To Answer All Drift Car Selection Questions

All right. So you want to drift? You've been to D1. You've watched Initial D, Drift Bible, Option, Best Motoring, etc. You went out with some friends to Hyperfest or another US sanctioned drift event. You're psyched and want to try this out.

So you want to know what car to use?

Well, here's a handy dandy list of potential candidates and opinions of them. Included are some average prices and pictures so that you know what the fuck you're looking for.

This is not intended to be an all inclusive list, but moreover a set of guidelines that can then be interpreted after the fact.

Keep in mind, this list refers to cars available in the United States. If you want to drift a 25GT Skyline or MkII Tourer, get on the phone with an importer. Besides, if you knew those cars off the top of your head why in the hell are you reading this list?

Car #1: 1983-1987 Toyota Corolla GT-S (aka: AE86, Hachi-Roku)
http://www.angelfire.com/nj4/corolla1989/86_Corolla_GTS_Hatchback_Blue_Front_2.jpg

Engine: 1.6L DOHC 4cylinder - 4AGE (approx 130hp)
Trans: 5spd
Average cost: Between $500 and $2500 depending on condition and location (domestic car strongholds like the Midwest tend to have much fewer than more import friendly areas)

Pros - inexpensive, beginner friendly, sturdy engine and trans, bulletproof solid axle rear suspension, good JDM parts support.
Cons - scarce, not much power potential, good examples getting pricey, poor stateside parts support.

Generally considered the posterchild of drifting, and the star car of the animated series Intial D, the Corolla GT-S is a common beginners car that is a good learning car.

Car #2: 1989-1994 Nissan 240SX (aka: S13)
http://www.mysportscar.com/teammsc/images/240_main.jpg

Engine: 2.4L SOHC/DOHC four cylinder - KA24DE (approx 140hp SOHC, 155hp DOHC)
Trans: 5spd
Average cost: Between $900 and $3000

Pros - solid handling, torquey 2.4L DOHC four, multi-link rear suspension, potent JDM engine swaps and good parts support
Cons - 1994 model year was convertible/automatic trans only, SOHC four is weak sauce and the DOHC didn't show up until 1991, JDM swap engines pricey with poor availability of replacement and maintenance parts.

The S13 is the standard of all things drift. They're common as crabgrass at drift meets and becoming passe as the drift movement gains momentum. They are good cars, and if you don't mind not standing out from the crowd it's hard to go wrong with a 1989-1994 Nissan 240SX.

Car #3: 1995-1998 Nissan 240SX (aka S14)
http://members.tripod.com/~landark/cars/newcars/240sx2.jpg http://www.theautochannel.com/media/photos/nissan/1998/98_nissan_240sx_le.jpg

Engine: 2.4L DOHC four cylinder - KA24DE (approx 160hp)
Trans: 5spd
Average price: between $1,500 and $7,000

Pros: more stock power than the older S13, wider track, bigger wheel wells fit wider tires,
Cons: longer wheelbase, pricey, heavier than the S13

While the inexpensive S13 steals the glory, the S14 is a more discreet and somewhat more refined drift machine. If you're willing to pay up, it's as good if not better than the S13 in many ways.

Car #4: 1985-1992 Mazda RX-7 (aka FC)

http://www.fc3s.org/images_misc/roadamerica.jpg

Engine: two row 1.3L rotary engine, available with turbocharger - 13B (approx 160hp N/A, 200hp turbocharged)
Trans: 5spd
Average price: varies on condition and trim level, anywhere from $700 to $8,000

Pros: Quick handling, great power from rotary engines, wide track, reasonably light weight
Cons: expense of maintenance, higher mileage examples tend to be problematic, poor fuel mileage

The RX-7 is a true sports car in amongst sports coupes, and the rotary engine is a marvel of technology and engineering. But the strength that is the 13B rotary is also the RX-7's weakness. Don't go into this car without a good fund of repair money "just in case" or without fair knowledge of the fundamental differences between a regular engine and a rotary.

