Trent Elmbranch builds one-of-a-kind 2JZ Camaro

We sit down with Trent Elmbranch and learn about his new, one-of-a-kind build.

Tell us a little bit about yourself, and your achievements over the years.

I’m Trent Elmbranch, owner operator of Lbranch Fabrication in Whangarei. I have been building cars for myself and friends since I was 16, and in 2021 I started Lbranch Fabrication to do what I love full-time. I have been drifting for around 3 years now, doing DriftForce days, Driftwars, and one round of D1NZ at Mercury Baypark a few years back. 

This build is something completely new for D1NZ, tell us a bit about it and what made you decide to go with this chassis

I wanted something completely different that would stand out in the field, I have done a lot of my driving in C33 Laurels over the years and was wanting something a bit more challenging. 

Have you always wanted to drift this kind of car, or was it more of a “why not, let’s do it” moment?

After LZ World Tour where I had 3 Laurels for overseas drivers, I saw the Camaro come up on marketplace and knew I wanted it. I tried to swap it for a Ute and funnily enough got talking to the owner that was looking for a car more like the C33 I built with an LS engine, and we came to a deal. 

What’s been the biggest challenge about converting this chassis into a drift car?

All of the steering in it was the most difficult because we have nothing like this in NZ, and the original person who built the car had made do with cutting knuckles and making components work from other model cars, which in reality didn’t work well, as you couldn’t get the right amount of castor for drifting and we ended up having to import a steering kit from JUST Engineering in Canada. 

Are there any parts you had to completely custom-fabricate or modify to make it work?

Custom engine and gearbox cross members, rear mount radiator and custom subframe bushes to make the car lower. 

Did you have to look overseas for inspiration or guidance, or is this a first-time, full Kiwi effort?

Have designed it all myself apart from the steering which we don’t have here in NZ.

What’s the goal behind the build – to stand out, to prove a point, or just to try something different?

All of the above, you always want to stand out and not look like everyone else, but also trying something new and proving a point to myself that I can do whatever I put my mind to. 

When it comes to building a drift car that’s not the ‘norm’ in New Zealand, what piece of advice would you give to people? 

Make sure you have a lot of spare money because they cost a fortune. 

Keep up to date on progress by following Trent's socials: lbranch_motorsport_fabrication