Ideas for a "Drift-able" 240sx

[driftfan_hemi]

Hey guys,

Im super new to this whole scene but Im really diggin it so far. My ultimate goal is to build a street legal driftable 240. I could use all the pointers you guys could throw out. So far my idea is:

1989 240sx hatch for a platformSR20DET for the ooomph.6 point cagewelded diff.

Im open to all criticsm so please help a kid out!

thanks

[thefro526]

You live in Cali, SR20's aren't legal, or any where else for that matter. Welded diff is good, cage isn't necessary. Honestly just go out and get a car that's bone stock and start learning and then modify from there as your skill progresses and you need new components.

[tctomasc]

sounds like your on the right track, but imo if you got the cash for an sr swap (And a 2007 R/T), you got the cash for a nice 2 way. Just build it right, and don't skimp in the wrong areas. Skimp on exterior and interior (Minus safety of course), but not your drive train. Good luck, keep us posted, and welcome to nico.

And yes SR is illegal, but depending on your county, you may not have to smog it again. Search for smog on DMV asnd theres a dealie where you can type in your zip and it tells what kind of smog limits there are in your county. But in general, be ready to pay 300+ for smog.

[srpowered240sx]

word, dont sweat the motor, or "oomph" as you so eloquently put. get the suspension dialed first. swaybars, coilovers, bushings to replace old worn stuff, adjustable toe control/ruca/extended tie rod ends, brakes, tires. then take it to the track and beat the hell out of it learning how to slide. its easier to learn with less power, then increase the power as your skills improve. GO TO THE TRACK!! just because youre building a "street car" doesnt mean you should be street drifting.

[E7-S14]

a 240sx in STOCK Trim is considered "Driftable"

with a Nice Diff.Clutch type or Welded.

and your good.and a good clutch

donut cheep out on a clutch

OEM clutch WILL NOT survive a Drift day.it will slip

Suspension is key alsoBlown stock struts wont cut it.altho good shape stock struts will do the job

as you get better upgrade.or just start out with a nice set of coilovers

[furple]

word, dont sweat the motor, or "oomph" as you so eloquently put. get the suspension dialed first. swaybars, coilovers, bushings to replace old worn stuff, adjustable toe control/ruca/extended tie rod ends, brakes, tires. then take it to the track and beat the hell out of it learning how to slide. its easier to learn with less power, then increase the power as your skills improve. GO TO THE TRACK!! just because youre building a "street car" doesnt mean you should be street drifting.

QFT

suspension before anything else if you plan to be drifting

[jjdarkstuff]

No cage until you're good enough for tandum.....that should be a while really. Cage makes the car A LOT more dangerous just street dirving though without a helmet, so consider that.

Oh yeah, need a SA2005 helmet

Soem people like a welded - friend of mine got his professional liscence with a welded. Most people like clutch type 2 ways, makes the transition easier, less snappy..

coilovers (I reccomend Stance ) $800-1200clutch (exedy stage 3 is WICKED) and maybe flywheel $300-600rear arms for camber adjustment (coilovers should have pillowball for frt adj) $150-300

As you get more into it, get a 4 point harness, seat, more suspension, etc etc. Stating off with a stock KA isn't too bad, but in all honestly it's a bit too slow on the street for me ya know?

f you look for a bit, you can really find a decent sr swapped car with coils / some suspension for 4-6g's. Not really too bad.

Do you have a shell to start with already? What all do you currently have?


Modified by jjdarkstuff at 6:00 AM 8/13/2008

[driftfan_hemi]

hey guys,

thanks for all the info so far. Previously, i was sliding a 1992 mustang with a slightly modded 5.0 v8. That thing was a pig. I have the basic skills as far as drifting goes. I.e. - clutch kicks, power over drifts, and what not.

BUT....

A new car means a new learning curve as with anything. I sold the stang and am looking to get a 240 shell. If i start with a KA motor and i turbo it could i make decent power? I'd definitely like to start out on a budget so inch by inch upgrades are what im looking for. What about brakes? Any upgrades recommended?

[srpowered240sx]

now its time to start doing some researching. no one here is gonna spoonfeed you every answer. 300zx brakes are a great and inexpensive upgrade. ka-t makes good power, just need to invest in quality parts the first time, and a good tune. use the hell out of that search button.

[E7-S14]

A Healthy KA can make 250 easy off stock internals and a GOOD TUNE.240 outta the ka feels GREAT.

It is and will feel ALOT faster than your stang.

but like SRpowerd said.do some research.everything been done many times over by members on this site.

[driftfan_hemi]

awesome guys!

Im definitely lookin around on the search button.

[morbid]

First get a stock car and try drifting. You might end up hating it and buying all the drift-oriented parts for no reason.

[E7-S14]

First get a stock car and try drifting. You might end up hating it and buying all the drift-oriented parts for no reason.

ive seen this on a few occasions..sad sad sight.

[driftfan_hemi]

So a stock 240?

I love drifting. love everything about it. And from what i hear the 240 is one of the best platforms you can get for it.

[AZ89two4Tsx]

If you're a novice but got a few bucks to spend, really all you need to start with is a good clutch and diff then suspension, motor, brakes....... etc.

[driftfan_hemi]

sounds good to me. I just want something to toy around with and not have to worry about breaking. I was gonna turbo my Charger until I decided that breaking a $30,000 car i still owed money on was a bad idea lol

[simmode1]

So a stock 240?

I love drifting. love everything about it. And from what i hear the 240 is one of the best platforms you can get for it.

