Drifting an mx-5?

wixy · Postby **wixy** » Fri Jul 06, 2007 6:25 pm

Just wondering how driftable an NA MX-5 is?

What mods would they need to be really really driftable? Or is it not possible?

lowmiata · Postby **lowmiata** » Fri Jul 06, 2007 6:51 pm

wixy wrote:Just wondering how driftable an NA MX-5 is?

What mods would they need to be really really driftable? Or is it not possible?

controlled or uncontrolled....

COW subject but can be done easily shreck and babs are the people to talk too

Sheck · Postby **Sheck** » Fri Jul 06, 2007 8:22 pm

Hello, i drift my MX5 and love it - wont be changing to an s13 any time soon.

Depending on how far you want to go and how good in the drift comps you want to go you may not want to drift this car.
If you want to get up into the top levels of drift get a silvia or similar - they are just way eaiser have tons and tons of support (mods wise) and have a great chassis for it. The mx5 is too short to show off the angle and it is very hairy on the edge even when set up well.

If you just want to have fun and possible dabble in some of the amature comps then read on!

First if your just having fun then all you need is an LSD and suspension and plenty of track time - forget road drifting its sh*t and unless your crazy you cant go for big entries and the speeds are too slow.

Next get a turbo on the car because power will make it a million times easier to drift, then look at bracing for the underbody. Look into getting tie-rod spacers to increase the steering lock - this will help immensly.
To run these spacers you'll most likely have to run a good offset rim- with a 15x7 rim you'll need about a +25 offset to clear the crappy control arms. Thats with a 195/50/15 tyre if you go a 55 series (why would you) then you will hit the arm so you'll need a +20 offset.

Then just play with you alignment settings and car setup, make sure you have adequate cooling oil cooler and radiator (i've killed the oil before in my car and it soulds hell scary!, at least untill it cools down). And get plenty of track time!!!
Make sure the engine and drive line and everything in your car can handle the power, so you'll need a 1.8L diff and 6 speed gearbox cause the 5 speeds are weak as! Also dont forget a roll cage, a simple jap import one will suffice for practice days in queensland but your looking at a CAMS approved one down south - they cost money!!! I wouldnt dare drift without a cage cause even thou a roll over is not likely to happen it still could!!

If you have any more questions then pm me or post up here.

Dave

Babalouie · Postby **Babalouie** » Fri Jul 06, 2007 9:29 pm

Firstly, you can drift anything

But I'd agree with Sheck's comments in that yes, you can drift an MX5....

....and if you just want to dabble in it then it'll do quite well with just a few mods (an LSD is essential)...

....but if you have ambitions to do it at a competitive level, then yes...

...something like a Silvia is a lot easier to set up and much easier and more consistent to drift.

AJ · Postby AJ » Fri Jul 06, 2007 9:46 pm

that Volvo looks SOOOOOOO wrong.........cracks me up every time :lol:

Mini Me · Postby **Mini Me** » Fri Jul 06, 2007 10:44 pm

lol, that is a fantastic pic.

great work on the drifting too babs

Veloce · Postby **Veloce** » Fri Jul 06, 2007 11:11 pm

The old 242GT was a real sleeper with a bit of work. Didn't fit the cardigan image 4 sure!

deez · Postby **deez** » Sat Jul 07, 2007 3:02 am

How possible is it to drift without an LSD? (serious question)

wixy · Postby **wixy** » Sat Jul 07, 2007 9:36 am

Thanks for the advice guys!

Sheck · Postby **Sheck** » Sat Jul 07, 2007 9:36 am

very possible, but its alot harder and you cant really drift properly - as in you wont be able to link corners and keep a slide going for very long.
It's good practice because to drift without an LSD your relying on speed and momentum, and you have to weight transfer quite a bit.

I've done it a little, when i upgraded to a 1.8 rear i only had an open for a few weeks/months.

Dave

NB8C · Postby **NB8C** » Sat Jul 07, 2007 11:23 am

i found that it easier to drift without an LSD... with the LSD, once the throttle is off, the car will then spin to else where..

Babalouie · Postby **Babalouie** » Sat Jul 07, 2007 12:40 pm

Yes you can drift without an LSD.

I'm 60% sure this is me at the 3'08 mark in some NB owners car:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PDRU5o5ErA

The problem is, without an LSD you have much fewer options as to starting and holding the slide. So you need a huge run-up and also the corner has to be just the right shape for you to hold the slide a decent distance.

A real LSD gives you a lot more to work with.

bruce · Postby **bruce** » Sat Jul 07, 2007 2:31 pm

Luv the cardy in the Volvo Baba !

Sheck · Postby **Sheck** » Sat Jul 07, 2007 3:47 pm

NB8C, your most likely just not quick enough with the steering work thats why you spin, that or the LSD you used was stuffed and went into open mode once your off throttle which will make the rear grip and if you dont catch it in time it make you spin.

Hammer · Postby **Hammer** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 12:22 pm

wixy wrote:Just wondering how driftable an NA MX-5 is?

What mods would they need to be really really driftable? Or is it not possible?

If you seach in You Tube, you'll find tonnes of drifting videos using an MX5.

Here's one video of an NA drifting in a carpark, and another here by those crazy Japanese around a touge.