| In our last article, we discussed the first four typical | | | | major components under the hood. |
| modifications for drift cars: drive train, tires, interior and | | | | The goal in drifting is simple...get your car sideways and |
| exterior. This article will focus on the final three | | | | keep it going sideways as long as possible. One type |
| customization areas (engine, steering and suspension), | | | | of modification that can help to achieve this is steering |
| and will touch base on some of the less well known | | | | mods. Not only do steering customizations help to |
| mods that drifters often seek for their car. When | | | | achieve one's angle goals, but they can also aid in spin |
| thinking about drifting, whether professionally or | | | | recovery. Typical steering mods include, spacers on |
| otherwise, it is imperative that drivers know the ins and | | | | the steering rack, tailor-made steering racks, custom tie |
| outs. Some may learn techniques easily, and others | | | | rod ends and machining the spindles. Steering |
| may have more funding for modifications, but it is | | | | modifications coupled with an extraordinary suspension |
| important to understand balance, and further, that one | | | | system will make any car a much better drifter, |
| without the other useless. | | | | assuming that the driver knows what they are doing. |
| Before understanding engine modifications, one must | | | | When most people think about modifying their |
| understand braking horsepower. Braking horsepower is | | | | suspension system, they are contemplating adjusting |
| defined as the quantity of a motor's horsepower | | | | the height of their ride, all over. In other words, they |
| without the decline in force caused by the gearbox, | | | | may want to lower their car by three inches, but when |
| generator, differential, water pump and other | | | | they lower it, the effect will be all over the car. Drifters |
| supportive parts. In other words, real horsepower that | | | | are a little different. While they do typically adjust the |
| is rendered to the driving wheels is less than what the | | | | height of their drift car, it is simply a personal |
| vehicle is actually rated for. The differences in | | | | preference, not something that is written in stone. |
| horsepower and braking horsepower are crucial for a | | | | Additionally, the front of the car is typically higher than |
| drifter to understand in order for him or her to | | | | the rear of the car. Rear sway bars are typically |
| accurately modify their car for drifting. | | | | upgraded, and available from a variety of |
| When a driver is considering engine mods for a drift | | | | manufacturers. One new appeal to drifters is |
| car, it is imperative that they monitor the bhp that they | | | | manufacturers that are producing specially tuned drift |
| will be achieving with such modifications. Too much | | | | suspension systems. These systems are fairly new |
| braking horsepower in a drift car makes it extremely | | | | and very expensive, so it is likely that drifters will not |
| difficult to control, even for the most advanced drifter, | | | | be utilizing these until they become more affordable. |
| but bhp is still a preference, not something that is | | | | Other suspension mods include increasing spring and |
| written in stone. Most drifters like to achieve a braking | | | | damper rates. |
| horsepower somewhere between 100 and 1000. | | | | As stated in our last article, drift modifications present |
| However, bhp is less important than engine | | | | a kind of catch twenty-two. They are expensive to do |
| customizations, such as, cooling systems. | | | | without backing from sponsors, but the only way to |
| A good cooling system for a drift car is critical | | | | get sponsors is to have a good drift game. In other |
| because these engines are pushed so hard and thus, | | | | words, you have to put the money into the |
| are easily overheated. Additionally, because the car is | | | | modifications first and then hope for sponsors later. |
| driven in at a linear angle, the air flow to the radiator is | | | | Drifters often look for parts on auction sites, because |
| restricted, so drivers must balance these issues with | | | | the prices appear to be lower than those on sites that |
| an upgraded cooling system. Manufacturers, like | | | | are specifically designed for performance and |
| MimoUSA, Greddy and Fujita, all make racing radiators | | | | aftermarket parts and accessories. However, one |
| and cold air intake systems that are designed to cool | | | | must remember that many sellers on auction sites are |
| engines that are expected to perform at higher | | | | not selling genuine parts, and they often jack up the |
| temperatures than normal. Another technique that is | | | | cost of shipping to increase their profit margin. |
| commonly applied is to V-mount the radiator and | | | | One must carefully choose who they will deal with |
| intercooler, thus improving the flow of air into these | | | | when buying their parts and accessories. One real |
| areas. For those that are contemplating even minimal | | | | benefit is that often times, most of the parts that |
| amounts of drifting, these cooling modifications are a | | | | drifters buy for their vehicles are easily installed without |
| must. Without them, one risks serious damage to | | | | the aid of a mechanic or body shop. |