I got 500 bucks for drift box, ultimate cheap drift box! Opinions ?

Hey all, I've only got 500 left and I would like to buy a drift box (not everyday car) that I could take to drift locations on my trailer. I dont care how fast it is and how good the performance is as long as it can drift... I will be looking for something FR (rwd) or MR and it does not matter if its older then 90', I saw some old volvos doing hella awsome drifting, im probably gonna take off the seats and all the extra stuff and make the car setup for beginner drifter.. OPEN YOUR MIND AND REPLY =)

500 bucks? good luck brother.

Theres tons of cars under 500 bucks that are old and no good for everyday driving, but theyr still ok for drift... theres tons of choices, thats why i posted this question, drift car doesnt have to be very good for a beginner, it could be a shitbox for all i care, but as long as it drifts i'll maintain whatever its got im ok with it... all i asked for was opinions on what i should get..

My Layla was $450 from the local charity auto lot. Had to drill the steering column lock bolts because the car was donated without keys :sly: but after spraying about a gallon of ether down the carb and hooking up some jumper cables she fired right up and drove off the lot.

Since then, I've invested about $500 in new tires (Generals, but I couldn't afford the Dunlops), another $170 in a new starter (old one blew its bendix after a backfire), $100 for a used Weber 32/36 DGV carburetor with manifold (30hp gain after it was rebuilt), $15 for a Weber 32/36 DGV carb rebuild kit (with plastic floats instead of brass which means I've got about 20 years before I have to replace the floats again), $40 for new cap, rotor, plug wires, and two sets of plugs (unrebuilt carb fouled the first set), $10 for a push button starter and electrics switch (as yet uninstalled), and now I'm looking at between $70-100 for a new fuel pump.

And she still needs about $600 worth of new sheetmetal (inner sill rot on the driver side, new door skins, new floorboards, and new front fenders, all of which have fallen prey to 31 years in Ohio winters - the last 3 that I've owned her she hasn't been outside) and before I do more drifting I want to get a set of centre-lock Minilite alloy wheels instead of the factory wire wheels so I don't risk breaking the wires because of lateral stress.

But that's another $800.

But, I'm not about to trade my baby doll of a 1970 MGB GT for any fuggin Nissan, Toyota, or Mazda. She's a beautiful driving car when she's up and running, and that 1800cc OHV four puts out a solid 150hp thanks to some thoughtful tuning. Makes her a lot of fun, since she's lighter than a Corolla GTS.

But, in any case, Layla is proof that UNGODLY fun drift cars can be had for around $500, you just have to be willing to roll up your sleeves and get down and dirty, buying parts as they're needed and repairing what's broken.

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w00 that cars awsome, engine bay looks simple, simplicity is the durability, my 323 wouldnt be going anywhere if i hadnt taken half of it apart after a few crashes, but now she runs strong, as I look for a rwd car i can slide like i do in my dreams lol, any suggestions for me ?

The selection of cars would depend on your location. In my area(Houston), one guy with a towing service had two FC3S RX-7s, one turbo, one NA, for $400 and $300 respectively. Ran fine and everything. It should be easier to find an SA22C RX-7 in your price range, though.

I've seen the older Volvos like you were talking about, the 240s and 740s. Those would be nice, too. A wagon has extra weight in the rear end, which might help the tail come around easier.

Don't be afraid to go domestic, either. One of the best drifters at the competitons in my area drives an El Camino. :naughty: There are tons of Camaros/Firebirds and Mustangs out there, and there's bound to be some in your price range. If it needs work, parts wil be cheaper and more plentiful too. The base 3rd gen Camaro/Firebirds came with a V6, so they'd have more power/torque to drift than the Mustang LX(non 5.0) of the same period, which only had a 2.3L I4, I think.

Hehe I have always thought about an old VW bug. RR and fairly light eh? Possible?

RR + light + 40hp = no drift for you.

I say if you find a $500 "drift-box" it'll fall apart from the stresses involved. Not to mention that you'd have to spend whatever to make it nice and stiff so you don't roll... Among others.

Yuh... I got a run down '71 Ford Mustang with a 302 for sale. I used to 'drift' the shit out of that car back in high-school. $400 bucks not running... tranny is out. C4's come a dime a dozen...

my mr2 was initially 100 usd

i spent more on licensing for it...

cars can be found for pretty inexpensive, you just have to keep looking

Thanks for your opinion guys, It does not matter if its import/domestic, I just want something thats more durable and known for less mechanical problems.

