Johnny's 87 coupe: The drift build
 

Hey everyone! Finally got around to making some progress on my car so I decided now was the best time to start up a build thread. After coming into a financial tight spot I was forced to sell my 2008 WRX. I can't imagine living without a toy, so in only 3 days I managed to find a vehicle to replace it. Found a great local car that had been well maintained and garaged during winters. And as it turned out, I ended up know the seller. So for the great price of $2000, I picked up this gem. Odometer reading just over 150k, no rust whatsoever, paint in good shape for its age, a few dings here and there, and very few minor issues (wipers, clock, broken vent diverters). Car already had KYB GR struts, Enkie 92 Mesh wheels, Momo Corse Steering wheel, and some random chrome shift knob (possibly short shifter but not sure).


https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...13c7b99371.jpg


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SO being on a tight budget at the moment, I'm not able to get the parts I want just yet. Instead I'm going with the freebies and low cost stuff. The first thing I did was pull the headlight fuse and do a sleepy eye mod. Nothing more than esthetics, but I like it. The next thing, was to gut the cats. Actually noticed a small power increase from this.

Yesterday, I finally got into some serious stuff. Being low on power, I figured going light weight was my best option. Decided to strip everything from the seats back, sans the speakers. Also made a small, but noticeable difference


https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...7e42c85a83.jpg


https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...8d42d63c86.jpg

Still have more to do, but this is how it will sit for a little while. Also decided this morning to buy the block off plate kit from Banzai Racing, and will be doing the air pump and ACV removal as well as the EGR and BAC once that comes in.

So after waiting an extra 3 days for my block off pates to arrive thanks to snail mail delaying delivery, i now am ready to jump into the engine bay. Decided that the silver plates weren't to my taste and had some high temp paint lying around so decided to give them a quick spray. looks much nicer

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...bf959efad7.jpg

here is the payoff of my hard work. a few pounds lighter and a little cleaner bay

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...9f63cca9f0.jpg


https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...c571ae7b3c.jpg

decided to tackle the rest of my emissions removal the other day. probably the most involved thing i've done on my own but everything went smoothly, for the most part. engine bay looks a good bit cleaner and yet another few pounds gone. still have a bit more to do to tidy things up in there. plan on cutting off the unused connectors and wrapping the wires into the harness so they aren't just hanging around in there.


https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...ce9bc59304.jpg


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Ok. So its been a bit since i've updated this and i have a bunch more done now. First I got myself a full exhaust system. I got the Pacesetter Headers and a 3" Manzo catback. As of now i'm running a straight pipe cat delete, and the car is insanely loud. I love and hate it all at the same time. I had a muffler shop weld the 6-port backpressure tube into the header collector and everything seems to be working well. Did some weight comparisons and as it sits, the entire exhaust weighs just under 35lbs, as compared to the 90lbs of the stock system. Huge weight savings there!


https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...d5c19ffd78.jpg

Next, i found a guy near me selling some parts and picked up front and rear strut tower braces, intake adapter, as well as a urethane bushing kit which i have yet to install

Megan Racing front strut bar, and intake
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...671313693f.jpg

nameless rear strut bar, but seems to be nice quality
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...0955220b2d.jpg

And lastly, while i was in the bay i gave everything a nice wipe down since it was horribly dirty and relocated a few things to free up as much space around the air filter as possible. DIY airbox soon to come to try to mitigate intake temps


https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...a186703ad4.jpg

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And just for fun, here is a pic i snapped while out the other day


https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...5b17da87b9.jpg

I don't get it.
You had a perfectly fine airbox already in place and now you're making a home version of the same thing?
What is the point?

^^^this.

Looks like a clean car, probably better off keeping it that way. Because nothing short of adding a turbo or rebuild with a radical port job is going to make it fast. So you might as well enjoy stock like reliability.

it is a drift build/ show car. i want it to look better. yes my stock air box worked well and had a k&n drop in, but it cluttered the bay with its size and was heavier, albeit marginally. and the car HAS become faster since i bought it with the mods i've done so far. a rebuild and port is in the near future as well as possible turbo. i'm not out to try and make a 12 second car or anything crazy (already had that with my wrx). just something fun to put sideways and show off a bit at some local shows. i appreciate your input though. i know most guys don't like seeing this kind of build but that's why i got the car

A "drift/show" car , eh?
About as likely as a "stripper/nun"; every drift car I've ever seen is beat to hell and held together with spit and wishes.

Your car was worth twice what you paid, had you left it untouched.
A non-sunroof, aero spatted w/ duckbill, full interior black car is a pretty desirable unit and yours was in (apparently) good shape.
But now it's going to be a drift widget.

I guess my grandpa sensibilities are showing.

Those sensibilities force me to point out the incongruity of bragging about weight savings from emissions removal while retaining the AC and power steering though.

Now you'll have to excuse me as I go defend my lawn.

^^^Lol.

It's hard to fight the urge to "do things". Even if they are things that are contradictory, hinder performance, or reduce value. It get's easier with age.

