So has anyone ever drifted their fiero? Just wondering how stressful it would be on the car and what you would have to do. any input on the subject would be cool just post it here.

T.J.

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Difficult takes Strength, Impossible takes weakness

having an import that can run 11's...is kinda like comming out of the closet....your going to suprise a lot of people....but in the end your still gay

What a passanger would say in nascar "Say man, can I turn on the radio? You should go faster. Why do we gotta keep going in circles? Can I put my feet out the window? Man, you really like Tide...”

Living with a conscience is like driving a car with the brakes on.

If someone has, it was done like how I did it.... On accident.

I have considered preparing one for drifting. You would need to move everything movable to the front for better balance. As it is you are faced with finding the very small sweet spot to maintain control. Not a good idea...

It'd help to get something like a LSD for the rear end. I think Fieros have an open differential, so when the wheels start to spin most or all of the torque goes to just 1 wheel. That's also why people get the 1-wheel burnout.

I wouldn't think that the weight balance would be too bad. I know people drift MR2's, and they're very heavy in the rear, and they're prone to snap oversteer much more than a Fiero. You just need a good differential, some decent suspension upgrades, and some practice on a very, very large empty parking lot.

Looking at it. Big HP and some phata$$ tires all around. 88 suspension maybe some work to get extreme turn ratio. I don't know how it would work but damn that sounds fun.

You wouldnt need to do anything other than a lot of add horse power and sway bars.
The fact the motor goes direct to the cvs make it more practical for it than welding the diff on other rwds the car will want to grip but the weight of an engine in front allows them to steer more responsively. Would be interesting to see what a driver could do probably find urself in spins tho.

Fiero's in general do not drift that great. I've tried. There's just way too much weight in the back (not sure about a duke, though). You can only drift it a little, but if you push it just slightly too far, it'll come around on you. If you moved more weight to the center or the front of the car, it would help alittle, but the biggest thing is lightening up the rear.

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'88 Pontiac Fiero GT - 5sp, 3.4L crate engine (in surgery)
'91 GMC Syclone - #449
'02 Yamaha V-Max - helps me poop

quote Originally posted by Zewerr: Fiero's in general do not drift that great. I've tried. There's just way too much weight in the back (not sure about a duke, though). You can only drift it a little, but if you push it just slightly too far, it'll come around on you. If you moved more weight to the center or the front of the car, it would help alittle, but the biggest thing is lightening up the rear.

For another opinion, see: https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum1/HTML/063476.html

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FierOmar

quote Originally posted by xsrage: I have considered preparing one for drifting. You would need to move everything movable to the front for better balance.

Why?

Weight distribution doesn't matter.
Porsche Carreras are something like 35/65 and they can drift all day.
There's another answer I'm looking for...

[This message has been edited by Will (edited 04-22-2007).]

Okay I suppose if you had 600hp you could drift without moving anything but trust me you would still be on the jagged edge. It isnt just about getting sideways. Anyone can throw a fiero sideways and hold it a little. Drifters are moving much faster and control becomes an issue. If you just want to go out and get crazy bump up you HP and go for it. If you want to drift competitively you need more sability.

Wrong answer.

Hint: Do you think you stand a chance of being able to drift on 205/60-15's all around?

[This message has been edited by Will (edited 04-22-2007).]

actually you shouldnt need too much power with the weight, 300hp should be enough. higher redline would be best, alot of drifters are hitting the rev limiter when drifting, you dont need lots of power to drift, if you dont have enough to initiate the drift you have a hand brake. only thing I'd be worried about is the fiero seems to lift the front too much, might be a control issue with that when it has traction... oh yeah, need some semi-wide low pro. tires.

I think there may be some confusion about what is drifting and what is sidewayz. I consider drifting something you do at speed in corners. vs. sideways which you do from a stop light to the next. I have drifted fieros and gotten them sidewayz. It is hard to through a fiero into a drift without flinging it into a loop. the grip goes from great to gone without much warning. A little clutch and throttle play and you can do it dont get me wrong. It is just on the jagged edge and not as controllable as say my 72 monte carlo which likes to drift.

quote Originally posted by xsrage: I think there may be some confusion about what is drifting and what is sidewayz. I consider drifting something you do at speed in corners. vs. sideways which you do from a stop light to the next.

drifting is staying sideways as long as possible, then doing it again..and again.. and..... lol

quote Originally posted by xsrage: I think there may be some confusion about what is drifting and what is sidewayz. I consider drifting something you do at speed in corners. vs. sideways which you do from a stop light to the next. I have drifted fieros and gotten them sidewayz. It is hard to through a fiero into a drift without flinging it into a loop. the grip goes from great to gone without much warning. A little clutch and throttle play and you can do it dont get me wrong. It is just on the jagged edge and not as controllable as say my 72 monte carlo which likes to drift.

