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Drift Build

BMW E36 Turbo Drift

Full drift build with turbo conversion. Custom fabrication, suspension geometry, and aero package designed for maximum angle and smoke.

BMW E36 Turbo Drift

Build Specs

  • GT28 turbo
  • Megasquirt V2
  • Welded diff
  • DriftMax wide angle kit
  • Hydraulic handbrake
  • Fiberglass body panels

The Build

This E36 was built in two weeks on a budget. The plan was simple: turbo it with mostly Chinese parts, weld the diff, and go drifting. No overthinking, no waiting for "the right parts"—just build it and drive it.

GT28 turbo, Megasquirt V2 with a home-made map, and a full supporting setup done in the garage. Everything was sourced for value, not brand prestige. The result? A car that's survived 20,000km of drift without the engine skipping a beat.

Over five phases the build has evolved from a bare-bones turbo setup to a proper drift car with wide angle, fiberglass panels, and a dual-caliper handbrake. It proves you don't need a massive budget to have a reliable, fun drift car—you just need to build it and keep improving.

Build Timeline

Phase 1 — 2023

The Two-Week Build

Headgasket, GT28 turbo, exhaust manifold, wastegate, FMIC, Siemens Deka injectors, intercooler, Megasquirt V2 (KData) with home-made map. Welded diff, Maxspeedingrod coilovers, OMP bucket seats, DriftShop short shifter, hydraulic handbrake. Spal fan, aluminium radiator, silicone hoses, machined oil cap with feed and pressure. AFR, oil pressure, and oil temp gauges. MMG Motorsport crashbars front and rear, fire extinguisher, DriftShop steering wheel.

Phase 2 — 2023

Weight & Handling

Spare wheel well delete, lithium battery, PowerFlex Black Series diff bushings, front sway bar delete.

Phase 3 — 2024

Handbrake Upgrade

YDC handbrake with dual rear caliper setup.

Phase 4 — 2025

Exterior & Hardware

Japan Racing JR-3 wheels, DriftMax wide angle kit, Mikinka Projekt fiberglass bonnet and trunk, Wilwood handbrake master cylinder, Odyssey battery with custom 9CS battery holder.

Phase 5 — 2026

What's Next

Smaller turbo for earlier boost, rear caliper overhaul, better wheel fitment, widebody kit, more fiberglass, and maybe finally break this engine after 20,000km of drift.

Full Mod List

Engine & Turbo
  • GT28 turbo
  • Exhaust manifold
  • Wastegate
  • FMIC intake manifold
  • Siemens Deka injectors
  • Intercooler
  • Head overhaul
  • Headgasket (no decompression)
  • Spark plugs & coils
ECU & Gauges
  • Megasquirt V2 (KData)
  • Home-made mapping
  • AFR gauge
  • Oil pressure gauge
  • Oil temperature gauge
Cooling & Oil
  • Spal fan
  • Aluminium radiator
  • Silicone cooling hoses
  • Machined aluminium oil cap (feed & pressure)
Suspension & Chassis
  • Maxspeedingrod coilovers
  • PowerFlex Black Series diff bushings
  • Front sway bar delete
  • DriftMax wide angle kit
Drivetrain
  • Welded differential
Brakes & Handbrake
  • YDC hydraulic handbrake
  • Dual rear caliper setup
  • Wilwood master cylinder
Interior & Safety
  • OMP bucket seats x2
  • DriftShop steering wheel
  • DriftShop short shifter
  • Fire extinguisher
  • MMG Motorsport crashbars (front & rear)
Exterior & Body
  • Mikinka Projekt fiberglass bonnet
  • Mikinka Projekt fiberglass trunk
  • Japan Racing JR-3 wheels
  • Odyssey battery
  • Custom 9CS battery holder

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