SR20 Drift Build
#1
Project Addict
Thread Starter
SR20 Drift Build
Well since I sold the SR20 Altezza I've been itching to build something else but this time fingers crossed I'll actually get it onto a track. While Martin is sorting the KP61 (The keeper), I've been looking on donedeal for the right base car, I finally bit the bullet and bought a 2004 Mazda RX8 231bhp model. I drove one of these for a few weeks years ago (Thanks D) and it left a lasting impression on me but you would feel cheated having driven an FD3S...
Kieran who joined up to Irish Rotary recently was looking for running gear from the above for an MX5 project so that suited me perfectly, alongside Bear aka Ross, we went up to Dublin, viewed the car and trailered it back to the workshop
I'm currently breaking it to fund parts. I would love to stay Rotary and fit a 13B from the FD3S however reading up on the conversion on RX8Club.com and Brad Hackers thread on DW the cost of just getting the engine in and running on a single turbo alone would be the same as building a full equiped car running an SR. So cheap and cheerful it is.
Over the next few months I hope to build something useable with the help of D.R.T. Automotive, I hope we can turn out something unique. The plans for the car is to cage it (Thanks Mr. Stone), SR it and basically drive it on trackdays, hope to have it ready for around Easter all going well.
Current Spec :
Mazda RX8
SR20 Blacktop Engine, loom, ecu. Thanks to Gem
RB25 Gearbox, Prop, Shifter & Adapter Plate. Thanks to Alan Sinnott
Only have the car a sort while so will be spending time gathering parts for now along with Kieran who will getting the MX5 sorted. Here are the pic's of the car that we took on the way back from Dublin. I don't imagine there will be many more pic's for a few weeks. Shocking I know, the pic ***** is loosing his touch.
![](http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu5/Kruizer_666/SRX8/0001.jpg)
![Name: 0002.jpg
Views: 2721
Size: 106.0 KB](https://www.rx8club.com/attachments/non-rotary-swaps-196/237849d1501245512-sr20-drift-build-0002.jpg)
![Name: 0003.jpg
Views: 2723
Size: 94.9 KB](https://www.rx8club.com/attachments/non-rotary-swaps-196/237850d1501245512-sr20-drift-build-0003.jpg)
![Name: 0004.jpg
Views: 2637
Size: 93.1 KB](https://www.rx8club.com/attachments/non-rotary-swaps-196/237851d1501245512-sr20-drift-build-0004.jpg)
![Name: 0005.jpg
Views: 2601
Size: 103.8 KB](https://www.rx8club.com/attachments/non-rotary-swaps-196/237852d1501245512-sr20-drift-build-0005.jpg)
![Name: 0006.jpg
Views: 2612
Size: 73.8 KB](https://www.rx8club.com/attachments/non-rotary-swaps-196/237853d1501245512-sr20-drift-build-0006.jpg)
These engines really are tiny !
![Name: 0007.jpg
Views: 3519
Size: 91.3 KB](https://www.rx8club.com/attachments/non-rotary-swaps-196/237854d1501245512-sr20-drift-build-0007.jpg)
Small update, the original heart is gone, time for the transplant LoL
![Name: 0008.jpg
Views: 2619
Size: 81.1 KB](https://www.rx8club.com/attachments/non-rotary-swaps-196/237855d1501245512-sr20-drift-build-0008.jpg)
And she's back home for a couple of weeks to go on a diet before she gets treated to a proper cage![](http://www.driftireland.com/images/smilies/smile.png)
![](http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu5/Kruizer_666/SRX8/0009.jpg)
Well it only took a couple of hours but already looks way better, started with full trim, still have to take out the doorcards, heater matrix, loom and sound proofing but happy for now...
