Threaded Mode | Linear Mode

zps2004 · 04-05-2009, 08:11 PM

CU ZCar Wrote:I disagree. Only kicking the clutch to start a drift because you're not moving fast enough to do so naturally, or perhaps keeping the revs at the limiter, would seem to be damaging. All the other forces would probably be lower in actuality than autocross because you are purposely operating on the down-slope of the rear tires' slip angle vs. grip curve rather than trying to stay at the peak. I'd concede that you might be more likely to overheat though, since you're moving through the air at an angle and possibly at a lower speed than you normally would, using the same amount of power.

Drifting is obviously harder on the tires of course, and if you mess up maybe the forces are pretty high on many parts as the car snaps around.

True, but with the power of my car you really have to try unless it is wet to keep them spinning. Also the diffs of miata's are strong but do break from a lot of use, which I would consider drifting to be.

Also inabout a year my car will be a track only car so then I'd love to take it to a drift event and see how I do.

ZachsOtherHalf · 04-05-2009, 08:40 PM

^^ ....if you drift yourself into a wall and die, i dont want to be the one to have to tell Turbo.

[Image: 2971957400103383681S425x425Q85.jpg]

CU ZCar · 04-05-2009, 08:58 PM

Gerbo Wrote:i would love to! if u can supply the tires and/or a car with a manual (mines auto). but i would legitimately like to try drifting out and get serious about it. just dont have the money for tires

I'm not sure the automatic would be a huge issue...especially if it's good about holding a gear in manual mode.

If you can make the right friends at a tire shop, you might be able to pick up discarded tires for little more than the cost of mounting. Real crap tires with tall sidewalls or Temp C rating might be OK to start on but won't be predictable like performance tires.

Zach...maybe you're right about the diff, esp. in a low-speed setting. Guess I've been on track too long where the slides are short.

Theodore · 04-06-2009, 06:48 AM

I'm probably going to shock some people here...

Yeah, Mr. SCCA and resident old fart that drove CSCC in the 80's... read it here. Like a lot of the last generation, I had the same attitude as most on drifting. I have said "It looks like the tire manufacturers found a new way to sell more tires." and "This is a sport bound for trouble and it just begs to be learned on the street at night by teens that are going to get hurt."

After running every existing hillclimb in the southeast and this year moving up to northeast, I understand a lot better why drift is popular. Go watch a vid of European rally or hill climb. Watching a video of Ari taken some time back still amazes me... drifting a corner is nice when you are spot on... staying in drift for extended time takes skill and car control. We used to call autocross controlled chaos. Well, drift is an art and it is beautiful. The cars that are the best at it are designed and purpose built so...don't expect your street car, autocrosser to just be ... poof... dorifto swifto.

As a sport, I would say I can't quite grasp the rules (beyond the basics). But if you watch a few Formula D shows and understand power and car control, it is amazing. These guys are incredible. That silver Viper is just a blast to watch.

I mentioned a while back, every generation has their sport...and the last generation will never understand nor embrace it. That's okay... another generation later, it's a norm. I would recommend trying it if you get a chance...in a controlled environment... and with someone who knows what they are doing. G Braves is hard on tires for autocross... for drift... might as well take a cheese grater to them.

Learning this stuff in a safe place is difficult but it's kind of like shop class... you know how to run the drill press. But if you don't wear the safety glasses while using it, eventually, you'll get called "Patch the Pirate" year round and not just at Halloween.

Ted
(who has watched every F&F...but just for the cars... and the girls.) wink

ajs-s13 · 04-06-2009, 08:53 AM

CU ZCar Wrote:Adam,

I see from the drift section of the TDC page that you apparently already have a venue. Are you already holding events? Or trying to see if it's worth setting up a few for the Upstate?

Actually, I was gauging interest for CSCC as well as ourselves. The venue that was lined up fell through and so did the person that TDC was cooperating with. I believe Chris(co-owner of TDC) has been wanting to be a part of an event for some time and would love to help put one on.