Car #5: 1986-1993 Ford Mustang GT (aka Fox Body)
http://home.netcom.com/~skent/mustang/1990/Image03.jpg

Engine: 5.0L OHV V8 (power varied through the years, between 205 and 225hp)
Trans: 5spd
Average Price: between $500 and $5000

Pros: ubiquitous (that means they're friggin' everywhere), tons of performance potential, huge aftermarket, dead nuts reliable drivetrain
Cons: kinda heavy, not exactly corner carving demons from factory, mediocre fuel economy, import guys laugh and boo you for driving a domestic.

The Fox body Mustangs are amongst the best selling performance cars of the 80's, and the potential to build a 300hp, 1.0g skidpad pulling import beater is there. If you're willing to dig into the suspension and correct the car's tendency to lean and understeer, and don't mind import guys giving you a hard time, this car is a great choice.


Okay, you other guys in this forum. You see how this is supposed to work. I left a bunch of other cars on the table, like Starions, SA22C RX-7's, 3rd and 4th gen Camaros, and so on. Go ahead and get to it.

Thanks Octy.

Nifty.

In the S14: "more stock power than the older S13"

This is incorrect. The S13 and S14 were rated with the same power, 155hp @ 5600 RPM and 160ft-lbs. @ 4400 RPM. The S14s have more aggressive ECU tuning but only 232 duration cams (intake and exhaust). The 91-early 93 S13s have a 240 duration intake cam and 248 duration exhaust cam.

BMW 325is

http://www.rogueengineering.com/pics/e30m3/e30m3_3.jpg

M3 pictured.

Engine: 2.5L Inline 6, fuel injection on iS and xi models.
Trans: 5 speed manual, 4 speed auto
Price:Anywhere from $1500(project car) to $8500 USD for a no winters, mint, bone stock low mileage car.

Pros: Great Handling, Stock 2way LSD, lots of power(Inline 6 engine that sounds great and makes around 160 hp and 160lb.ft torque), ubiquitous, handles on rails, trunk mounted battery. Women appreciate the badge, for those of you that want a "hot ride".

Cons: May be a bit of a porker, 50/50 weight blanace makes for neutral handling, major parts are expensive, steering rack isnt the greatest for drift.

The E30 chassis 3 series is a long time favriote of drag, road and autocross racers. It should be lightened abit, and should be given a bit more power, which can be obtained throguh the usual bolt ons. LSDs are great, and these cars have a bit of oversteer dialed in on them, which helps. Turbo kits are avalible, however you dont need one in the beggining by any means. The S13 steering rack is rumored to bolt in, and this swap should probably be taken into serious consideration.

Overall an under-rated drift car that has loads of potential. The newer E36 chassis can also be drifted, and done well, as I saw at the DGTA event in Miami, but you need the aftermarket Quaife diff, which is kinda pricey.

You guys just had to throw in that 5.0... didn't you? :wink:

Cars not mentioned you should consider:

http://www.japanparts.com/shop/pic/cars/sw20.jpg
Toyata MR2: AW11 and SW20

http://www.japanparts.com/shop/pic/cars/jza70.jpg http://www.japanparts.com/shop/pic/cars/supra.jpg
Toyata Supra: JZA70 and JZA80

http://www.japanparts.com/shop/pic/cars/sxe10.jpg
Toyata Altezza/Lexus IS300: all years.

http://www.designdomain.net/Images2/LowSide_View_Thumb.jpg
Nissan Silvia/Datsun/Nissan 200sx: S12

http://www.japanparts.com/shop/pic/cars/z31.jpg
Nissan 300zx: Z31

...these are of course all RWD and most are affordable!

The S2000's aren't the greatest drift cars but they can do it, thats for sure, I've seen a couple killer S2k's on some videos so I know its very possible

Skylines and some other AWD cars can drift as well, some can even be turned into RWD I believe, not sure how its done but google can teach you whatever you need.

I'd help out with the pictures and info but I have work tonight, and I can't upload pictures for some reason... anyone else having the "fatal error" problem?

S15's re obviously good drift cars, come right along with the other S-chasis cars(S13, S14) lots of extra goodies too, plus more powerful engine



you can still put J-spec cars on here, just mention that they aren't available in the US incase some wierdo doesn't know :)

Some Skylines are FR's... but that's not important right now.