![Name: 0010.jpg
Views: 2597
Size: 79.9 KB](https://www.rx8club.com/attachments/non-rotary-swaps-196/237856d1501245512-sr20-drift-build-0010.jpg)
![Name: 0011.jpg
Views: 2643
Size: 79.7 KB](https://www.rx8club.com/attachments/non-rotary-swaps-196/237857d1501245512-sr20-drift-build-0011.jpg)
![Name: 0012.jpg
Views: 2711
Size: 84.2 KB](https://www.rx8club.com/attachments/non-rotary-swaps-196/237858d1501245512-sr20-drift-build-0012.jpg)
![Name: 0013.jpg
Views: 2575
Size: 69.1 KB](https://www.rx8club.com/attachments/non-rotary-swaps-196/237859d1501245512-sr20-drift-build-0013.jpg)
![Name: 0014.jpg
Views: 2621
Size: 68.5 KB](https://www.rx8club.com/attachments/non-rotary-swaps-196/237860d1501245512-sr20-drift-build-0014.jpg)
![Name: 0015.jpg
Views: 2577
Size: 70.8 KB](https://www.rx8club.com/attachments/non-rotary-swaps-196/237861d1501245512-sr20-drift-build-0015.jpg)
![Name: 0016.jpg
Views: 2584
Size: 95.7 KB](https://www.rx8club.com/attachments/non-rotary-swaps-196/237862d1501245512-sr20-drift-build-0016.jpg)
![Name: 0017.jpg
Views: 2716
Size: 108.8 KB](https://www.rx8club.com/attachments/non-rotary-swaps-196/237863d1501245512-sr20-drift-build-0017.jpg)
Kieran who joined up to Irish Rotary recently was looking for running gear from the above for an MX5 project so that suited me perfectly, alongside Bear aka Ross, we went up to Dublin, viewed the car and trailered it back to the workshop
![](http://www.driftireland.com/images/smilies/smile.png)
Over the next few months I hope to build something useable with the help of D.R.T. Automotive, I hope we can turn out something unique. The plans for the car is to cage it (Thanks Mr. Stone), SR it and basically drive it on trackdays, hope to have it ready for around Easter all going well.
Current Spec :
Mazda RX8
SR20 Blacktop Engine, loom, ecu. Thanks to Gem
RB25 Gearbox, Prop, Shifter & Adapter Plate. Thanks to Alan Sinnott
Only have the car a sort while so will be spending time gathering parts for now along with Kieran who will getting the MX5 sorted. Here are the pic's of the car that we took on the way back from Dublin. I don't imagine there will be many more pic's for a few weeks. Shocking I know, the pic ***** is loosing his touch.
![](http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu5/Kruizer_666/SRX8/0001.jpg)
![Name: 0002.jpg
Views: 2721
Size: 106.0 KB](https://www.rx8club.com/attachments/non-rotary-swaps-196/237849d1501245512-sr20-drift-build-0002.jpg)
![Name: 0003.jpg
Views: 2723
Size: 94.9 KB](https://www.rx8club.com/attachments/non-rotary-swaps-196/237850d1501245512-sr20-drift-build-0003.jpg)
![Name: 0004.jpg
Views: 2637
Size: 93.1 KB](https://www.rx8club.com/attachments/non-rotary-swaps-196/237851d1501245512-sr20-drift-build-0004.jpg)
![Name: 0005.jpg
Views: 2601
Size: 103.8 KB](https://www.rx8club.com/attachments/non-rotary-swaps-196/237852d1501245512-sr20-drift-build-0005.jpg)
![Name: 0006.jpg
Views: 2612
Size: 73.8 KB](https://www.rx8club.com/attachments/non-rotary-swaps-196/237853d1501245512-sr20-drift-build-0006.jpg)
These engines really are tiny !
