- 1,896
I did these in November and forgot all about them... These are the most popular Japanese. cars and how they drift stock and there potential...
These tests were done on stock cars with simulation tires...
Mazda
FC3S
-Power: 202HP@6500rpm
-Torque: 26.6 ft.lb@4000rpm
-Displacement: 654x2 cc
-Weight: 1200 kg
First Impressions
(Grand Valley):
Handles the tight turns at Grand Valley very well. The car is easy to handle and easy to point the car to where u want it to go. The long turns were a differnt story, the RX-7 would drop revs very easily in a drift and your only chance to keep the drift going was to down shift. Long turns needed lots of speed to be able to sustain a drift for long periods of time.
(SS11 II):
I thought the car would have drifted well here, but I was wrong. It was hard to find the right gear here with all the tight turns. Exiting a drift, the RX-7 seemed a little sluggish for small car and didn't have anything special about it. I was a little disapointed about its performance.
Conclusion:
The FC3S RX-7's gears were to long and finding the right gear for a turn was hard, often needing to downshift in the middle of a drift. Handling could be better and a stiffer suspension would greatly affect this. Long turns could only be done by entering the corner with lots of speed to maintain a drift through the turn.
Wow!! I then re-tested the FC3S with Full Drivetrain mods, Racing Suspension and droped it all the way, and Lightweight Stage 3 and the car drifted wonderfully. I'm am proud to have this car in my own fleet of drifting cars. The stiffer suspension gave the car incredible balance and it drifts very smooth through a turn.
Rating : 6/10
What's Hot: Nothing Special
What's Not: Gears to long and your revs drop to far.
---------------
FD3S RS
-Power: 278HP@6500rpm
-Torque: 31.7 ft.lb@4500rpm
-Displacement: 654x2 cc
-Weight: 1280 kg
First Impressions
(Grand Valley):
The RX-7 RS links turns very easily if you keep it from catching traction. You had to really keep the revs up to keep the RX-7 fom regaing traction. I had to faint drift to start the drift because the engine didn't seem to have enough power to break the tires loose. But in the end, it drifted Grand Valley like a champ.
(SS11 II):
The RX-7 performed well at SS11 II. Very fast through all the turns and lots of fun. Its a little harder to break traction here because of the walls, but once you do, the car is unstopable. It attacks every corner quickly and seem like this car was made for drifting. The handling showed itself here, having to flick the car back the other way to get ready for the next turn.
Conclusion:
Very fast through the turns and great balance. Long turns done with ease, tight turns even easier. This is an all-around good car to drift with. Very stiff suspension has made this car a great drift car. The tires seemed to have alot of grip and thats why it was so quick through the corners.
I then re-tested the RX-7 RS with Full Drivetrain mods and Lightweight Stage 3 and this car is hot. The engine became very responsive and its light weight made the handling even better. I think it just might be my next drift car.
Rating : 9/10
What's Hot: Great balance, handling and speed through a drift.
What's Not: Gears are a little to long.
---------------
Nissan
240sx Fastback Type X
-Power: 197HP@6000rpm
-Torque: 26.6 ft.lb@4000rpm
-Displacement: 1998 cc
-Weight: 1220 kg
First Impressions
(Grand Valley):
Grand Valley was no challenge for the fastback. This car had no problems at all and attacked every corner with ease. Long corners and short tight corners we easy as pie.
(SS11 II):
SS11 II has been known to find the flaws in a car, I could not find any flaws with the fastback. Very smooth transitions from corner to corner. Noticed some bodyroll but it did not affect the cars performance.
Conclusion:
I don't know what to say. 197 horsepower doesn't seem like alot, but it was plenty and I never ran into a problem needing more horsepower. The car drift amazingly completely stock. This has to be the best car I've tested.
I didn't re-test this car with any mods because it is great in its stock form. This would be a great beginner car and alot of fun for advanced drifters. Of course reducing weight and a stiffer suspension will make this car handle even better. And to free up the engine, drivetrain mods, especialy shorter gears will make this car greater.
Rating : 9.5/10
What's Hot: Great balance and handling and responsive engine.
What's Not: Not enough color choices. Haha.
