How to Maintain Your Drift Car Like a Pro
Drifting isn’t just about style; it’s about keeping your car in peak condition. Whether sliding through a local drift day or competing at the track, proper drift car maintenance is the difference between dominating the corners and sitting on the sidelines.
Take it from me! I learned the hard way that cutting corners will only lead to problems. I often ended up with blown engines, which meant I constantly chased my tail financially. All I wanted to do was drift, but my budget was much tighter when I was younger.
In this guide, I'll offer professional tips for maintaining your drift car, based on the experience I've gained over the years in the drifting scene. This will help you spend more time on the track shredding tires and less time dealing with costly breakdowns.
1. Regular Oil Changes are Non-Negotiable
As I'm sure you’re aware, your drift car will operate in the higher RPM range. This is a fact that will put pressure on your engine components. Therefore, it’s essential to ensure that maximum protection is provided.
I'm sure you have already searched online for "what oil should I use in my car." However, it's not that simple. You will typically receive a basic response indicating the oil your car needs when it came from the factory. As cars age and accumulate higher mileage, you may need to use an oil with higher protection, potentially even a different grade. For example, if your car originally used a 5W-30 oil, you might consider using a 10W-40 for better protection.
It's important to do your research on this topic. Read blogs and articles in detail to gather insights from others' experiences. Unfortunately, many people claim to be experts on everything, so ensure you consult multiple reputable sources that provide similar feedback and results for your specific setup.
Be sure to use a high-quality, full synthetic racing oil with a viscosity suitable for high temperatures and loads. Avoid basic brands from local stores; instead, try to source higher-end, race-specification oils. Unfortunately, this may come at a higher price, but it will save you a fortune in the future, believe me!
I personally change my oil every track day, without exception. However, most people around me usually change theirs every 2 to 4 track days if they aren't using their cars on the road as well. Remember, as soon as the oil starts to break down, those molecules can no longer protect your engine effectively. High RPMs and hitting the limiter can degrade any oil rapidly, so it's crucial to stay on top of oil changes to keep your engine safe.
Here's my favorite tip! When you change your oil, if possible, take apart your oil filter instead of just throwing it in the trash. What are we looking for? It’s simple: if it's not oil, then it shouldn't be there. You may find small metal particles, but if they look like anything more than just glitter, that’s when I recommend you dig deeper and perform a health check of the engine, such as compression tests and more. Also, keep an eye out for any objects like paint flakes or rubber bits from seals.
If you haven't opened an oil filter before, here's an old-school but valuable video. Skip to about halfway through to watch from there:
Here's my personal pro tip: Keep a spare oil filter and a few quarts of oil in your garage; you’ll thank yourself later.
2. Keep Your Cooling System in Check
As I often emphasize, your car will be running at the RPM's redline, and you definitely don't want your temperature gauge hovering at that redline. There are several ways to keep your engine cool, but one of the most commonly overlooked factors is the use of heat management products. Therefore, I will divide this section into two parts: keeping the engine cool and managing the heat effectively.
Let’s start by discussing how to keep your car cool. First and foremost, ensure that your vehicle is equipped with a fan shroud. Many people remove this component, thinking it retains heat, but that’s a misunderstanding. The shroud actually helps the fan create better suction, which draws in cooler air through the radiator's grille. You can think of it like a vacuum cleaner: when you add that smaller piece to the end, it restricts airflow, thereby increasing suction power for those tough bits. I hope that makes sense!
Larger radiators don't always guarantee better performance, especially if you have a limited budget for a quality unit. If that's the case, it's best to stick with OEM radiators. I made the mistake of purchasing a cheap, large radiator from a Chinese manufacturer, hoping it would provide better cooling. Unfortunately, it leaked significantly and didn't improve the cooling at all.
If you're looking for a more professional setup, consider moving to a rear radiator configuration. This offers several benefits for drifting, not only in terms of cooling but also for improved weight distribution and better crash protection. With the radiator positioned at the rear, there is increased space to absorb impact, reducing the risk of damage to the radiator during an accident.
In terms of cooling efficiency, relocating the radiator allows you to increase its size, which in turn boosts coolant capacity. Additionally, you can get creative by adding scoops to direct airflow into the rear of the car, helping to expel hot air rather than allowing it to accumulate in the engine bay.