![Name: 0007.jpg
Views: 3519
Size: 91.3 KB](https://www.rx8club.com/attachments/non-rotary-swaps-196/237854d1501245512-sr20-drift-build-0007.jpg)
Small update, the original heart is gone, time for the transplant LoL
![Name: 0008.jpg
Views: 2619
Size: 81.1 KB](https://www.rx8club.com/attachments/non-rotary-swaps-196/237855d1501245512-sr20-drift-build-0008.jpg)
And she's back home for a couple of weeks to go on a diet before she gets treated to a proper cage
![](http://www.driftireland.com/images/smilies/smile.png)
![](http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu5/Kruizer_666/SRX8/0009.jpg)
Well it only took a couple of hours but already looks way better, started with full trim, still have to take out the doorcards, heater matrix, loom and sound proofing but happy for now...
![Name: 0010.jpg
Views: 2597
Size: 79.9 KB](https://www.rx8club.com/attachments/non-rotary-swaps-196/237856d1501245512-sr20-drift-build-0010.jpg)
![Name: 0011.jpg
Views: 2643
Size: 79.7 KB](https://www.rx8club.com/attachments/non-rotary-swaps-196/237857d1501245512-sr20-drift-build-0011.jpg)
![Name: 0012.jpg
Views: 2711
Size: 84.2 KB](https://www.rx8club.com/attachments/non-rotary-swaps-196/237858d1501245512-sr20-drift-build-0012.jpg)
![Name: 0013.jpg
Views: 2575
Size: 69.1 KB](https://www.rx8club.com/attachments/non-rotary-swaps-196/237859d1501245512-sr20-drift-build-0013.jpg)
![Name: 0014.jpg
Views: 2621
Size: 68.5 KB](https://www.rx8club.com/attachments/non-rotary-swaps-196/237860d1501245512-sr20-drift-build-0014.jpg)
![Name: 0015.jpg
Views: 2577
Size: 70.8 KB](https://www.rx8club.com/attachments/non-rotary-swaps-196/237861d1501245512-sr20-drift-build-0015.jpg)
![Name: 0016.jpg
Views: 2584
Size: 95.7 KB](https://www.rx8club.com/attachments/non-rotary-swaps-196/237862d1501245512-sr20-drift-build-0016.jpg)
![Name: 0017.jpg
Views: 2716
Size: 108.8 KB](https://www.rx8club.com/attachments/non-rotary-swaps-196/237863d1501245512-sr20-drift-build-0017.jpg)
![Name: 0018.jpg
Views: 2606
Size: 106.1 KB](https://www.rx8club.com/attachments/non-rotary-swaps-196/237864d1501245512-sr20-drift-build-0018.jpg)
#2
Voids warranties
Ive done some reading up about drifting the rx8. I know very little about pro drifting but I hear it gets difficult with the rx8 not being struts in the front. Something about lack of adequate turning radius. Do you plan to do anything about it? Check out this article. Thats where I heard about it. And good luck with your build.
http://www.superstreetonline.com/fea...#ixzz1glBWHkle
http://www.superstreetonline.com/fea...#ixzz1glBWHkle
#5
That's a nice beginning. Too bad she won't be powered by our beloved engine ![Smilie](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/smile.gif)
I understand the cost part though, really.
Any idea on the cage design? Based on it the rear brackets behind the seats may or may not be thrown away.
Will you seam weld the chassis? A new heart and kidney from the black market are cheaper than that but still...
![Smilie](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/smile.gif)
I understand the cost part though, really.
Any idea on the cage design? Based on it the rear brackets behind the seats may or may not be thrown away.
Will you seam weld the chassis? A new heart and kidney from the black market are cheaper than that but still...
#9
Voids warranties
In that article I read this is the statement I'm referring to:
"Unfortunately, a double wishbone setup is not very good for drifting. A lot of drift cars that have the most angle run a MacPherson setup. There is one less wishbone for the suspension to hit when turning."
"Unfortunately, a double wishbone setup is not very good for drifting. A lot of drift cars that have the most angle run a MacPherson setup. There is one less wishbone for the suspension to hit when turning."
#10
I ♥ Drifting!!!
iTrader: (6)
Not really sure why your doing a SR, but whatever.