Drift/show isn't likely to happen though. It will do one well, and the other poorly (unless the "show's" are all drift missiles ,lol) From where you're at now, show would certainly be easier to build a show car, but if you a make the investment in time and research you could pull off either. Just don't give up.

well the show is on the theory that "every racecar is a show car" not "i have the cleanest car in town". not looking to win awards, just invoke some attraction. a/c will be coming out, i just haven't made it there yet. and as far as p/s, that will stay because i want the response rather than more feel. i already feel the road well enough while cornering (for me anyways). so far every mod i have done has in my eyes been an improvement. and i didn't buy this with intentions of restoring to profit. i bought it to drive, and drive hard, and my build will show that as it progresses

Okay then, we'll see how it goes.

I like what you're doing.

thanks! i know there are going to be people on both sides. could be worse....i could be LS swapping it (part of the Vh8 movement. tired of seeing it in everything under the sun) i always get good reactions when i tell people what my plans for the car are though

Nice build. I'm digging the rims and the panda. I removed the carpet on my vert also, but I'm gonna buy some red carpet and add it back in. I'm not liking the look of the metal. The black metal on your car is very clean and has a nice look though. How are you liking that Manzo exhaust? How does it sound? deep or raspy?

where did all the emission delete plates go? in the middle of doing this myself and curious of all the location.

I have a friend with a red interior. if you are interested i could probably facilitate a deal. and the exhaust is....well i'm not sure yet haha. it's a full straight through so its insanely loud. way up high its like a chainsaw. i'm half in love and half thinking about adding a resonator. but for a full header-back system under $500 it can't be beat. hell a catback alone by bigger name brands is more. overall i'm very happy with it though

buy these: FC3s Block Off Plates (86-91)

follow this: Rotary Resurrection home of the budget rebuild.

Is the carpet for an S5 vert also or S5 coupe?

no, its S4 coupe. not sure if they are the same...

Not totally the same from what I remember.

Maybe I'm dumb but you're building a drift car on a budget? That doesn't really make any sense. If anything, short of building a drag car, you picked the second most expensive thing to build. I get the removing the interior like a Honda kid and doing all the silly things you're doing now but you haven't really told us a single goal on what you plan to accomplish as far as parts/direction when it comes to your desired drift setup. We can probably point you in the direction with suggestions and such. If you want a 'race show car,' that is all fine and dandy but if you're prepping for boost and porting, it seems like your financial focus should be in that realm versus janky PepBoys air filters and minimal weight savings.

If this were a straight-up, no-bull drift build, your first mod would have been welding the diff and maybe a hydraulic e-brake. Possibly even a dual caliper setup. It seems like you're attacking this in the wrong fashion. Seems more like you want it to LOOK like a drift car at local car meets but in reality, the only time it gets sideways is when you have to go up your driveway sideways so you don't scuff up the replica body kit.

yeah you have the wrong idea. as far as it being a "show car" i just want people at my local meets to say "wow thats cool" not looking for people to get on their knees before it. and i did take home a little trophy from a small show held by a local college car club. budget means i don't have unlimited funds so i'm buying mid rate/used parts that will perform but aren't what the pros use. there are local drift events near me that i plan on going to. turbo is up in the air, porting can be done at home. weight savings in any form is beneficial. car already has lsd. hydro e brake is not needed to drift. that would be going against a budget build. spending money to replace a functional part. i know what i need to build a car that can slide. hell after a much needed rebuild, it will do just fine as is. it has no trouble breaking the tires loose and getting sideways. i don't know where you get the idea i'm some stance fag and plan on dragging my frame around, but you should check your attitude until you know what you are talking about. and as for the shot about my "janky pep boys air filter", the only aftermarket i could find was the outrageously priced K&N, which i now have anyway thanks to a friend who is selling his car. but the one i had would have been fine after a heat shield, which i STILL plan to do for the K&N.

you want direction, here it is:

rebuild/port engine. top priority thanks to bad oil seals.
would like to go e fan and bigger radiator to keep temps in check
have a modded throttle body lined up when i get spare cash. just for better response
a/c will be coming out once it loses its charge. i'll enjoy it till then since its still street driven
the rest of the interior will eventually come out
some racing seats would be nice
coilvers for small drop and a little better adjustability than my current setup
spare set of wheels so i don't ruin the nice ones on there now
turbo if i have money when the time comes and i'm still searching for more power

the goal is somewhere around 200whp N/A. not that high of a goal and more than enough to go out and drive the piss out of it.

sorry if i sound like a dick after this, but i'm not some idiot building a car with money from mommy and daddy. and i'm no honda douche. i know what i'm doing and know when its ok to spend less or pay up for the right parts.

Fyi, going to a modded throttle boxy while you're n/a is gonna hurt your low end. If you want the most bang for your buck, keep the mechanical fan and fan shroud. It moves more air than most electric fans out there. 200 whp on a n/a wont be cheap, you're gonna wanna look into a standalone

thanks for the input. i'll keep that in mind. as it stands i'm keeping everything that comes off/gets replaced so if i didn't like the change i can go back. but i love how clean the bay looks with that nasty shroud gone

You found an extremely clean and well taken care of S4. It hurts my soul that you started stripping the interior since it was perfect, but it's your car. As izzy said, 200whp na isn't easy. For what you would spend going that route, you can turbo the car. Just pick up an S5 turbo and install a megasquirt ECU, plus a few other pieces. And since you need to rebuild anyway, you can build the engine for a turbo with the proper seals and a good mild port job for a turbo. After all of that is done you can piece together a TurboII drivetrain to swap in for reliability.