I just got an SA and I love it, but i dont want to drift it, so once i get my FC back together and my parts car gone, i'm thinking of starting another drift project on an FB. I was just wondering what kind of set ups people were running, (suspension, LSD, ect) and what kind of powerplant you have. I'd like to stay NA. Whether it be 13B, or 12A, and preferably full injected, but i can work with carburation aswell. my goal is to make a car that can drift as good as an AE86, but keep the rotary heart and the FB lightweight body style. any tips or links that will help would be greatly appriciated. even though it will be a bit before i buy the actual car i'd like to get some info and start deciding in what to invest in first.
thanks a ton

Ian

 

Well, you can start by stiffening the suspension and go via Energy Suspension's full polyurethane kit. Altho, I have been told that doing that will send every bump and jarr straight through the car and right into your rear. So, keep that in mind if you want a really solid suspension. Also, look into strut mounting brackets with camber alignment if you want to go that far, with lowering springs, preferrably from Eibach (for the amount of drop they offer). Right now I'm running a completely stock GSL-SE but will be upgrading to Eibach springs and Tokico Illumina adjustable shocks/struts, along with 15" wheel/tire combo to give me a nice mixture of sidewall flex and grip. I've currently been working on my tired original suspension and 14" wheels with some okay results. And, I'm planning on keeping it NA but with a mild port job. I've already taken care of my brakes with Hawk pads and stainless steel lines, and I've gotta say, very well worth the investment. And, I'm looking into retiring the old (and clogged) exhaust setup I have right now.

Try some of those setups, maybe 16" wheels and tires if you want for maximum slickness, and talk around to some others about hints and suggestions. Check out some posts from the user of Driftlanta. He drifts his car on a regular basis. Also, since you're only 3 hours away, you can give (if you haven't heard of them) RP Performance a call. They'll also steer you in the right direction.


Ion

 

thanks alot. i've been drifting an FC for a while now, but i love the feel of a first gen which is why im thinking of making a switch. great information though, gives me a few more ideas for my FC aswell =)

 

Give RP Performance a call, they're the ONLY shop I'll let touch my car. The shop owner has over 20 years of experience so you won't have to worry about being lead astray, and his assistant owns an FC so he can also give you any hints you may need. He also has the strut camber alignment mounts, too. Just tell them "Ion sent you".

 

If your going to be getting serious into get front coil overs, don't skimp.

 

Don't need to do much to an FB to make it driftworthy. Standard suspension upgrades plus an LSD will have you set. I wouldn't recommend poly bushings in the rear, that's definitely overkill.

The reason everybody likes 86's for drifting is the live axle. FB's have a live axle. So with standard upgrades it'll do the job just as well, and look a hell of a lot better (86 turtle-styling is hard to label as attractive)

 

There are quite a few people here that drift FB's as well. Someone just posted a teaser video earlier today I believe. Well technically yesterday now.

And Rusty, I've actually been working in Carmel the past week or so. I don't drive my 7 there, though. Sorry, don't mean to thread jack.

 

Nobody drift's a FB.....it's all a lie!

LOL

 

The FB is balanced so well that it is incredibly easy to just hang out the *** end and leave it there. However, hanging it out and leaving it out while turning is a bit more difficult.

 

talk to driftlanta hes got fbs and is mad good at drifting and that stuff

 

why dont you just find a parking lot and go at it and see how you feel? and then go from there , making changes to suit yourself.

 

power steering would be nice.

 

power steering is not really necesary, i mean once your moving its pretty much the same anyway. maybe a quicker steering ratio. and like rolfs_7 said. just go to a parking lot. i know you dont have the car yet, but when you get it, practice alot. then when your more familiar with the car, you will have more of a feel for what you will need to upgrade. i think just stiffer springs/shocks, with poly bushing would put you in a happy place.

 

SEAT TIME-SEAT TIME-SEAT TIME-SEAT TIME
Front coil-overs,camber plates, good shocks, poly swaybar end links, front control arm bushings, strut rod bushings, use stock rear bushings,you will need a KAAZ LSD if you slide atleast once a week, the stock lsd in good shape will only last a few months at best, 200+whp is reccomended.
SEAT TIME-SEAT TIME-SEAT TIME-SEAT TIME

 

the man has spoken thats all you need to know ^^^^

 

hahaha i definently know how important seat time is and i couldnt agree more. thanks for all the help so far guys. my fc is almost back to drivable standards, then i need seats, a roll cage, and my suspension stuff not exactly in that order, then the FB project begins.

one question though: steering angle. i know its terrible in the FC but how is it for the FB, and if i need it whats a good way to improve it. i know you can cut the tie rods of the FC, can that be done to an FB aswell?

 

If you really want to have fun, and since your in Virginia..why don't you build a road race track car. You have arguably the best track in the US (Virginia International Raceway) a jump and a skip away. Im sure you could build a drift/road race FB they are pretty similar. Good Luck!!!!

 

Steering angle is something you are going to have to figure out on your own. The FB's have a steering box, not a rack, so shimming the tie-rods will not work. The most you will be able to get is close to 50 degrees with out heavy mods.

US Drift holds events at VIR also

 

i wanna drift my fb with open diff..lol

 

haha 50 is still alot better than the 30-35 on the fc i have been drifting with. thats alot closer to a stock 240

 

i dont want to start an argument. im just curious, what benefits do you get from coilovers fir drifting. does it have to do with weight distribution, like whay race cars use it for?

 

Aren't coilovers already what our cars already have? Y'know, coils wrapped around struts? Or, are coilovers where you have those adjusting locking spacers on them?

 

Stock cars have McPherson struts. Coilovers have adjsutable ride height, this also allows you to set corner weights as well. You also have more choices on spring rates w/ front coil-overs. This all helps in setting your suspension up to how you like it, Scotts car(black) is setup completely different from my car(red). It all comes down to what feels best to the driver. We have logged more hours than i can remeber setting them up.

 

yea, thats what i meant, corner weights...

 

thats one thing i dont look forward to is getting my FCs coil overs and tuning them to my liking, well i dont look forward to the looking for good settings, i do look forward to the driving