I am nearing the end of my current project which shall remain as my daily driver and I am looking to "build" a drift car, starting in the new year. I have considered many options and have arrived at the following requirements:

+turbo very much preferred
+Initial cost of around $5K-$6K
+under $10k total cost inculding suspension, decent (not great) brakes and LSD
+Parts and panels plentiful
+would like something a little different from most (ie not s13 )
+would like to avoid allready heavily modified cars
+registerable

Cars I like but am steering away from:
+Starion - too hard to get panels, hard to get LSD
+Z31 300zx - hard to get panels/parts

Considered Cars:
+Cheap CA18DET silvia (bit too common)
+Turbo Gemini (not much info)
+Early commodore with Rb20Det conversion (not a huge fan of commodores)
+R31 with Rb20Det conversion (=D)
+Turbo Corolla/Sprinter (too expensive)

I am really leaning towards the R31, however am still looking for advice/suggestions. I don't want huge power to begin with as I will be coming from a FWD car and don't have any RWD drifting experience. Can do a fair amount of stuff myself and the body can be in good or crap condition (I always dreamed about just driving into cars that cut me off ) either is acceptable.

What about a 200??? or lexus IS200 (I know a bit expensive but they look sick done up as drift cars) Pm me your E-mail and I'll send you a video of one in Japan

Lee

^^^errr you did see that I wanted to spend under $10k all up?

Sounds like the 31 is your best option to me

You can even turbocharge the n/a Rb30 using VLT injectors, exhaust manifold, and computer and standard VLT turbo ect... (VLT computer plugs into standard R31 loom, but requires mod for fuel pump to work) to keep costs down

R31 Skyline Club has all the info you need, with a recently updated tech section that has a writeup on turbocharging the n/a RB30

what about a sigma (2.6 with a turbo) would be different and you can get pannels and bits for these cars soooo cheap (i mean i just bought a whole sigma GL for 150 running with 1month rego left on it so parts are easy to get)

im with you tho as much as i love seeing 180, S13s i would love to see something different and a sigma would be different

not sure how they would go in a drift event but i no they go sideways easy lol

Oh and before people whine about the amount of money I'm spending keep in mind I don't care so your whining will be entirely fruitless

volvo 240 with a rb25det

+Cheap CA18DET silvia (bit too common)
+Turbo Gemini (not much info)
+Early commodore with Rb20Det conversion (not a huge fan of commodores)
+R31 with Rb20Det conversion (=D)
+Turbo Corolla/Sprinter (too expensive)


first option perfect, the rest, absolute shithouse.

Oh I almost forget I really started this thread for some constructive and/or informative additions (A big ask I know), as in this car is good and WHY or this car is bad and WHY or i hate you and hope you die and WHY.
Seriously, its simpler than it sounds...

R31, cause of it's torquey rb30e and whack on a turbo and you got a nice car that's different, Just my idea cause you don't wanna spend heaps,

Roy..

topic cleaned up.
keep it on track and no flaming.

<---------- she is for sale
id go with the R31 but a turbo rolla is very different
Michael

mate i'd definately go for the R31,
1) cheap
2) cheap plentiful parts (from many different vehicles)
3) you can leave her N/A until you can afford turbo, etc, so you can spend up big on a nice diff, and suspension and brakes, weight removal, roll cage, etc, etc, etc, <-- i would definately be goin for all of those things first, then when money permits, a turbo setup

S13's are awesome dori dori cars. There are very few other cars around where if you drive it into a wall (which you will) you improve the how good the car looks, basically it's pretty hard to make anything look as ugly as an S13.

Ohh and I reccommend 2x4 inch pine for springs, easy to lower car to look fuli sik (just use a circular saw or if your real cheap a handsaw will do) and about as much give as most dori dori think good suspension setups should have.

cefiro... buy a bunky.... win all the drift comps....plus you already have the rb20det in it....

for what your after , bang for buck... cefiro..
under 10K
has the power

only think is parts arent to common at the moment.. but there starting to get populare so it wont be long for parts to be plentifull

personly (bias opinion) i would go gemini turboed
easyly done under $10K and woul dhave to be the cheapest car in the country to repair when things brake

BUT
the cefro, is "buy and drive".. where as a gemin r other car u wil have to build up

GTSX R31 is a perfect starting ground if you dont want to get a Sivia or 180.

