Want to build a drift car, Need advice
10-29-09, 02:49 PM
#1
Grabbin My Wankel
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Want to build a drift car, Need advice
I have a 3rd gen and want to turn it into a drift car. I don't really even know where to start (other than practice my driving). I was kinda hoping to get some advice and some common pitfalls associated with building a drift car. One thing I already read on here was that puck clutches eat up flywheels when you clutch kick. Things like that are good to know before I start buying.
Thanks in advance
Thanks in advance
10-29-09, 03:12 PM
#4
You have enough power, and you have a good differential (assuming it's in good shape). Get some coilovers, and personally I hate drifting on bubbly sidewall tires so I like to have wheels with some decent tires on them right away.
It'd be a great idea to do some cooling and reliability modifications, too, if you can afford it.
Should be about it.
It'd be a great idea to do some cooling and reliability modifications, too, if you can afford it.
Should be about it.
10-29-09, 05:22 PM
#5
Sounds like you have never drifted before, am I correct? I learned to drift using an FD and I would not recommend it as an "easy" route. It's not nearly as easy to learn with as an S-chassis or FC.
Further more, if you do go ahead with the FD build there are things that hold back FDs that dont affect those other cars mentioned, such as:
1) not much angle and not much room to increase that angle without major modification (widebody, spaced out wheels, modified knuckles, and modified front lower control arms
2) Tons of grip (which is great when you are good, but when you are learning it can be a hassle keeping the car in drift because it is great at finding grip)
3) Once you do get good then you will want to tandem with friends. Will you be ready for your friend to smash their s13 into the side of your beautiful FD? I sure as hell am not (and thus I started an S14 build).
- Chris
Further more, if you do go ahead with the FD build there are things that hold back FDs that dont affect those other cars mentioned, such as:
1) not much angle and not much room to increase that angle without major modification (widebody, spaced out wheels, modified knuckles, and modified front lower control arms
2) Tons of grip (which is great when you are good, but when you are learning it can be a hassle keeping the car in drift because it is great at finding grip)
3) Once you do get good then you will want to tandem with friends. Will you be ready for your friend to smash their s13 into the side of your beautiful FD? I sure as hell am not (and thus I started an S14 build).
- Chris
10-29-09, 05:40 PM
#6
Chris does make a few good points. Be ready to completely write off the chassis. You should only drift cars that are cheap enough to you to be disposable.
I don't agree with the "too hard to learn on" thing though. I drove a stock NA FC with active DTSS for two years, and don't regret a single minute of it (especially that part where I put it into a curb at 50+
). I think learning on a difficult car helps you progress. I such at driving but got a bunch better because I learned on a hard to drive car.
I don't agree with the "too hard to learn on" thing though. I drove a stock NA FC with active DTSS for two years, and don't regret a single minute of it (especially that part where I put it into a curb at 50+
). I think learning on a difficult car helps you progress. I such at driving but got a bunch better because I learned on a hard to drive car.
10-29-09, 08:39 PM
#7
Grabbin My Wankel
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You have enough power, and you have a good differential (assuming it's in good shape). Get some coilovers, and personally I hate drifting on bubbly sidewall tires so I like to have wheels with some decent tires on them right away.
It'd be a great idea to do some cooling and reliability modifications, too, if you can afford it.
Should be about it.
It'd be a great idea to do some cooling and reliability modifications, too, if you can afford it.
Should be about it.
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10-29-09, 08:51 PM
#8
Grabbin My Wankel
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All your points are super valid and I think you're right, but i do still want to continue with the FD. I really appreciate your warnings though.
Everyone says I need coilovers. The ones I currently have are HKS Hypermax 3. If these are a bad choice for drifting please let me know, as they grip really well. Is there a special way they should be adjusted for drifting?
Everyone says I need coilovers. The ones I currently have are HKS Hypermax 3. If these are a bad choice for drifting please let me know, as they grip really well. Is there a special way they should be adjusted for drifting?
Sounds like you have never drifted before, am I correct? I learned to drift using an FD and I would not recommend it as an "easy" route. It's not nearly as easy to learn with as an S-chassis or FC.
Further more, if you do go ahead with the FD build there are things that hold back FDs that dont affect those other cars mentioned, such as:
1) not much angle and not much room to increase that angle without major modification (widebody, spaced out wheels, modified knuckles, and modified front lower control arms
2) Tons of grip (which is great when you are good, but when you are learning it can be a hassle keeping the car in drift because it is great at finding grip)
3) Once you do get good then you will want to tandem with friends. Will you be ready for your friend to smash their s13 into the side of your beautiful FD? I sure as hell am not (and thus I started an S14 build).
- Chris
Further more, if you do go ahead with the FD build there are things that hold back FDs that dont affect those other cars mentioned, such as:
1) not much angle and not much room to increase that angle without major modification (widebody, spaced out wheels, modified knuckles, and modified front lower control arms
2) Tons of grip (which is great when you are good, but when you are learning it can be a hassle keeping the car in drift because it is great at finding grip)
3) Once you do get good then you will want to tandem with friends. Will you be ready for your friend to smash their s13 into the side of your beautiful FD? I sure as hell am not (and thus I started an S14 build).
- Chris
10-30-09, 12:38 PM
#9
Chris does make a few good points. Be ready to completely write off the chassis. You should only drift cars that are cheap enough to you to be disposable.
I don't agree with the "too hard to learn on" thing though. I drove a stock NA FC with active DTSS for two years, and don't regret a single minute of it (especially that part where I put it into a curb at 50+ ). I think learning on a difficult car helps you progress. I such at driving but got a bunch better because I learned on a hard to drive car.
I don't agree with the "too hard to learn on" thing though. I drove a stock NA FC with active DTSS for two years, and don't regret a single minute of it (especially that part where I put it into a curb at 50+
). I think learning on a difficult car helps you progress. I such at driving but got a bunch better because I learned on a hard to drive car.As for the FD setup. You will be fine with the stock diff, just change the fluid. As for suspension, those coilovers should be fine. Softer settings = more grip = better for drifting at higher speeds. I typically run my Tein Monoflex around 2 clicks from softer all around and then adjust as necessary dependiing on the tire /track surface conditions. Maybe start at the middle settings and work from there.
I run around 6.5* of caster, 2.5F/1.5R camber, 0 toe all around, and 0 finger gap all around.
The main learning difficulty I had was transitions. I found "catching" the FD before it spins is much harder than an s-chassis because it trys to regain grip immediately.
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