Move over imports, this built 4th gen Firebird has what it takes to dominate the drift scene.
The drifting scene is more or less dominated by Japanese and European models, but as the sport has grown in popularity, we have seen more American cars sliding around the track. This video from the Taylor Ray YouTube channel features a 4th generation Pontiac Firebird that has been built to go drifting, and it is good at what it does.
Vehicle Details
Before the host of this video climbs behind the wheel of the modified 4th generation Firebird, he spends some time talking with the owner of this super-clean Pontiac. He learns that it is powered by a built 416-inch LS3, with the power being sent to the rear wheels by means of a worked T-56 manual transmission. It also has a full tubular suspension setup, custom wheels and tires, a Momo steering and a Sparco racing seat.
As the host points out, this Firebird is very clean inside and out, looking more like a show vehicle than a drift machine.
Hitting the Track
After spending a few minutes speaking with the owner and sitting in the staging line, talking about this sweet fourth-gen F-Body, the host heads out onto the track for his first run in the LS3-powered F-Body drift car. He sings its praises as he carefully slides the car around the big, open tarmac area, carefully avoiding the cones and the walls as he smokes the rear tires.
The action is captured from a variety of cameras in the car, outside of the car and on the driver’s helmet, along with a trackside camera that lets us watch the Firebird slip quickly through the wide turns.
American cars might not be known for their drifting prowess, but this Firebird proves that with a little work, muscle cars can slide with the best from across the ocean.
"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.
"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.
"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.
"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.
"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.