I'd like to bring to light the subject of the Infinity M30. They are based on the R30 (desig?) and some even have manual transmissions. They would make great drift cars. I'm fairly certain you could put skyline brake/suspension mods on them, and NA tuning is fun. They didn't turbo them because the steering gets in the way. This is one reason they never imported the skyline. I believe weight reduction would be a good idea on these cars...

Remeber this thread guys?

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/t125569.html

Some Skylines are FR's... but that's not important right now.

I'd like to bring to light the subject of the Infinity M30. They are based on the R30 (desig?) and some even have manual transmissions. They would make great drift cars. I'm fairly certain you could put skyline brake/suspension mods on them, and NA tuning is fun. They didn't turbo them because the steering gets in the way. This is one reason they never imported the skyline. I believe weight reduction would be a good idea on these cars...

Brian(Suislide) used to have one actually. They have a VERY primative version of the TEIN EDFC, not made by TEIN, but same prinicple(little nodes on the shocks to tighten them up). The car is really called the F31 aka Nissan Leopard in japan, however they are similar to the R31 Skyline. None of them came with manual tranny's but the manual swap can be done. I have step by step instructions on how to do it.

This car is heavy and very luxurious so weight reduction is in order. The engine is a VG30E, a VG30DE from a J30 will bolt in, and you can use the LSD from the J30t. A VG30DETT will not fit though. An RB20 or an SR20 can also fit.

what about A Nissan cefiro? -the winner of D1NZ (new zealand drift championship) Usd one to good effect beating many s13`s ,s14`s ,s15`s ,180`s ,RWD skylines,Ae85-86`s ,etc,etc.Over the 6 rounds last year.
See My Gallery.

Or Visit www.d1nz.co.nz

Cefiros rock but arent sold in North America. You should rebuild the RB20 if you want 1bar or more boost and it has over 100,000km on the clock.

Good to see we have plenty of responses. Basically, I've put this thread here to weed out the "What Drift Car Should I Buy?" threads that seems to out number threads talking about everything else 3 to 1.

I'm glad you all want to chime in with your two cents, just remember to mention things like price range, parts availability, and throw up good pictures so that folks can see what you're talking about.

And yes, Dorikin, I'm modding in here now.

And yes, Dorikin, I'm modding in here now.

Good. Now, everyone else, post up more stuff!

I can't upload pictures *cry* whats wrong with the thing?

as soon as I figure out why it won't let me post pictures and then figure it out so that I can I'll add the S2000, Supra MKIV, FD RX-7, MR-2, and FB RX-7. Then when I get some info and pictures of Starions and Camaros I'll work on those too...

so if a mod wants this done they could help me by telling me why it says

"Fatal error: Call to undefined function: imagegif() in /home/aftp/gallery/image-inc.php on line 116"

whenever I try to upload a picture.

About the listings of the BMW's. The 3-series ix or xi or whatever. The power split between the front and rear wheels is like 33%front and 77% in the rear end. They drive like a truck. Might be great for rallying, but for drifting it might prove to be quite a handful.

Thats why you use the 2wd model

I've never heard of an S13 steering rack swap on an E30?
Do you have any more info on that?
What's so special about using that instead of the OEM parts?

cant believe no one's mentioned the EVO yet. perhaps its the price..

infiniti j30 is a 3,000$ v6 200 rwd car thats fun for drifting..

Thats the M30, and it has 180 hp.

http://www.bomexaero.com/images1/cars/SC300grn2.jpg

I've seen SC300's drift, and they do it pretty well. Shares the same potential as the supra since they use the same engine, has good weight balance, and since they aren't popular like the supra they go for a lot lot cheaper. Not to mention since it has the Lexus badge, the cultured ladies will be on you more. Cons is it's pretty heavy and more expensive than 240s and what not, but still a good buy. I find em for around 8gs here with around 90k miles.

I was waiting to see if someone put down my ultimate sleeper car. I love the sc300!!!

Please correct me if im wrong but people all the time tell me that the Toyota MR2 is NOT a good drifting car because of its mid-engine design. Is that true in any way?

Drifting is hard, drifting with an MR2 is harder, why overcomplicate things? Its a grip racing car, but it CAN and HAS been done...

