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iizuka's Drift Build
Hey guys. First of all I'd like to say I'm not into the rotors/no-rotors type of argument. Always admired the rotary design and absolutely love their sound (still dig two stroke dirt bikes too). I know a little bit about them, have successfully rebuilt a NA S5 13b once. I always liked the RX8 and got really close to buy a brand new one in 2007, kind of glad I didn't. But if I had, it would probably be in mint condition to this day. I am OCD about my cars.
I have built a few drift cars in the past. I still have a pretty nice S14. Before I moved from AZ to MN, a friend of mine offered me an LS1 out of his 2001 WS6. I ended up buying on a whim. Fast forward a couple of months and I was thinking I'd like to find a nice handling chassis to shove that thing into. All of a sudden that RX8 spark lit up: "I'm gonna look for an RX8 with a blown motor!" It wasn't two weeks until I came across to this (taking it home): https://i57.tinypic.com/sc3wxi.jpg This car was a total loss due to fire at only 42k miles. The previous owner got it in an auction and bought it to remove the powertrain and put it in his blown RX8. The car still started and ran perfectly. https://i59.tinypic.com/156rg2d.jpg |
I found a guy on CL that was parting out a car of the exactly same color. Bought trunk lid, passenger front fender, headlights and rear bumper from him. http://i62.tinypic.com/2uzdxg9.jpg http://i58.tinypic.com/f210tz.jpg
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https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx8...3152ee67fe.jpg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx8...74ff9c5e66.jpg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx8...93b176ad83.jpg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx8...5f796f222d.jpg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx8...11c6df3b79.jpg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx8...7a8f28223c.jpg Then after letting it hibernate for nearly a year, decided to take it out of storage and start working |
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https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx8...f050aaafe9.jpg
Figured I didn't need two coolers for the LS, so I took one and installed on my 240. RBs run a little hot. |
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx8...e2fbbd3539.jpg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx8...6b02d12668.jpg I got a Hinson kit, it looked very nice, with the exception of the motor mount brackets. They looked flimsy, so I reinforced them a bit. |
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx8...960fbbb950.jpg
V-Hate in place! |
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx8...1616a6f400.jpg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx8...c11728933f.jpg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx8...58032646f3.jpg I'm still collecting parts for it. Recently bought Stance GR+ Coilovers, Enkei 18X9.5+18 (white) and a nice, low mileage LS T56. |
Nice, good to see you picked the right color ;).
I'm not a fan of the Stance (have them and have had a few issues) but hopefully you got the newest ones and they fixed all the issues. If you need different spring rates let me know, I have couple of sets of Stance springs laying around. Love the wheels. |
Thanks 9k. If my car gets to be half as pretty as yours, I'll be happy. Yeah, I made sure to get their new version. I have a good contact at Andy's Auto, and he told me that this new version has been trouble free for the most part. I may hit you up about the springs, I think I'll need a stiffer set for the front at least.
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Originally Posted by 9krpmrx8
(Post 4667388)
Nice, good to see you picked the right color ;).
:) |
Subb'ed This appears to be a proper swap.
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https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx8...323a1976b7.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx8...176f7875a5.jpg This is what I was working on before I left to Canada for work in the beginning of the year. I am in the process of making the mounts for the S14 steering rack. I can't wait to finish this part, so I can send the front and rear subframes to sand blast and powder coating. Then I'll be able to put it all back together and see how the car will sit on the new wheels and Coilovers. This car has no rust on the unibody, but the suspension bits look nasty. I miss Arizona cars. |
Sub'd too! Don't let us down iizuka!
+ more pics of the 240 please!!!!! :suspect: |
i have some faith in this swap, op doesnt claim it will cost sub 2k and be done in a weekend which is reassuring. plus that 240 looks nice
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Originally Posted by 200.mph
(Post 4667487)
i have some faith in this swap, op doesnt claim it will cost sub 2k and be done in a weekend which is reassuring. plus that 240 looks nice
Thanks man! I definitely don't promise this is going to be a fast swap. I work way too much and am a father of two, so the car is not a priority in my life. It's just something to keep me sane, lol. I'm nearly done (or would like to call it done) with my 240. The car has been a blast and behaved flawlessly on the 3 events I managed to participate last year. I first thought of building another drift car out of the 8. I changed my mind though, no sense in having two drift cars, so the 8 is going to be for HPDE/TT events. It will get there, eventually. |
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx8...974b69c25a.jpg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx8...566b46ba5c.jpg Sorry, not an RX8. But that's my other distraction |
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx8...b8f29adc68.jpg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx8...15a91c06fc.jpg As requested. Enough of S-Chassis now, right? :) |
nice nissan man. a friend at work built a 240 drift car but its nowhere as nice as yours
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Doesn't have to be an RX, we tend to have an appreciation for ALL nice toys!
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As a general rule; if you build it right the majority of people here will appreciate it.
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So far so good.
Seeing a clean 240 that actually gets used is a breath of fresh air haha. Well done. |
Now THIS is how you start a build / swap thread. Subbed. Looks clean so far man!
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Good job so far .
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Appreciate the nice words guys! I really can't wait to start working on this car again. I'm returning to the U.S. tomorrow, but will have to travel to Daytona Beach two days later :( So there will be no updates for a while. I got a set of voodoo13 control arms for my 240, and I'm calling it done. From now on the fun budget will be spent on the RX8 only.