As for tires guys, you can usually find used tires at your local tire shop for a reasonable price if not for free. As long as you run a smaller rim( 16" to 17") tire cost won't kill you. If you've ever been to a grassroots drift event then you know most of the cars aren't pretty either. Most guys starting out run stock cars with steelie wheels. None of them are so to say race cars.

Someone spoke of a miata. Miata's are great cars for drifting. I've seen many of them in action and they really do well. Matter of fact, I made the comment the other day that my next personal drifter/junker/beater will be a miata. They hold up well and can perform in just about any kind of motorsport.

Basic list of things needed to start.

1. Spare set of wheels and tires.
2. some kind of locking diff(can be stock, aftermarket, welded, etc.)
3. basic suspension(struts w/ lowering springs will work but coilovers are a big help. I run stock struts with springs on my stang)
4. A working hand-brake
5. A good clutc(you will have to clutch kick in lower hp cars)
7. A floorjack
8. Lugwrench
9. extra lug nuts.
10. various tools for any known problem areas of you make and model
11. Supporting people to surround you in the environment(this is very important)

As you can see, most of you probably already have all these things and could get started right away.

Drifting is a car control thing. If you can learn to control your car while out of control then it will help you in all forms of driving and racing. Even in everyday commutes. Plus, there's nothing like sliding sideways in a controlled slide in front of a crowd. It's very empowering.

Silonius · 04-06-2009, 09:58 AM

I would definitely come out and help but my FWD-ness holds me back right now.

Drifting is in my future though. There's too many rally drivers who drift for me to not try it!

**Clemsons2k** · 04-06-2009, 10:42 AM

ZachsOtherHalf Wrote:^^ ....if you drift yourself into a wall and die, i dont want to be the one to have to tell Turbo.

***humjaba*** · 04-06-2009, 10:48 AM

I'd love to try this... anyone want to help me fix my e-brake? Tongue

It doesn't work very well. Would subframe connectors help to take some of the stress off the body from moving in a sideways direction?

And i'd have to find some craptastic (free) rims to put some hopefully free tires on.

ajs-s13 · 04-06-2009, 11:24 AM

^ Subframe connectors will help. Anything to stiffen up the chassis is a plus. As for wheels, I've ran just about anything from infinity to nissan to ford to toyota. That's the good thing about mustangs, they have a very popular lug pattern. Also parts are very cheap for them. The same goes for Nissan. That's one of the reasons the S chassis is so popular.

CU ZCar · 04-06-2009, 10:31 PM

I wouldn't even worry about subframe connectors or the e-brake on your Mustang...just get out there! Besides, the subframe connectors could forever affect the car's classing in organized motorsports (though they're probably allowed in a lot of places you could end up racing a Mustang...).

CSCC once bought a set of V6 Mustang 15x7s for $25. For the set, not per wheel Lol

Gerbo · 04-08-2009, 09:39 AM

CU ZCar Wrote:
Gerbo Wrote:i would love to! if u can supply the tires and/or a car with a manual (mines auto). but i would legitimately like to try drifting out and get serious about it. just dont have the money for tires
I'm not sure the automatic would be a huge issue...especially if it's good about holding a gear in manual mode.

ill have to see how my trannys doing after the autocross this weekend. it seems to have gotten worse in the past week for some reason. probably me just beating on it for 50k miles lol

ajs-s13 · 04-09-2009, 08:30 AM

Noticed you were an automatic. I drift with a guy down at the beach who drives a automatic lexus with a 2jz swap. He does very well and places every event. I know a lot of people think you can't drift in an auto but it can be done as long as your tranny is programmed to hold it's gear.

***humjaba*** · 04-13-2009, 09:42 PM

Well I'm not looking at subframes to help performance... I'm want it to help keep my car in once piece, heh. Its as loose as [insert non-family-friendly person here] and drifting wouldn't help things. It's surprisingly creak-free over bumps and stuff right now, and I'd like it to stay that way, ya know?

Chaser350Z · 04-13-2009, 10:40 PM

If i had the dough to throw around i would be all over this. As of now im trying to keep the car in one piece. That and my stock clutch doesn't grab near as well as the JWT did so putting the back end out is much more of a hassle than it use to be.