The Cefiro is also another good idea, stay away from the Commy idea.

Datsun 1600 with CA18DET , light car, can run basically a stock engine and still have it really reliable, they handle nice and look sweet

i've got an sr20 in mine with 163rwkw's, has more than enough power/weight for drift potential and the only mods done to the engine is a manual boost controller.. running 12psi with a fmic and 3" exhaust, so the engine is still going to be reliable

for your lsd options you can either go the r180lsd/r200lsd, both of these are fairly expensive, pretty unheard of to get one under $1000 or so, otherwise you can just lock the original diff, they are independent rear, so you don't have to worry bout snapping axels..

you could probably buy one complete for under $10,000 that's already been done which if you can buy one that's already been done probably save yourself a bit of money, not to mention all the time involved.

I'm guessing its got to be street registered? Otherwise can just get a drift car from japland cheap un-roadregistered.

Sprinter is popular = $$$$ but there are some around for under $2k and just saw a $3500 4agze modded one.

what about a 1990's model hilux 2wd with a 1jz. Use the 4wd brakes, heaps of parts, cheap, can get lsd's and lockers from the 4wd diffs.

Corolla and the Sprinter are two good options. Except everybody seems to be obsessed with sprinters lately which hasn't helped the price of parts so you could go an AE71 corolla, same engine mounts and same underbody apparently. They both have a good weight balance but I believe the corolla is lighter.

Turbo 4AGE isn't that hard to do, bolting a turbo onto the standard 4age engine is the cheapest option for turbo power. Although front panels for an AE71 are a bitch to get since they never made any aftermarket ones. So it might not be the best idea for a drifter.

Sprinters are a good car also but the parts are highly sought after.

Can't you get Fibreglass guards for sprinters. And then there is the bodykits. So if no luck getting panels at least there is fibreglass.

the hilux is a good idea (ute no weight over the rear end ) but if i was you i would go the trtion ute with the 2.6 in it and then throw the sigma 2L turbo on it and you would have a sweet drift car!

the best thing to do would be to choose a car that has a good chassis for drifting/circuit racing (ie sports car)

ie - Silvia (s13, 180 and variations)
- Skyline (R31 maybe)
- Rx7 (s1 - s5)
- supra (early models)
- or others that are similar that i have missed.

CHASSIS
i say choose a sports car because the chassis, balance, weight are more or less designed with handling in mind. if you start with a car which is not ment for it (ie. escort, gemini, 323, commodore), then it'll be a hassle to get it to the stage of a sports car.

POWER
power is not the key for drifting! you dont need big horses, turbos, superchargers or any other radical device to get into it. thats why its such a great sport. all you need is reliable power that suits your suspension setup. power can be good in the future, but only once; your skills are up, your competing in d1, or like to do big power burnouts.

SUSPENSION
suspension, knowledge and skill is the key.
the only way you can set your car up right is by experience. only you know your own abilities, driving/drifting style and skill. these will help you adjust your suspension. knowledge of what your car can do and how to do it is also about experience. experience in road conditions, tyres, suspension components, gravity, circuit lines, everything drifting is about. once you get more practice your skills, knowledge and car all get better together.

i'm only suggeting all of these points because thats what i have achieved from my car.

s1 Rx7. (102.9 rwhp)
super low kings
kyb shocks
adj. rear sway bar
front strut brace
60mm wider track in rear
race seats
mild exhaust
locked stock diff
stripped rear interior
reliable clutch and engine
its all i need

its a sports car with great balance, a suspension setup thats improving as i learn more, and enough power to hold a drift on QR. more power would be nice but the engine is still stock at the moment. about 150-160rwhp would get me drifting in 3rd around the other corners no worries.

i hope this helps you out. dont worry about what other people think of how your car looks. base your decision on how you'll drive it, how it'll handle and if YOU like it.

cheers
RxDrift

The ute idea - I would think that especially with my lack of experience I would be constantly spinning out.
Cefiro - At the moment this is out of my budget but if possible would have definitely been my choice. Maybe for the future.