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Originally Posted by iizuka
(Post 4667502)
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx8...b8f29adc68.jpg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx8...15a91c06fc.jpg As requested. Enough of S-Chassis now, right? :) |
Xxr replicas of ccw classics it looks like. 531s?
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Originally Posted by J8635621
(Post 4668225)
Xxr replicas of ccw classics it looks like. 531s?
I could never buy "baller rims" for drifting. They usually get mangled at random tire machines at events. If you're not looking for super nice, extra light wheels, XXRs are a good option. They have tons of size and offset options, look pretty good, very good finish and usually require little balance weight. From my experience, they can take a beating too. |
Looks good keep those pictures coming!
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Finally finished the steering rack brackets. Not really pretty, but the dimensions are spot on and they're strong. I believe that I won't have bumpsteer issues and can use the stock RX8 tie rods instead of the Hinson. I also extended the steering shaft with the sleeve Hinson provided, but made sure to drill it to plug weld them first. Can't wait to be able to send this subframe to sand blast and powder coating. But first I need to sort out the anti-sway bar situation. Two cool things: both the tie rods and steering shaft joint were the same pattern from Silvia to RX8, they bolted right in!
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx8...9035612803.jpg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx8...52c5088d0b.jpg |
Love the 240 I used to have a rb25 one it was awesome
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https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx8...6f40250797.jpg
Finished the steering rack and installed the new Stance coilovers. It's a roller again! Now it's waiting on parts that have been shipped but have not arrived. https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx8...b3a1cef6ee.jpg With the 8 aside, I get to put a few new parts on the 14! https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx8...9f32ac3a22.jpg |
Nice, I'm liking the RPF1's in white.
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never underestimate the miraculous power of koolaid ...
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https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx8...1881c3a4eb.jpg
Installed all new bushings, modified knuckles and extended front LCAS and the Voodoo13 adjustable arms. I'm calling it done! Time to focus on the 8... |
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx8...8385752973.jpg
Received my custom aluminum drive shaft. It's a beauty! https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx8...61f851d040.jpg Got a great deal on set of brand new OE LS3 headers. Since I'm limited on HP/weight ratio, they will do just fine... |
Sleeps all winter and wakes up like a champ!
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Finally had some time to work on the 8. I was able to finish installing the hard parts after I received the shorter urethane mounts from Hinson. I welded the transmission crossmember brackets and finished installing the torque arm and the new drive shaft.
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We are about to move out of state, so I installed as many parts as I could on the car in order not to have a bunch of stuff laying around. It made me realize how much I still have to buy. Haha! It's been a fun project though.
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx8...ebf7f891f4.jpg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx8...7693157076.jpg |
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx8...d92373005.jpeg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx8...e7918045e.jpeg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx8...a5e255eb7.jpeg After moving to Milwaukee and having too much fun with the 240, I'm back into this build. Literally inching my way, haha. I wasn't happy with the way the engine was sitting with Hinson kit, so I modified it a bit, lower and a little more towards the rear. I have just started the cage. Let's see how much I can do before the weather gets really miserable... |
I wish you had asked us about those Stance coilovers. We would have told you they are crap and will be worn out in well under 10K miles (far less with track use). The right way to do it is to have it corner weighed when the build is finished and customize a suspension from there. Stance bushings and seals blow out very quickly, and you actually need to select your spring rates according to the changed balance of the car and valve your shocks accordingly when everything is finished.
Great looking build so far in every other respect, though. . |
Nice build so far, subbed.
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If you give up on the project for any reason, shoot me a message, as I want to start a swap project as soon as I get my Jeep sold!
Can't wait to see it finished. |
Originally Posted by Steve Dallas
(Post 4729125)
I wish you had asked us about those Stance coilovers. We would have told you they are crap and will be worn out in well under 10K miles (far less with track use). The right way to do it is to have it corner weighed when the build is finished and customize a suspension from there. Stance bushings and seals blow out very quickly, and you actually need to select your spring rates according to the changed balance of the car and valve your shocks accordingly when everything is finished.
Great looking build so far in every other respect, though. . |
It's been a long time...
Wow, I haven't posted here since last year? Well guys, no I did not give up on it! I'm not much of a guy who documents every single step of the build, but this is how the car sits right now:
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx8...212e5eacf.jpeg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx8...884724983.jpeg |
Cage is finished, new windshield installed. I installed the seat last night and will order my pedal box and steering wheel soon, so I can finish painting the interior.
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Keep chipping at it... I need a steering wheel / hub / quick release, but the driver interface is getting there. I decided that this will be a drift build since I'm going to sell my 240. So, bash bars are a must, the rear one is nearly finished.
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx8...474c4da082.jpg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx8...6220368240.jpg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx8...b7c92f0baa.jpg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx8...e253744214.jpg |
Not like anybody is watching, but here are some more updates:
I installed my special ordered Griffin radiator and a Taurus fan. Also built a front bash bar and rolled the fenders, hopefully I'll be able to get rid of any negative camber in the rear. Currently working on the rear firewall. https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx8...188b6147b.jpeg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx8...426974f50.jpeg |
DAMN! Progress looks f'n excellent!!! :bowdown:
How did you take out the rear glass? Break it during the removal process? I have been digging on how to remove the glass from mine without breaking it, as I dont really want to replace it, but it seems to be a bit of a crap shoot haha |
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