Welcome Back Tanner: <br />How To Make A VW Passat Drift
The Return

If you follow professional drifting, then you’ve probably already heard the news that Tanner Foust will be making a return to Formula Drift this year to compete in select events. And even if you don’t follow pro drifting – you’re probably familiar with Tanner. In addition to his pair of FD championship titles, he’s also a three-time Global Rally Cross champion, a seasoned stunt driver and one of the hosts for the American version of Top Gear. He’s easily one of America’s most recognizable automotive personalities.

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The last time Tanner competed in a Formula Drift event was way back at the 2010 season finale, and while his primary focus in 2015 will still be the GRC, his return to Formula Drift has certainly added some excitement to the upcoming season – which kicks off this weekend on the streets of Long Beach.

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Once Tanner decided that he’d once again be participating in professional drifting he knew he’d need a special car. He didn’t just want something that would be cool and interesting – he needed a car that would be instantly competitive in a sport that has evolved a lot since he left.

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It was last fall that Stephan Papadakis heard about Tanner’s return to Formula Drift, and given that he and Tanner worked together in FD in the past with much success, a reunion between the talented builder and talented driver seemed like a perfect thing.

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Of course, a lot has changed since the last time Tanner competed in FD, and given the fact he now races Volkswagens in GRC it was only fitting that he’d drive one in Formula Drift. The only problem is that there aren’t a whole lot of people out there using VWs for drifting, so Steph and his team really had their work cut out for them over the off season.

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When Tanner told Stephan that he wanted to build his drift car out of a new Volkswagen Passat, the true challenge began. The transformation from front-wheel drive family sedan to Formula Drift machine would be a massive one, and it took a crew of five working the entire off season to have the car ready for the Long Beach season opener – the first of three FD events Tanner is planning to run this year.

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Fortunately, Papadakis Racing has plenty of experience building drift cars out of unconventional platforms, and Tanner knew that Stephan and the crew could be trusted not only to make the Passat drift, but to make it competitive with best cars on the Formula Drift grid.

The Transformation
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Beginning with a bone-stock Passat, the Papdakis Racing team began by stripping the car of everything but its basic body structure. This wouldn’t be a NASCAR-style tube chassis race car with a Passat body stuck over the top, but there also wouldn’t be a whole lot of factory parts reused during the car’s transformation.

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In order to convert the Passat from front-drive to rear-drive, the car would need some serious chassis and suspension fabrication, and great care was taken to make sure that everything adhered to the Formula Drift rulebook.

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Starting in the back, the crossmember was modified for the rear-drive configuration and the suspension replaced with a custom-fabricated setup, custom-built RS*R coilovers and of course a new differential that would now drop the power off at the rear wheels.

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An equal amount of work needed to be done up front, where the stock engine, transmission and axles were removed and replaced with a custom-fabricated setup featuring new spindles, hubs and steering system.

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And because the car would be rear-wheel drive, a custom tunnel had to be built to house a G-Force 4-speed dog box transmission and custom driveshaft.

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And what should power this radically altered Volkswagen sedan? Well, Stephan says that the motor setup was actually one of the easiest parts of the entire build.

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The V8 engine is based on an LS7 and has been honed a bit for an output of 700 horsepower. A nitrous kit adds another 200 horsepower for a grand total of 900 – an amount which the team hopes will keep the car running with the fastest machines in Formula Drift.

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One thing that is quite unique about the Passat’s engine setup is the exhaust configuration. Rather than going with a traditional exhaust manifold setup, Papadakis Racing fabricated a rather crazy looking 8-to-1 header with a sequential setup that sits in front of the motor.

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Not only do the pipes give the engine bay a radical look, Stephan says the unique layout gives the LS7 a very different exhaust note than that of your typical LS V8. I’ll certainly be excited to hear it next weekend at Long Beach.

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As for the rest of the car, aside from the expected chassis items like a full FD-certified rollcage and crash bars all around, the Passat’s body is still using quite a few of its original panels. Many of them have been modified for weight savings and the stock glass has been replaced with lighter material, but the car is still instantly recognizable as a Volkswagen Passat.

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The Passat is not currently on the list of applications that TRA Kyoto makes a Rocket Bunny kit for, but that didn’t stop the Papdakis crew from adapting an Rocket Bunny kit from another model to give the sedan a more aggressive look and to help accommodate its wheel and tire setup.

