I just got an email from Griggs Racing (they are a big name in Mustang performance/racing suspension, and I got hooked up talking to Mr. Griggs himself.
He just sent me a quote for a total suspension layout for a drifting Foxbody.
A little over $6000.
WOW.
Now, this is EVERYTHING, from modified front spindles and specially valved coilovers to drift-specific rod links and "bump steer" tie-rod ends. Even a tubular K-member to replace the entire front lower chassis/engine mounting.
But....dear lord we all have an expensive-ass hobby!
Not sure I can afford all that. Not this year, anyway.....that doesn't even include a brake upgrade. Or supercharger (that's definintely in the "someday" category)
But I'm torn.
Part of me wants to panic and go "I can't afford that!"
But another voice in my head is going "Go big or go home.......you want to do this the right way or do it half-assed & end up with a piece of crap car that won't do what you want it to do and probably break and/or run you into a wall?"
It'd easily cost that much for all the same equipment for a "typical cheap" drift car like a 240sx, so it's not really the make of the car I've chosen. It's the fact that this is a specifically engineered, top-quality production.
We're talking a car that would be, quite literally, Formula-D grade setup...wanting only a supercharger and better rear brakes to be on par with Gitten's Mustang or Forsberg's 350z.
(basically, it's the exact same setup that Dan Pina has for his Foxbody, that he runs in F-D)
But am I, with my skill level, worth it? I might be down the line.....and that's the thing. Risk the initial investment banking on the fact that I *know* this stuff will last me years of hard use, or risk spreading things out over that period of time spending money on lesser setups (either in overall setup or in quality of pieces involved) and hope I don't waste money, time, headaches and possible breakage on "shitty eBay quality" parts?
*sigh*
I obviously would rather have the proper set up, with good, top-quality parts and thus have a properly set up, reliable & safe car to learn and move forward with this in a SERIOUS way.
But can I afford it?
*sigh again*
STL representing...poorly.
Team Drift Pirates
R32 GT-ARRRR!
Foxbody Mustang LX hatch; the new pirate drifter.
buy it
and why a supercharger? NA horsepower is mostly easy and sorta cheap. it can also make your engine lighter which would be better in the long run.
...problem isn't "do I want to do it" but "can I afford it?"
I was expecting a lot less, like $3000 or so.
But then, I planned that budget when I understood things a lot less specifically.
After talking with Dan Pina and Bruce Griggs, I'm seeing how the overall suspension system needs to planned and set up together, not just "do coilovers now, and get some random control arms later" or similar.
Every part, both what kind I'd need and how to "set it", depends on all the other parts.
God, I got totally spoiled with the GT-R and it's top end performance setup from the factory floor (can we say "oem coilovers"?). Seeing how to take a normal street car and give it proper handling, I'm gaining more and more respect for engineers and chassis tuners.
(and less and less for the ricer kids who think cutting their stock springs make their Civic suddenly into a race car)
Ya know what....fuck it.
Go big or go home.
I didn't start this project with the intent of doing it half-assed or cutting corners. If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right.
STL representing...poorly.
Team Drift Pirates
R32 GT-ARRRR!
Foxbody Mustang LX hatch; the new pirate drifter.