A lot of people focus on cooling the engine with coolant; however, if you equip your vehicle with an oil cooler, this will help maintain the engine oil's optimal viscosity, which we discussed regarding the benefits of oil earlier.
The majorly overlooked bit, heat management!
What is heat management? Many people think it’s simply about adding a turbo blanket and some gold tape, calling it "built, not bought." However, it involves much more than that. These products are designed to ensure that heat is contained where you want it and kept away from areas where it can cause problems.
Let’s break it down:
The exhaust system benefits significantly from heat blankets, especially with a turbo. A turbo blanket and exhaust wrap not only keep heat away from the engine bay but also improve spool time and throttle response. It’s pretty incredible! Because of these advantages, we highly recommend this approach.
Intakes need to stay as cold as possible. I can’t stress this enough. Yes, an air filter can make your vehicle sound fantastic, but its primary function is to draw in cooler air. An open cone filter in an exposed engine bay can actually perform worse than a standard airbox with a performance filter. If you're using a cone filter, ensure it has a good cold air feed and protection from heat. For instance, you might consider using an aluminum wall lined with heat-reflective material.
In summary, managing heat in both the exhaust and intake systems is crucial for optimal vehicle performance.
A few extra Quid on cooling mods now can save you thousands on an engine rebuild later.
3. Suspension & Alignment
Suspension setup is critical for drifting, and maintenance is just as important.
Let's start with the benefits of coilovers, shall we? Coilovers allow you to lower your vehicle significantly more than lowering springs. This not only adds style points but also results in a lower center of gravity, which enhances the vehicle's stability and balance, especially when paired with proper adjustments (we'll come back to the adjustment settings later).
Additionally, coilovers stiffen the vehicle's chassis, reducing body roll. This is crucial, as you don’t want your vehicle to feel like it’s drifting like a boat. You can also upgrade your roll bars to further increase stiffness, which is a modification that is often overlooked but highly beneficial.
Alignment is the secret sauce when it comes to drifting. Although every vehicle is different, pro-level drifters keep their alignment specs a secret. However, I'll run you through the main adjustments you need to get right.
Front camber is one of the most noticeable characteristics of drift cars, often giving the impression that an elephant has sat on the bonnet, causing the wheels to bow inward. Typically, you will see negative camber angles ranging from -4° to -7°. The reason for this design is that when the car is at full lock, the leading front wheel becomes more upright, maximizing its contact with the tarmac. This configuration ensures better grip and control of the vehicle.
Rear camber is usually set to zero, or at most, a small amount of positive camber if you're running more power. This is because the vehicle will squat down at the rear, creating a zero camber effect. Setting a zero camber ensures maximum tire contact with the tarmac, which helps provide both grip and balanced tire wear.
Caster is the most important factor when it comes to drifting. When you send your drift car between transitions, the caster, if aligned correctly, will create a strong amount of steering torque, allowing the vehicle to rapidly self-steer and prepare for the next corner. If you get this setting right, you can essentially drift using just the clutch and throttle, pretty amazing, right?.
The best way to set up the caster is through trial and error. Essentially, you can drift a figure-eight configuration and adjust the caster until it feels right for you. More positive caster offers greater stability but results in slower steering response. On the other hand, less caster leads to faster, snappier steering but with less control. With time, you will discover what works best for your driving style.
Let's now focus on toe settings, not the ones on your feet! Ideally, you want the front of the vehicle to have a toe-out alignment. This adjustment helps with initiating a drift and maintaining control throughout the slide because toe-out allows for quicker turn-in and a more responsive steering rate, especially during transitions.
On the other hand, for the rear of the vehicle, you should opt for toe-in. This configuration helps increase grip by slowing down the car's rotation. Although it can make the car more challenging to drive, from experience, it allows you to exit corners faster and perform harder flicks with less risk of washout compared to a neutral toe setting.
Alignment is nothing more than trial and error; nobody has the perfect alignment since every vehicle and setup is different.
Maintenance is crucial in drifting, as your vehicle endures significant abuse. However, there are simple tricks to stay on top of it. We recommend regularly checking your coilovers for signs of leaks and corrosion. Since tarmac can kick up dust particles that may break down seals, using shock covers is advisable. This not only helps improve performance but also protects against corrosion.