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The staggered 17 and 18-inch five-spoke wheels come from KMC and they are wrapped in NT05 rubber provided by Nitto Tire, who happily jumped onboard for Tanner’s return to Formula Drift.

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Other modifications to the exterior of the car include additional cooling vents in the hood and an APR Performance swan mount wing on the trunk.

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There are also vents to help feed cool air to the Passat’s rear-mounted radiator setup – something which is now quite common on the Formula Drift grid.

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Once the body was complete, the car was treated to a full wrap from Spin Imaging, which of course bears the name and colors of Tanner’s long-time sponsor Rockstar Energy Drink.

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Inside, the Passat is typical pro drift car – stripped of everything that’s not necessary to drive it sideways and protect the driver while doing it. The stock Passat dashboard has actually been retained, but aside from that it’s pure race car.

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Along with the aforementioned rollcage, you’ll also find a custom hydraulic e-brake setup, a Sparco steering wheel and a pair of Recaro race seats with Schroth harnesses.

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In recent weeks the team has been extremely busy finishing up the car, and they’ve been testing regularly to make sure Tanner feels as comfortable as possible behind the wheel.

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So far both the Papadakis Racing team and Tanner himself have been extremely impressed with how the car performs. The Passat itself might be larger than your typical FD car, but the wheelbase itself isn’t much different, and long, smokey slides come with ease.

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While I know many were excited to hear about Tanner Foust’s return to Formula Drift this year, I think the fact he’s doing it in such an unconventional car makes this reunion all the more interesting.

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How will Tanner and his radical Volkswagen do in Formula Drift? I guess we’ll know the answer in just a few short days.

See you in Long Beach.

Mike Garrett
Instagram: speedhunters_mike
mike@speedhunters.com

Photos by Larry Chen and Louis Yio

Instagram: Lusciousy

Cutting Room Floor
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114 comments

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1

Crazy. Can't wait to see this in action. More importantly, let the hater comments begin.....
Great shots Luis!

2
Andreas H Husby

This is wicked...great job!

3

The 8-1 merged collector is a thing of beauty

4

what a crazy build, cant wait to see it perform, as well as hearing it!
But they should seriously do something else with the rear end, it looks so unfinished back there

5
ChristopherAnderson1

When this was first announced, I was hoping we'd get to hear the song of a turbo VR6 in Formula D. Too bad.

6

There are already vids of it on youtube, insane sound and smoke production!

7

"passat"...

8

It's strange to see a drifting VW, that's why I like it!
They could've used the new Passat, looks much better (if it's sold it in the US)

9

That exhaust setup is nuts. Seems like it would cause heat soak at first glance, but if the shop is good enough to fab something like that, I'm pretty sure they've mitigated the problem. If it doesn't work out, then I would go with old school zoomies poking out of the hood.

10

What a cheater, like this is literally the start of NASDRIFTCAR. Take a taurus, stratus, impala, camry, (insert stupid grocery hauler) put a V8 under the front powering the rear wheels, some choice suspension and put it on track with a bunch of the same thing. It is super lame.

This is a 100% bespoke chassis, a chassis that really does not exist. AND, it is competing in a sanctioned motorsports event that is filled primarily with uni-bodies operating under strict limitations of modification that make teams develop a competitive edge and engineer improvements. 


I know there are or have been FWD cars converted to RWD setups, for example, the TC with a supra rear end and a 2JZ. Don't get me started on how this is not the same.

He can't be instantly competitive in an existing RWD platform due to rulebook limitations that are in place due to the fact that practically everyone else is using an already existing RWD platform. Plus they have been developing their cars. So he starts with a blank canvas and buys a competitive edge. 

The passat is a HUMANGOUS car. Guess what, I could fit all kinds of cool shit under a big ass NASCAR body too. Screw you, Tanner, you should have stayed gone.

11

"great care was taken to make sure that everything adhered to the Formula Drift rulebook."


And the result is a RWD Chevrolet V8 powered Volkswagen sedan.

12

ChristopherAnderson1

couldnt agree more!!!  turbo'd vr6 sounds amaaaaazing!!!!!!!

13

Someone looked over the fact (unless I missed it) that Tanner has also been putting seat time in behind the wheel of a Pro 2 short course truck in LOORRS. 

While at the race in Lake Elsinore, I spoke with him for a little bit and asked his thoughts about being in a truck on a dirt track.

