mazda 323, yes the early one's were RWD, and make good homes for early 12a/13a Rotorys, Iv seen more than few going sideways under boost.

The wheel base on the RWD Starlets is a little to short, and they tend to be hard to control, while the RWD Celicas are reknowned for being terriable understeerers, I wouldn't think the amount of work required to sort it out would really be worth it.

And who used Cressida and Performance in the same sentance :spit: :spit:

Originally posted by Octagon
It may be a bit large, but I like to see the new Infiniti M45 as a potential drift machine.

I think it's the Nissan Gloria or Cima in Japan???? But it does have decent suspension under it and the big 4.5L V8 from the Q.

Also, what about Cadillac CTS's and the Lincoln LS? Again, I know they're big but they've got torquey engines, RWD, and up to date suspensions.

I figure they'd be in the same league as the Toyota Chaser sedans that are used sometimes in Japan.

And boy howdy do I agree with the Starion as a choice. Mitsubishi designed those things to have crazy oversteer (thought that was what sports car enthusiasts in the rest of the world wanted). Plus they're pretty cheap these days because they're still an "underground" car.

I thought that the Caddy' was FWD if im not mistaken.

Originally posted by Moppie
All the RWD Turbo Skylines are used frequently in Japan, Iv seen several vids and DVDs at shows with lots of usualy R32 GTS-ts drifting, but the old R30 is a great drift car, find some old footage or photos of Australian Touring Car racing from the late 80s, a Kiwi by the name of Jim Richards became famous for being one of the few ppl alive who could keep a fully wound up R31 going in a straight line.

RWD Ford Siera Cosworth, Iv already heard of these being used in the UK.

S2000 (its a Given really)

Old Honda S600, not much with the stock engine, but with a Bike engine it would be a blast

Series V RX7, they step the tail out with very little effort, but still allow you to control it.

Lotus/Caterham 7 and any of the other look a like Kit Cars, just watch a Clubman class race and your garunteed to see at least one doing some drifting.

Triumph TR7 V8. This car was made for Drifting, and thats exactly how it likes to be driven, infact they have been proven to be the only car in existance that goes faster around a corner sideways than straight.

Maserati BiTurbo. Trust me :wink:

Datsun 120Y and 180B, light weight with easy to work on engines, or chuck them away and fit an SR20det.

RWD Mazda 323, yes the early one's were RWD, and make good homes for early 12a/13a Rotorys, Iv seen more than few going sideways under boost.

The wheel base on the RWD Starlets is a little to short, and they tend to be hard to control, while the RWD Celicas are reknowned for being terriable understeerers, I wouldn't think the amount of work required to sort it out would really be worth it.

And who used Cressida and Performance in the same sentance :spit: :spit:

it's VERY easy to take the 7MGTE turbo inline-6 from the earlier Supra's and shove it in a Cressida along with the 5-speed. some sport suspension, new wheels, and voila. go-fast family sedan that would be perfect for drifting. and they're fairly cheap over here.

Nope, Amish-kid I can tell you with absolute certainty that the CTS and its predecessor the Catera are both FR.

They're based on the Opel Omega platform, which is an FR platform.

In fact, there's going to be a 400hp version of the CTS. Check it out! (http://www.imakenews.com/autospies/e_article000144018.cfm)

Originally posted by Amish_kid


K-cars rare???
geez man you live under a rock I could probably go out and buy one with less than what is in my pocket right now at about 10 different places and that is without ever looking.
(btw the Gn was only single turbo :redface: )

K-cars as in Kei Jidosha (rough translate: small car) Such as Subaru 360, Mitsubishi minica etc. Not the "K cars" as in the Plymouth Reliant and such.

Originally posted by 2strokebloke


K-cars as in Kei Jidosha (rough translate: small car) Such as Subaru 360, Mitsubishi minica etc. Not the "K cars" as in the Plymouth Reliant and such.

there are newer "K-Cars" as well, such as all the mini-cubes (Wagon R) etc. in Japan these days.

Originally posted by S13_Iketani


it's VERY easy to take the 7MGTE turbo inline-6 from the earlier Supra's and shove it in a Cressida along with the 5-speed. some sport suspension, new wheels, and voila. go-fast family sedan that would be perfect for drifting. and they're fairly cheap over here.