While thres is no way to get 60deg angle as easily as 240s up front since the 8 has a uca
![](http://www.gtfactory.jp/cms/e107_files/public/1315336932_2_FT8800_dsc02930.jpg)
How ever this doesn't mean it isn't possible to get good angle, you can make custom tubular arms to fix this. And honestly while it helps, you don't need 60 deg of angle.
This is plenty enough, JTPs old rx8 setup. Even without all this crazy suspension work, you can still get decent angle with just modified knuckles.
Ive done some reading up about drifting the rx8. I know very little about pro drifting but I hear it gets difficult with the rx8 not being struts in the front. Something about lack of adequate turning radius. Do you plan to do anything about it? Check out this article. Thats where I heard about it. And good luck with your bui]ld.
![](http://www.gtfactory.jp/cms/e107_files/public/1315336932_2_FT8800_dsc02930.jpg)
How ever this doesn't mean it isn't possible to get good angle, you can make custom tubular arms to fix this. And honestly while it helps, you don't need 60 deg of angle.
This is plenty enough, JTPs old rx8 setup. Even without all this crazy suspension work, you can still get decent angle with just modified knuckles.
![](http://www.wreckedmagazine.com/images/2009/justinpawlak-suspension.jpg)
Last edited by imput1234; 01-08-2012 at 12:30 PM.
#11
Project Addict
Thread Starter
Ive done some reading up about drifting the rx8. I know very little about pro drifting but I hear it gets difficult with the rx8 not being struts in the front. Something about lack of adequate turning radius. Do you plan to do anything about it? Check out this article. Thats where I heard about it. And good luck with your build.
http://www.superstreetonline.com/fea...#ixzz1glBWHkle
http://www.superstreetonline.com/fea...#ixzz1glBWHkle
![Frown](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/frown.gif)
Cheers fella...
That's a nice beginning. Too bad she won't be powered by our beloved engine ![Smilie](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/smile.gif)
I understand the cost part though, really.
Any idea on the cage design? Based on it the rear brackets behind the seats may or may not be thrown away.
Will you seam weld the chassis? A new heart and kidney from the black market are cheaper than that but still...
![Smilie](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/smile.gif)
I understand the cost part though, really.
Any idea on the cage design? Based on it the rear brackets behind the seats may or may not be thrown away.
Will you seam weld the chassis? A new heart and kidney from the black market are cheaper than that but still...
I will be leaving the design up to John Stone however I have a few inputs I will be aiming to put across in laymans english
![Smilie](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/smile.gif)
I won't seam weld the car to start off with as I just want to fit a weld in cage and time is against me. Organs already up for grabs, don't drink or smoke should be worth a few bucks
![Wink](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/wink.gif)
![Evil Laughter](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/evil_laughter.gif)
Here is the build thread for the Altezza :
http://www.driftireland.com/forum/sh...ad.php?t=10993
And here is the feature on speedhunters :
http://speedhunters.com/archive/2011...e-balance.aspx
![Naughty](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/naughty.gif)
LoL
In that article I read this is the statement I'm referring to:
"Unfortunately, a double wishbone setup is not very good for drifting. A lot of drift cars that have the most angle run a MacPherson setup. There is one less wishbone for the suspension to hit when turning."
"Unfortunately, a double wishbone setup is not very good for drifting. A lot of drift cars that have the most angle run a MacPherson setup. There is one less wishbone for the suspension to hit when turning."
![Wink](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/wink.gif)
Not really sure why your doing a SR, but whatever.
While thres is no way to get 60deg angle as easily as 240s up front since the 8 has a uca
![](http://www.gtfactory.jp/cms/e107_files/public/1315336932_2_FT8800_dsc02930.jpg)
How ever this doesn't mean it isn't possible to get good angle, you can make custom tubular arms to fix this. And honestly while it helps, you don't need 60 deg of angle.
This is plenty enough, JTPs old rx8 setup. Even without all this crazy suspension work, you can still get decent angle with just modified knuckles.
