Im back and have a mint SA22c with a dead stock 12a, and wondering if I can get some good insight on making this into a drift machine. Any affordable suggestions?

 

I'd build up another 1st gen 7. I wouldnt take a mint SA with a stock 12a and build it up to go into the wall at some point or another.

 

This.

 

The reason I bought the car is to drift it. Im not really concerned if I crash the car or anything like that im just curious as too what engine upgrades clutch, tranny, suspension, brakes, etc... I heard that you can swap 86 corolla rear suspension from another member but I would like to know what carb or carb mods I would need to do or engine porting etc...

 

Let me start off by saying that I am not a "drift guy" by any means. I just find it a little disturbing how we (the rx community) respond when someone mentions they are building a first gen for drift. We cut up r100's and rx3's by the dozen to make drag race cars all the time and the response is usually "cool build" etc. We also weild the cutting torch and grinding wheel when it is time to build a road race or a time attack first gen with similar responses, but mention drifting and people come out of the woodwork to tell the OP what coveted cars these are and suggest another path. Myself included in this list at times. I guess what I'm saying is that I see a trend with these type of posts and maybe we should be more careful to be welcoming another rx owner instead of off putting. Is it a drift thing...maybe, but at least it is a RX7 thing and above all it is his car to do with as he pleases. Good luck with your build.

 

if you can't drift it with a header and LSD, then its not happening...

 

Thank you cfamily, I would just like to know what I could do to turn it into a drift car. Any suggestions?

 

you need a welded diff, or LSD, and more power, header/full exhaust is good. other than that all you need to do is drive....

 

1 gen cars drift great. the only thing to start is an lsd or welded diff. since your engine is dead consider a 13b.

 

Oh where to begin. Ill start off with saying that I (attempt) to drift an FB ('85), but the SA's are basically the same with a few differences.

Coils, exhaust, and a welded diff/LSD are good place to start, although factory 1st gen LSD's are a little loose for drift. I personally run a welded diff (for now), RE-speed front coilovers, soon to have the same setup for the rear, Ground control camber plates, and tockico blue shocks.

The main problem I ran into after my first event is that the factory non-power box steering is A-W-F-U-L. It won't return to center as needed and is stiff as %$#* at low speed. There 2 main ways to tackle this:

1) Convert to power steering, which is what I did, because I already had most a power steering setup from a parts car, so it was cost-effective. I have yet to drift it again, but just by driving it, it made a lot of difference and I think Ill like it. I dont know if it is as good as option #2 which is...

2) Rack and pinion conversion, either the RE-speed kit or the FC subframe swap. I will probably do the FC swap at some point, depending on how much I like my powered box.

I hope this helps

Wyatt

 

"NEW GUY WITH HIS 2CENTS" LOL my 12a (83 gsl) speaking from my experience is more responsive than my 13b (88 gtu), so i think u have a solid start a good place to start would be, asuming u got something already equipped wist an lsd, is your suspension "body roll is not your friend here" open up the exhaust system cut the cats if you can and a rb header will really upen her up, dont waste your time with the cheap crap... and roll some tire smoke. glad to see we have other guys who like to get their fb sideways

 

If my car had stiffer rear suspension then I would drift all over the place.

 

i also have a question about sa22c drifting, i own a 1980 rx7 my diff is welded and i have more then enough power, my question is now on shocks and springs? what should i get? apparently they no longer have front shocks you can purchase for a 1980 i have heard the 81 an up models are set up differently is this true? i have heard the 81 shocks have a shorter length than the 1980 resulting in clearance issues, not to mention i already have some clearance issues lol, well if anyone can help me out please coment, or pm me thank you for you're time, nick

 

cheap thin tires (factory size), LSD rear from 81-83 and you'll need more power.

start by removing the cats or at least knocking all the inside of them. You may want to get a muffler shop, to weld you a pipe, since your cats, resell for around $50 and up (muffler shop should be less than $100). its ok to get a quote before you have the work done, shop around.

if you're using the nikki carb, buy a pair of secoundary jets from mazdatrix $14. to help the carb, you'll need a bigger fuel pump like a carter or holley red and a pressure regulator. set it at 4 psi. pump and regulator on ebay (shop well), should be around $75.

will not make you into tanner foust...this is the lowest dollar way i can think of to wake the car up...hope this helps.

 

hey i'm also working on an '81 12a turbo potential drift build. i'm planning on welding the open diff and now seriously debating another set of rear springs from respeed. i have a full respeed set with illuminas on my grey 84 and they are awesome. i'll start posting that build in my other build thread