Took the words right out of my mouth, plus I am actually thinking on getting one of these and a Jdm 7mgte which are dirt cheap(under $1000 with uncut harness and ECU) either that or continue my hunt for a rwd Corolla or Datsun 510 :worshippy

Dorikin is posting a bunch of BS what on earth are those cars on there for? they wouldnät help much

Z cars are too heavy although people do use them

Only the Z31-Z32 generations were heavy, NSX. The S30 chassis Z's (240Z, 260Z, 280Z) were featherweights that could make great power from the L series straight six.

Besides, weight can be a benefit if used properly. I'd think, with the proper amount of tire beneath the thing to catch it when the time comes, a slightly heavier car could be beneficial for a learning drifter since it'd be easier to shift the weight around under braking.

Originally posted by NSX-R-SSJ20K
Z cars are too heavy although people do use them


You do know what a contridiction is don't you?

:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

NSX, what are you talking about, Im just bringing to light that you dont need a S-chassis or AE86 to drift.

New one

Lexus SC300

("Maserati BiTurbo. Trust me")
:grinyes: :naughty: :evillol: :iceslolan
You took the words from my mouth :eek: I had an 86 Maserati BiTurbo And let me say that was a drifting dream car bone ass stock :iceslolan
Thats one car I would buy in a hartbeat if it wasnt for parts cost :banghead: if you can even find them. :eek7:
This is from someone that owns a 240Z for the same reason
:thumbsup: Other then the parts deal :bananasmi

NSX, what are you talking about, Im just bringing to light that you dont need a S-chassis or AE86 to drift.

New one

Lexus SC300

Magazines like Super Street have been doing articles on drifting in SC300s/Soarers for a while..

1560 KG 3439 lbs Skyline GTR V-Spec II

1595 KG 3517 lbs 300ZX TT

1240 KG 2733 lbs Silvia S15 SpecR

1230 KG 2711 lbs Mazda RX7

970 KG 2138 lbs AE86

The difference between the ideal choice cars, IE the most popular drift cars and the ones mentioned that are not IE 300ZX and the american stuff is the weight, The US cars and the 300ZX will in no way come close to how nimble and how much more impressive the drifts pulled off by the other cars are. Yes i have seen the video with the BNR34 and S15 drifting and the S15 drifts looked better.

I'm sorry but just because its rear wheel drive it doesn't mean its going to pull off some neat drift.

Did i mention the other cars are longer too. Big old american cars also have crap suspension unless you want to spend a fortune making it handle correctly its not worth it

the Opel Omega is FR i just checked a Topgear magazine.

you guys have left out Volvos not the newer ones, but the old FR Volvos are great for drifting after a little tune up

Magazines like Super Street have been doing articles on drifting in SC300s/Soarers for a while..

Mags liek Super Street are crap.But thats another issue.

But I didnt mean Uenos Soarer, like, a high dollar car.

I meant Big V8 with auto trans SC, because, lets face it, only 1% of SCs sold were 3.0 I6 5-speeds.

Ive been thinking, why not twin turbo the 3UZ V8...:D

It would probably be more practical to drop in a 2JZ or even an LS1 for that matter.

It would probably be more practical to drop in a 2JZ or even an LS1 for that matter.


that's what i think too. the engine that the 300 comes with stock IS a 2JZ, but not turbo-charged, isn't it? or a 1JZ? i'm not 100% sure.

regardless, about the only Soarer that's had coverage is Ueno's sex-machine. since they're relativley expensive when compared to AE86's and 240SX's, you still don't see too many of them done up for drift. i would still call them a non-popular drift car.

It would probably be more practical to drop in a 2JZ or even an LS1 for that matter.

Oh, no doubt, LS1 may push it, but 2JZ would go right in.

I just have a turbo-8 fetish after checking out the Audi RS6, thats all :grinyes: :naughty:

Oh, no doubt, LS1 may push it, but 2JZ would go right in.

I just have a turbo-8 fetish after checking out the Audi RS6, thats all :grinyes: :naughty:


i thought u were leavin AF :sly:

Well, the 240SX forum got all riled up, and now we are extra vigalent about people like you j/k

Plymouth Arrow

Well, the 240SX forum got all riled up, and now we are extra vigalent about people like you j/k


i haven't been in the 240 forum in like forever....u guys kinda lost it for a while

240 Guys> :nutkick: <Newbies

What about MK1 Mr-2's? My cousin used to have one late last year and he drifted a few times in it. It wasnt the most beautiful site in the world, but it was drifting none the less. He said it was hard to keep the car alligned when he counter steered to straighten it back up, like it was swaying side to side. Let me ponder some more..