14

How did they get around with using custom subframes? Also, what is being used for the rear diff/axle? Did they take the drivetrain from an AWD Passat and go from there ?
Awesome build. I wish it wasnt so secretive and got more indepth with the chassis and drivtrain setup....since he's not a points contender and running a full season)

15

Unfortunately, I also have to agree with others that in order to "make a VW Passat drift" it basically has to not be a VW Passat. 

However, with that said, I definitely want to see and hear this particular setup. Those pipes look gnarly. 

Lastly, am I the only one who kind of liked the black and white bodywork with the red rear wheels?

16

@skiziFiziks I don't see the problem here, all of FD is a joke, so why not be the funniest fucker there.

17

Don't get me wrong I really like the car and the build.
But I understand how some people aren't big fans. This is really just a racing Volkswagen advertisment, but that is a bit awkward because its almost the opposite of a "normal" Passat. Only the chassis remains and even that is heavily modified because its no.

Also I would of have loved to see more info about things such as the suspension setup and the tubing.

18

I do not care about a V8 in a Passat. We are going to have Tanner vs Daigo competing in the same field. This is like Mayweather Jr. vs Pacquiao. This is definitely good news for the spectators. FD is making progress.

19

mugshotmarlry No the AWD system from a Passat B6 is front-wheel-drive based AWD using a haldexsystem and torsendiff. Unlike older models which basicly had Audi Quattro systems.

20

I like the concept, except for the engine. I assume due to possible reliability issues, they have gone for the proven LS7, but this was the opportunity to go for V10 turbo power from an R8 or Turbo 4 pot or maybe V6 turbo or or. I am sure they could have sourced an high power engine from the VW/Audi group that with some testing would have been reliable, but I assume that would have taken to much testing time.

21

What does this have to do with drifting??

22

DaylanC How so? Who else is running entirely custom front and rear suspension, with an LS that is obviously, by chance I assume, entirely behind the front axle centerline. FD is not my favorite, or a standard to judge by, by any stretch of the imagination, but this shouldn't be allowed. I have a turbo L33 S14 drift car, the V8 doesn't bother me. What does bother me is that he gets ALL of the benefits with none of the drawbacks. And the passat is hideous, let's not forget that.

Props for good interpretation of the rule book I guess, but still lame.

23

Lmfao best comment EVER!!!

25

@Ilia  Stupidest question award goes to you.

26

Why? Just why?
You could have any car to drift and you choose a pissant?!?! It would have been cheaper to import a car and set it up for formula drift. But nope let's get the newest dumbest most bland car currently made and cut it all up and shoe horn a LS7 inside it. Im guessing its for publicity but come on! None of us who follow formula D are stupid and are really going to consider buying and drifting a pissant. Why use a car that isn't even RWD to begin with?!?
Like its been said a few comment before, might as well be the funniest fucker at formula D

27

Kinda agree. Very clever build & packaging, but surely the porsche v8 from the vw catalogue would have been more interesting. Less concerned about the whole FD FWD/RWD question. We don't see FD over here anyway. Good on you Foust for giving it another go...
PS, the Passat isn't half as ugly as the Scion tC

28

@tom  I don't think he had a choice, I think it was the fact his sponsors, Volkswagen and Rockstar energy already have a partnership with his rally cross team, so it was an easy crossover to a sport he's familiar with, with them. A car that was made for drifting is far less interesting than one totally engineered to drift. As with all race cars, you can hardly call an F1 Ferrari the same as that you get on the road.

29

talk about a grenade launcher being used as a manifold! Weapons grade stuff right here!

30
mbretschneider

JakWhite I agree with you on the race stuff X street stuff thing, no car on formula drift is alike its road counterpart. We can look at nascar, there`s a "camry" body shell there.
But i dont see people complaining that the fusion or camry arent RWD V8s , i see guys enjoying their street cars and dreaming about the track variants...
I myself built a FWD to RWD based on what i have seen in pictures and videos of Mr. Papadakis work, because the place i live (brazil) simply doesn`t have all the cool RWD japanese cars on a reasonable price... I think sometimes people just don`t understand what a car like this passat can mean for somebody watching the formula drift streaming on the other side of the world.

31

DaylanC why is it all a joke?

32

@tom On the contrary how special would another S13 or GT86 be?

33

@Ilia Maybe, just maybe, it has to do with the fact that this car was purpose built FOR DRIFTING.

Or maybe I'm the stupid one.

34

Guys, please remember that Foust is sponsored by Volkswagen.