---------------
S13 2000cc
-Power: 197HP@6000rpm
-Torque: 26.7 ft.lb@4000rpm
-Displacement: 1998 cc
-Weight: 1170 kg
First Impressions
(Grand Valley):
Grand Valley was eaten up by the S13. No problems at all on the long turns or the short and tight turns. Linked turns very easily with sufficent power. Very surprised on the long corners that it could drift the whole turn.
(SS11 II):
This is a track where cars show its weeknesses and I've found it. Changeing directions constantly setting up and link the next turn shows the cars soft suspension. Bodyroll tends to whip the rear of the car to far and into a spin. Everything else about the car seemed great. I had little problems at SS11 II and this car is alot of fun.
Conclusion:
Wow!!! What an almost perfect car. The S13 drifted very easily and had great balance and handling. 197 horsepower doesn't seem like alot, but it was plenty and I never rain into a problem needing more horsepower.
I didn't re-test this car with any mods because it is great in its stock form. This would be a great beginner car and alot of fun for advanced drifters. Of course reducing weight and a stiffer suspension will make this car handle even better. And to free up the engine, drivetrain mods, especialy shorter gears will make this car greater.
Rating : 9/10
What's Hot: Great balance and handling and responsive engine.
What's Not: Gears are a little to long, but oh well.
---------------
S14
-Power: 208HP@6000rpm
-Torque: 26.6 ft.lb@4500rpm
-Displacement: 1998 cc
-Weight: 1250 kg
First Impressions
(Grand Valley):
Drifted the turns very well, but stability and balance are a little off. Linking the drifts was quite easy with this car. Once you get it moving, good counter-stear can direct this car where you want it to go. It was hard to keep on the intended line during a long drift.
(SS11 II):
Handling a tight course is hard with the S14, it could benifet if it was lighter. Bodyroll was excessive and upset the the stability of the car, making it hard to have a smooth drift.
Conclusion:
Maintianing a nice flow through long turns was hard. Engine was powerful and never needed more horsepower. It's a shame because the engine is so good, but handling has gone down the drain when you drift tight tracks.
I re-tested the S14 with Full Drivetrain mods, Lightweight Stage 3 , and Semi-Racing Suspension and fully dropped the car and Shock Absorbers to 7(front and back).
The car drifted some much better at SS11 II, able to drift the tight turns with no problems. But it still had problems drifting long turns. I just didn't fel comfortable with this car.
Rating : 7/10
----------------------
S15
-Power: 239HP@6400rpm
-Torque: 26.6 ft.lb@4000rpm
-Displacement: 1998 cc
-Weight: 1240 kg
First Impressions
(Grand Valley):
Nice, handles the turn very well and has great balance. Long turns are drifted easily if you enter the corner with enough speed. The S15 showed good balance in the long drifts and its handling capability in the tight turns.
(SS11 II):
Point the S15 where you want it to go and its there. Handling was proved on SS11 II that the S15 is a good handling car. It has great balance, but slows alot during a drift. Weight could be the factor. Little bodyroll was present and the suspension seemed great.
Conclusion:
Nice, handles the turn very nice and has great balance. The tires either seemed to easily catch grip and was hard to maintain a drift. The engine felt a little week and the gears where just a little to long.
I then re-tested the S15 with Full Drivetrian mods and Lightweight Stage 3. The engine came alive and the car handled even better. It's a shame that this car needed mods to the drivetrian to bring the engine to life.
Rating : 8/10
What's Hot: Great balance and handling.
What's Not: Engine power and response.
---------------
R32 GTS-t
-Power: 206HP@6500rpm
-Torque: 25.7 ft.lb@3000rpm
-Displacement: 1998 cc
-Weight: 1260 kg
First Impressions
(Grand Valley):
Drifted and linked the turns very well here. The R32 GTS-t had problems drifting long corners though. I enjoyed the car, it was somewhat of a challenge.
(SS11 II):
Handled the tight turns very well. Engine power wasn't needed to drift the tight turns at SS11 II and the R32 GTS-t proved that. Loosing some weight would help this car here even more.
Conclusion:
The R32 GTS-t handles the turns very nice. Engine power seems to be its down side. Other than that, drifting witht this car is a challenge, but lots of fun.