...I thought of another one, but just rembered you people asked....Old school VW bugs. Short wheel base, rwd, light. But maybe the engine being in the very rear of the car would fuck up its balance too much...I dont know.

Even the weakest rear engined cars can be provoked into fits of oversteering (for instance even my 25hp 360 will go sideways if pushed to do so) The problem for the inexperienced driver however would be regaining control of the car.
A swing-axel beetle can get very hairy to drive, especially if one has modified the engine to produce gobs more power than originally intended for this vehicle. Later beetles (post '69?) have a different rear suspension that is more controllable, and less liable to want to beat the front end out of a curve.

Some other rear engined cars, are the Simca 1000 and the Renault Dauphine (and R8 and R10) and of course then there's the products from Porsche, but I'm sure many have thought of those allready.

Has anybody mentioned Volvo for this list yet? I think a Volvo P1800 would be a cool car to drift with.

Is that the car from the Saint? If so :grinno:

What about a VW Karmann Ghia?

Is that the car from the Saint? If so :grinno:

What about a VW Karmann Ghia?

Fine, then a Volvo 144-S.

Karmann Ghia - it's rear engined, it just a matter of being able to get it back under control, though a post '69 version would probably do good.

Another interesting vehicle would be the Fiat 850 spider.

A swing-axel beetle can get very hairy to drive, especially if one has modified the engine to produce gobs more power than originally intended for this vehicle. Later beetles (post '69?) have a different rear suspension that is more controllable, and less liable to want to beat the front end out of a curve.

IIRC, the IRS was first found in the '68 Type I models equipped with the AutoStick transmission. '69 saw its inclusion in all Type I beetles. Widely shunned by the offroad community because of its reduced strength, IRS provided consistent handling and much better tire wear.

-mike

I know a lot of people are down on Sport Compact Car magazine (though I kind of like it, it's got a bit of the same "down to earth" vibe that my favorite, Grassroots Motorsports Magazine, has) but has anyone seen the latest article they have put together about their project Silvia (the flat black one)? They actually take the thing out drifting at what I recall was a USD1gp. The neat thing is that they have this great picture of what they referred to as "the most domestic drift machine there". It's a big ol' Ford Crown Victoria wearing 1995 Mustang Cobra R wheels with a Tremec 5speed and Cobra spec 5.0HO swapped in. I saw that and just had to grin. I'd say a Crown Vic is pretty "non-aligned".

i would love to go drifting in a cop-package Crown Vic with a 5-speed, or a Marauder with a 5-speed, or a '90s Impala SS with a 5-speed.

Well, the 240SX forum got all riled up, and now we are extra vigalent about people like you j/k


LMFAO!!!

how about MR2, NSX, Pontiac Fiero :screwy: , S12, rx7 1st gen, don't see many 300zx's doing it either......

Crown Viccies have no power..... I've driven a police car before and beat the fuckin piss outta it, I couldn't get it to break the tires loose even on a hard powerbrake launch or jabbing the throttle in tight turns, and thats only with 225 sized tires
:naughty:

Impala SS does good powerslides but its heavy and can get outta whack real quick, and the longer you spin em the more outta control it gets to the point your gonna snap oversteer or go into a wall real hard lol. It runs 14.3 in the 1/4 now and needs some drastic tuning as fuel cuts off around 4k rpm in 4th gear. My brother has hotchkis springs, eaton lsd, I/H/E, 3:73 gears, shift kit, high stall TC, it goes alright and will start to oversteer easily. he also runs wider and shorter tires then stock, 275/45/17's Kumho Supras and it will just roast em....he did about a 30 second burnout this weekend was hilarious smoke was everywhere, what happens when u get in a drunken haze lol.

were taken it up to Atlanta this weekend for the Nopi Nationals the thing cruises pretty nice and opens up on the highway, has good topend over about 80mph, we went over a set of railroad tracks at 155mph the other day lmao, went over it like it was nothing. every time im in it I get a lil more respect for that chevy in the handling department, it will smoke a camaro in handling. Plus it has some decent brakes and he has some big brake pads on it, dunno exactly what, you can just stand on the brakes at 60mph as hard as you can and the abs won't even kick in, it feels like hitting a brick wall lol, it impressed me for being a 4500lb car.....

it will beat the shit out of a Ford Police Interceptor in every category you can think of. theres a lil run down on the police cruisers for ya lol.

