Some advice for a newb

[ag04]

Hey,

My friend showed me the thread on drifting being in tampa, and I want to get into the sport. I didn't think there were any sanctioned drift events, but I now know.

I have an s13, totally stock, except for some 17 inch gt sports, and some kuhmo tires (came with it). What might you guys suggest that I get for it to learn to drift? I'm already planning an sr swap, but should I go suspension first?

I was thinking anit sway bars, lsd, and a few other suspension upgrades. Though it might take me a year or two to get the money for everything that I want. Thanks,

ag04

ps please don't flame the newb;)

[zenki_s14]

suspension first.....sr should be very very very very last on your list... if you can drift good with not much power you will have better control of a car with power.... thats why hachis are one of the hardest to drift

[Geoffrie]

I would suggest putting el chepo tires on the back and learning to drift with the stock car.

Don't start swapping parts untill you think it will help your performance. "I heard it's a good idea to change the swaybars" isn't a good reason - you need to feel the need yourself. Experience the one wheel wonder before you go lsd. Learn to drift on a stock car, and you'll be able to control a nicely modified one that much better.

You don't need lots of power to drift, zenki s14 and I can prove that...

Want to go drifting sometime? send me a pm or my aim is toyotageoffrie...

-Jeff

[Jonas]

the very first thing you need to do is come out to our event on the 21st this month... perfect for your situation... right now do what you can with what you got and then once you feel you can step up to another level then u start to mod... but yeah basic for now man just some whatever lala tires out back and some decent ones up front... then you go onto different tire set ups, suspension whatnots, lsd, sr and what have you... but yeah that is all for now

[Matt Vassallo]

the best thing is do what jonas and geoffrie said

put crappie tires on the rear, and come to the event. just feel out the car. see what it does when it is stock. from there you will probably want to do a basic exhaust (does like 15whp on ka24de), limited slip differential, coilovers, and subframe spacers. from there your car is set. ;-)

[ag04]

Thanks for giving some sound advice. It's the best I've heard so far. How old do you have to be to drift in the event? Because I will almost have had my permit, and think that I should wait more, before drifting.

But kids as young as 10 race stock cars, so why not drift? But on the contrary, I can see how driftings is more of a skill driving that say some other types that allow younger peopl to participate in.

The stock tires that came with the car needed to be changed, hence the new wheels and tires. They are getting old, and had a lot of treadwear on them. I think they would be ok, but just want some opinions.

Also, where are places that you can go practice? I was trying to think of places, but nothing hit me that wasn't illegal. :(

thanks again guys,

ag04

[Matt Vassallo]

you need to have a florida drivers license for the event. sorry dude, maybe next time. but it doen'st mean you cant come out and have a goodt ime!!!

[Geoffrie]

Originally posted by ag04

Also, where are places that you can go practice? I was trying to think of places, but nothing hit me that wasn't illegal. :(


haha, yeah, except the drift day coming up its all illegal. But just because you can't participate doesn't mean you can't go to the drift day. Go and watch, and if your nice I'll let you ride along while I drift ;) When you get your liscence, participate in the events.

Some of the autocrosses will let your run now, so that would be a good thing for you to attend to improve your driving skills. You really should be good and controlling the car gripping before you try to kick it sideways... gripping is riding that fine line of traction (before you loose grip) and drifting is exceeding it... It is a advanced sport that requires a lot of skill. True drifting is a lot more than fancy donuts in a parking lot.

-Jeff

[drifter_ucchi]

Geoffrie,
lets go drifting saturday. i'm one of zenki_s14's friends.

[Garage Battle]

there are a handful of decent drifters in the area.

they all got this way through exactly the same procedure:

1. wait for it to rain
2. go slow
3. listen and respect those who know more than you
4. find a large enough place to not hit stuff


lastly, drift is a show of driver skill. one must have skill in order to use it.

[TurboJZA70]

Originally posted by drifter_ucchi
drifting saturday.

not two words that go well in that order.

[Geoffrie]

Originally posted by drifter_ucchi
Geoffrie,
lets go drifting saturday. i'm one of zenki_s14's friends.

Saturday night? I try to avoid the days the cops are out looking for racers and stuff, and saturday night is THE night for street racing, plus I'm going to concert saturday night... how about thursday night? What do you drive?

-Jeff

[zenki_s14]

damn thursday sucks for me.... i dont think ill be going out for a while...gota save some money too....

[ag04]

Well, I got another quick question.

I don't have a steady job, but this summer, I'm comming across a bit of money (around $4,000-$5,000) before I get my licence. Since I will have gotten my permit not long before, what do you guys suggest that I buy with that money?

I was thinking some wider wheels and tires, because 7.5's don't look all that great, and I don't want white rims this time. What size tire and rim combination that you suggest I go with? I was thinking a larger aspect ratio on the tire wall, maybe a 50 or 55? Because with the wheel and tire setup, you have that horrible front fender gap that the 240's are notorious for.

I was looking at some tein coilovers for when I'm ready for them, and a few other parts at www.jspec.com . Any and all advice is appreciated, and I hope to be joining you within the next year or two :P

ag04

[Matt Vassallo]

Originally posted by ag04
Well, I got another quick question.

I don't have a steady job, but this summer, I'm comming across a bit of money (around $4,000-$5,000) before I get my licence. Since I have gotten my permitnot long ago, what do you guys suggest that I buy with that money?

I was thinking some wider wheels and tires, because 7.5's don't look all that great, and I don't want white rims this time. What size tire and rim combination that you suggest I go with? I was thinking a larger aspect ratio on the tire wall, maybe a 50 or 55? Because with the wheel and tire setup, you have that horrible front fender gap that the 240's are notorious for.

I was looking at some tein coilovers for when I'm ready for them, and a few other parts at www.jspec.com . Any and all advice is appreciated, and I hope to be joining you within the next year or two :P

ag04

Hehe, i would suggest, a good set of coilovers and a limited slip differential. maybe some t/c rods also. there are a bunch of local places that you can order these things from, you don't have to go to jspec in order to get the parts.

;)

You could also do a swap with that kind of money ;-)