Is this possible? drifting related question

[ElCaminoLombardi]

Here is my theory, please let me know what you think.

So I want to turn my El Camino into a drifting car. I've talked with many a drifters and they claim that the trick is to get the car so that the weight is balanced (front and rear being the same). I know this is a far stretch with a pickup, but the ideas started flowing. First I took a measurement of the weight of my car. The next step would be to redo the body and front end of the car with new fiberglass body parts. Remeasure the weight and add any lost weight from the front end to the rear. What I would use for to add the weight, I'm not exactly sure. Does this sound like something that is only moderately difficult to do? Would I be hurting performance? Am I just plain down right crazy? Is there anything else I could do to make my car more suitable for the drift track?

[Supercharged 86]

I don't know about that theory. I think it's better to be light in the rear if you want the wheels to spin. Sounds like too much work for something that might not even be right. Check out Bubba Drift for another El Camino that drifts. Maybe you'll get some tips.

[77SS]

Originally Posted by ElCaminoLombardi

What I would use for to add the weight, I'm not exactly sure. Does this sound like something that is only moderately difficult to do? Would I be hurting performance?

I'm not a fan of drifting, but how about rigging up portable water cans, or gas cans full of water, in the bed. It would be very easy to add or delete weight by simply adding or draining water.

[XbeasleyX]

First off if you have the money to build a drift rig, why are you using a 3500+Lb car to build it on??????

[Malice in Wonderland]

i never really looked into drifting before...i try not to get into import stuff but that bubba drift website opened my eyes a little, and i think that a crappy looking supercharged ls1 powered el camino makes a damn killer drifter, and it looks like alot of fun. Its about time we start getting into the sport, harwood make some nice glass bumpers and hoods, and that water can idea sounds like it would work.

[vrooom3440]

The problem with water or gas cans is that the weight can shift a bit.

Better would be wet sand.

And do not forget that the batter could be moved from the front to the rear.

Also better ask some questions, that is if they even know, about the polar weight distribution. You can probably get the same weight on all four corners of an Elky pretty easy with that long overhang out the back. But you would have a very large polar moment. This would make it hard to get started spinning and make it want to keep spinning once it was started. Probably not optimum for drifting I would guess.

[ElCaminoLombardi]

I don't mean to sound ignorant here, but what exactly do you mean by "polar moment"? I understand what polarity is and all, but this is still sounds a little greek to me. Thank you

[vrooom3440]

Originally Posted by ElCaminoLombardi

I don't mean to sound ignorant here, but what exactly do you mean by "polar moment"? I understand what polarity is and all, but this is still sounds a little greek to me. Thank you

Not ignorant at all, you don't see these topics discussed every day. Have you ever carried a 20' section of irrigation pipe? Perhaps not but you could guess that it does not turn very easily. Especially compared to a 1' section of the same pipe. That is polar moment.

That is why short little 2 seat sports cars almost always feel more agile than long 4 seat boulevard cruisers. That is why you see mid-engine configurations in Formula 1 and Indy racers as well as Ferrari and Lamborgini and other "super cars". The closer you get the weight to the center of gravity, the more responsive the car will become.

Steve

[nc79elky]

there is a new bladder system that has four compartments that mounts in the bed and can support up to 500 lbs. hope this helps. Cant imagine a drifting elky but sounds like fun.

[ElCamino19Eighty]

I don't know what the proper balance for drifiting is (try Google) but here are two partially sane ways to get weight in the back.

1. Spray in liner. As much as you want/need. 1 in? 3 in? 8 in? Rhino or Line-X will be delighted to see you. Maybe they'll put you in a TV add in exchange for another inch or two.

2. Bed cover. Not all that heavy but, h*ll, you could spray a couple inches on there too.