And what have you done to your 72 Monte (nice car...)?

Do you not get what I'm dropping hints about?

quote Originally posted by xsrage: I think there may be some confusion about what is drifting and what is sidewayz. I consider drifting something you do at speed in corners. vs. sideways which you do from a stop light to the next. I have drifted fieros and gotten them sidewayz. It is hard to through a fiero into a drift without flinging it into a loop. the grip goes from great to gone without much warning. A little clutch and throttle play and you can do it dont get me wrong. It is just on the jagged edge and not as controllable as say my 72 monte carlo which likes to drift.

Zewerr, you running a limited-slip differential back there? I know Fieros are rear heavy but so are many other cars that drift, like 2nd gen MR2s. I'm not a master of this, but I'll just put it out there. You push it too hard into a turn and both rear wheels start spinning, what will happen? With an open differential 1 wheel will eventually get all the torque, which is usually the 1 that has the least amount of traction. Could that contribute to a spin?

Also stuff like poly bushings, KONI shocks/struts, swaybars, anything that reduces bodyroll will help in controlling the car.

This may not count for much, but in video games like Forza motorsport I tend to do it differentially. I tune the cars so that the front will stick and the rear loses traction easily. This probably isn't a drift, since the front end still has traction, but its fun because you can swing the rear end on cars like AE86's pretty easily, even with stock engines. I've always found that once the front end loses grip its harder than hell to keep control. I've only done a 4-wheel drift in Forza successfully like 5 times.

In real life I would probably look at doing what I did in Forza. Start off by learning to control the car with just the rear wheels loose, then later on progress to full 4-wheel drifting. All in an empty parking lot though. Put some bald bad-gripping tires on the rear, some sticky tires on the front, a bunch of suspension mods and learn to set your alignment to what you want. You can, with a proper alignment (that WILL eat tires) get it so the back end of a Fiero will slide easily while you still have full control up front.

Oh btw, I forgot to say this. The way a Fiero is stock, they'll understeer right until you hit the breaking point, then they'll snap over to oversteer. What I said above is a good way to get the car so it'll easily oversteer without having to push it to its limit.

[This message has been edited by Tinton (edited 04-22-2007).]

quote Originally posted by Tinton: ZewerrThis may not count for much, but in video games like Forza motorsport I tend to do it differentially. I tune the cars so that the front will stick and the rear loses traction easily. This probably isn't a drift, since the front end still has traction

um... when drifting, the front tires usually stick and are turned in the direction you are going... you do still need some traction in the rear while the tires are spinning.. which is why you need more power. to still turn the sticky tires. this is for control...

Weight transfer, lack of power steering, short wheel base etc all do not add up to a good drift car in stock form. One could be built but there are too many other better cars more suited for this duity and much easier to control at the limit.

If the Fiero was so good they would not be digging up old 240 Z's and the like to drift.

quote Originally posted by hyperv6: If the Fiero was so good they would not be digging up old 240 Z's and the like to drift.

it's possible but I wouldnt do it, I'd do the same... just go buy a 240SX (not z )

quote Originally posted by AJ7: um... when drifting, the front tires usually stick and are turned in the direction you are going... you do still need some traction in the rear while the tires are spinning.. which is why you need more power. to still turn the sticky tires. this is for control...

If you make the rear end easy to slide then you don't need the extra power. You just control the grip in the rear with throttle.

quote Originally posted by Tinton: If you make the rear end easy to slide then you don't need the extra power. You just control the grip in the rear with throttle.

thats the way I do it now. and I have 160hp. lol (camaro)

they do it both ways.

quote Originally posted by Tinton: Zewerr, you running a limited-slip differential back there? I know Fieros are rear heavy but so are many other cars that drift, like 2nd gen MR2s. I'm not a master of this, but I'll just put it out there. You push it too hard into a turn and both rear wheels start spinning, what will happen? With an open differential 1 wheel will eventually get all the torque, which is usually the 1 that has the least amount of traction. Could that contribute to a spin?

I've seen MR-2 drift all the time. Though they're nowhere near the ideal car for it though. One thing the that an MR2 has or lack of to help it drift over a Fiero is the fact that there's not an all iron V-6 in the back of it.

