Well, I will use this opportunity to update this thread somewhat. We had another drift event this past Saturday, and I got a few videos I am going to compile into one bigger video and upload in the next few days sometime. Until then I've got one video of a bad run with a cool camera angle to hold everyone over.
As far as an update to what's been going on, I've recently decided to not go the RB20 route and simply stick to the easy SR route. I've always known it would be somewhat cheaper than the RB, but I wanted to hold out for something unique and something that sounds epic, but bang for the buck it's simply illogical to go that route, and I've been getting a stronger and stronger desire to actually have a nice, capable drift car. The ka just isn't cutting it anymore. I should also mention, parts are far more expensive for the rb. For example, a tubular exhaust manifold for an RB20 that doesn't come from ebay runs about $800, starting price. A tubular manifold for a SR is under $200 from a somewhat respectable company. These numbers just add up, and every thing you might want to do to an RB is more expensive than an SR.
Not to mention I checked out a guy's car local to here who is doing an RB with the swap kit and stuff I wanted, and turns out the mounts and things are kind of trash and don't work very well, which I also wasn't expecting. All in all it seems like way more work than I am willing to do for the same end result of having a bit more power. With the SR you just install it, change a few sensors and wire up one plug iirc, or if you buy a conversion harness you do no wiring, and it's done. After the 323 I think I simply had enough of owning something that is difficult to find parts for and maintain.
On an related note, the Mazda 323 is sold and gone, and replaced with what I thought at the time was a more reliable and in better shape 1996 VW Jetta with the 2.slow engine. The car's paint is rough, but it doesn't have rust and the interior is in MUCH better shape than the 323 was. Since I've had it though, I've been chasing a pretty bad hesitation when warm problem with the car, which makes it extremely annoying to drive. So far no real updates other than that.
Also I bought some PBM tie rod spacers for $10, so I'll slap those on sometime for a few more degrees of steering angle.
