Some of the lucky ones are tucked away in their warm blankets, sipping on hot cocoa, while watching Netflix, knowing that their car ready for the next season. The “unfortunate” ones, and most likely the ones who drove their complete asses off this season, are grabbing their wrenches, throwing their cars on the lifts, jacking it up and parking it on cinder blocks, it’s time to fix things, or set up new configuration.

Drift cars are modified vehicles that are specifically designed for the sport of drifting, which involves intentionally oversteering and causing the rear wheels to lose traction while driving. There are several key components and configurations that are necessary for a car to be capable of drifting.

1. Suspension: Drift cars typically have stiffer suspension setups to allow for better control and stability while drifting. This may involve adjustable coilovers or strut braces to fine-tune the suspension.

2. Engine: Drift cars typically have larger engines with more horsepower to enable high speeds and quick acceleration. This may involve engine swaps or modifications to increase power output.

3. Transmission: Drift cars often have manual transmissions to allow the driver to have more control over the car's power delivery. A limited-slip differential is also important to allow the rear wheels to spin independently while drifting.

4. Tires: Drift cars require specialized tires that are able to withstand the high lateral forces and constant sliding that occurs during drifting. These tires typically have a soft compound and a directional tread pattern.

5. Additional Hydraulic Brake: This may involve upgrading to larger or more powerful brake calipers and rotors, and an additional handle with a brake slave cylinder system in your cabin.

6. Aero: Drift cars often have modifications to their aerodynamics to increase stability and downforce while drifting. This may include spoilers, splitters, and canards.

These are the few sections of the foundation to configuration elements that are necessary for a drift car. The specific modifications and setups will vary depending on the make and model of the vehicle and the preferences of the driver. Now we will attempt to break down the 6 bullet points state above, that will guide you in your journey of configuring your vehicle.

Suspension

The suspension of a car plays a crucial role in its ability to drift, as it determines how the car handles and reacts to inputs from the driver. In order to drift effectively, a car's suspension needs to be set up to provide a balance of grip and slide.

There are a few key modifications that can be made to a car's suspension to improve its performance for drifting:

1. Stiffer springs: By using stiffer springs on a car's suspension, the car will be less prone to body roll and more capable of maintaining a stable, controlled slide.

2. Sway bars: Sway bars, also known as anti-roll bars, are used to reduce body roll and improve stability. By installing sway bars, a car will be better able to maintain a consistent attitude during a drift.

3. Adjustable dampers: Adjustable dampers, also known as shock absorbers, can be used to fine-tune a car's suspension and improve its handling characteristics. By adjusting the damping rate, a drifter can alter the way a car responds to inputs and change its balance.

4. Caster and camber: The angle at which a car's wheels are set can also have an impact on its ability to drift. By adjusting the caster and camber, a drifter can alter the way a car responds to steering inputs and affect its balance and stability.

Engine

Drift cars are modified for high-speed driving and precise control, and engine modifications are an important part of achieving these goals. Drift cars typically have engines that are modified to increase power and improve the car's ability to drift. These modifications can include adding forced induction devices like turbochargers or superchargers, increasing the size of the engine's cylinders, fine-tuning the engine for optimal performance, modifying the exhaust system, and improving the cooling system. It's important to note that engine modifications can be complex and can have unintended consequences if not done properly, so it's generally best to have a qualified mechanic or engineer handle these types of modifications. Here is a list of a few modifications that can configured in a drift car:

1. Forced induction: Drivers often install turbochargers or superchargers to increase horsepower. These upgrades force more air into the engine, allowing it to burn more fuel and create more power.

2. Increased displacement: Increasing the size of the engine's cylinders can also increase power. This is often done by taking the engine to a specialized motor mechanic that specializes only in engine blocks.

3. Engine tuning: Drift cars often have their engines finely tuned to extract maximum power. This may involve adjusting the air/fuel ratio, ignition timing, and other factors to optimize performance. Hire a professional.

4. Exhaust modifications: A exhaust system that has better air flow can help improve engine performance by allowing the exhaust gases to escape more easily. This can also give the car a more aggressive exhaust sound.

5. Cooling modifications: Drift cars generate a lot of heat, so it's important to have a good cooling system to prevent the engine, and transmission from overheating and exploding.