Basically I was just wondering if there is anything on the Fiero that was so weak it would break just by doing drifting. Also to add another question to this: I am taking my 85' GT w/4sp. to the dragstrip in a couple weeks and I was wondering if there is anything I should be careful of breaking axles, trans, anything and what rpm's I can launch it at. Thanks

T.J.

quote Originally posted by fieropimp: Basically I was just wondering if there is anything on the Fiero that was so weak it would break just by doing drifting. Also to add another question to this: I am taking my 85' GT w/4sp. to the dragstrip in a couple weeks and I was wondering if there is anything I should be careful of breaking axles, trans, anything and what rpm's I can launch it at. Thanks T.J.

You want a drift car? I will sell you a 1985 AE86. 400.00 dollars. has motor and tranny but needs to be wired up and installed. or put a 4agze engine from an mr2 in.

No I don't want one I just wanna make sure if I go out for a weekend I'm not gonna break anything basically. It's just something me and some of my friends are going to be doin this summer we are gonna go to the dragstrip and do some drifting on weekends with our daily drivers just for some fun.

T.J.

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Difficult takes Strength, Impossible takes weakness

having an import that can run 11's...is kinda like comming out of the closet....your going to suprise a lot of people....but in the end your still gay

What a passanger would say in nascar "Say man, can I turn on the radio? You should go faster. Why do we gotta keep going in circles? Can I put my feet out the window? Man, you really like Tide...”

Living with a conscience is like driving a car with the brakes on.

Nobody listens.

Weight distribution doesn't matter.

Contact pressure distribution is what matters.

If you start to talk about setting up a drift machine without first and foremost making tires the centerpiece of your discussion, you're not going to get anywhere.

quote Originally posted by AJ7: it's possible but I wouldnt do it, I'd do the same... just go buy a 240SX (not z )

Sorry If I got the letters wrong as I am not a real big Nissan fan. I know the cars by sight but not by letters. I like my cars with names.

Either way I have noted the 240 SX as being popular and very tunable.

But in drifting with the rigth package and enough money I could drift a Limo if the need should come.

[This message has been edited by hyperv6 (edited 04-22-2007).]

quote Originally posted by Will: Nobody listens. Weight distribution doesn't matter. Contact pressure distribution is what matters. If you start to talk about setting up a drift machine without first and foremost making tires the centerpiece of your discussion, you're not going to get anywhere.

So, how would you approach setting up a Fiero for maximum controllability under drift conditions? I, too, have wondered why people seem to be able to drift 911's and not Fieros, which are a more neutral car, weight and balance wise...

[This message has been edited by Vonov (edited 04-22-2007).]

most drift cars are set up with a rear weight bias anyways. I have my supra set up with the battery in the rear middle under the unibody and the fuel cell as far rearward as possible. Same thing with my buddies honda s2000 and many other drift cars I know of. The way to make more steering is to machine new holes in the front knuckles closer to the pivot point for the outer tie rods. this gives quicker steering response and steeper turning radius. This is how Millens GTO is set up. weight transfer isnt everything and power isnt everything either. Clutch kick is also a good way to get a drift going also but not the greatest thing for the clutch. Ive drifted my fiero plenty of times but with stock powertrain limited to doing it on wet roads but have many witneses and a few scarred passengers to prove it.

Power isn't everything when it comes to drifting... It does help when you've got a heavy car, like Gushi's Mustang or Hubinette's Charger... But over in Japan, in the D1GP, some of the AE86 Corolla's only make 200hp, at the VERY most, and they out-manuever cars with more than double that number.

While I haven't had the opportunity to do any auto-crossing with my Fiero, I have done a couple drifting experiments with it... It had been raining on that day so that was a big factor in it. The first one I tried, I spun it pretty well... Good thing it was so late that there was no one around. The second time, a couple minutes later, I managed to hang the rear out pretty good.

I did notice a lot of body-roll during the second attempt, so that would be one thing I would address to make the Fiero drift better, bigger sway-bars, front and rear, and a rear strut-tower brace for starters. After that though, I'm rather clueless.

My view on drifting is this... When building a drift car, it's all about keeping the aspects of the car in balance... Power, grip and stability/weight. To much of any one aspect, and the car will not function correctly... That's why the AE86 is so popular, it was very balanced right from the factory.