I then re-tested the R32 GTS-t and added Lightweight stage 3 and full drive trian mods and kept the normal LSD. The car was even better with the tight turns but still shaky on the long corners, I think suspension mods could fix this.
Rating : 7.5/10
What's Hot: Great handling.
What's Not: Engine power.
---------------
Toyota
Chaser
-Power: 315hp@6500rpm
-Torque: 413lb/ft@3000rpm
-Displacement: -cc
-Weight: 1490 kg
First Impressions
(Grand Valley):
The Chaser has alot of power. You don't have to set up for a drift with this car, its power lets you power over right into a drift, letting you drift long turns with ease. I had trouble with tight turns and linking turns because its weight was giving the car to much momentum.
(SS11 II):
The Chaser needs to go on a diet. This is not a track for heavy cars. SS11 II is made for cars with great handling which the Chaser does not have. It power did help with long turns and thats a plus for this car. Its momentum carried it off the line and affected the next turn.
(Conclusion):
It is a heavy car and that takes away from its handling capability's. The Chaser all ready comes modded when you recieve it and supply's you with a stiffer suspension than any stock car. This car is an easy car to drift and in my opinion boring, because you can just use the power to drift and and it take little skill to keep your drift going.
No power needs to be added to this car, weight is more of a factor that must be delt with. I then tested this car with Stage 3 Weight Reduction, Full LSD, and Racing Tranny and its like a whole new car. The Chaser can now easily follow the intended line and its handling is great. The Racing Tranny gave the car shorter gears which help out to keep a steady flow throught the drift.
Rating 6/10
What's Hot: Amazing power and torque from stock engine.
What's Not: It's a heavy weight, handling is not so good.
---------------
AE86
Specs :
Power: 123HP@6500rpm
Torque: 14.4 ft.lb@5000rpm
Displacement: 1587cc
Weight: 925 kg
Intro:
The car has little horsepower to work with. This car with no modifications is very difficult to drift. It takes time to get comfortable with it and I was able to pull off some nice drifts and able to link some turns.
First Impressions
(Grand Valley):
To be able to drift this car, you'll have to keep the RPMs above 6 grand to be able to pull enough torque out of the engine to keep the tires spinning in a drift. You must be smooth and have to keep on the throttle through out the turn. If you come off the throttle completely while in a drift, you will gain traction and it is near impossible to break the tires free agian. I faint drifted the AE86 because it did not have enough power to power over, I had to use weight transfer to break traction.
(SS11 II):
Amazing!!! Simply Amazing! The AE86 did wonderfull at SS11 II. I had no problems what so ever on any turn. All the turns were pretty tight and the long turns i had generated enough speed to drift completely through. It almost as if this car where made for this track. Horsepower did not come into play on this track, balance and agility were the main keys here.
Conclusion:
Even though this car had very little horsepower, balance and great handling. After the inital test, mods I did were Stage 3 Weight Reduction and all drivetrains mods to the highest potential. I found the leaving the LSD normal allows you to drift with out spinning out so easily. A couple minutes of tunning the Full LSD could fix this problem. A draw back to leaving the LSD normal is when leaving a turn, one wheel spin and smokes when exiting a turn.
I left the suspension stock, I used its body roll to help weight transfer into a drift. 123 horsepower doesn't seem like much but it is enough to allow you to drift the last tunnel in Grand Valley. Some more power could be used, but I found the stock horsepower to be plenty.
I rate this car an "8"
"Was Hot"
These tests were done on stock cars with simulation tires...
Mazda
FC3S
-Power: 202HP@6500rpm
-Torque: 26.6 ft.lb@4000rpm
-Displacement: 654x2 cc
-Weight: 1200 kg
First Impressions
(Grand Valley):
Handles the tight turns at Grand Valley very well. The car is easy to handle and easy to point the car to where u want it to go. The long turns were a differnt story, the RX-7 would drop revs very easily in a drift and your only chance to keep the drift going was to down shift. Long turns needed lots of speed to be able to sustain a drift for long periods of time.
(SS11 II):
I thought the car would have drifted well here, but I was wrong. It was hard to find the right gear here with all the tight turns. Exiting a drift, the RX-7 seemed a little sluggish for small car and didn't have anything special about it. I was a little disapointed about its performance.