Hell no thats not why. Grip racing? The design causes for the back-end to act without warning. The weight and power being in the back the back kicks out harder and is hard to control causing major oversteer, spinning, out and crashing=Possible injuries? Thats why its crap for drifitng to frickin dangerous.

my friends keeps spinning out on his 85 MR2, but if you CAN do it, the car glides under ultimate control, its so compact it fits all tight corners. i wouldnt suggest it as a learning car

People who say drifting MR chassis cars such as the MR2, Porsche Boxster, Honda NSX, Lotus Elise ect. is too difficult or whatever are obviously not the badass driver they thought they were. Putting the engine over the drive wheels makes it easier to initiate a drift with but the smallest flick of the steering wheel.
It requires more skill and better timing.
Fuck it up though and you will be backwards in the ditch in double time, they are not kind to the uninformed. If you know how to control the MR setup there is no reason why the can't drift with the best of 'em.

yeah MR2 can be godly drift car if you can handle it

I dont think it was mentioned but the Mitsubishi Starion is capable of drifting.

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/1/web/529000-529999/529970_2_full.jpg

Wow, so thats what the car thats parked beside my friends house is... I might need to look into that Starion.

http://www.chrysler-cars-for-sale.com/img/chryslerconquest.jpg
Another good drift car is the Mitsubishi Starion's clone, the Chyrsler Conquest

Wow, so thats what the car thats parked beside my friends house is... I might need to look into that Starion.

Yeah, the Mitsubishi Starion and Chrysler Conquest (the starion's clone) are very capable cars but so unpopular.

knowing here then its the conquest. Thanks for the info :)

I thought it was the Nissan Conquest? Or is that the same thing as well?

Yeah, more than likely there are two different conquests from two different manufactures.

i've never heard of a Nissan Conquest before...

Mitsubishi made the Starion, and the Chrysler Conquest is an exact clone, but with different badges, just like the Mitsubishi Eclipse and Eagle (Chrysler) Talon of later years.

very capable cars. you don't see them often, but it's not because they're unpopular. it's because they're rare as hell. the US got both version, Canada got neither. i've only ever seen 2 in person. one in my hometown with Florida plates (a Conquest), and a Starion at the Drift Day i went to in California.

i'd definitley buy one if i could, they're sweet and were available with a turbo if i'm not mistaken.

Maybe he's thinking of a Nissan Quest minivan? :screwy:

Buscher Performance, probably the top DSM tuner in the states, if not the world (and based out of the heart of oval track country here in Ohio) has a wild drag Conquest with a 4G63 stuck in it.

http://www.buschurracing.com/Conquest_downtrack_LG2.jpg

I do like to see an import that can hang hoops like that. :biggrin:

Interestingly enough, Mitsubishi designed the Starion with the American/European markets in mind. They drew upon Chrysler's knowledge of turbocharging economy engines and designed in a simple rear suspension that would lead to "oversteer that excites American and European drivers."

Buscher hasn't caught Shepherd yet, I see :P

Whoops, brain fart. Don't even ask why I put Nissan; I meant Chrysler.

Whoops, brain fart. Don't even ask why I put Nissan; I meant Chrysler.

Lol, well I wrote Chrysler Conquest in the post just before your Nissan post. Dunno why you were guessing. :lol:

wow, this thread has been dead for a couple of months. Well the Starions are good cars and can drift but there is one slight drawback. the Starion uses a steering box conected by a rubber bushing to the steeing colum. the bushing wears out and breaks leaving the car with a 3 to 6 inch wheel play which makes it hard to control. I bought an 86 Starion ESIR and the toughest thing to get was the steeing rubber link cause they are supposedly discontinued. I guess welding it would be an alternative but that would tear the steering box out after no time. other than that they are excellent cars. 2.6 L. turbo RWD with fully independent suspension and LSD stock. they make about 180 hp and 230 Torque (well at least in 86 they did) DOHC, chain driven and a 6000rpm redline. the other flaw in this car is the jet valves but i've heard there are kits to solve that.