35

I didn't read it, but have gathered from the post below that he's sponsored by VW. If VW want to be part of drifting, but I'm guessing this is more about his sponsorship rather than them wanting to have a drift car, why not make some RWD cars. Or use a Golf R and turn the AWD into RWD? Obviously the chassis of this Passat is almost nil to what it was stock, so if going so full on, why not a Golf......probably the length/shape etc I suppose(not into drifting, don't get it). And why use an LS, surely VW make some of tghe best engines out there capable of big HP and torque!?!?!

36

Everyone has AIDS!

37

they should have chosen a Bentley Mulsanne to start from

38

I think the reason they used a Passat in RWD platform compared to a golf which already has a 4wd system in the R model is because of high speed stability from the longer chassis compared to the short one also switching left to right (or vise versa) drifts are probably more controllable, also possibly because of this... the BTCC Passat from the past few years sponsored by, yup you guessed it, so some of the RWD and race technology has been moved over.

39

Spaghetti  I think I've answered some of your question above, I assume they used an LS is for ease of tuning material over in the US, but also because its not a factory team, just a sponsored one.

40

drifting off to sleep

41

@Ilia Agreed.  FD is something, but it isn't drifting anymore.

42

Thanks. So basically using a one off or BTCC setup? How is this legal. I thought that according to FD rules, subframes cannot be modified or changed, outside of stiffening/ bracing

43

Yeah I see both points. However, NASCAR to me is shells of a car on top of v8 engine but formula drift to me is seeing cars that resemble regular cars, minus the livery and cars that,for the most part, use parts that anyone can buy and use.
I agree using another s chassis or ae86 would be repetitive but why not race a rwd car that isn't too common?
Why chop up a fwd car and parade it around like its a race car?
Again I get that this guy probably didn't have a say in what car he wanted to use but now I'm starting to see why people are referring to formula drift as NASCAR.

44

JakWhite Spaghetti Fair enough, and I figured as much on the Golf.

45
mbretschneider

mugshotmarlry As far as i remember (and i might be wrong) it can be any way you want it , the mandatory is that it still fits at the original mounting points, same for control arms, and so on (adjustability not restricted , tough, like the voodoo or geomasters stuff)

46

A VW?
Passat?
With a LS V8?
And an insane header setup?

OK, my mind is blown on this build! Can't wait to see(and hear) this badboy perform this year.

47

I doubt anything was shared lol

48

Are the sideskirts really lower than the front bumper? Ew

49

From a distance it looks like an evo. Maybe this is vw's attempt to race on Sunday buy on Monday. Whatever their strategy is... Great build... Odd platform choice... Can't wait to see it sideways

50

loslogo good riddance

51

JakWhite Except instead of using a BTCC Passat RWD race car as a base, they took a sales unit to there is absolutely nothing shared from BTCC to Papadakis. I am intrigued by the build and understand pretty much all the reasons for everything (sponsorship for the car, LSX for the engine, etc) but really odd that FD is allowing this car. But hey, money talks and I'm willing to bet Rockstar is back to throw serious cash at FD (or FD is hurting over Falken and Monster both having much less budget this year and thus desperate and allowing this car).
As for the previous commenter with the V12 pipe dream from the Audi program.....yeah. I'd like to see the budget to create and make dependable an Audi V12 with 900+ hp and all it's spares for a season. If you remember Tyler McQ in that screamer of a Porsche (2008?), it only lasted a season because spare bumpers cost about the same as a spare block for an S14. Papadakis had 4 months to go from new unmodified platform to race-ready in 4 months, while maintainang and readying Aasbo's car. Damn straight he got an easy engine to throw in there. It's more than enough work just getting the car in shape much less a complete engine build with an unfamiliar block.

53

D1RGE EXE JakWhite  for sure its not the same car, I just meant in that the ideology rather than actual parts, I really don't mind them using an LS, it's a great engine that's readily available on a crate! I for one will be watching with bated breath to see how it gets on. On a rules standpoint I think this has to be breaking them, based on 2014 rules.

"3. CHASSIS
3.1. CHASSIS

The original OEM floorpan, frame and or unibody must remain unmodified between the vertical planes created by the original forward most and rear ward most suspension or subframe mounting point. Unibody or chassis may be seam welded. "

Does anyone know anything we don't on this?

54

Bradders Who cares the car is already badass thou...

55

That bothers me, too. Thought I was the only one.