![](http://www.wreckedmagazine.com/images/2009/justinpawlak-suspension.jpg)
While thres is no way to get 60deg angle as easily as 240s up front since the 8 has a uca
![](http://www.gtfactory.jp/cms/e107_files/public/1315336932_2_FT8800_dsc02930.jpg)
How ever this doesn't mean it isn't possible to get good angle, you can make custom tubular arms to fix this. And honestly while it helps, you don't need 60 deg of angle.
This is plenty enough, JTPs old rx8 setup. Even without all this crazy suspension work, you can still get decent angle with just modified knuckles.
![](http://www.wreckedmagazine.com/images/2009/justinpawlak-suspension.jpg)
![Smilie](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/smile.gif)
Lokks like you can get lock from them alright
![Wink](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/wink.gif)
#12
Darn, too bad you won't seam weld the chassis from the get go. Stripping a car down twice sucks but if time is a concern then you can't help but skip the process.
The lack of rotary tuners and good builders in europe is a shame. Even the costs border on robbery at times.
What engine did the car have? Some rb20 powered cars shared the az6 aisin gearbox that we have. You already have the transmission part dialed in but having a tranny with different gears lying around is always good.
The lack of rotary tuners and good builders in europe is a shame. Even the costs border on robbery at times.
What engine did the car have? Some rb20 powered cars shared the az6 aisin gearbox that we have. You already have the transmission part dialed in but having a tranny with different gears lying around is always good.
#14
Project Addict
Thread Starter
Darn, too bad you won't seam weld the chassis from the get go. Stripping a car down twice sucks but if time is a concern then you can't help but skip the process.
The lack of rotary tuners and good builders in europe is a shame. Even the costs border on robbery at times.
What engine did the car have? Some rb20 powered cars shared the az6 aisin gearbox that we have. You already have the transmission part dialed in but having a tranny with different gears lying around is always good.
The lack of rotary tuners and good builders in europe is a shame. Even the costs border on robbery at times.
What engine did the car have? Some rb20 powered cars shared the az6 aisin gearbox that we have. You already have the transmission part dialed in but having a tranny with different gears lying around is always good.
Which car ? The RX8 had the 231bhp model and the Altezza had the SR20DET engine from an S14, the rb25 box should work perfect for what I need however I would love to fit the box from a 350Z but the sheer size of it and fabrication costs don't make it an option for me.
Cheers Jake
![Smilie](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/smile.gif)
#15
Our 6sp transmission will work with the sr20 anyway, you may want to keep it as a spare...
![Smilie](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/smile.gif)
#16
Project Addict
Thread Starter
![Smilie](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/smile.gif)
#18
Project Addict
Thread Starter
http://www.saenztransmissioneurope.com/
Not the best transmissions of course, holinger and quaife would be better options but still... they're local to you![Smilie](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/smile.gif)
Not the best transmissions of course, holinger and quaife would be better options but still... they're local to you
![Smilie](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/smile.gif)
![Smilie](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/smile.gif)
Not much of an update, been busy with moving and work. These are fiddley little ******* to strip, plenty of hidden clips and bolts. got the boot stripped out, my god the amount of **** coming outta this car, I can't wait to see what the final weight is...
![Name: 0019.jpg
Views: 2607
Size: 122.1 KB](https://www.rx8club.com/attachments/non-rotary-swaps-196/237635d1501245050-sr20-drift-build-0019.jpg)
![Name: 0020.jpg
Views: 2696
Size: 118.1 KB](https://www.rx8club.com/attachments/non-rotary-swaps-196/237636d1501245050-sr20-drift-build-0020.jpg)
Stripped off the rear doorcards also and the locking system on these should be a ***** with fibreglass doors... The more panels that come off the more wiring I find, stripping the loom is gonna be a pain in the sack !
