Drift Spec 320's...who's got em?

[mkDUECE]

who here has tuned their 320i into a drifting machine? im looking at purchasing an 80 320i, and im new to all the bmw jazz..but i've been a long time VW fanatic so i have a feeling i'll fit right in. anyways, thanks, and lemme know.

[Angelic0-]

My 320i was a drift machine, until i crashed it and started ripping it apart...

i've got a E30, i think they are better and easier to fix than the E21, but that's just a matter of opinion...

Just make sure you have a LSD, and you're good to go...

I was able to do donuts and everything, drift for long distances in 2nd & 3rd gear running M20B20, now i'm shredding a BMW E30 325e, and i've got a 316i shell i will be using, and putting everything in that one, 325e motor (M20B27) and 3.20 or 3.73 LSD, i think it should make a good drifter & track day car...

[mkDUECE]

all that sounds promising, my friend who drives a 320 welded the spider gears in his axle together so it acts like an LSD..is there any drawbacks with this method?

[Angelic0-]

Originally Posted by mkDUECE

all that sounds promising, my friend who drives a 320 welded the spider gears in his axle together so it acts like an LSD..is there any drawbacks with this method?

"Argon" LOCKED diff doesn't act anything like a LSD

A LSD let's you take turns smoothly, while the "Argon" LOCKED (Welded) diff makes them risky at high speeds and destroy the overall handling of the car..

[uberpanzer]

A locked diff does NOT act like a LSD, period. It is locked, which means that the power is equally split between the left and right wheels and the HAVE to spin at the same rate. If this is a daily car, that's a no-no. For a drifter though, that may work.

Anyway, the M10 powered e21 is NOT a great drift car, but CAN do in a pinch. The M10 does not make much torque, so for drifting work you will have to gut everything you can, put as much weight behind the rear axles as possible, and do every little thing you can to the motor for power (within reason). The e30 is a better choice to start with since you USUALLY can find a decent car as a base that already has a 6 cylinder under the hood. The baby six motors can be swapped into the e21, and they make monsters, but it is not a direct bolt-in to the US spec cars.

I run my 320i at BMW CCA autoX events and have been doing OK, within reason. But for drifting, the e30 is a much better base due to the bigger, more powerful motors and larger aftermarket.

[Villanuevas_BMW]

Doing OKAY, this season? Youre basically undefeated

Im guessing youre trying to find a good bimmer drifter on a budget. The e21 is not as balanced as the E30, but the E30 is heavier and a bit more expensive. Though it has a 6cyl, it just adds to the weight. Weight and balance is very important. You really dont need a lot of torque, in fact there arent much 6cyls in drifting. Most engines are SR20s and 4AGs, both 4 cyl. The weapon of choice to a lot of drifters is the infamous AE86. Light car, small engine, very well balanced. Being light enables you to control slides back and forth much better than a heavier car even though both cars maybe balanced. More weight, more inertia.

My unbias recomendation , the 2002. M10 in a very light body, very well balanced, and parts are relatively cheap and has a better aftermarket than the e21. A suspension upgrade, an lsd(ironically from an e21), and a bigger carb is all you really need to learn the fundamentals of drifting. Just make sure its done in a safe and legal place. Getting caught and ticketed should be the last thing on your mind when you are driving sideways

[CleanAzzE30z]

Villanuevas- I saw you in Burbank a few weeks back. Awesome deuce. SOrry, OT. Resume.

[mkDUECE]

yeah i've wanted a 2002 for a long time but i can never find one for a good enough price...what about a bavaria? how much can i look to spend for a ratty ass beater 2002 to drift in?

[sil0kin]

anyone have any E21 drift home/ videos online?..mind taking a day out of ur times, showing what the E21 can do, I myself have an e21 320, of corse, anddd i was planning on taking some footage this weekend ill post it on Bimmerforums.com..

peaseeeeeeeeeeeeee

[320/4]

hey,

ive got a 75 320 with the m10 engine in it.It has got a webber carbie and also i put a 1.8 litre head on it to up the compression a little an aftermarket sway bar, and some good negative camber on the back. This thing drifts all day!