56

But then it wouldn't have a "vee-eight moter" so it couldn't compete. Because 'Murica. *obligatory eye roll*

57
mbretschneider

JakWhite D1RGE EXE Biggest issue on such conversion is having space for the gearbox, but the regulations allow alteration of the transmission tunnel to a certain extent (probably to allow fitment of some of the well known motorsport gearboxes) and i believe the car benefits of that. Once you move the fuel tank inside the car there`s little in the way of fitting the transmission shaft, rear diff and so on

58

in the end..your still driving a passat *yawn*

59

Bradders A front lip was installed after the pictures were taken.

60

I'm a tanner fan (and Aasbo, and Papadakis) but I just can't get on with this build. I respect the work and engineering. But each time another car backed entirely by a particular marketing departments demands makes it on to the FD grid, it damages the series as a whole IMO. Especially when those cars are ugly, FWD and don't appeal to the fan base. I mean really how many die hard FD fans will go out and buy a Passat? It makes no sense, and to me it wreaks of the marketing team either not understanding, or not caring about the sport and its fans. For example I completely understand the choice of using the Passat CC in the BTCC, in fact I think the BMR cars this year look awesome, but they have a level of credibility as they'll actually appeal to a large section of the fan base, a 'regular' Passat in FD just doesn't work IMO.

61

I think it`s great.. That VW is trying out drift..
I`m not really a fan of drifting and don`t whatch it or follow it.
But this seems awesome, the car is beautiful, and looks like pretty much competitive,... why such hate?!

62

Few things come into my mind.
1.Didn't VW sell the Passat in US in 4Motion trim? That is a rear wheel drive car if you remove the front drive shafts and do a little trick in the diff/transfer case? Why bother and do all this conversion?
2.Why they didn't use a VW engine? They lost the hall idea! Don't tell me that its not powerful enough. They won WRC stages in a freakin' Polo!
3.When I firs heard the idea, I loved it. Somehow, they manage to ruin this for me. And I don't like it. Its ugly.
4.Again...What's wrong with a brand new VW Passat with 4Motion and beefed up W8 engine or a TFSI/Audi S8 powerplant?
Nothing. They took the easy way and lost the idea and a few fans along the way.
Too bad.

But, good luck Tanner!

63

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_W12#W12_Nard.C3.B2_.282001.29 lame engine choice should have raided the parts bin better

64
isniffdirtypanties

JakWhite if you look closely, that aint a passat, it a vw CC,more like VWs take on  BMW 6 series gran coupe

65

greenroadster Yeah, really bummed that they didn't use a VW engine. Also, while reading the idea occured for a diesel drift car, wouldn't this Passat with a V10 TDI be awesome?

66

Robo_No1 I think a lot of people on here are thinking about this all wrong. Anytime a new manufacturer wants to join the series you cant be mad at them. Sometimes they just want to get there toes wet in a new series before they build a dedicated car. Tanner is sponsored by VW but who knows maybe VW has something RWD up there sleeve and there just checking the series out in advance. Everybody got all pissy about toyota/scion running a Tc in FD then all of a sudden jesus returned and they built the GT86. They dont care that your not going to buy a passat there just getting the VW brand in general out there and here we all just sitting around talking about it. So job done i say.

67

ok i love the LS as much as the next man but come on!!

68

IshMel Robo_No1 Fair point IshMel, and I agree with your logic and you're right that they have to test the water, also lets face it VW don't exactly have a whole bunch of cool saloon options to choose from. But I stand by my point that it could have been done in a way that was more appropriate and considered for the target audience of the sport. Drifting is still a young sport, and one that's still very much driven by passion and 'spirit', each time a constructor jumps in with an off-brand vehicle they chopped apart, threw a V8 in and turned in to a silhouette racer just seems to completely miss the point and feels very clinical. 

Also VW have been threatening to build a small RWD roadster for years, maybe they are using FD as a gauge to see what the scenes like, as much as I'd like that to be true, somehow I doubt it.

69

Robo_No1 Look at this from my side, I see drift as a show, not competition. VW Passat is much more fun than any BMW/Nissan, because those cars are everywhere. I wouldn't want to go to a drift event to see 20+ BMW there, but if I were to go there, and see those 20+ BMW, and ONE Peugeot 206 with rear wheels spinning, That would be my favorite.

70

With regards to the LS motor - I get it. To me it would have been interesting to see a W8 or some other VAG motor being used, but with drifting it seems the K.I.S.S. rule is in effect.
As an example - I can't remember the title of the post on this site, but there is an LFA in Japan that's being used for competition and the team TOOK OUT the V10 and replaced it with Toyota's NASCAR V8. That broke my heart. Why not the RC F I'll never know.

