Socalhatchy

Hello everyone on rx8 forum. So I've been checking out this site for awhile now searching for the best way to get myself in a rx8 and build it to drift only. At the moment budget is low and slowly but surely saving money to buy an rx8. Here's my thoughts... Buy a broken used 04 05 rx8 for around 3 grand. Disassemble engine and rebuild if possible (preferred) or buy another motor. Strip car completely and began roll cage and chassis reinforcement. Most likely roll stock motor rebuilt for feel of rx8. I'm a BMW tech so I'm highly mechanically inclined and all labor and welding will be done myself. This is my plan on getting started. Budget of 7 grand or so. So my question to you guys who are experienced is, what would you rec. doing to get started drifting a rx8? Basically like I did this and this but I should have done this type thing. I plan on running this car to the wall so yeeeehaaawww. By the way I built a couple evos for friends 400hp + and still want a dingy 200hp screaming rotary rx8. So please share what you would do. Thanks in advance... Also drifting forum seems a bit dead. What's up with that?

Slidin8

Not enough money

/thread

Arca_ex

iTrader: (10)

That wont' be a big enough budget.

Car = 3500
Rebuild = 1200-ish assuming all housings, plates and rotors are salvageable.
Clutch = 300
Coilovers = 1000
Sway bars/endlinks = 500
Track brake pads = 300
Seats/Brackets/Harnesses = 1000 for used stuff


At this point in the list we're at a little under 8000 and we haven't even factored in the cost of the cage and other miscellaneous parts and costs that you'll run into during the build.
Other stuff you'll probably want to do is intake/exhaust/ignition/tuning to try to get to the 200HP mark which in itself is almost another 2500 dollars.

Socalhatchy

Cant find the thread not enough money but i will try again later. Thanks for the detailed post arca. 8 grand from nothing to a car that is decent enough to start drifting isnt to bad. Somethin ive learned already is to start out with what you want like an rx8 than a 240. Ya 240 is cheaper to build to drift but not being the car i really want takes the fun out if it and a waste of money cuz i will sell it. My plan is to slowly but surely build a drift rx. So most builds ive seen on the forum is people drfting rx8 that are stock and are financed. Or super bad *** which costs and time of the build is way out of my near future goals to get started. But maybe one day have a badd *** build. But for now get a rolling rx8 and dip my feet in. Anyone gone this route building a used early rx 8? Just trying to get somones story on how they went about it and the result and where they stand now.

Arca_ex

iTrader: (10)

Why not get a boosted FC? That's what I would try to find if I wanted to go drifting.

bryan4140

iTrader: (2)

I'm slowly build my 8 with drifting in mind and iv been drifting it for fun bit by bit along the way. What i'll say (and most others will as well) is that seat time is the most important thing. Run the motor till it's dead(do basic maintainence things like plus, wires, coils, fluids ect..) or rebuild/ replace if its already dead. you can drift on a pretty stock setup to start and build as you go along. things like a cage can wait till you save more money. things that would help a bit would be to run a little bit higher presure in rear tires to help break traction, a drift friendly alignment (-3 front camber and 0 rear camber), 1.5 or 2 way diff and coil overs. this is just a quick thorw togeather list. alot more could be added but this should be a decent starting point. there is some decent info on this site about drifting already if you search a bit to find it. good luck and have fun.

blackmike

I'm doing the same thing. And yes seat time is king. I started drifting with a stock fc then added parts after getting good drifting stock. Hers my list of it helps what my plan is for my 8 is:

Seat time.
Seat time.
Seat time. (not a typo)
Coilovers,
A good seat,
Seat time,
At least a 1.5 diff,
Seat time,
Power adders (what's available)
Seat time,
Angle mods,


That's my way of gong with it. Hope that helps at all. That's what I did with my Fc and did good at track events.

Socalhatchy

I dont think building a fc would be much cheaper than the rx8. 04 rx8 blue book fair is 5500... Blown up motor and what not I should find an rx8 for 3000 grand. The fc go for 800 to 2500 but man.... Hard to find one that's not salvaged or hacked to hell. To get the fc rolling stock wouldnt be much difference than the rx8. i have a 13b ready to go so a fc would prob. Be a smarter choice but a little more money and I'm in the rx8. Fc or rx8 I will be spending the same money I think. Thanks for the replys I appreciate your opinions and input on how you did it. I'm basically at the point where if I find either chassis for a killer deal than I will swoop it up. But man I like the rx 8.

yokohamaboi

iTrader: (1)

You need one of these. so far it locks up at 60mph

blackmike

I say go with the 8 sideways 8's are sexy

LiveWire

iTrader: (1)

Wait, how is rebuilding a stock engine (with salvageable parts) on his own going to cost 1200? Am I missing something? I thought it would just be replacing side seals, apex seals, and getting royal purple engine lube? Although I do agree 8k isn't enough considering tires are extremely important as well.

I'd have to agree with this my friend, if you want to go cheaper/easier that is. Most drift rx8's are boosted from what I can tell and that is just a huge ordeal in itself. Needless to say if you have the money for the rx8 go for it. You can always work up more money for more mods later. I'd personally love to see it! Just my 2-cents worth if it means anything.

-_- just.gimme.my.ticket

everything else aside

first thing i would do is find a tire sponsor

Junirol

iTrader: (24)

I'm glad you got it to work bud

yokohamaboi

iTrader: (1)

Big shout out to you! I wouldnt been able to figure this out on my own. That leak i had randomly just stopped. I re bleed the entire system again and damn locks up like a boss on asphalt people freak out with a cloud of smoke haha.

driftdoggy

Oh man, my 8 needs ignition coils but after that i will be drifting it stock with the exception of an exhaust mod. I have very little " extra" money but i got a bud that works at a tire shop so i can get used rears for $20 each. I'd like to know some cheap starting mods as well.

LiveWire

iTrader: (1)

Your best bet would be to save up for coilovers. After that you will want to do your sway bar, etc.

driftdoggy

Well hmm i guess i could sell my 78 chevy pickup and get a set of coilovers

driftdoggy

I would love to put one in my 8, was it terribly difficult?

yokohamaboi

iTrader: (1)

It was a bit difficult, You have to make sure you have the right lines and fittings, i got all my lines fittings from summit racing. I spent around almost $500 dollars doing this mod, cause i bought everything from Earl's Fitting's exspensive! It depends if you know how to budget. I wouldnt spend money on this mod until you start practicing drifting. On rainy days go out and drift it's easier to kick out plus car control, On dry days your gonna have to be aggressive, especially on a low power car.

Here's Junirol's E-BRAKE diagram.

DO AT YOUR OWN RISK!!! HE AND I NOT LIABLE FOR ANYTHING

https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-tec...iagram-239865/

Carbon8

iTrader: (4)

Good reference, this will also come in handy for a BBK in the rear and retain the E-Brake.

yokohamaboi

iTrader: (1)

What do you mean? My Stock e brake still works, I use that for parking, and my Hydro for drift action. My Foot brake still stops front and rear brakes as well.

Carbon8

iTrader: (4)

No rear BBK kits retain the factory e-brake, in order to have on you must install a hydraulic e-brake.

yokohamaboi

iTrader: (1)

Geez thats good to know. Why not get upgraded bigger rotors with the stock calipers?

Carbon8

iTrader: (4)

Same reason anyone puts a BBK on our cars. Looks, as stopping power is practically the same.

yokohamaboi

iTrader: (1)

Could also due 300zx tt calipers 4 pistons shave off the nissan cast and powder coat them for the front haha