LMFAO!!!

how about MR2, NSX, Pontiac Fiero :screwy: , S12, rx7 1st gen, don't see many 300zx's doing it either......

I've had two of these cars. The Fiero probably wouldn't be a good choice out of the box. They have a bad-reputation, but some of it isn't deserved. The problem is that the four cylinder cars don't really have much power and were responsible for most of the engine fires that hurt the car's reputation. The fours have a poor rep even with many Fiero fans. The sixes aren't light cars, but more to the point, are very heavy over the rear wheels. I had an '86 GT. Try as I might, there was no breaking the rear loose in a straight line. I had a friend who claims an attempted burnout only managed to cause him to be smacked in the head by his radar detector. Weight transfer can work on this car though. It does exhibit some trailing-throttle-oversteer. I think the car, as it comes out the box is just too heavy over the rears to make a good drifter. Bonus problem, the shift feel is poor on most of the cars, only reaching acceptable on the later 5-speed Getrag models. Also note that 1988 models (the final year) have updated suspension that I have little experience with, but is reportedly more balanced.

I've also had a 1st gen RX-7. That car might just make a good drift car. Again, power is low, but the weight distribution is very close to 50/50, thanks to the small rotary, placed far back in the engine bay. The somewhat rearward seating position helps comunicate lateral movement to the driver quite well. The solid rear axle is low-tech, but as these types of suspensions go, Mazda's implementation is well thought out with good geometry. The car was available with two engines and three transmissions (IIRC, there may have been more than one auto). The model was available in the US from 1978, as a 1979 model, through to 1985. There were visual updates in 1981 and 1984. The earliest cars had a choice of either four speed manual or an automatic (three speed? not sure). Later cars got a more direct feeling five speed auto with a tight, solid, mechanical feel, similar to the much lauded Miata tranny. Most of the early cars had a four barrel carb on a 12a rotary. Though output varied from model to model one could rely on a very spirited 100hp, more or less. 1984 saw the inclusion of the GSL-SE model, featuring, among other things, a fuel injected 13b rotary with more torque and power. (135hp?)

On a drifter, I'd suggest a base model with a 13b swap. The GSL-SE was one of the heavier cars, with disc brakes and power everything. These 1st gen cars do handle, but do need to be stiffened. I'd run a strut tower brace, front and rear, or a cage that ties to these points. The exhaust system on these models is quite restrictive, and opening it up can give you some surprising gains, relative to later vehicles. The rotary's lack of a traditional valvetrain means you have a very loud, very hot exhaust, and the stock system sought to correct that. The carbs needn't be thrown away immediately, but highly tuned cars get Dellortos.
The later disc brakes really don't stop much better than the drums, and weigh a bit more. If you're overheating the drums, swap, but the difference isn't really that great.

My first car was a 1983 RX-7 GS. I wasn't into drifting when I owned it, but I did experience both over and understeer in the car. Being a smaller than average drift car, I think it's probably going to be a little on the fast side for a beginner. I'd love to get another one day. If you want a 1st gen for a drifter, get a Racing Beat catalog. They spend almost as much time on practical advice as they do on product.

You got an Impala SS :eek: :naughty: :smokin:

My fav. domestic car. Second to the Crown Vic 5.0

thanks schumacher, that was rather informative



no Dorikin, my brother has an Impala SS, yes its pretty nice, probably one of my favorite Domestic cars as well, either that or a Ford Lightning, that truck has some serious balls, for a truck... I've driven one with some upgraded shit and it has MASSIVE torque lol.

oooooo we forget the Q ship lol.....

Id take out a 90-93 Q45 without active suspension..... 300hp will get those rear tires smoking in a corner I bet.... it is a bit heavy but with tuning it could be as good as any other 4 door I would think...

I need to get a rwd car. I've had a Fiero, RX-7 and a Miata, but now I'm driving a 2003 Protege5 - a practical car, cheap and more fun to drive than an SUV, but too expensive to be sliding around, and front drive anyhow. It might get some auto-x use, but I still recognize that it's still just a station wagon. I'm very tempted to get an early 240sx, just because it's more in line with the status quo. It's nice to have other people doing what you want to do, using what you're using. It's like autocrossing a Miata.

