Johnny Boost

Ok so I have my 83 FB RX-7 and I just bought a 87 FC RX-7 I now need to choose which route to go for my drift car build. I can only do one. So please comment on which car you think I should go with and list any previously not mentioned PROS and CONS for either car.

Remember I'm on a college student budget.

Either way
All front Suspension and braking will be FC
New turbo engine and transmission needed
New brakes needed
Unused parts can be sold
Old used car can be junked
Same paint job/scheme

FB Pros
Lightest RX-7 Chassis
Originality - Very few drift FB RX-7s - One of a kind
Currently have all but one needed body panel
It will be like a FC Turbo II from the transmission forward plus the rear coilovers and brakes
Lots of room in front of engine
Decent aftermarket and parts following (RESpeed, Mazdatrix, Black Dragon, Racing Beat, Rotaryshack...)
Higher likelihood of getting a magazine feature - minor pro
Can use a dash cover to reduce weight but maintain dash look

FB Cons
Rust - Will be repaired
Not currently Formula Drift Approved Chassis (In approval process)
FC rear suspension coilovers may not work out
Harder and harder to find parts
Rear member, Axles and Front subframe need to be swapped
Solid rear end - heavy limits adjustability
Finding a Limited Slip Differential that will hold up to increased power may be difficult

FC Pros
Larger Aftermarket Support
Only needs an engine and body panels
More Rear Suspension options
Dual exhaust outlets
No sunroof
Fiberglass and Carbon Fiber more available
No need to swap axles or upgrade rear braking system
Already has 5 lug wheels and stock LSD

FC Cons
FCs and 240SXs are the most common drift cars...
Missing engine, hood, fenders and front bumper
Unknown health of car
More restricted engine bay
Would have to install rear “Toe Eliminators”
Parts cost more for FCs
Series 4 ugliness... Not sleek like S5
Brake master cylinder and Clutch master and slave cylinders need to be replaced most likely

Kerebrus

iTrader: (30)

If you're going for drift I'd say use the FC. Takes a lot more work to make the FB as good a drifter as an FC.

acekid7

iTrader: (1)

i agree with kerebrus. I love fb's but to me it seems that fc's are ment to drift.

Jeezus

iTrader: (4)

Same as above, plus I would rather see a FC smashed than an FB.

Kerebrus

iTrader: (30)

Hahaha Stu, couldn't have said it any better. A wrecked FC is okay in my book, but certainly not an FB.

1 sic fb

if its for drifting go with the fc....... but i think fb's are jst cooler...

DivinDriver

iTrader: (15)

...With two cars...

Kentetsu

If this were for autocross, it would be an easy question to answer. I never sweat when I see an fc pull into an event. Although a couple of weeks ago, Hecubus84 came within a second of me in his first ever autocross with his TII. But really, that was the first time I can remember an fc giving me a scare.

But I don't have any experience with drifting other than daily driving on snowy roads, which is kind of a way of life in Michigan. So I can't really say which car would be better for that application. Good luck.



.

PercentSevenC

Yeah, so? I'm a college student with a supercharged FB and a REPU.

I'm definitely with Stu. And besides, an FC just makes more sense. Which is why you see so many more FCs drifting than FBs.

Johnny Boost

3 really...
79 LE - $2000 2 years ago
83 GSL - $500 3 years ago
87 GXL - $250 2 days ago

I love 1st gens. I love RE-Speeds producs and RotaryShacks Hoods. I want to show the world that FBs are awesome.

I don't really care for the look of FCs but mechanically they're better for drift setups

I've got a lot of thinking and planning and money counting and checking before I think I can make a good decision.

Kerebrus

iTrader: (30)

We're ready to get you a pimp hood when you are

Johnny Boost

I'll keep ya in mind

Super82

iTrader: (1)

Go for the FC. It will be way easier to setup for drifting and cheaper. And I don't think FCs are the second most common drift cars, I'd say AE86s are more common than them. Considering your trying to sell your 79, I'd go ahead and sell all three, and then take the money to buy a rough but raceable TII.

As another college kid on a budget, I know what you are getting at, and it is always best to take the easiest route to do what you want to do. The easiest route would be get an FC, and because you're going more than likely want to turbo it just start off with a TII.

DivinDriver

iTrader: (15)

Apparently, "a college budget" has a lot more slack in it, than it did when I was in school, is all I was saying.

Keeping one car running, and covering tuition, books, food and rent was all I could manage at the time.

As to the question, I'd point to the FC and say "go that way." If nothing else, parts are clearly more available.

Johnny Boost

wow I seriously thought everyone would say FB.

The GXL I have right now is prime for a drift setup already. There is no engine so either way I would be going I'd be dropping in a 13BT and Turbo tranny. I also already have 2nd gen HKS coilovers. all I really need is a few body panels and an engine...

I just have trouble letting go of the 1st gen chassis. I feel like I'm turning my back on it. You know that separation withdrawal anxiety stuff...

Kerebrus

iTrader: (30)

Send me your 79' LE, I'll take good care of it

Super82

iTrader: (1)

Well theres your problem.

Jeezus

iTrader: (4)

Haha

Kerebrus

iTrader: (30)

I don't think that's the problem.

thunkrd

iTrader: (1)

fbs have souls, fcs don't. haha. go fc if you want easy. i almost never see any fbs around here. and my 60 hp se is about as fast as my friend's TII around the twisties

NCross

iTrader: (18)

Keep the FB stock and keep up on maintenance and keep it clean. Daily drive it. Turn the FC into your drift car. Parts are easy to find for both I think. Plus your FC most likely has an LSD and the 4 pot brakes if it's like my GXL. If it's a sport model it has 4 pot brakes and an open dif.

Super82

iTrader: (1)

Note that we are choosing the FC over the FB only as a drift project. FB is better in every way other than drifting

DivinDriver

iTrader: (15)

Might be your problem, hombre, but has never been mine.

Reality's too goddam complicated as it is, without altering it.

trochoid

iTrader: (6)

Somedays the FB/FC debate gets kinda silly. I have an FC as a DD because it was a one owner low mileage car when I bought it. It's reliable and dependable. When I want to have fun, I dig out the widebody FB, which will run circles around the FC in anyway one can think of. As touted as the FC IRS is supposed to be, I'm not that impressed. In some ways it suffers from snap oversteer worse that the FBs. It all comes down to how one drives and whether or not they can feather the throttle, not to mention the lsd.

Even though I have less seat time in an FB, I prefer spending playtime in it as opposed to an FC. 1st gens are just more fun, hands down. Maybe that's because I'm older and sports cars were sports cars when I was growing up. Back then one had to think and work at driving, cars didn't drive themselves like they do now days.

Given the same suspension, handling and hp upgrades, I'd take the FB over an FC any day.

Siraniko

iTrader: (13)

when did a FB become an old school???