Some good responses, I guest the biggest thing that people aren't realising is the intial cost of around $5-6K, as in the car needs to be at least driveable for around this much. I say this as I am aiming to pay for standalone management with tuning & 3" exhaust for the turbo N14 which will take the place as my daily driver and I will be buying the drifter and building it up with spare money but it will definitely be 2nd priority.

After considering everything I am going to try and pick up a well priced r31 and buy an install an LSD. From there I will keep my eye out for an R32 front cut (Rb20det) and go from there.

But the lux with the 1j, how easy would that conversion be, i'm kinda looking at doing that in a few years depending on if i get a lux or not, take the car off the road for a bit and take a supra front cut and put that all in cause the supra gearbox is pretty heavy then later on look at putting on a single gt35 roller beaing,

Roy..

S12????

yeah a gazelle would be good but if it was me i would be looking at a RX7. what about a corrola ke25 coupe witha a 4age? RX3 coupe? what about a suzuki mightyboy with a (shortened) s13 runninggear ca18det? that would be diffrent. might need a widebody tho but would pull lots of looks. what about italy for ideas? fiat 131 coupe/124 CC coupe? alfetta? or a Mk1 Mr2 with a 4agze? or a scorpian with a starion running gear? as you can tell im just pulling ideas out my ass

can't belive it took 3 pages for anyone to even suggest an rx7...

Can't go wrong with an early 7 mate, just get brakes and lsd from a later model or whatever some porting and she's away.
Can pick up ones with 13b's in em damn cheap just gotta search around.

The series 4-5 is another option but its going to be higher scale and cost you more parts and panels wise.

If my 7 was still running I'd sell it for next to nothing, but it's had a bingle and won't be going anywhere till the guy pays for it.

i reckon an old school corolla would be sick
whack in a 4age or 4agze an lsd, stiff suspension, strip it out full cage etc and u have a drift car

I've noticed most ceffy's are automatic....does this suck for drifting purposes or is it still pretty good?

I'm after a little turbo drift-thingy myself, but i still looooove my autos (and if i had a manual i would most probably destroy the gearbox in a day doing launches)

all the cefiros you see drifting have usually have had the manual box whacked in them.
never seen an auto ceffy drifting before but it isnt impossilbe just alot harder

maybe a Ae71 corollla (last of the rearwheel drive ) and drop in a 4AGE and maybe a diff swap .

the sigma to me sounds like a bit of fun and it is very different ...(gives me and idea for my next car lol)
but by the looks of it u like the idea of the r31 ( asuming by this =D )
so go with ur heart and get info off these nice people but in the end its ur car and ur decision

-doyle

s12 gazelle? cheap as and do a cadet conversion (Some also had a vg30 in other countries), or a r32 4door are pretty cheap nowadays(but parts are a -)
r31 sounds the go tho, or a stanza (not independant rear though)

Starion is an option for your price range, turbo ones dont go to bad, s1-5 RX7 another option to buy and go, wots wrong with a Turbo RB30? id rather an RB30 over an RB20 anyday of the week thanks do you really need twin cams? R31 with RB30 turbo would be good I reckon for that price range. Depends if you want to buy and go or buy and have to work on to go both have there benefits and non benefits.

I find with cars I buy to do up that arnt a going thing I loose interest in to quick because im not driving them for me im better buying a car atleast going already and registered otherwise I dont pull my finger out and finish it.

go a sigma the only problem wth that is there was never a sigma bought out with an lsd not even the turbo ones. im looking at the moment to see if the lsd from the scorpion would fit.

..............

you can buy a sprinter for 1600 then drop in a 4agze for about 4...thats 5600 all up..new lsd centre trd 1.5way 1000...t18 diff 150..thats 6750..that leaves you 1000 for box rebuild...7750 new brakes for the front 1500...good drifter..pick up some springs and you kickin ass...

* edited by mod *

1. Buy RWD car.

2. Learn to drive.

3. Upgrade parts when you need to.

as much as i hate them, i would go for a s13..

there parts are reasonably priced and when fitted with a lsd, there piss easy to drift....