Its one of the best platforms for drifting because you can buy one dirt cheap. Not because it's some magical uber-slider... Rx7's, Miata's and a host of others perform just as well when properly prepped.

IMO, I wouldn't bother turboing the KA if I was just going to turn around and swap in an SR20. That's just throwing $ away... Both are great choices. Try to pick one and stick with it.

GL with the project.

[moulton712]

No cage until you're good enough for tandum.....that should be a while really. Cage makes the car A LOT more dangerous just street dirving though without a helmet, so consider that.

Oh yeah, need a SA2005 helmet

Soem people like a welded - friend of mine got his professional liscence with a welded. Most people like clutch type 2 ways, makes the transition easier, less snappy..

coilovers (I reccomend Stance ) $800-1200clutch (exedy stage 3 is WICKED) and maybe flywheel $300-600rear arms for camber adjustment (coilovers should have pillowball for frt adj) $150-300

As you get more into it, get a 4 point harness, seat, more suspension, etc etc. Stating off with a stock KA isn't too bad, but in all honestly it's a bit too slow on the street for me ya know?

f you look for a bit, you can really find a decent sr swapped car with coils / some suspension for 4-6g's. Not really too bad.

Do you have a shell to start with already? What all do you currently have?

i stand behind this post.

in my track car i have (as far as drivetrain and such)stock KAtein basic dampners tein camber platestein tie rods, inner and outertein strut barsexedy stage 2 clutchfidanza flywheelinjen intakeapexi n1 dual exhaustwelded difforigin labs body kitand alot of little mods that saved weight, stiffined chasis, made the car more powerful, and got rid of stuff i didn't need. pretty much gutted and then some.

the car comes out awesome, even on the street. just got caught to night, but no trouble. the popo like me cause i work on their cars. muhahahaha.

the only reason why i would need more power is to smoke the tires on the straights of the track.

turbo on this car is comming in the winter, because i learned how to drive the right way.

and even now sometimes i can overpower and spinout.. werd

[MastaYu]

Good start do the basics and get a feel for the car

[driftfan_hemi]

S

i stand behind this post.

in my track car i have (as far as drivetrain and such)stock KAtein basic dampners tein camber platestein tie rods, inner and outertein strut barsexedy stage 2 clutchfidanza flywheelinjen intakeapexi n1 dual exhaustwelded difforigin labs body kitand alot of little mods that saved weight, stiffined chasis, made the car more powerful, and got rid of stuff i didn't need. pretty much gutted and then some.

the car comes out awesome, even on the street. just got caught to night, but no trouble. the popo like me cause i work on their cars. muhahahaha.

the only reason why i would need more power is to smoke the tires on the straights of the track.

turbo on this car is comming in the winter, because i learned how to drive the right way.

and even now sometimes i can overpower and spinout.. werd

Sounds good guys!

I cant wait to start this project. Thanks again for all the advice!

[Chukidori]

So a stock 240?

I love drifting. love everything about it. And from what i hear the 240 is one of the best platforms you can get for it.

Yes, 240's are wonderful platforms for drifting.

S13's in particular because they handle horribly in stock form. More specificaly, they are ridiculously understeer biased IE the car tends to push the front wheels more, and the *** end doesnt readily swing round which is safer.

When drifting, after you have FORCED the *** end out..Its very "stable" and you can safely dog the piss out of it sideways without worrying about spinning out so much..

[driftfan_hemi]

Yes, 240's are wonderful platforms for drifting.

S13's in particular because they handle horribly in stock form. More specificaly, they are ridiculously understeer biased IE the car tends to push the front wheels more, and the *** end doesnt readily swing round which is safer.

When drifting, after you have FORCED the *** end out..Its very "stable" and you can safely dog the piss out of it sideways without worrying about spinning out so much..

Well I look forward to this! I can already tell Im gonna spend wayyy too much time on here but it will pay off in the end.

Thanks guys!

[moulton712]

on big thing though is i'm contemplating on taking out my fidanza flywheel. then re-surfacing and taking some material out of my stock flywheel.my biggest thing at the track is when i go to clutch kick you need a little weight on the fly wheel to get a good kick in. but for p-lot events and other places where i'm allowed to go, the light flywheel is fine.

[mzeo]

on big thing though is i'm contemplating on taking out my fidanza flywheel. then re-surfacing and taking some material out of my stock flywheel.my biggest thing at the track is when i go to clutch kick you need a little weight on the fly wheel to get a good kick in. but for p-lot events and other places where i'm allowed to go, the light flywheel is fine.

Ahh ha. I guess that's where this guy got it from ....zerothread/358617

[moulton712]

nope i got it from travis deems, a pro from driftstarsyndicate. a few track events ago.

[godzila]

Start with KA... they if you have another daily then swap a SR or anything you want for track use!!

[RED ST]

i would satrt stock.. then slowly move into doing stuff so u get a feel for the car and u can i guess say come one with the car. not just jump into a already modded out 240..

[moulton712]

you really can drift with a stock ka, i've done it. i used to be one of those people that said i couldn't drift on a track with a stock ka, but that was all i had. i was crappy at first but after a few track sessions i looked better then most people with turbos. this is because alot of times power hides mistakes that people don't correct on. pretty much people should stay ka unless they can properly drift 3rd gear on an oval track, or their ka is junk. if you learn with less power you will be able to enter corners way better then most people that start with a turbo can.

i see alot of people with power not even enter a corner drifting but they start drifting about half way in the turn.