ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED! Google Search "Bullitt Drift" . . .

And I'm FIRST!!!!!

Do the same in Google IMAGE!

I'm FIRST AGAIN!!!!

WOOT!

I know this probably means NOTHING to anyone here, but MY LORD! The chance that I may be able to some day work my way up to the level of Doug Van Den Brink or JR . . .I know it's a long shot, but one day, perhaps some aspiring kid who really wants to drift their Mustang will run a Google search and they will find one of my pictures in 'Mustang Drift' . . .I'm not there yet, but I will be! Until then, I'll just keep drifting!!!

I'm psyched beyond psyched right now, HAHAHA! I guess it only matters to me because I really want to work my way up the ladder and the only way to do that is with sponsors and fans . . .but this just . . is very cool! David Adams . . .the Bullitt Drifter . . . ahhhh! Now I just need to get better at sliding so I can warrant some more sponsors!

It's not so much that it's a first return in Google, but it's that it's a broad topic, and anyone could be first. For instance, if you type in "Mustang Drift" You get Gushi and JR . . . but if I can work my way up to that level!!!!! OH MAN! If I can work up to being as recognized as Doug, JR, or Gushi. Man, that would be awesome! For now, I can MORE than live with being known as THE BULLITT DRIFTER! AHHHHHH!

A big thanks to anyone and everyone who has supported me and my drifting in these times. I know it's miniscule at best and means nothing really, but it means a lot to me, it's pretty darn cool! HAHAHA! And it gives me inspiration for working my way up to the pro levels. I'll be there one day and this is a sign from above (or at least from the internet Gods) that I need to keep striving to reach that point!

Okay, that was my 15 minutes, I'm done . . .it may be a pipe dream, but it's a pipe dream that I feel will be an achieved goal very soon!

-Dave

P.S: The Google Image Search that returns my picture, comes from none other than the GRM Forums! Thanks GRM!! Who knows, maybe one day I'll have the honor of being a feature driver or something. I rock the GRM Sticker every time I go out there!!!

See?

Congratulations! That's pretty darn cool

Stickin' it to certain JDM snobs who believe you need an AE86 to drift in style. Nice.

YES SIR!

Thanks for the congrats! Like I said, I know it's a minuscule step, but it's a minuscule step in the right direction. At first I was like, nah, this is something based on cookies or something, I I remoted into my work computer and did the same search . . . WOOT! The same results . . . I mean, even the DREAM that I can be in the same field as the pros with dedication and passion to this wonderful art form is awesome.

I don't know if I'll go pro, but I would love to be on that level of competitiveness, skill and public awareness. So much fun, so little time!

Thanks again! GRM FOR LIFE!

Google must mine the heck out of GRM. I frequently get GRM board posts as hits from my google inquiries (cookie free computers as well)

Tell me about it, I re-ran the search after reading your post and BAM, this very topic came up first!

GRM must be sliding Google money on the side . . .LOL!

-Dave

Yeah, I'm not the only American V8 drifter! I don't understand why more V8s don't show up to drift events. Freaking imports spend thousands of $ to have the power to drift, and V8s take little to nothing. It makes no sense really.

Well, the problem isn't power at all, power is nice for just doing donuts, but when you're talking about controlling a high speed drift with good angle, the imports have the one up on us, definitely.

Drifting isn't about power, it's about car control, and American cars have some horrible suspension setups unless you spend a ton of money working on the car or spend a ton of money buying one, LOL!

BMW still holds my heart as far as control and power/torque are concerned, but drifting the Bullitt has taught me that some trade offs are better than others. I've got more than enough power and torque to get/keep my car going in a drift, now comes the uphill struggle of tuning the suspension to match the rest of the machine . . .and THAT, is why there aren't more American cars out here, LOL!

-Dave

Actually here's one from my Youtube page: Mustang drifting I've done some drifting in turbo Miatas and stockish RX7s as well as big power V8s and it seems to me that lots of low end torque is pretty nice to have. In my experience a car that doesn't need the clutch dumped from high RPM to power slide is a lot more controllable than one that does. Not that Mustang suspension aren't crap . I think the reason why there aren't more American cars in drifting is that the segment that likes drifting just isn't into them.

LOL! Thats good stuff, but what I was getting at is this . . .yeah, what you just showed is a good demonstration of low speed car control.

American cars when put to the test at speed don't perform well. Low speed car control such as drift circles, donuts and figure 8s are very easy when you're working with just torque. The skid pad is also a good place to let torque shine through.

But when you're talking about 60,70 and 80mph and above, you start working with suspension issues that most American cars (at least the ones that most grassroots drifters can afford) simply cannot cope with.

Tis all ^_^

-Dave

I'm the 3rd image result for "ae92 sr5 autcross", 4th result for "ae92 sr5"

Probably because my AE92 is the last one in motorsport rather than a junkyard.

LMAO nice!