Hey.. i have just bought a car for shit all

i was wanting to try out drifting but its a front wheel drive is it possible to convert ???

if so no any good sites where that i can check out to get this started

thanks

los

PS: ill add that o now what your basic gas pumper knows about cars which is shit all but am keen to learn

you would be wasting your time to change from front to rear. you would be better off just buying a already rwd car and also if you did change it the car would be unbalanced.

Thanks chales56...

I did a bit of reading and came to the same conclusion...

CAR shopping i go

got any good suggestions on any>??

Thanks chales56...

I did a bit of reading and came to the same conclusion...

CAR shopping i go

got any good suggestions on any>??

see the first 2 pages of this thread.

dont know if its there but cressidas are cool.

You guys just had to throw in that 5.0... didn't you? :wink:


Why not? 8-) Front heavy, easy to whip the rear around, and like already posted, huge aftermarket, and cheap (in comparasion) to modify. www.maximummotorsports.com www.griggsracing.com Both more AutoX/RR oriented, but w/ adjustable panhard bars and what not, I'm sure their stuff would work very well

i dissagre with some of the cars on that list, and we dont even have cars like laurel, chaser, or s15 in the us.

dont forget the f-body camaros, very solid car for the job, and cheap and everywhere......
http://www.phoenixgraphix.com/gm/8587iz.jpg

and then of course the 1st gen rx7 is overlooked way to much for giggle to be happy, its a lightweight, well balanced, rwd of course, and enough power to get sideways.....
http://www.rx7-uk.co.uk/pics/members/ia.jpg

the older miatas are popular, one downside is it has a softtop, but a rollcage can help you get confident, and for the performance you get its cheap, and there is a huge aftermarket for it. Some people have drifted these also but i dont think i've seen one really kick ass, yet....
http://www.edmunds.com/media/reviews/generations/mazda.miata/90-97.mazda.miata.500.jpg

if money is no object, then the cadillac cts v is actually supposed to be very good, you would think it would have a lot of bodyroll, but after seeing a couple videos i was surprised.
http://www.gmcanada.com/images/vehicles/2005/cadillac/ctsv/cadi_ctsv_over_main.jpg

or of course you could always go with one of these.....=D
http://www.netcar.co.il/img2/milon/11%20powerslide%20RWD.jpg

Why not? 8-) Front heavy, easy to whip the rear around, and like already posted, huge aftermarket, and cheap (in comparasion) to modify. www.maximummotorsports.com www.griggsracing.com Both more AutoX/RR oriented, but w/ adjustable panhard bars and what not, I'm sure their stuff would work very well


One Reason is Angle. the Fox Body has absolutly none of it... Alex from Drift Day down here in texas tried to use one but it ended up not working out so he went back to a 240.

If I had a trillion dollars to build a drift car Id use an LS430.

LS/celsior... sounds difficult

LS/celsior... sounds difficult


Hence the Trillion Dollars...




Half of it would be the wheel budget.... :naughty:
http://weds.co.jp/products/kranze/lxz_celsior3.html

i like the dish but the chrome doenst do it for me

i like the dish but the chrome doenst do it for me

second that

Ok im prepared for how much most of you will disagree with me b/c im not an import guy but I like drifting so Ill say in a nutshell any rear wheel drive chevrolet between the years of 71-87 ( i think thats when the monty switched to fwd) would make a good drift car if you can hang it out there with simple mods making more power, lightening the car a little, and differantial lock of some sort. Fox body mustangs/ thunderbird/ cougar are all bacsically the same chassis with the exeption of tbirds and cougars used a 108 inch wheelbase and the mustang was 100 even if i remember right. The 5.0 was available in all of the 3 and the tbird had a turbo 2.3 which was pretty powerfull and was balanced a little nicer. Also the MN12 chassis of tbird and cougar which used IRS from 89-97 or 98 and could either come with a 5.0, 3.8, or not sure of the size but a turbo 6 cylinder, these cars are a 107.5 inch wheelbase and are vary stable in a slide the hard part is getting them to step out in the first place.

If you wanted to drift and had little more freetime and fabrication skills ive always wanted to see a pickup of some sort drift either a 60s c10 or s10 or ranger fitted with a v8. Just thought i would throw ina few domestic drift possiblities b/c its a great sport and would hate to let the imports have all the fun lol.