On the other hand, while I've admired the notchback 240sx models, it's never been a car that's lit my fire - I'm not sure why. I'm thinking about getting something else. So, I suppose what I'd really want would be a link or some information, or just some "yep, worked well" or "sucked, bad" on some of the things I'm considering, constrained, of course, by my limited budget.

I'm thinking:
2nd Gen RX-7 (I've seen a few drift)
Late Mustang (prob 94ish, not the IRS Cobra - But v6 or v8?)
Porsche 924
C4 Corvette (early, prob 85 or so)
Early 80's Supra


Oh, and not my budget, but I've not heard them mentioned much:
Mercedes C230 Sport Coupe
BMW Z4
Chevrolet SSR
Panoz Esperante
Caddy CTS-V

thanks schumacher, that was rather informative



no Dorikin, my brother has an Impala SS, yes its pretty nice, probably one of my favorite Domestic cars as well, either that or a Ford Lightning, that truck has some serious balls, for a truck... I've driven one with some upgraded shit and it has MASSIVE torque lol.

Well props to your bro. Get some suspension shit, and if it doesnt have one, Posi-track diff, and you'll be ready to go!

I need to get a rwd car. I've had a Fiero, RX-7 and a Miata, but now I'm driving a 2003 Protege5 - a practical car, cheap and more fun to drive than an SUV, but too expensive to be sliding around, and front drive anyhow. It might get some auto-x use, but I still recognize that it's still just a station wagon. I'm very tempted to get an early 240sx, just because it's more in line with the status quo. It's nice to have other people doing what you want to do, using what you're using. It's like autocrossing a Miata.

On the other hand, while I've admired the notchback 240sx models, it's never been a car that's lit my fire - I'm not sure why. I'm thinking about getting something else. So, I suppose what I'd really want would be a link or some information, or just some "yep, worked well" or "sucked, bad" on some of the things I'm considering, constrained, of course, by my limited budget.

I'm thinking:
2nd Gen RX-7 (I've seen a few drift)
Late Mustang (prob 94ish, not the IRS Cobra - But v6 or v8?)
Porsche 924
C4 Corvette (early, prob 85 or so)
Early 80's Supra


Oh, and not my budget, but I've not heard them mentioned much:
Mercedes C230 Sport Coupe
BMW Z4
Chevrolet SSR
Panoz Esperante
Caddy CTS-V


i've heard FC's are very hard to learn how to drift in. '80s Supras are used, but sporadically. they're about the only good drifting Supra. the next 2 generations were too heavy, so you rarely see them.

i'd still go with a 240SX...although FC's have alot of modability too.

i've heard FC's are very hard to learn how to drift in. '80s Supras are used, but sporadically. they're about the only good drifting Supra. the next 2 generations were too heavy, so you rarely see them.

i'd still go with a 240SX...although FC's have alot of modability too.

The RX-7 doesn't have much torque; at least, not down low. The attraction to the RX-7 is that it's much cheaper than a later S14 chassis 240sx. Besides, having owned one before, I'm comfortable with wankels - the NA cars have the powerband way up high, but it's very linear. Power is cheaper to come by than on the 240SX, but I think the 240 probably has enough.

After watching the Drift Bible, I have reservations about the S13 chassis. But then, there's a question mark. Keiichi Tsuchiya complains about the ride height of the S13 before driving it. He mentions the modifications on the S14 that he drives. He also very briefly mentions that a Kei's Office suspension will correct the S13's understeer propensity. So, that leaves me wondering if the car he drove was poorly balanced because of the suspension modifications.

When it comes to the 240SX, I don't like the idea of having to swap engines. I might give the stock engine the standard rice bolt-ons:

Intake (I favor pulling the air from outside the engine bay. That probably means buying some tubing from Pegasus and running the intake in front of the radiator. Colder, with more pressure at speed.)
Cat-Back
Chip
Metallic Red wire loom - (Reduces interference from the ignition system on the electrical wiring in the car, thus reducing the load on the alternator. 5hp here alone!)

