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.

I figured even though most everyone on here drifts an FC try to look at this with an open mind...

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

Infernal Drift Machine

No offense to your personal opinions but you have some weird complaints about the FC. The Series 4 FC is probably the easiest one to build for drifting, especially if you're going non-turbo because you'll get way more reliability out of it than a S5 and its fundamentally looks the same as without as many problems or weird obsolete technology. Check out mazdatrix.com, there's plenty of support for a project FC.

The only thing that the S5 has over the S4 is better hp, which if money is no object you can do a port and/or add a third rotor, which is more reliable than turbo II and the body kit and tail lights, which you can convert onto a S4 if it's too ugly to drift in.

The FC, 240SX, and AE86 have the best drift chassis that's why they're so common in the scene. I prefer the FC chassis out of most tuner cars that i've seen because it looked like my friend's 240 that got me into drifting but looked different and the more I learned about the FC RX-7, the more different I discovered it actually was from every other car on the street. I got way more appreciation for rotaries now. I don't know anything about the FB, but I'm sure someone will give you some pointers on how to make your Gen 1 into a drift machine!

dkwasherexd

iTrader: (8)

go with the fc. I drifted a first gen the other day with no powersteering and it was the hardest car I ever drifted.. hi A.A.ha ha

AcidAngel7477

iTrader: (16)

i did it..

:AA:

Johnny Boost

I've drifted stock 1st gens... it's hard esspecially with an open diff... But KAAZ makes a LSD for it

badandyrx7

they do? i looked at the kaaz website but it only list for the fc and up?

Johnny Boost

Miata and 84-85 (s3) 1st gens share the same diff... Kaaz makes one for the miata

Mazdatrix sells them (KAAZ LSDs) as well... http://mazdatrix.com/G8LSD.HTM

sunburn

S4 all the way.

I have coilovers, clutch, diff and some other basic bolt-ons and it drifts great.

Ranzo

Wow the FC all the way. 1st gens are first of all UGLY......yes my opinion but also that of the major majority of people. Anyway down the brass tacks. 1st gens are really hard to drift they handle worse than the FC. the diiff is not the weak link in making power it is the axles you will need some piled up. Old School steering is sloppy. Body is narrow making it hard to run big rims and tires you are gonna need for your Formula D dreams.

Also DTSS eliminators are not a requirement.

Some inside information on Formula D........ It is possible in the coming seasons that there might be a rule that would eliminate engine swaps, killing the 1st gen idea of competing in it. at least with a 2nd or 3rd gen motor.

AcidAngel7477

iTrader: (16)

^^ hater..you can get plenty of power out of the 12a with help of a turbo kit or se 13b. with the right suspension the 1st gen handle's great in fact i prefer it over the 2nd gen. 1st gen's are NOT hard to drift as they come with power steering from the factory and they also make stronger axles to support the power you plan on putting down. as for the "old school steering" they do make a rack and pinion conversion for it...also there are "wide body kit's" for you to fit bigger wheel's and tire's for your formula D dream's, i've never heard of someone drifting a stock body car. (maybe at first, but down the line your going to want one.)..anything is possible if you take the time to RESEARCH what you plan on doing..there's a bevy of information here and other place's for you to live and learn..

it really how you feel..drift both car's and see which one fit's you..if the first gen feel's more natural then drift that one. if the second gen feel's natural then drift that one..opinion's come a dime a dozen.

:AA:

Ranzo

^^^ hahaa not hating just stating the way I see it. I have driven 1st gens and owned both 2nd and 3rd gens. I just don't see why you would want the 1st gen when you already have to change the steering, axles, engine and body just to be close to the other cars.

I will say that it is better to get the car you want and build it the way you want it and not worry about what other say.

I think the whole Formula D thing is the problem. You build it to the rules and then they change them, unless you are dropping dollars on them, and since the OP is gonna put a 13b turbo in it, there is a large chance that a rule preventing engine mounting points will eliminate that car from competing........but that is a whole other story

Johnny Boost

Well I love the 1st gen chassis... the look of old school is ... great to say the least.

I had plans on swapping a S3 rear end + RESpeed Axles + KAAZ LSD + 2nd Gen X-Frame (giving rack and pinion close ration (turbo 15:1) power steering, FC Suspension and FC Brakes) By swapping X-Members I could easily mount a 2nd Gen 13BT into the car. In all reality there is NO fabrication to do the swap which makes it FD Legal. (Believe me I checked) The only area that will not be 2nd gen (besides chassis) is the rear member.

The biggest plus to go with my FC chassis is that I wouldn't have to replace any rusted panels like the ones in my FB.

I'm leaning towards the FC but I'm having real difficulty trying to choose. Tomorrow is a drift event at Pikes Peak International Raceway in Colorado Springs. Maybe by talking with people they'lll help me decide one way or the other.

JoeyMazda

You should post this question on the 1gen secyion

Ranzo

by changing the engine and subframe you will have effectivley moved the point at which the original engine mounts thereby breaking the rule of altering mounting points. It is not a matter of fabrication. Right now you can run any powertrain in any car basically. Anyway that is not a rule yet it has just been discussed.

Point is to get the car you want and enjoy building it and driving it. Formula D is not the point. Sounds as if you have a soft spot for the styling of the 1st gen. So do like you say get that and put a fc everything else on it.

AcidAngel7477

iTrader: (16)

yeah your right..and that's what i did, just doing what i want. i drift a first gen and its great. i do own a second gen as well but that is my daily. you really know your **** man..i would love to take a trip out to japan just to see and talk about this kind of stuff and collect different insight's..i love to learn.

:AA:

NoPistons!

iTrader: (3)

**** d1.... That pisses me off.

What's next? Everyone must drift an open diff?

It's turning into ******* nascar.......

Excuse my language. I'm just upset by that. Not that i plan to or want to go pro, or semi pro. I just like to have fun.

I've driven an fb/sa that was stock and i've driven an fc that was stock.

The fb was fun, belonged to a friend of mine but i liked the fc more. Seemed to be alot more responsive and fun to drive. Probably the most fun i've had in a car aside from my friend's dad's zo6. FC's are so well balanced.

Ranzo

hahah thanks. I would like to take a trip to Japan too. I live in Memphis TN now lol sux People still think I live in Japan and always ask what I am doing in the states.



As far as D1 goes the rules are totally different than Formula D. D1 is still pretty much open, they have to be because everyone pretty much quit D1 in Japan and run the MSC series or D1 street legal. I agree lots of rules have no place in drifting but they are trying to force people in a certain direction.......for whatever reason.

Im really not competitive anymore with drift so I don't care. If I could afford to do any drift series I would probably do it because it is still a lot of fun going to the events and actually doing something real as opposed to playing but at the same time doing a whole season is a dick dragger and if you break or just get wierd judging going on then it just adds to it.

This is why I said Formula D dreams...... by the time you get to the point of actually doing a pro event the rules will have changed.

Infernal Drift Machine

I'm curious, are you the same Ranzo from Grip Video, Drift Societyand the Slide America documentary? That would be craazy!

Johnny Boost

Ok I decided to go FC.

I'll be asking some questions in the near future... but only after reading and searching and more reading

Ranzo

yes that be me



glad you made a decision and on a fc

GSLSE-YA

Good choice. You know how much I love my first gen, but you would have to spend some time and money getting the geometry correct on the rear after lowering the car with the solid axle. It would be too much time and money spent to get the first gen where you want it.

The FC will be a good drifter. Strip everything you don't need, lower it with coilovers, run solid (or close to solid) bushings, then work on HP.