Transmission

The transmission is a critical component of a drift car, as it plays a key role in transmitting the engine's power to the wheels. Drift cars typically use manual transmissions, as they allow the driver to have more control over the car and select the appropriate gear for the given situation. There are certain situations where a drift car uses an automatic transmission, but it is a much more advanced system than from the original transmissions you see in common cars.

The gear ratios in a transmission determine how much torque is applied to the wheels at a given engine speed. In a drift car, it's generally desirable to have shorter gear ratios in the lower gears and longer ratios in the higher gears. This allows the car to accelerate quickly out of corners and maintain high speeds on the straightaways. The clutch is also an important component of the transmission in a manual drift car. A high-performance clutch with a low engagement point can help the driver maintain better control of the car during drifting.

The drivetrain refers to the components that transmit power from the engine to the wheels. In a drift car, it's important to have a strong and reliable drivetrain to handle the stresses of drifting. This may involve using heavier-duty axles, driveshafts, and other components. The transmission itself also needs to be able to withstand the high torque and abuse that it will be subjected to during drifting. It's also important to have a good transmission cooling system to prevent the transmission from overheating and failing. This may involve adding an additional transmission cooler or modifying the existing cooling system.

Tires

What’s more important than tires? Tires are one of the important factors in a drift car, as they provide the grip and traction necessary to initiate and maintain a consistent drift. Drift tires are designed to withstand the heat as they are part of summer tires / performance tires category. The quality of higher quality tires provide maximum grip as well as better smoke effect on track.

There are a few important things to consider when selecting tires for a drift car. First, it's important to choose a tire with a soft compound, usually these would be under “Performance Tires” category. These tires will provide maximum grip on the track. It's also a good idea to choose a tire with a directional tread pattern, as this will help channel water away from the tire and improve grip in wet conditions. We have an article on tires that you might want to check out right here. Finally, it's important to make sure the tires are properly inflated, as this will help maintain the proper contact patch with the track and ensure maximum grip.

It would be an excellent idea to have a set of tires specifically for drifting and a separate set for street driving. I understand that certain times come to desperate measures, trying to get home on wires sticking out of the tires. Drifting uses up most of the compound on the tire, and the stability of it decreases drastically when traveling at high speeds for a long time, and using them on the street /highways can cause them down to wear down much faster. By having a dedicated set of drift tires, you can ensure that you always have fresh tires when you hit the racetrack.

Hydraulic Brake

Hydraulic brakes are a common choice for drift cars, as they offer several advantages over mechanical brakes. Hydraulic brakes use a fluid-filled system to transmit braking force from the brake pedal to the brake pads, which helps to provide a more consistent and precise braking action. This can be particularly helpful in a drift car, as the driver needs to be able to make precise and rapid changes in the car's speed and direction.

It's important to note that hydraulic brakes do require some maintenance, and modification to your car, such as bleeding the brake lines to remove any air bubbles that may have entered the system. Attaching mounts on your center console for the hydraulic handle system. However, overall, having a hydraulic brake is a reliable and effective upgrade for a drift car.

Aero

Aero, or aerodynamic, modifications can be an important consideration in a drift car, as they can help improve the car's looks and honestly serve no purpose in the actual performance of a drift car. Unless you’re drifting at over 90mph.

1. Front splitter: A front splitter is a horizontal aerodynamic device that is mounted to the front of the car and extends downward.

2. Rear wing: A rear wing is a vertical aerodynamic device that is mounted to the rear of the car and extends upward.

3. Side skirts: Side skirts are aerodynamic devices that are mounted to the sides of the car and extend outward.

4. Canards: Canards are small, wing-like devices that are mounted to the front of the car and extend outward.

Making these types of modifications to a car is associated with potential risks on driving on public streets. It is important to note that these modifications can also affect a car's overall handling and stability, so it is important to be careful and consult with experienced mechanics or drifters before making any changes to your car. Improperly executed modifications on your car can compromise the safety and stability of your car while driving on public roads, such as highways and other high speed roadways.

Some modifications may be illegal in certain areas or may not meet certain safety or emissions standards. It’s important to be aware of relevant laws and regulations regarding the modification of your car to stay in compliance. It is a good idea to research the modification on the internet, consulting with “qualified professionals” before making any to a car before drifting. Keep the public roads safe, and your concern for public road safety would reflect on all the upcoming changes and laws the government will implement. Keep drifting fun, safe, and don’t forget to shred all the tires!