71
CharlesSangollo

Show builds are for the parking lot. This is a drift car. Suck it passat haters. Tanner is back in the game ... Part-time

72

D1RGE EXE JakWhite The BTCC Passat CC is FWD, FWIW.

73

This season is going to be sooooooo good

74

So there are a number of comments about VW wanting into the FD, but isn't it more likely that Tanner wanted back, and as he's sponsored by VW, it made sense for him to use on of their platforms? The Passat my not be pretty in some eyes, but the wheelbase is good for drifting, and I could see it paired against a Holden Commdore easily. 

I'm more curious to see what happens when Asaabo and Foust are lined up against one another, and both need repairs for the second run... what does Papadakis do then? Good challenge to have I guess...

75

@johnny Knowledge of the engine, price of parts, reliability, etc.

76

greenroadster The LS engine is a tried and tested engine in the FD series that has proven to be effective in the sport. The parts for the engine would also end up being cheaper than its European v8 counterpart. The guys can go out of their way to do some R&D to figure out a way for a VW engine to work well with their drifting program like they did with Aasbo's 800hp 4-cylinder TC, but that would take way too long. The resources available to a WRC race program is also a lot higher than that of an FD race program, I assume.

77

I would have liked using the Bug body better than this Passat but Tanner headlines will bring interest for sure.

78

Literally tuned out of the post once I read "LS V8". Formula D is pretty much NASCAR with less crashes now. I hate that. The one thing that made me love the sport in the first place wasn't that it was just drifting that was different, cause they've been doing that on the streets of Japan since the 80s. What made it awesome was that each build was different. Who remembers Bubba Drift's El Camino in the very beginning seasons? Nick Hogan's Viper SRT10? Tanner Foust and Papadakis racing's S2000, WITH the factory F20 block in it? All the 4-rotor FD/RX8 builds? SR20 wars? 2JZ awesomeness? Hell, even the freaking HONDA ELEMENT that tried to slide 2 seasons ago? What the hell is happening? No one wants to admit that FD is becoming NASCAR but that's exactly what's going on. If you take a VW Passat, rip everything that makes it a VW OUT of it and then put in an LSX motor then by definition the car is 100% a "a NASCAR-style tube chassis race car with a Passat body stuck over the top". I mean, let's call a spade a spade here. 


I suppose once someone takes an Impreza or Evo and puts an LS motor in it we can just go ahead and call it NASCAR Drift and stop wasting time dreaming about what used to be.

79

JakWhite D1RGE EXE

rule #1 in the rule book reads something like "Formula D retains the right to modify these rules at any time for any reason"

But I bet the floorpan has minimal modifications besides trans tunnel and coolant piping.

80

isniffdirtypanties  JakWhite  same car wearing a frock =)

81

I actually think the Passat lends itself surprisingly well to the widening.

82

Also, this is the first SH article tagged as Passat!

83

aaronanthony92
Can't argue against your point & i think we're a minority here. Still some variety in local drift clubs!

84

That rear end is striking! Is this the first 4 door in FD? ever?  Need to bolt in 3 more seats and offer group package ride-alongs!  <3

85

So, who uses the modified stock drivetrains anymore? why is it that everyone uses the LS engines and noone bothers to modify anything like before? I like the fact Tanner is back, but apart from the car "looking" like something that came from Europe, it all stops there as far as VW's contribution.

86

Paddy McGrath D1RGE EXE JakWhite I was thinking the shell, which is race-prepped and stripped instead of having to strip a dealer car.
 Does FD prohibit the use of factory-prepped race car versions of street cars? I think the budgets of some of these teams are getting to where that seems a legitimate question?

87

JakWhite D1RGE EXE Word for word it does not say it prohibits customizing of the subframe, so I guess as long as you aren't actually hacking frame between the shocks, you can bolt up whatever subframe you can mount.

88

LouisYio greenroadster WRC cars are not 900hp either. They are ultra-light racecars with insane budgets in R&D and many restrictions on engine power. Something tells me this was dropped in Papadakis's lap or because Tanner isn't going for a season (and thus a full competition run) therefore the easy choice of the V8.

89

AZMIDLYF Tanners GRC car is so fugly...