Make sure all your hardware is properly tightened and torqued to the specified settings; don't just rely on the feel of "tight." Use a torque wrench for accuracy. Once everything is torqued correctly, take a paint pen and mark the bolts. This will allow you to visually check that the bolts are tight, saving you a lot of time. Trust me on this.
I'm not going to go into too much detail, as it's mostly common sense, but make sure to regularly check your vehicle after each event. You really don't want to waste other people's track time by requiring recovery due to neglecting basic checks.
4. Brake Maintenance
Brakes are often overlooked in drifting because many people believe they are solely for slowing down a vehicle. In reality, brakes play a crucial role in maintaining vehicle control and can even allow the driver to stay on the throttle longer, keeping the turbocharged engine boosting.
You’ve probably heard the term "left foot braking," which is essential for slowing down the car while maintaining speed. For example, when in tandem drifting at full speed, door to door with your opponent, you typically use a small amount of left foot brake, just a gentle tap with your big toe. This technique emphasizes the importance of having well-maintained brakes.
Use high-quality brake pads and premium brake fluid for maximum response. A big brake system can be beneficial, and I personally believe you can't go wrong with EBC Brakes.
It's also important not to waste money on fully braided brake lines. Instead, consider replacing only the rubber brake hoses with braided ones. Copper brake lines do not flex or expand during braking, while braided lines are stronger and flex less than rubber lines. Therefore, it’s best to keep the hard copper brake lines wherever possible and only replace the rubber ones with braided lines. This setup maximizes stiffness in the braking system, enhancing your braking performance.
5. Tire And Wheel Management
Tires are your biggest recurring expense when drifting. You might think you're saving money by going to your local part-worn tire shop; however, these tires are usually old, hardened, and will wear out much more quickly. Nowadays, you can find new tires at affordable prices, but it’s important to do your research to identify the best budget options. Some budget tires may separate, causing the tread to peel off like a fruit winder, this is based on my experience.
Additionally, by choosing new tires, you'll spend less time swapping wheels or paying for tire changes, which can ultimately save you more money in the long run. For the front tires, opt for high-grip options to maximize traction in corners while maintaining responsive steering. Ideally, look for tires with a lower treadwear rating of around 200, and ensure they have strong sidewalls to withstand those slides.
Tire pressures can vary significantly from track to weather conditions. Ultimately, it's a matter of experience to determine the right pressures to use. However, my biggest tip is to bring a tire pressure gauge, as your tires will have a completely different temperature when hot compared to when they are cold.
Wheel nuts are often overlooked, but they are crucial for vehicle safety. You might think those attractive wheel nuts you found on an auction site are a good choice, but I'm sure you've seen videos of people's wheels falling off. It's pretty crazy, right? As I mentioned before, it's essential to properly torque your wheel nuts. Personally, I recommend using forged steel wheel nuts. Here’s a link to the ones I’ve been using for years:
20 x Exoracing Wheel Nuts Forged Steel
6. Routine Checks After Every Drift Event
After each track day or drift session, perform a quick inspection of your vehicle. Now that you have marked your bolts with paint, this check should be quick and easy. Thank me later! Obviously, also check for any leaks and ensure fluids are where they should be. The last thing you want to do is spill oil on the track and waste everyone's time.
Inspect your tires for uneven wear, as this indicates that your alignment settings are not correct. If you notice any issues, go back and make adjustments. Don’t worry; you’ll never get it perfect on the first try. Adjusting and fine-tuning your setup will be an ongoing process for years to come.
Don’t ignore any loose or rattling noises; become one with your machine. You should know everything about it. This bond will take time, but you will get there, trust me.
Ensure your fluids are topped up to prevent engine damage. You don't want to starve your engine of oil or allow it to overheat after all the heat management work you've done.
Final Thoughts: Treat Your Drift Car Like a Queen.
Now that you have the knowledge to keep your track car in good condition, go and have some fun! By taking care of essential maintenance, you'll be able to spend your money on upgrades instead of repairs. Don’t forget to look after yourself as well, get a good helmet and some quality drift merchandise.
Enjoy Your Drift Beast!