So, lets say I get a S14. That means I'll be working with about 150hp at the flywheel. I'll be opening up the engine a bit, so I might have a little more punch. I doubt bolt-ons will put me much over 165hp at the flywheel. That sounds like a reasonable amount of power to drift with. I mean, we're mostly talking about weight transfer, and I'd rather put the money into a tighter suspension, a good driving seat, a cage and harness, an LSD, fresh brakes, some tires and a few days at a driving school. Any car I buy is probably going to need some freshening anyhow.

one of my brothers neighboors has a NA F3CS sitting in his front yard, don't think it runs.... also on the same street theres a S13 hatch sitting in another yard lmao... pretty odd since its way out in the boonies to see two cars like that on same street with maybe 8 houses on it.

What is it the MkIII, the one right before the last Supra, those are late 80's etc... they are still expensive as SHIT, they don't even have the 2jz engine, but their engine is still kinda strong, just not as strong as the mk4.



early c4 vettes are dogs for a vette, they run the 1/4 in the 15's and have like 215hp 270lbs torque..... basically said a new Honda Civic SI will smoke that lol. Id only get a LT1 C4.

Alright, everyone makes a big deal out of 240SX/S-CHassis and AE86. What do you think could make a good car for our favriote motorsport, but gets no recognition

For Me

Mazda RX7
Mazda RX-2, RX-3 etc
Mazda Miata

Toyota Cressida
Toyota Supra(MA70)
Toyota Starlet
Toyota Celica And Corrolla(All Pre-1986 Celicas were RWD, All pre 1984 Corrollas were RWD)
Lexus IS300
Lexus SC400/SC300

Nissan/Datsun Z Cars
Datsun 510
Infiniti M30
Infiniti J30



Porsche 944
BMW E36 3-series
BMW E39 5-series(with electronic aides off)


Mazdas:
RX7 is hardly an unpopular choice for a drift car. Up to the FC, and early FD (late ones are hell pricey), they are are all comparatively cheap, light , stiff, FR, nimble and can easily be powered up. This is why FC's and FD's are very popular for drifters in japan.
SA22C(e.g s1, s2, s3) RX7's are geting old, but a mechanically sound one with either a turbo motor transplant, or weber carb and porting on the 12a would be pretty good too. I'd lock the diff and add stiff lowered suspension, with good front tyres though.

R100,RX2, 3, 4,5 are all scary handling, floppy bodies, terrible brakes and a weak diff, with a fairly poor suspension. Good drag car, but too problematic to be a decent drifter. And the ancient 10a/12a/13b's in them are going to be a timebomb.

Miata/MX5 is probably just too good handling out of the box you'd have to go backwards to make it work... But if you could make it handle bad enough for drifting, then it would probably be just as good if not better than an ae86. A little more power would help it, as would bad rear tyres. Wouldn't like to be hurtling sideways in a roofless car though myself...

Toyotas:
Cressida = basically a chaser therefore with some 7MGTE or 1jz poke, and some suspension de-softifying you have a fantastic drift machine.
Avoid MX60 cars though, yuk, too old and no parts support.

Supra MA/JZA70? why not, its not uber heavy, cheap, 7MGTE is a good motor if headgasket probs are defeated. But, will require clever suspension mods, probably nothing more than some secondhand import Teins away.... However, a problem these share with zeds is that its just weird drifting something with such a long nose, feels strange. big car, feels big too. Could work though.

Starlet : Stick a 4AGE or 3T in, might work. But perhaps too small and light, too twitchy and unstable with such a short wheelbase to be a good drift car. Remember, once the tails out, you need to hold it there, not be fighting the car. The car needs to be able to ease the tail out, but it needs to be controllable as foremost.
RWD rolla: leaf spring (e.g xE30, xE55, etc) are very understeery, but can be cured. Have little power - but can be cured. Are very flexy and have weak drivetrains- not so easy to fix. Also prove, on a lesser scale than the starlet, to be quite twitchy and unstable on the limit when modded, which isn't admirable in a drifter.
The xE70, xE71 rollas are as good as identical to an ae86/ae85 in their chassis underneath, wheelbase, weight etc. So everything that applies to an AE86 can be applied here. Fit an AE86 LSD, and obviously the 4AGE, and its a sedan hachi roku. Ideal!
IS300- well, its a front heavy altezza, with a lot of torque, basically, so it should work. may be more prone to understeer at turn in. Good idea.
IS200 is gutless, needs at least another 100hp to work. avoid.
The SC's are basically a soarer, so some suspension work would be the main thing. A manual box in the V8 would help loads as well.
should drift just as well as a soarer with similar mods, tis the same car.