There's my $ 00.02

I'm running 225/235 tires on my car. Pzero system in front and S03 Pole Positions in the rear. I have an 88cradle swapped into my 84, with 325# springs, konis set to stiff, and the stock 88 sway bar.

i have a tough time starting the drift coming into a turn since our ebrakes suck and I don't have the will to just drop the clutch in 2nd with the isuzu. Thru the turn, however, I can power slide (not a true drift) in 3rd gear (again, scared of the isuzu 2nd), by going WOT once the car is slightly turned. The car will jump sideways, and from then on, I can 'drift' the car for as many turns that are somewhat close. On a straight wide road, I can jerk the wheel at about 30 in 3rd gear, go WOT, and continue to make wide S shape drifts until I feel like letting off. By the end of the road I've done this on, I'm usually around 60mph and the car will still keep the tires spinning for as long as I want to keep the car turning sideways back and forth. The problem that I have is that with the open diff, sometimes one wheel catch and it'll 'jerk' the car into going straight again. So I would say in a fiero it just takes some power, an LSD, stiff rear suspension and some basic skills.

quote Originally posted by Vonov: So, how would you approach setting up a Fiero for maximum controllability under drift conditions? I, too, have wondered why people seem to be able to drift 911's and not Fieros, which are a more neutral car, weight and balance wise...

Seems to be as much about being able to break the rear tires loose while still maintaining control. Doen't necessarily require huge power.

For exemple, here is a driver that looks like he is far beyond drifting.

http://www.skoopy.com/show2.php?id=2029&type=VID

You will need to click on the link to open, but well worth it.

Will, enlighten us some more.

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FierOmar

Wish i could tell you ive drifted in my Fiero, but its still not running, but hey! My 92 Bonneville could prolly win a few competitions! That car drifts like its no ones business lol.

quote Originally posted by FierOmar: http://www.skoopy.com/show2.php?id=2029&type=VID

Super 7 Lotus drifting
now drifting these that would be dangerous in a race with open wheels getting caught up with each other but definatly looks fun.

quote Originally posted by Will: Nobody listens. Weight distribution doesn't matter. Contact pressure distribution is what matters. If you start to talk about setting up a drift machine without first and foremost making tires the centerpiece of your discussion, you're not going to get anywhere.

weight DOES matter. just not the way most are thinking. it matters in how hard you wind up & throw the rear.
I find the main reason Fiero's are bad drift cars is because the super short wheel base. in order to have some visable drift, you need to be pretty steep in angle.
and yes - tires is #1. in ANY mtorosport discussion. how do I make my Fiero handle? tires. how do I make my Fiero hook up? tires.

a Dukie Fiero on F1 tires will beat a F1 car on 185/80-13 Michelins. TIRES.

anyways - this is also all assuming you have installed some decent power AND a closed differential. overpowering just one wheel just dont do it. and leaving it up to random grabbing of most existing LSD's wont help much either. for a REAL drift car - a welded diff is NOT a bad thing at all. this will gaurantee at least one rear wheel wanting to let go in ANY turn and consistant repeatable results when the throttle is applied. and, like any other motorsport - consistancy is what makes you competitive.

quote Originally posted by fieropimp: I just wanna make sure if I go out for a weekend I'm not gonna break anything basically. It's just something me and some of my friends are going to be doin this summer we are gonna go to the dragstrip and do some drifting on weekends with our daily drivers just for some fun. T.J.

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Difficult takes Strength, Impossible takes weakness

having an import that can run 11's...is kinda like comming out of the closet....your going to suprise a lot of people....but in the end your still gay

What a passanger would say in nascar "Say man, can I turn on the radio? You should go faster. Why do we gotta keep going in circles? Can I put my feet out the window? Man, you really like Tide...”

Living with a conscience is like driving a car with the brakes on.

quote Originally posted by Australian: Super 7 Lotus drifting now drifting these that would be dangerous in a race with open wheels getting caught up with each other but definatly looks fun.

I'm not sure he was engaged in a drifting contest. Appeared to be some sort of timed competition that required various maneuvers. Drivers sure looked like he had it nailed, but then again, I didn't see any other competitors.

As far as I know, drifting does not include a timing element (unless perhaps to measure how long one can hold the drift). Judging is based on subjective scores from one or more judges... sort of like ice skating.

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FierOmar

Watch and learn http://www.youtube.com/watc...mode=related&search=

Simply wonderful, I would love to be talented enough to do that with a Fiero....mabey someday.

--Nathan--

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Finally the carbed, camed, 350 is in the 88GT and deafening people on a regular basis.
Please E-mail me at Wicked88GT@yahoo.com

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