90

bluestreaksti aaronanthony92 I would say you are more concerned with what YOU think drifting should be, not what it is. And you guys are all caught up on what is drifting. 

You're forgetting the damned DRIFTING. Getting a car sideways. In Tandem. BALLS TO THE WALL.

Image is waaaaay down the list guys.

91

How to make a vw passat drift? Make it not a vw passat :P

92

How to make a vw passat drift? Make it not a vw passat :P

93

how to make a vw passat drift? Make it not a vw passat!

94

Oh sh*t sorry guys, new phone screen .

95

LouisYio You took the words out of my mouth. Everyone cries about LS swaps.
The LS engine is trailed. Tested. And its proven to work. There's an abundance of parts both OEM and after market. They're cheaper in accordance to other vehicles and manufacturers.
Why wouldn't you use it?

96

D1RGE EXE Paddy McGrath JakWhite The BTCC cars are privately built, nothing to do with Volkswagen officially AFAIK. I'd be surprised if a BTCC shell, even modified, would meet FD criteria. I'm sure it was much easier to start from scratch and build what is known to work already in the drifting world. 

The intended purpose of BTCC & FD cars are so different that I'd imagine it would be quite cost prohibitive to turn a BTCC car into a competitive FD car.

97

I wonder if the web and Speedhunters had been around in the '80s, would the comments section be full of people bemoaning the rapid introduction of 4WD into the World Rally Championship such as people do with V8s in drifting? 

I can understand why so many are upset at the seeming lack of creativity in top level drift builds, but at the end of the day it's about winning and not appeasing the fans, as harsh as that may seem. If you want drifting which is much closer in stature to its Japanese origins, then you should support your local grassroots series'. 

There's definitely enough variety out there for everyone to enjoy.

98

Way easier to built a rwd layout than convert a awd one that was meant to endure not even half the needed power.
LS engine: keep it simple. I can think of a bunch of VAG engines capable (RS6 4 litre TT, 3.6 VR6, Porsche 3.0 V6 TT ), but none of them are as easy to work on and race ready as the LS
Maybe VW throws in some engine if Tanner turns out sucessfull in this car, but overall drifting should not be terribly high in VWs publicity department.

99

that exhaust setup is indeed intriguing.  looking forward to hearing this in anger.

100

@johnny If VW is serious they would like to win with their motor. And they do have some neat V8s right??

101

Even better the V10 unit from the Audi R8/gallardo! Those things have heaps of tuning potential!

102

bluestreaksti I believe there is a JZX110 or 100 Chaser in there somewhere.

104

Paddy McGrath  As much as it maybe about winning, if fans aren't engaged then the popularity of the sport soon suffers and with it the commercial aspects as well.  Therefore it soon becomes too expensive to compete for too little reward and the sport suffers for it as whole, a great example can be seen with F1 where innovation and diversity has been systematically sucked from the sport.  So to say that any professional sport is not about "appeasing fans" seems a touch ridiculous as without fans there is no customers and therefore no business.

106

D1RGE EXE bluestreaksti aaronanthony92 Style is pretty much the entire point of drifting

107

The answer to the chassis + ls vs vw powertrian argument is staring them in the face.
Use the high horsepower motor from the global ralleycross car, he would be used to the power band already or if not might help the grc effort as well.
But in the end he has won with the basscar motor and has promissed vw good results hence the proven motor in a new wrapper.
Support your local grassroots drift movment (the beging of every good drifters course into formula D or D1)
Lets keep this sport interesting and fun.

108

You can not just take out the front axles on this car, as there is no transfer case involved in the 4 motion. It uses a haldex controller to drive the rear wheels but only when needed. That right there in itself would make it extremely hard to just get rid of the 4wd. The only real option you have is the 4.2L v8 or the 5.2L v10. In regards to that, they are owned by audi, which is owned by vw, but non the less is still an audi engine. It would be extremely hard to find a vw engine that would compete. Only option is to figure out a way to make high hp out of the new 3.6L vr6

109

That LS will endure many events without ever needing to come out of it's engine bay. They are that strong and weigh about 420 lbs.

110

holy crap that manifold is ridiculous!

111

Your guys' technical and engineering prowess is awesome. I know neither I nor my hubsand would have a chance at doing work like this. Together, we are working on restoring a beat up 1993 Mustang, and we may need your services in the future. http://www.jonsshaftsandstuff.com

112

im suprised they kept the motor na, it wouldnt have been hard to supercharge it and get closer to 1100hp

113

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