How to properly build a drift car

[TLG]

*Preface: This is partly stolen from Chelsea on RD* I know there are a lot of new guys on here so i thought this might help and answer a few questions. This is adapted from a miata formula and I made it for 240s b/c that is what most on here have.

So I have been roaming this forum since the old days. I have driven and built several different kinds of cars. This is my idea of the drift friendly car on 2 different budgets. Based on a $2000 buying price, so if you find one cheaper it will be less. You can obviously find better deals on most of this stuff anyways.

SO BEFORE YOU GO BUYING SOME OTHER STUFF TO GO DRIFTING. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE WHAT YOU NEED FIRST!


The 4K drift car. This car will be perfect for anyone learning. You should be able to find a way to link every track and be competitive. Power is not the most important thing to start out with. If you don't belive me, ask carl or ryan. This is where you should start!

Car - 2000

Welded Diff - 100

Seat (bucket type)- 200

Tierods or cut knuckles - 225

Upgraded pads and rotors - 325

Coilovers - 950

Decent size wheels and tires - 600


The 8K car. This is your pro ready car. Would be competitive in just about everything. In most cars to stay competitive all you REALLY need is 225-250 hp.

Car - 2000

Seat (bucket type)- 200

Welded Diff - 100

Cut or redrilled knuckles - 225

Roll cage (fd legal)- 1000

Coilovers - 950

Decent size wheels and tires - 600

SR swap or KA-T set up - 1500

Clutch - 350

Intercooler/pipes - 300

safc/emanage - 300

sway bars - 300

If anyone feels the need to add onto this go ahead but the point of this is to make a usable car i.e. Function > Form. I know it's not my style but i want to help some people out. Saying shit like, paint and aero is not necessary. Not here at least.

Over and above all though, seat time is key. Go to events and learn to drive! Most importantly have fun! That is what this is all about.

[Camo]

sounds about right. Notice how the "cheap" setup doesnt say shit about any "swap"

[pete240]

You should probably throw in the 100$ lifetime alignment :D brake-check.....

[killakingquan]

and maaco paint for 400

[killakingquan]

oh and skill

[TLG]

Quan i already said, this is not how to build a good looking car. This is about function over form. And if you actually read it you would see that quoted exactly. You would also see that i posted that seat time is the most important thing. But again, you would have had to read it to see that.

[feare30s]

nice write up ty.

[Jakins]

i have real braud sholders so i dont think the bucket seat is all that importand really. i can fill out the stuck ones pretty easily.

[TLG]

i have real braud sholders so i dont think the bucket seat is all that importand really. i can fill out the stuck ones pretty easily.
You'd be surprised. A seat makes a HUGE difference in how well you can feel and control your car.

[killakingquan]

think about it like this

with a non bucket seat and ur sideways and half of ur ass is sitting on ur door because ur not snug in the seat how much control do you really have on the car

or u have a bucket seat ur ass is planted not goin anywhere u have control of the wheel because ur not all over the place with ur body moving from side to side

[Jakins]

yah, thats a good point. being totally attatched to the car would be alot better than just being something that is flying around.

[Allan Roadster]

Allan likes this. [Thumbs up]

But, a bucket seat costing 200?

[TLG]

Allan likes this. [Thumbs up]

But, a bucket seat costing 200?

Ebay chief. We're not talking bride here.

[killakingquan]

there on zilvia , great seats too , i was guna pick up 2 shipped for like 450 juss get rails

[NanoRks]

Man I have like non of those things! I need to step it up!