Drift 5.0, the Home Game!!
I get quite a few emails asking for advice on how to start a Mustang Drift Project Buildup. I figured that I would make a post so that I could make a single response and update it as our project moves forward.
If you are anything like me, you are working with a limited budget. I have put these items in order of most to least critical. Overall stability and steering angle are the first two things that the car will need. Don't get distracted with horsepower items early on unless you have a big budget. As of Episode 13 we are still running stock power.
Also, remember that nobody ever goes out the first time with a new build and looks like a hero, this includes guys like Forsberg, Gittin, and MIllen. They spend countless hours at the track and in the garage refining their setups and learning what works for their driving style.
So far there is probably a bit over $10k in the car, including the money sent on purchasing the car. At the time we first hit the track, the money spent on the car was probably about 1/2 that. I recommend building the car in pieces and enjoying it while you do. Don't try to do it all at once before you ever get out on track.
- A set of front coilovers (450lbs)
- Panhard Bar
- Rear coilovers (250lbs)
- MM SN95 Stock Geometry Front Control Arms (requires SN95 inner, Taurus outer tierods)
- A smaller front sway bar if you have a GT
- A working LSD, rebuilt factory Trac-Loc should be fine.
- Chassis Stiffening
- Handbrake
- Horsepower
About Geoff
I have been building cars since about 1996 when I bought a 1966 Chevelle Malibu and modified it. My first exposure to drifting was back in 2004 when the shop (Hotrods to Hell) that I worked at was commissioned to build the 1969 Camaro that was campaigned in the 2005 Formula D series. In order to get a better idea of what the Camaro needed to be capable of I went to the Formula D Irwindale event and was instantly hooked.
My approach to car building is methodical. As you watch along with our build you will notice that we only make a few changed between each episode. I do not believe in throwing a bunch of parts at a problem and hoping it will be solved.
When you are developing a chassis for the first time you need to take you time and establish what I call a "vocabulary for the car." Basically what this means is that you need to learn what impact different parts and modifications will have on the car and on each other.
My roadmap for the Mustang was first to address the inconsistency in the car. The coilovers, panhard bar, and rollcage have done wonders in that direction. Then since this is a drift car, we need to make some drift specific modification, steering angle and LSD. The next move is to fine tune the car, getting the right spring rate, finding alignment settings that work well, trying different sway bars.
If you have any questions for me or suggestions for the car, you can make a post in the forum.
-Geoff
Nice, to see someone with a domestic working up the Drift Scene... I am contemplating using my 1990 Lx to drift or autocross in to help prove that domestics aren't just for straight line drives.
Too bad I am on the opposite side of the country, NC, otherwise I would attempt to help you out.
Sounds great Robert. These cars are defiantly capable of more then 1/4 miles.
hi, instead of using SN95 inner, Taurus outer tierods can I use mm bumpsteer kit for stock k member and sn 95 control arms.
thanks
I'm not sure, but I bet the guys at MM could answer that one. They have always been helpful over the phone.
Proud owner of a 86 fox v8 5.0 cant wait to start building it for drifting.
Liljokez85
Right now I am running 3 degrees of castor, 2.5 degrees of camber and zero toe. This is significantly less castor then lots of guys will run for road racing, but remember, drifting is not road racing, and requires different settings.
hey i am tring to build my 86gt t-top stang for drift and i was wondering did you do rear disc swap to help lock up the back tires cause im trying to see what is the cheapest way to good with the mods im getting
my list is
New clutch
new shocks and springs
and i think i might need a role cage cause of the t-top i hop not
did you convert the rear brakes to discs or did you leave them drums?
They are disks.
what kind of lsd end do you have, i was thinking of putting a trac-tech detroit locker in my 1990 lx , but im not sure its like 600 bucks. cause i cant drift right unless i clutch kick alot, alot of my friends just get the 240 wit the sr20 and get there diff welded and there done and set for drift haha , but its alittle harder not alot of drift parts for a 5.0. and do you guys ever go to the las vegas drift events
Hey i wanna thank you guys for being so open with all your testing on these mustangs, i almost sold mine 4 a 240 so i could start drifting but then i saw, it can be done. I was
wondering if you guys have scaled your car and what your rear weight and cross weight is?
i have a 1998 gt mustang with 4.6liter v8 with shit mufflers an a 5speed auto i want know what i can do set it up 2 drift that wont cost me out the ass lol
i know what do lightin her up but i mean like shocks breack coil over dambinters tires an trany set up
I have an 87 lx set up for drag but want to convert it to drift. It already has a tun of parts so chasis and motor are good to go so I'm just wondering what suspension and rim/tire set up to go with. I wouls assume gearing would be an issue. I'm running a b&m t5 with 1/4 drag gears.????? What should I do
You should be fine with your gears, the biggest change is gonna be spring rates and the panhard bar.
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