| The drifting world is a complex mix of one-timers, | | | | such as D1 Grand Prix, only allow certain commercial |
| enthusiasts, semi-professional and professional. While | | | | tires that are approved by their particular agents. |
| there are different outlet arenas for this mixture, one | | | | However, those who drift that aren't quite on the D1 |
| thing is constant. For a car to drift well, modifications | | | | level have a different approach when choosing their |
| are crucial. It is true that a car can drift without | | | | tires. Drifters typically place different tires on the front |
| modifications, but it is unlikely to do well in any | | | | and back of the car, with the good tires going to the |
| competitions, and it will eventually need mods if the | | | | front. Due to the damage that drifting can cause to |
| driver continues to drift. Our third article in our drifting | | | | tires, some opt to use pre-owned tires on the back of |
| series will focus on typical modifications for a drift car, | | | | the car, because of the likely hood of them being used |
| and some unique modifications. | | | | after a show or competition is slim to none. However, |
| There are seven main areas of a car that drifters | | | | one must not underestimate the power of good tires. |
| tend to modify: | | | | Tires are the key element to grip, and maintaining the |
| 1. Drive train | | | | best possible grip is essential for control, speed and a |
| 2. Tires | | | | quick snap on the beginning entry. Fortunately for the |
| 3. Interior | | | | higher budget drifter and teams with great funding, tire |
| 4. Exterior | | | | manufacturers are now producing tires with the drifter |
| 5. Engine | | | | in mind. For example, Kumho is now producing special |
| 6. Steering | | | | effect tires that will give a drifting crowd colored and |
| 7. Suspension | | | | scented smoke. For all of the talk about tires, it is |
| This article will cover the first four modifications, drive | | | | critical to safety that tires have adequate tread. Those |
| train, tires, interior and exterior. Followed by an article | | | | opting for cheaper used tires, often find themselves |
| dedicated to engine, steering and suspension | | | | planted in a wall because the tires were not adequate |
| modifications. Modifications to drift cars are critical and | | | | for drifting purposes. |
| technical, and thus, take more time to cover than other | | | | Most drifting fans are well aware of the fact that drift |
| drifting subjects. | | | | cars are not pretty. While a few are show quality, this |
| Drive train customization of a drift car is, without a | | | | is typically a function of available funds, not being a |
| doubt, the most important of the seven. In order to | | | | good drifter. All drift cars get beat up...that is just the |
| properly drift, one must first consider installing a limited | | | | name of the game. So one may question why would |
| slip differential (LSD). While some vehicles come | | | | a drifter spend money modifying the interior of their |
| standard with a LSD, the most typical stock differential | | | | car. The answer is simple, these interior customizations |
| is open. Unfortunately, open and viscous differentials | | | | aren't for looks, they are done to make drifting easier. |
| do not allow for control of a sustained slide. The most | | | | Some interior modifications include, seating, steering |
| popular type of limited slip differential is the | | | | wheel, hand brake and gauges. For example, with a |
| "clutch-type", which allows for invariable lock-up activity | | | | bucket seat and harnessing, drivers are free to simply |
| of the vehicle during both acceleration and | | | | turn the steering wheel versus brace against it. |
| deceleration. Two other types of differentials that are | | | | Additionally, replacing the locking knob on the hand |
| prominent among drifters include, a "spool" differential | | | | brake with the a spin turn knob ceases locking up of |
| and a welded differential. Spool differentials are | | | | the hand brake when it is pulled. Some choose to |
| interesting, in that, they perform no differential effect, | | | | move the hand brake's location or add a hydraulic |
| the wheels of the vehicle are simply locked together. | | | | hand brake actuator for increased braking force. |
| On the other hand, the welded differential is a | | | | These hand brake mods are critical, because of the |
| procedure that welds the side gears together, making | | | | techniques that involve the emergency brake in drifting. |
| a drift possible at a high rate of speed. There are | | | | Exterior modifications are just as important as the |
| definite cons when choosing to go with a limited slip | | | | interior. Drifters often find themselves purchasing many |
| differential alternative. For example, while a welded | | | | body kits, spoilers, wings and vented hoods. Chassis |
| differential is much cheaper, it makes parking more | | | | customizations often include tower, b-pillar, lower arm |
| difficult and is devastating to the drive train over time. | | | | and master cylinder braces. All of these braces |
| So while there are cheaper methods of obtaining a | | | | increase the stiffness of the chassis, making for a |
| differential system that will allow for accurate drifting, in | | | | better drift experience. Typically, mods such as spoilers |
| the long term, it is most efficient to go with a LSD. | | | | and wings are only done when a car is asked to |
| Another major modification to the drive train of drift | | | | produce more downforce on large, open tracks. Over |
| cars is the clutch. Some drifters opt to buy inexpensive | | | | the years, drifters have learned that when it comes to |
| clutches often, because regardless of the amount of | | | | body kits, there are ways to save some hard earned |
| money spent on them, they will have to replaced time | | | | cash. While most body kits are bolted on, the drifter will |
| and time again. However, many professional drifters | | | | often use zip ties which will allow the body kit to break |
| choose ceramic brass button or multiple plate varieties | | | | away from the car in the event of an accident rather |
| of clutches for their durability. A further benefit of | | | | than be destroyed. |
| these more durable clutches are their ability to | | | | All drifters choose what modifications that they feel |
| withstand the clutch-kick technique of drifting. Clutch | | | | are most important, and budget will often play a large |
| Masters, Competition Clutch and Daikin/Exedy are all | | | | roll in these decisions. Professional drifters have |
| prominent performance clutch manufactures that | | | | sponsors that provide the funds for these |
| drifters look to, when searching to modify their stock | | | | modifications, as long as their driver is producing, but |
| clutch. | | | | this is a catch twenty-two for those who are serious |
| Any drifter will tell you that they go through a lot of | | | | about breaking into the sport of drifting. We will cover |
| parts, it is just a hazard of the game, but there is no | | | | the final three typical modifications in our next article, |
| part they go through more than tires. The tires that | | | | and address this catch twenty-two that hopefuls find |
| one utilizes typically depends on their current level of | | | | themselves in. |
| drifting and where they drift. Many competitive forums, | | | | |