OH, and just to reinforce, this is what I'm talking about when I say "High Speed Drifting" rather than "Low Speed Car Control"

This is low speed car control, donuts and drift circles on a skid pad. This is all torque, not much in the way of suspension at all. This is what you guys are referring to judging by the videos you showed me. This is where it's definitely wiser to have a torquey V8 over an import. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTf7ORshhM8

This is high speed (and I mean high speed, LOL) drifting. Entry speeds were climbing throughout the night and going from 50 and 60 to 70mph rev-limiter-bangers! It was an AMAZING night and highlights WHY American cars aren't as popular as people would think. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-kfuBDl9ek

I mean, don't get me wrong, for practice and local competition, this car (as with most grassroots domestics) is a blast and worthy of competing with the best of them. But when I'm ready to go Pro-Am . . .it's the import life for me. There's just TOO MUCH work that needs to be done to American cars to make them perform on that level. When you can take an import, swap the motor and have relatively stock suspension.

-Dave

Black Stig wrote: Well, the problem isn't power at all, power is nice for just doing donuts, but when you're talking about controlling a high speed drift with good angle, the imports have the one up on us, definitely. Drifting isn't about power, it's about car control, and American cars have some horrible suspension setups unless you spend a ton of money working on the car or spend a ton of money buying one, LOL -Dave

I do agree, IRS makes for much smoother drifts, lighter cars can also do faster drifts. However the crown jewel of drifting is an AE86, which uses a solid axle unequal length 4 link with panhard. And where I do agree with what you are saying, a V8 mustang is a super cheap and very capable drift car. I think the sad truth of the matter is that most domestic drivers can't drive. (Just because you have a domestic please don't take offense, I sain MOST, not all.) There are plenty of domestic owners that can drive, especially on this forum, but you fellas are far out-numbered by ones that can't.

No offense taken, and as I described in the post above, it's just in the difference in chassis/suspension design as well. Let's face it, American automakers from 1938-2004 did NOT design these cars for going around turns. They designed our brawly V8s and turbo 6s for going down the quarter or up a Texas highway seeing just how fast we can reach our top speed.

The imports, conversely, are usually designed to peg up to 8k or higher, clutch kick coming around the hair pin, nail those relatively large disc brakes to hit the apex HARD, turn in sharp, then counter steer as you direct your car through the turn by steering in the opposite direaction . . .

WOOOO!

Hot flash . . .hold on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Anyway, yeah, that's just not where our cars are :( The videos above are dramatic demonstrations. I would LOVE to work on getting myself into another import in time for the 2009 Pro-Am, but that won't happen :( I'm going to work on it for the 2010 season and THAT is where I'll truly jump into the light.

I would love to stick with the Bullitt, but far too much work has to be done suspension wise to get it up to "par". I'd much rather just keep it for local events and get an import or, if my sponsors prefer I stick with a domestic, get into an S197, it's much better than the Fox/SN95 chassis for everything, LOL!

Even Doug Van Den Brink is getting rid of his SN95 . . .truly a sad day for domestic drifters everywhere . . .

-Dave

i would drift an american v8. ls1 FC RX7's are AWESOME. yes sr20's sound cool on the rev limiter when they have an ignition cut, so do hasselgren 4ag's at 10k rpm limits... then i heard an ls1 killing it... sounds awesome. and i can bet that drifting an FC with ls1 would be like drifting with training wheels, they can get awesome steering angle, and have torque.

by the way, Black Stig, great videos, i think its good to have variety over 900 billion 240sx's and 3 corollas, give or take an FC or 2

"I do agree, IRS makes for much smoother drifts, lighter cars can also do faster drifts. However the crown jewel of drifting is an AE86, which uses a solid axle unequal length 4 link with panhard."

i think the crown jewel is a 240sx. at least around here it is. for every one corolla there is usually 4 or 5 s13/s14's. they have torque (ok its a 4cylinder so not much unless they are turbo'd). but they main thing is, they are able to get retarded steering angle with either cut/welded knuckles or all new ones. ive seen s13's look like they almost went backwards before they straightened out.

What, are you trying to come up with an excuse to sell your Bullitt ? That four link in it is pretty dodgy, but there's no reason it won't drift at speed. The drifter crowd just doesn't get into domestics. The 2005+ Mustang really is much better. While suspension matters a lot in racing, maximum cornering speed isn't really what drifting is about anyway. If you want to make it easier, experiment with spring/shock/sway configurations.

LOL at the Xbox cue.

That's really cool, millions of people will see that when they look for it. I like your username, Black Stig, I can't believe your here at Grassroots!

That is a sweet Mustang it's all really in the suspension like some said here.