Dattos?
I think the zeds s30/s130 actually handle a tad too well for drifting (like the miata, a need to make them handle badly is implicit in making them drift), and the long nose is just weird to drive with. Plus 240z's are getting rarer, seems a shame to wreck one. Dave Scholtz seems to enjoy his but still... Keep them to the grip driving I reckon.
Z31/32's are heavy and planted, I think some serious de-handling needs to be done to make them work. That said, a z31 with stiff suspension would probably do it, maybe even with an RB swap. Z32, they just don't feel right.
510's have a really primitive rear suspension with terrible,huge camber/toe changes thorugh the arc of the trailing arms, and a light tough chassis, with strong drivetrain components and the unkillable L-series 4 cylinder engine. Perfect...add an L20B truck engine and weber carbies, weld up the diff centre, fit quality front shocks, brakes and tyres, and run crap shocks with super hard and chopped-to-make-camber springs on the back, and you'll be crabbing immediately. just leave the 13's on the back, you'll be replacing the one-side-worn tyres very often....


As for the euros...
Porsche- it will die, and ultimately they are a pretty average vehicle. too damn expensive to fix too.

BMW- well, if money is no object...but seriously, why bother when the jap cars offer sooo much better bang for buck.

Volvo 240turbo or 740turbo would be ideal with high boost and some chassis/suspension stiffening, parts are cheap and super-hella-megatuff, nice predictable sliders too, at home sideways (trust me!). Not as heavy as you reckon, either. only euro I'd touch.

HOW'S THAT FOR A LONG POST!!! most of that is from experience, I might add.

Cheers,
floody

there's some interesting bs in this thread.

there's notes about how the GN buick's are too heavy. maybe stock.

however, who would keep a car completely stock if they were going drifting? not me.

so, the GN would work, and could easily produce enough power to do some drifting.

suspension mods on vehicles...

what's a coilover setup cost on your typical pro drifting 240? 2000+ dollars.

give me 2000 dollars in a GN, or any other domestic, really, and i can put in a suspension that gives you the same, if not better, feel, than your 240.

trucks. too high? stock, yes. lowered? not at all.

take an s-10, stuff a vette motor, trans, rear end, and full suspension (it's all been done before, and believe me, those things can handle) and you've got a cheap drift mobile.

use parts from an older vette, which are cheap, and do some fab work, and for less than the price of what it takes to build up your 240, you can have the best handling s-10 with tire spinning v8 power.


alot of posts are assuming these cars would be kept stock, which is obviously not the case.

nothing better than the truck with a light rear end that is easily provoked, and easily controlled. do some simple mods/upgrades, and you've got awesome control. . .

older camaros and firebirds, or mustangs, or anything else that his a motor that'll make big torque would be perfect...

I dunno about that one.

a 240sx with 2k coilovers will probably lay th law down on say a 91 Camaro or Mustang with 2k in mods....


240sx handles better stock, how is adding better suspension going to make it handle worse? Then you always have that commonplace domestic sold rear axel to play with.

haha camaro "fo sure" I've seen an LT1 Camaro drifting, in an old issue of GMHTP, they had thing completly sideways. But, if anyone has ever watched the tekademics mischief 3000 dvd, they have a whole drifting part. A Cobra trys to drift... unsuccessfully.

A 1986 Honda Accord 2-Door Hatch... "S"port... It's pretty sweet. I've got it tuned to the max...a pseudo-stylin air freshner in the front, and a flipped airbox lid for more airflow. Also, 2 new "D-Luxe" Wal-Mart tires up front, and some worn out kumHOE's in the back....perfect for all my stupid e-brake slides in parking lots.

A 1986 Honda Accord 2-Door Hatch... "S"port... It's pretty sweet. I've got it tuned to the max...a pseudo-stylin air freshner in the front, and a flipped airbox lid for more airflow. Also, 2 new "D-Luxe" Wal-Mart tires up front, and some worn out kumHOE's in the back....perfect for all my stupid e-brake slides in parking lots.


Fuck ya thats some m4d tYtE d0r1ft0 sTyL3z y0!

You should send your car into Super Street, its probably better than the other shit in there.

Fuck ya thats some m4d tYtE d0r1ft0 sTyL3z y0!

You should send your car into Super Street, its probably better than the other shit in there.
:naughty: