Darkmotive's 98 NB8A build: drifter in the making

[darkmotive]

Hi guys!

Just thought I would start a build diary considering I am starting to do some work to the car

Back story:
I recently purchased a 1998 NB8A from another member (I think?) which had been fitted with a good base turbo setup. After 'umming and arring' over what I should do with the car, what motor I should stick in it etc. A quick conversation with Wazman at the recent WTAC event in Sydney and some not so subtle persuasion from my mates, I decided I would get back into drifting using the little MX. So over the next few months I hope I can build a neat little drift rig and maybe contribute in some small way to the forums .

Since the purchase, aside from adding the wheels etc I have been trying to tidy bits and pieces up:
"Stitched" front lip & re-painted (after I demolished it trying to get out of a few driveways)
Tidied some wiring from the gauges
Removed the wing mounts and plugged the holes
Repaired and strengthened turbo dump after it split in half
Engine bay plug delete
General tidy up and some new decals

Future mods I have waiting to go on or have done by a shop:
Deep dish suede wheel and airbag cancel
Low Max rep fixed back seat
Locked diff
New diff back exhaust (thank you, Mr HWP/ EPA)
CDA Carbon fibre enclosed filter + CAI

Plans are still in the works but this is what is currently floating around for later down the track:
Forged internals/ rebuild and re-tune
Change in turbo + external gate (Plumbed in)
New FMIC piping
Front strut brace
Oil cooler and filter re-location
Vinyl wrap
New plates
Other assorted bits & pieces
New roll bar if I can't get my helmet height down far enough
Replace/ repair front bar
Lots of skids. LOTS. (All on the track, of course. I like my licence! )

Anyway, enough rambling. Specs and some pictures!

Engine/ Performance
Highmount steam pipe manifold
Polished GT2876R Turbo, .86AR rear housing
Inconel stud kit
Adaptronic SELECT plug in ECU
Innovate wideband o2 sensor
HDi EBC Type D Special Edition
AEROFlow fittings and hoses
FMIC
ID1000 Injectors
2.5" stainless exhaust

Wheels & Suspension
Yellowspeed coilovers
XXR 531 16x8 +0 wheels with Toyo Proxes 4's all around

Interior
Boost gauge
Wideband A/F ratio gauge
JVC Headunit
Brown Davis roll bar
Battery cut-off switch (soft install so can be returned to stock)

Exterior
Garage Vary lip
Foam 'sideskirts'/ edging
Rear bar cut down

How I picked up the car (slightly less damage to the lip however):



How it looked with the wing before getting defected:


How the car currently sits:


I will have some more photos up soon of the interior/ engine bay etc... I also managed to have a good friend of mine do a small improv photo shoot with the car on Sunday evening in Centennial Gardens so I am looking forward to see how they come up

Any comments, questions or constructive criticism is welcome

Cheers for looking,
Bj

[Smokinscotty]

Love it! Have you done much drifting before?
Definatley recommend getting out there and do a few events before you commit to a plan of mods.
Looking forward to seeing where this goes!

[cookie]

After letting my mate drive mine (na6) at matsuri two weeks ago it's a lot of fun top down. The struggle for power wouldn't be your issue like mine was really fun regardless. You may want to look into modified knuckles if you get serious.

[darkmotive]

Smokinscotty- yeah man, done a fair bit although only ever in Nissans. First time in a Mazda and learning the new quirks of the MX will be interesting.

Cookie- Nice! Have you locked your diff or got an LSD? Yeah knuckles will be on the list but I have to re-do the cooler piping so I can go lock to lock.

Cheers guys!

[speed]

Stupid question: what is the most cost effective way to get into the sport of drifting?
I've looked at the various drift schools as an introduction but where to go from there? Assuming car clubs do drift meets.
I also blame WTAC


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[cookie]

Cheapest way is to not get started.... Honestly it's probably 3rd in expense, drag racing second and rallying first. My mates have cars. Most affordable/easy way to get into it is to buy an r31 or cheap s13 etc. Trailer and cheap 2nd hand tyres etc.

I was nervous to give my mate a go but having an ae86, he was surprised how similar the cars were. Mine was less powerful and much less stiff.

Torsen 2 4.3 with 5 speed. Cams, full intake and exhaust, front swaybar (which made it harder). Also it requires a lot more commitment to throw an NA car around. He was entering in 3rd. 140k/hr downshift to 2nd and redlining the whole track. It's not easy on motors, bearings, etc.

Just go out and watch. Bring helmet and ask for a ride. I went to a 500 dollar learn to drift and honestly it was SO hard coming from fwd. But was very technical and learnt a lot of theory.

[Smokinscotty]

DM - Its certainly different from any S or R chassis for sure, but also much more of a challenge which is good fun. main problem I found is that with the power to weight and shallow angle you catch up to people very quickly... it can get a little awkward at times, trying to do three things at once Eventually you will get a rythym and it gets easier.

Speed - IMO most cost effective method would be to buy a clean R33 gtst. They come with alot of the good stuff standard and with a set of coilovers make a very nice to drive drift barge. I ran one with just a front mount and coilovers and it was good enough to get me a fair way in the sport. By buying something thats not a $1500 special, means you wont be under it as much as you will be behind the wheel and should get some consistency from the car while you work on getting consistency from the driver.

[A.Chen89]

If you want a taste try going to Ebisu Drift matsuri. It sounds expensive up front but you get tonnes of track time, and a chance to drive tracks you wouldn't get here.
Adding up the cost for a missile or lightly modded car and it's pretty comparable to getting committed here (shelling out cash for a car, safety gear, mods, trailer, memberships and finding an appropriate event to goto)

[speed]

Thanks cookie, smokinscotty and a.chen for the responses.
Already have a s3 rx7 with s5 turbo engine/driveline. Rebuilt, ported, doweled etc. don't think I'd have issues with high rpm. Could also put on club rego and drive to the track but would still need support car for tyres, parts etc.
Would want to change seat, add harness, upgrade the brakes and play with the suspension but I guess I just want track time.
Are there drift clubs that I could join and go 10/12 times a year?
I used to do some mild circuit racing and would like to give drifting a go


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[darkmotive]

Hi Speed, sounds to me like your already pretty sorted if you just want to get involved.

Make sure your diff is either locking if you have an LSD or get a locked diff (wouldn't advise if you are regularly street driving) and make sure your fluids are good to go, no leaks and add a secondary bonnet restrain and fire extinguisher.

Head to the driftmob website as they run monthly wetpan days. From there get a feel for it and find other events to go to like the fri night drifts on the peanut.

Getting seats, belts, car trailers etc are all things I would only worry about after you make a firm decision you want to get drifting a lot. It's a very expensive sport so I think you'll find there's tonnes you can do to your car before worrying about the big things- An oil cooler and oil temp/ pressure gauge on a RX7 is probably the first thing I'd be looking at ;) haha.

Hope this helps bud.

[darkmotive]

Cookie: yeah that's interesting, how much is the power difference?

SS: hmm good point. I am keen to get onto the track to see how it handles it. I think the biggest issue I will have is keeping the revs up without wringing the cars neck.

[speed]

Thanks DM and sorry to high jack your thread.
Good call re the guages and cooler. I rebuilt this car a few years back and haven't dríven it near enough. Have custom LSD but a high 3.9:1 ratio, so may need to stab the loud pedal a little.
Your post was very helpful.
Thank you!!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Smokinscotty]

I believe Driftmob is now marketed as Australian Drift Club. One of the friendliest and driver oriented clubs about. Add their fb page for regular event invites.

[darkmotive]

Had an early knock off from work today so I decided to quickly fit some bits...

Replaced the pod setup on the turbo with a CDA carbon intake I had lying around... (actually made for an R32 golf, hah!)



It was a stupidly tight fit and had to relocate an AC hose ever so slightly, and make new brackets to hold the PS pump further toward the center of the bay.

Then while road testing the filter (No dose now ) I quickly chucked a handbrake button on.



(Spring and button to show what comes out for those who want to do this but have never done it before...)

Other than this, I have picked up a stock muffler thanks to RedNB2NV that I will have modified to suit the rest of my exhaust and HOPEFULLY pass EPA next week!

Over the weekend I will be putting in some orders to get some vinyl wrap to see how hard it is to do myself- considering past experience says, in drifting your sh*t is going to rub/ catch somewhere and come off completely or end up in a wall somewhere.... Also getting some stainless to make blast pipes for track/ drift days.

Bj

[cookie]

Powerwise, probably not more than 10kw. But heaps more responsive. Closer to a 4age type of thing....also have a 4kg flywheel which helped kicking it. But you've got turbo so it'll be easy as.