I like seeing this becuase I love Corollas, RX7s, and Silvias but I like seeing oddities that you'd never think would be a good drift car "by the way, Black Stig, great videos, i think its good to have variety over 900 billion 240sx's and 3 corollas, give or take an FC or 2" like blaze86vic

HAHAHAHA! Thanks everyone, seriously, it means a lot! I'm pretty self-concious about my driving but I love doing it. I don' think I've had more fun than I do with this car. The sound it makes, the power it produces the attention it gets when sideways. As you all have already stated, it's a rare car to see out there so it gets questions and stares. But it's all in good fun

We have another event coming up here on the 29th and I'll be out there. It'll be at Turner Field, so if you're in the Atlanta area, come on out and watch us go crazy. There will be some really great drivers out there, and I'll be there just trying to keep pace. I'm still a rookie, by all means, but I'm learning and hopefully by this time next year I'll be on my way to saving up for the Pro-AM.

Thanks again for the supportive words from everyone hear, it really does mean a lot to me! I am very appreciative and humbled by everyone's kindness.

Canute wrote: What, are you trying to come up with an excuse to sell your Bullitt ? That four link in it is pretty dodgy, but there's no reason it won't drift at speed. The drifter crowd just doesn't get into domestics. The 2005+ Mustang really is much better. While suspension matters a lot in racing, maximum cornering speed isn't really what drifting is about anyway. If you want to make it easier, experiment with spring/shock/sway configurations.

LMAO! Yes! I need to get rid of her . . .HAHAHA! Nah, I'm just kidding, I love my Bullitt, she's not going anywhere but sideways. You're absolutely right on every account! The drifting crowd isn't big into domestics, they feel it's just not their place, with good reason sometimes, LOL!

The 2005+ Mustangs are a beauty to drive and drift. They have the 3-link rear end and a redesigned chassis/suspension setup that makes drifting almost effortless. I really am thinking about jumping into an S197, but it would have to be something besides the GT. Maybe a Shelby, LMAO!

The SN-95 . . .what can be said about this car that hasn't already been said throughout the countless years of GRM, HAHAHA! I love it but it has it's drawbacks. As you've mentioned the 4-link is attrocious for anything else besides drag racing. The Bullitts get a "handling package" but it's really just Tokico HPs and firmer springs with subframe connectors.

My modification list looks like this:

Springs (already purchased and installed) Tokico D-Specs (on hold-order) 3-link rear end Panhard bar bigger subframe connectors front lower control arms bushing overhaul with neoprene and steel bushings And that's about it. I don't want to go TOO crazy because I want to maintain that reaction of "This doesn't look like a drift-car" from spectators when I give them ride alongs. But I have to achieve a more forgiving rear end and more steering angle so that's most important.

Power doesn't seem TOO necessary (GLOVIOUSLY, LOL) but a stroker kit which will take me to 5.1 liters, a top end rebuild and supercharger are in order. I'll be happy if that alongside a header-back-exhaust yields me about 500-550hp and 600ft lbs of torque.

-Dave

i have seen you over one of the drifting boards, welcome to a very great place to hang out...besides i am also very much into the v-8 usa built drift machine....mine is going to super light light..compared to its stock weight and very much under the redneck banner.... i am building a 1988 chevy monty carlo myself thats an ex asfault circle jerking car. now its going see new life for autocross and drifting.... and i get to learn drifting witha slushbox for the time being. congrats on your google entry.

Sweet, always cool to see more drifter's coming on board, especially drifters in domestics. I can't want to see that thing out there representing, make sure you get plenty of video so that we can sit back and cheer you on!!!

woah..I just googled my s/n and came up #50 with a link back to my GRM page.

LMAO! Good stuff right? HAHAHAHAHAHA! I love googling my screen name just to see what comes up . . .sometimes you find posts that are SOOO OLD that you're like . . .I can't believe I typed that . . .what was I thinking?

-Dave

if you want to see pics of the beast, under the chevy setion look for the pic of the engine, follow the link to see more pics of the beast. i really should change it to the car instead of my fat rear end hugging the motor...

Black Stig wrote: My modification list looks like this: Springs (already purchased and installed) Tokico D-Specs (on hold-order) 3-link rear end Panhard bar bigger subframe connectors front lower control arms bushing overhaul with neoprene and steel bushings And that's about it. I don't want to go TOO crazy because I want to maintain that reaction of "This doesn't look like a drift-car" from spectators when I give them ride alongs. But I have to achieve a more forgiving rear end and more steering angle so that's most important. Power doesn't seem TOO necessary (GLOVIOUSLY, LOL) but a stroker kit which will take me to 5.1 liters, a top end rebuild and supercharger are in order. I'll be happy if that alongside a header-back-exhaust yields me about 500-550hp and 600ft lbs of torque. -Dave

I would think at that point with the motor that just going to a 2003-4 cobra would be best (those power #'s are EASY with that)

which springs are you running? i went with H&R race for my auto-x sn-95 cobra.

the 3-link setups, they can be tough on the floorpan at the power levels you are talking about. (at least the designs ive looked at) I would go with the steeda 5-link (includes a LOOONG PHB with it and makes the upper links perpendicular to the axle)

I dont see CCplates on your list?

getting bushings put in the front control arms is a bit of a PITA. (getting it pressed out and new in)

Some of the principles of tuning a car for drift seem backwards to me so im curious to know what you end up doing with it.