Drifting Mods Rx8
 

Alright i know most ppl will probably flame me but im looking for some serious info. Summer is coming up soon and im currently hunting for a damaged rx8 that i can strip down and make a drifter out of it. I'm interested in the most important mods to bring to the car before i take it for a test run on the track. I was reading up on it and saw a few different opinions.

Mods i saw should be done:

- Mod the Ebrake to a quick release.
- Get 16 inch low grip tires
- Get a high capacity radiator
- Change the suspension kit
- And either weld or change the LSD
- Pull that *DSC fuse thing thats what its called forgot
- Last maybe get some more powerfull calipers in front for gripping.
- Maybe a feul pump.

- No need but i already have my MS body kit rdy hehe


Alright im looking for some comments and info on what i might be missing.

coilovers, hydro ebrake, a lot of tires, and a 2 way diff.

Most of that is wrong.

You dont need hydro, but you do need a ebrake button. You can get one on ebay for like $5 bucks, so the ebrake wont get stuck on you.

-Use at least 17s or 18s with good tires.
- coilovers will be benificial

-do not weld the stock LSD, the stock will work 100x better, if u are upgrading get a 1.5 or 2 way

-no need for a fuel pump

-just go to drift days, and get seat time.

driver > car

the oem diff will fail if you are intentionally drifting with it.. It wont take very long.

Yah thats what i herd ericB.
And as far as the tires go wont it be easyer to break friction with 16inch ?

i have 16" rear with 205/55-16 when I drift :)

ew dont go to 16"...

our cars have no problem BREAKING traction..

the problem with drifting an rx8 is:

sustaining the drift over large sweepers.. the power just isnt there unless you go FI or nitrous.

we have close to a 50/50 weight distribution so its a lot twitchier since the axis of rotation is in the middle, vs a 240sx where the weight is in the front and the back end swings out and rotates around the front of the car.. where the weight is. It is a lot harder to drift cars with 50/50 balances especially when starting out but it can be done with some practice.

you might as well just drift on them oem diff and kill it to get some practice getting sideways and what that feels like..

That's not true, it'll be fine.

yes it is :uhh:

expect it to last 10-15k miles if you are drifting with it.

source: this dude


Talked to him for a while about drifting the rx8 at ECB a year or two ago.

his motor was ported from pineapple racing.

Shit happens. I know an rx8 owner that needed a new motor within a year.

That doesnt mean every single rx8 needs a new motor withing a year.

right thats the main thing i worry about :P

kinda scrared of blowing the engine from putting it under all thats stresss all the time. i had to get one changed in my first RX8 lucky me it was under warranty. and i didint burn it drifting either.

Id like to get input on the life of the engine when used for drifting.

if it blows, just rebuild it.. no big deal.

I do not know how mate hehe. Would love to learn but not sure a DIY would be wise for rebuilding a rotary engine.

i know how to take the engine apart then strip it to bare but then i dont know what to change whats broken and so on. Taking the engine out and stripping it no problem :)

you will see what you can keep and what you cant..

always replace all the gaskets and seals.. you might be able to reuse the irons/plates and rotors depending on their condition.

people have rebuilt rotary engines in motel bathtubs.. its not difficult.

there is a youtube video by................................................ .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................. aaroncake... yeah... i think his name is aaroncake... he rebuilds a FC motor step by step.. its the same shit.

Ok and where can i get the engine replacement parts.

:icon_no2:

Do your homework and figure out if you are capable of doing it yourself. If not, then find a reputable builder with experience rebuilding the Renesis. It is not easy and requires quite a few specialty tools to get the job done right.

im willing to learn and get the tools needed just need to know the parts are available for repair and a few good guides. One thing i learned is that on a car there aint much i cant learn to do. Also my main 2005 Rx8 is finishing its warranty on march 13 2013. So getting skills for this might be a good thing.

would just like to know where to get the parts needed i remember finding a link a while back but cant seem to find it anymore

yeah I have well over 30k miles on my diff since I started drifting... everything BUT the diff has had issues. however I will say the stock diff sucks donkey balls. if its in the budget get a 2way, otherwise it will get the job done if needed.

Shameless plug.. :)

https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-discuss...talled-244515/

Interesting post where did you get you button from?

Been sliding my stock diff since 07, changed the fluid once, never had a problem. I really don't like the diff but it will get you by at first. It just really sucks for third gear slides. But options are limited.

