'91 NA Drift starter
 

Hey guys decided to start my own build thread on my 1991 NA Rx7 to turn it into a drift car I can use in beginner races. First off some background on myself, I'm 18 about to start college at UC Merced and because of that my cash flow will be a little low so it may take awhile for me to afford parts.

Now on to beauty, I bought her February 14, 2015 (Valentines Day) from an old couple that bought her originally from the dealer. She had 64k miles on her and a bit of rust on the hood and read right fender (nothing to bad though). She was also completely stock.

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...0aae6d31e1.jpg


https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...8889d935e4.jpg

On April first I decided to go for a little bit weight reduction and pretty up the car by taking of (in my opinion) the ugly stock spoiler and while I was at it the antenna. This left some pretty nasty holes and since a body shop wanted to charge me over a thousand dollars to fill them me and my dad used bondo on the holes.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...aa0d117d79.jpg

Left them out a little long so I had to resend them to get of the small rust spots but was easy. Then we got some paint and did our best to match it to the original it turned out.. Alright at least good enough to guys who didn't really know what they were doing final result.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...4b2e8866e8.jpg

Not a very good pic but does show how we tried to match paint.

Nice Find Welcome to the clan. 1 owner cars are hard to come by. Good luck on the Build I have an 89 N/A I'm working on as well. Not a ton of power but I wouldn't trade it for a Ferrari.

About a week or so ago I order some competition powered by max coilovers with spring rates 10/8 KG front to rear

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...f8d2238d28.jpg

I installed them a couple of days after receiving due to work. Installation wasn't to difficult even with my basic mechanical knowledge, all it was some plug and play and a basic idea of what to do from a mighty car mods video (lol). So I dropped the height a bit and i'm fairly sure I did a good job.


https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...41a472f0e1.jpg


https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...d144ebcda3.jpg

These pics are not very good sorry. One problem I have found with them is they like clicking coming from the front coils when I turn the wheels a lot for turning or parking so if anyone has any insight or help to this problem that would be great.

Next up yesterday I decided to go for a little weight reduction and took out my rear carpet.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...02b367138f.jpg

Pretty ruff job but I think I did good. I plan to reinstall the speakers just because I like music and do daily the car.

Thanks and ya I was so stoked when they told me they were the original owners better to know that then like 3 owners and most of them be teenagers like myself lol. It is an amazing car though. Quick question about apex seals are they hard to replace or should I find a mechanic and around what mileage show I do that? I've asked other people here about the mileage but just curious if it's the same response all around.

Plans for the future are hopefully soon a corksport catback exhaust. Then after that dtss eliminators, tie rod spacers, brake upgrade (what should I do about this?), and an S4 LSD (the GTU's should bolt right on correct?), I'm also curious about modifications I can do to the engine (was thinking about upgrading the radiator but anything else?)

It is a possibility that your front end clicking is caused by your coilovers binding while turning. It tends to happen when moving very slow or sitting still. This is usually remedied by using "needle bearing thrust washers". Usually suspension companies will offer these as an upgrade to a set of coilovers.

As for your engine upgrade question: If you're thinking of drifting this car with any semblance of success, Turbo that fool. Otherwise, you will spend thousands of dollars on intake, exhaust, header, blah blah blah bolt ons and only net 15hp. Don't waste your money. Save and purchase all the turbo pieces you need, while obtaining valuable seat time, practicing drifting your chassis. By the time you have all the pieces you need, you might be ready for the extra power.

By the way; I have read that the cheapest turbo route for FCs is to swap in a factory turbo driveline.

Just my thoughts. I have been drifting for a while.

Also, stock brakes are fine for drifting. You will barely use them.


You say cash is going to be tight. If so, make a list of things that are necessary for drifting. Stick to that list and you won't spend unnecessary money.

-suspension (you have coilovers)
-differential (aftermarket, factory LSD or welded)
-spare tires/wheels
-practice, practice, practice

Those are the necessities.

So u think just swapping in a turbo engine, tranny, driveline, and lsd would be a good idea would j need anything else? I guess I'll hold off on anymore mods till I do the swap. I was considering it but had very mixed emotions about it. Any sites or places u would recommend to get the parts for it?

Also sorry for all the questions do u think the coilovers problem is a big deal something worth fixing soon?

Drifting an n/a FC is like drifing a hachi roku. It turns you into a skilled driver, (or it sends you to auto-x insted lol).

You have a few options you can do as far as a motor. You can do the TII swap and have something with some power, shady reliability and something that makes fun noises or you can pick some of the other options. I'm not 100% sure on what a TII swap costs because when I bought my chassis, that's the last thing I wanted but everyone is different.

One option is calling your local junkyard and asking what a 5.3 LS run - generally under $500 for a complete long block. Then you get the mount kits and all that jazz and figure a tranny you want to use which will most likely end up being a LS1 T56. That's an option for a reliable motor, very good power, N/A so no issues that parts are easily obtainable cheap for more big, easy power.

Another option is sticking with the turbo route. This most likely will be the xJZ-series - either a 1JZ or 2JZ. Both are very good options with good, reliable results. You'll still need a mount kit, most likely decide on the R154 over the W58 [but there is no shame in the W-series until you can save up for a built R-series tranny], and you'll probably a lot of smoke.

These are just a few options you can possibly go with motor swapping. Essentially it comes down to money because let's face is - that's what fuels these builds. You started off well with the coils and were smart enough to not do what others are doing which is stupid stuff like exhausts and intakes because at that point, you're committing to a specific motor. Take your time. Do your research. If you want to start drifting now, weld the diff, maybe get a hydraulic e-brake and stock up and wheels and tires.

Shred on!

Definitely, do lots of research! I will typically read for weeks before starting on my new build or making an initial purchase.

Ebay is a great place to find used motor swaps.

You live down south. You should have plenty of swaps around. If you're doing a V8 swap, you don't need eBay. Check CL. Check local drift forums and FB groups. I wouldn't buy toilet paper from eBay.