Im planning to take out all extra interior parts and seats, have two bucket seats maybe, reinforce the frame myself, and all I care about is the drivetrain. i was thinking of a FC3S , not really MR2 since parts around here are hard to find for those, or even a Mustang 5.0 but im wondering what has a more durable suspension built that can take a beating. Volvos or 240SX's are still in questions, can you guys list me some good models ?

RR + light + 40hp = no drift for you.


What are you talkign about??? Who says a RR can't drift? I bet you can get the car up to a good 70MPH and that's good drift. Also you want your car to be light not heavy if I'm now mistaken.

79 or 80 mustang with the turbo that little beast can drift like no tomorrow. there is a good aftermarket for them and they take a beeting I dropped a 429 in one and went crazy with it. (Drag racing days sorry) but they got to be a dime a dosen by now and have plenty of power right out the box.

Thanks for all replies. What do you guys think of the 240SX, does the stock motor have enough power to continuosly drift on worn tires ? What do you guys think of it overall for drift and what I might need to change/fix in it if i get it...

Hmmm you should work on suspension a bit. The 240's are nice good starter cars. I think there's a somewhat large aftermarket part for it. You want LSD in drifting right? Might want to do that. Other than that have fun with it.

Ha volvo's, if they were any uglier it'd be illegal to drive them. No word of a lie my family has had 3 within the past 4 years. 760 turbo, 740 non turbo, and a 240dl and out of all of them the 240 has to be the most fun for cheap it was initially only 1500 CDN, and with about 50 to get it on the road and running. The motor that comes stock in those things are completely bullet proof, some people have actually gotten near 300 or to the better part of 350 hp on stock internals. They handle decent for a brick but with stiffer springs and better shocks and some bracing it'll be a force to be reckoned with.

i'd get a 240 or 740 wagon, turbo it, put some wider rubber, and lower it. maybe a nicer exhaust, but that's it. keep it cleeean and stock on the outside.

i would love to do this to a Cressida wagon too. wagon's rock.

yeah so i've decided either 240 or a volvo, i drifted my friends camry on burger king trays, comparing to a 323 hatchback on burger king trays, the camry was easier to control when sideways, i guess its cause its longer so the weight has more room to balance it ? what do u guys think of the volvo, how much would it need just to have drift ready

well most have ample power, from my expirience with my family's cars they have more than enough power to kick the arse end out. Probably just suspension mods, and exhaust and intake general shizzle like that.

Im planning to take out all extra interior parts and seats, have two bucket seats maybe, reinforce the frame myself, and all I care about is the drivetrain. i was thinking of a FC3S , not really MR2 since parts around here are hard to find for those, or even a Mustang 5.0 but im wondering what has a more durable suspension built that can take a beating. Volvos or 240SX's are still in questions, can you guys list me some good models ?
Got my FC for $500, it runs and it only needed the brake lites to be fixed and a fix for the hole in the exhaust. (87 NA base model)

i'd get a 240 or 740 wagon, turbo it, put some wider rubber, and lower it. maybe a nicer exhaust, but that's it. keep it cleeean and stock on the outside.

i would love to do this to a Cressida wagon too. wagon's rock.

Haha, my friend went to japan a few months ago and according to him, all they do is hook up wagons. he even showed me a picture of a subaru orrester STi...

w000 thanks alot, for volvos, what year/model would be the best 'power4theMoney' if im around 500 bucks.?

Any 240/242 should be fine. A 740 wouldn't be bad either, but I think they are newer and a bit more expensive. If you can find either in turbo form, that's even better.

740's are more ridgid from my expirience, the 240 are a lot lighter though, and the parts are wayyyyyyyyyy cheaper than the 7 series.

Haha, my friend went to japan a few months ago and according to him, all they do is hook up wagons. he even showed me a picture of a subaru orrester STi...

Hell, last I heard WE'RE getting that car, too...
Maybe I'm mistaken....
but that would be CRAZY fun.

which year 240 volvos should i look into, theres lots of 85, 87, and 89's

89 or 90 was the last year I think they made them so look for the latest year, and make sure it's a 5spd.

what about this volvo in this drift video it looks a bit older, which one is this ? www.redblusky.com/volvodrift.zip

Thats a Volvo 240 turbo I do beleive since I think that was the only 240 made as a 2 door coupe.

what year is that

Early 80's, probably 83-86 er so.

thanks!