What should I do first?

[Phantom]

I am thinking of buying a 240 as my second car, because you can't drift in a jetta well. But what should be the first things you do to the car, if it's a hatchback or coupe. I am thinking of buying a s13 model because they are fairly cheap and easy to find. So what should i do first?

[MarshallMX5]

I'll give the default answer first: Learn to drive.


But if you're already decent, or after you learn some, I'd say adjustable shocks. IMO is the best bang for the buck thing you can do to a sportscar. Transformed my buddy's portly 300ZX into a portly good, flat cornerer. They really do make a huge difference and you can get them for $300 a set sometimes.

After that, I like my set of old OEM wheels that have junkyard tires on 'em. So I would suggest some crappy old $150 a set S13 stock wheels with even crappier tires.

[SilverGhost]

suspension and clutch. just get a higher grade clutch and pressure plate so it can withstand more abuse, and then get some good stru bars and springs with stiffer struts. many people forget to do struts whne doing lowering springs, and while lowering your car makes it handle better, its still gonna body roll. so getting new struts and sway bars is a must for drifting (in my opinion that is....btw, i have a 91 hatchback so im not just making stuff up) once those two things are taken care of, just start getting a feel for the car. you dont need to do anything in the way of power except maybe intake/exhuast. the stock ka24de (if you can get a 91-94 s13 go for it, cause they are dohc and make like 20 more hp than the 89-90 do) has plenty of power at 155 hp/165 ft-lb torque. hope that helps some, good luck and happy sliding

[MarshallMX5]

Also after that you'll definately want an LSD. I hear VLSD are actually pretty good to start with, and I'm enjoying my time with mine. I've never driven a car with a clutch type, but that is the most popular.

[SilverGhost]

nor have i. im pretty sure my 240 has an lsd cause i have never left a single skid mark, but im not sure what type it is (the guy before me installed it). i have riden in a car with a mechanical one and it was kinda weird, but worked well. the car was a 91 FC3S TII (in the late models they came with clutch-type mechanical LSD) and when he threw it sideways it would start making these clicking sounds, but it was locking, so both tires were spinning

[NismoSigma]

Apparently when you went into begginers section, u didnt read the bottom portion silver. Sigh. First i would learn to see how the car handles. Get used to it, than take it drifting stock. From there you will find out problems you wouldnt be able to find just driving.

After you have found some problems, fix them, if it dont have an lsd, get one. Than try drifting, see how the car handles and etc. If you got the money get a supspension. Dont worry to much about power, drifting is about SLA not always speed. Hope this helps!

[Phantom]

Yeah that helps alot! Yeah the 240 would proably be very different from the jetta. What about the hatchback tho, isn't there a brace for it so the chassis doesn't bend. I think it goes where the rear seats are?