You guys have gotten lucky with the stock diff. Mine wouldn't lock up after about a year, been welded since 08.

All you need to drift is one crazy ass driver and a RWD car

Bazinga

troll

you need a lot of power I mean A LOT! at least 400hp

No you don't

not ture. been drifting stock motor for almost 3 years. its a challenge and I am SOOO ready for more power, but it gets the job done.

Very true. I started out drifting in my 86 Mustang gt. I then welded the dif in it and went from there. Then I got my ae86 SR5 and got a spool in it and drifted that and that things has less then 90bhp . So it drifting is all driver. Just drift it stock and see wear you need to make adjustments to make it smoother for your style , what every it might me

Drive > Car

sweet info ill be coming here too look more

I drifted an 85 celica with a good 90 -110 hp to the wheels...
driver > car

good info here. I didn't realize the stock diff could be a weak point.
any suggestions on where to look for suitable replacements?

just google rx8 2way lsd. theres quite a few options these days (: My diffs taken everything i have thrown at it so far, bout a year of abuse and its stock. Stock 4port motor too you dont need power to drift just practice.. good luck

seat time is best

Tubed front and 1jz
 

Has anybody or have pic of a rx8 with a tubed front like what the formula drift people have because I want to do it to my rx8 as I am putting a 1jz engine into it

I'll be building a tube front and rear for my car eventually as well as a full cage. It will mostly be used as a time attack car though, I have something else in mind for a drift car.

How is the stock steering angle on the car? With the car as twitchy as it is a lot of angle would be important to be able to hang with it.

^What swap did yo use Ronin?

Twitchy?! Are we still talking about an RX8? Unless someone has messed with the suspension, they're pretty docile.

Steering angle is ample, but it's sort of a weird question. Wouldn't you have your answer if you have driven the car?

I haven't lol. I've had people tell me not to use them for drift in the past. I bought a shell a few months ago for a time attack build so I've yet to actually drive on. I've ridden in them plenty of times though.

I'm planning on doing most of the fabrication myself for the initial swap. I really just want to get the car on the road so I can start figuring out exactly what I want to do with it.

you still didn't answer the question.... Which swap are you doing?

I thought you were referring to what subframes I was planning on swapping in lol. I'll be doing an ls swap and eventually a turbo ls.

ohhh ok. Good luck. Make a thread on your build

Will do. Might be a few months before I get started though. I need to finish my civic.

Suspension is too soft. Coilovers or harder springs

front wheels- whatever you prefer

rear wheels- 16 or even 15 size smaller is better. nothing too wide , 205 should be ok The Renny doesnt have a lot of power to powerslide. you can also experement with putting winter tires at the back or pumping more air in the tires (like up to 4 bar) for less grip, and easier power sliding.

hand brake - the cheap e button thing or you can just duct tape the button when racing.

Also do a cool down lap often the oil and water does get hot.

Seat time is your best mod, its not about hp ( yes it helps). I have a stock R3, it has plenty of power to spin the wheels, ive been running 17x9 +20 with 225 all season tires and or Kenda KR20, maybe 40-45 psi. Things that help Coilovers to lower center of gravity and help eliminate the body roll which I saw really helped with transitions. Im also running a modded knuckles to help with steering angle. otherwise the car is all stock and plenty of fun. Its crazy how many people say rx8s cant drift and needs way more power, this and that when that's all untrue. Id say start with seat time, coilovers and look into modded knuckles and you will be set and as you learn to drive a slow car fast it will make you a better driver. As you get comfortable you will learn what you need next. They are very capable cars! just go to drift events and get seat time and have fun.

Heres a few clips of my set up

Digging up another old thread here.

I'd need a feedback on drifting with the stock powersteering. Does anyone had any issue of PS failures or overheating?

I want to try and get into drifting with my 8, as well as a buddy with his 370Z. My concern with drifting the 8 is that they tend to overheat easily under sustained load. I know the tech specs about this car enough that it checks all the boxes for a pretty good drifter stock. Solid chassis with a lot of rigidity, high rev range to work with and a flat torque curve, decent power, almost perfect 50/50 with a slight rear bias, strong brakes, loads of suspension travel but low center of gravity, etc. It's mainly engine cooling that I'm concerned about. I don't want to go to any event without gauges installed, that way at least I can see when the car is getting hot and cool down.