![Name: 0021.jpg
Views: 2546
Size: 127.5 KB](https://www.rx8club.com/attachments/non-rotary-swaps-196/237637d1501245050-sr20-drift-build-0021.jpg)
![Name: 0022.jpg
Views: 2857
Size: 132.9 KB](https://www.rx8club.com/attachments/non-rotary-swaps-196/237638d1501245050-sr20-drift-build-0022.jpg)
![Name: 0023.jpg
Views: 3194
Size: 134.9 KB](https://www.rx8club.com/attachments/non-rotary-swaps-196/237639d1501245050-sr20-drift-build-0023.jpg)
#22
Project Addict
Thread Starter
![Eyecrazy](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/Eyecrazy.gif)
I'm going to throw the Work Meisters on tomorrow for a look and see how they fit
![Smilie](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/smile.gif)
#23
Project Addict
Thread Starter
Quick update, I got bored of stripping panels and the wiring loom is just gonna be a ***** so I moved onto removing the sound proofing. I started in the boot and on the right hand side chipping away, what I had noticed is that there had been a pretty big oil spill with the previous owner and what you could call the spare wheel well had been filled. What happened next was brilliant, the oil had soak into the sound proofing over time and the centre section just lifted off, no hammer or force needed, the glue came off also with the proofing so a quick wipe of a cloth brought it right up. Curious to see if this would work again I got some waste oil and used it on the glue on the sides of the boot and it lifted it. At the rear bench I spread some oil on a small corner and let it soak in overnight, hoping (desperately LoL) that it would work again. Unfortunately it needed more time and I don’t have patience so I hammered away and used some petrol to lift off the glue. Job done for the back half, gonna get stuck into the front half of the car later on. Here are some pic’s for now :
Notice how the centre section is practically mark free compared to the rest… Pity it is not an overnight process….
![Name: 0024.jpg
Views: 2518
Size: 46.9 KB](https://www.rx8club.com/attachments/non-rotary-swaps-196/237506d1501244803-sr20-drift-build-0024.jpg)
![Name: 0025.jpg
Views: 2548
Size: 120.9 KB](https://www.rx8club.com/attachments/non-rotary-swaps-196/237507d1501244803-sr20-drift-build-0025.jpg)
![Name: 0026.jpg
Views: 2527
Size: 73.8 KB](https://www.rx8club.com/attachments/non-rotary-swaps-196/237508d1501244803-sr20-drift-build-0026.jpg)
![Name: 0027.jpg
Views: 2505
Size: 77.1 KB](https://www.rx8club.com/attachments/non-rotary-swaps-196/237509d1501244803-sr20-drift-build-0027.jpg)
![Name: 0028.jpg
Views: 2539
Size: 96.1 KB](https://www.rx8club.com/attachments/non-rotary-swaps-196/237510d1501244803-sr20-drift-build-0028.jpg)
Notice how the centre section is practically mark free compared to the rest… Pity it is not an overnight process….
![Name: 0024.jpg
Views: 2518
Size: 46.9 KB](https://www.rx8club.com/attachments/non-rotary-swaps-196/237506d1501244803-sr20-drift-build-0024.jpg)
![Name: 0025.jpg
Views: 2548
Size: 120.9 KB](https://www.rx8club.com/attachments/non-rotary-swaps-196/237507d1501244803-sr20-drift-build-0025.jpg)
![Name: 0026.jpg
Views: 2527
Size: 73.8 KB](https://www.rx8club.com/attachments/non-rotary-swaps-196/237508d1501244803-sr20-drift-build-0026.jpg)
![Name: 0027.jpg
Views: 2505
Size: 77.1 KB](https://www.rx8club.com/attachments/non-rotary-swaps-196/237509d1501244803-sr20-drift-build-0027.jpg)
![Name: 0028.jpg
Views: 2539
Size: 96.1 KB](https://www.rx8club.com/attachments/non-rotary-swaps-196/237510d1501244803-sr20-drift-build-0028.jpg)
![Name: 0029.jpg
Views: 2547
Size: 75.7 KB](https://www.rx8club.com/attachments/non-rotary-swaps-196/237511d1501244803-sr20-drift-build-0029.jpg)