Conclusion:
The FC3S RX-7's gears were to long and finding the right gear for a turn was hard, often needing to downshift in the middle of a drift. Handling could be better and a stiffer suspension would greatly affect this. Long turns could only be done by entering the corner with lots of speed to maintain a drift through the turn.
Wow!! I then re-tested the FC3S with Full Drivetrain mods, Racing Suspension and droped it all the way, and Lightweight Stage 3 and the car drifted wonderfully. I'm am proud to have this car in my own fleet of drifting cars. The stiffer suspension gave the car incredible balance and it drifts very smooth through a turn.
Rating : 6/10
What's Hot: Nothing Special
What's Not: Gears to long and your revs drop to far.
---------------
FD3S RS
-Power: 278HP@6500rpm
-Torque: 31.7 ft.lb@4500rpm
-Displacement: 654x2 cc
-Weight: 1280 kg
First Impressions
(Grand Valley):
The RX-7 RS links turns very easily if you keep it from catching traction. You had to really keep the revs up to keep the RX-7 fom regaing traction. I had to faint drift to start the drift because the engine didn't seem to have enough power to break the tires loose. But in the end, it drifted Grand Valley like a champ.
(SS11 II):
The RX-7 performed well at SS11 II. Very fast through all the turns and lots of fun. Its a little harder to break traction here because of the walls, but once you do, the car is unstopable. It attacks every corner quickly and seem like this car was made for drifting. The handling showed itself here, having to flick the car back the other way to get ready for the next turn.
Conclusion:
Very fast through the turns and great balance. Long turns done with ease, tight turns even easier. This is an all-around good car to drift with. Very stiff suspension has made this car a great drift car. The tires seemed to have alot of grip and thats why it was so quick through the corners.
I then re-tested the RX-7 RS with Full Drivetrain mods and Lightweight Stage 3 and this car is hot. The engine became very responsive and its light weight made the handling even better. I think it just might be my next drift car.
Rating : 9/10
What's Hot: Great balance, handling and speed through a drift.
What's Not: Gears are a little to long.
---------------
Nissan
240sx Fastback Type X
-Power: 197HP@6000rpm
-Torque: 26.6 ft.lb@4000rpm
-Displacement: 1998 cc
-Weight: 1220 kg
First Impressions
(Grand Valley):
Grand Valley was no challenge for the fastback. This car had no problems at all and attacked every corner with ease. Long corners and short tight corners we easy as pie.
(SS11 II):
SS11 II has been known to find the flaws in a car, I could not find any flaws with the fastback. Very smooth transitions from corner to corner. Noticed some bodyroll but it did not affect the cars performance.
Conclusion:
I don't know what to say. 197 horsepower doesn't seem like alot, but it was plenty and I never ran into a problem needing more horsepower. The car drift amazingly completely stock. This has to be the best car I've tested.
I didn't re-test this car with any mods because it is great in its stock form. This would be a great beginner car and alot of fun for advanced drifters. Of course reducing weight and a stiffer suspension will make this car handle even better. And to free up the engine, drivetrain mods, especialy shorter gears will make this car greater.
Rating : 9.5/10
What's Hot: Great balance and handling and responsive engine.
What's Not: Not enough color choices. Haha.
---------------
S13 2000cc
-Power: 197HP@6000rpm
-Torque: 26.7 ft.lb@4000rpm
-Displacement: 1998 cc
-Weight: 1170 kg
First Impressions
(Grand Valley):
Grand Valley was eaten up by the S13. No problems at all on the long turns or the short and tight turns. Linked turns very easily with sufficent power. Very surprised on the long corners that it could drift the whole turn.
(SS11 II):
This is a track where cars show its weeknesses and I've found it. Changeing directions constantly setting up and link the next turn shows the cars soft suspension. Bodyroll tends to whip the rear of the car to far and into a spin. Everything else about the car seemed great. I had little problems at SS11 II and this car is alot of fun.
Conclusion:
Wow!!! What an almost perfect car. The S13 drifted very easily and had great balance and handling. 197 horsepower doesn't seem like alot, but it was plenty and I never rain into a problem needing more horsepower.
I didn't re-test this car with any mods because it is great in its stock form. This would be a great beginner car and alot of fun for advanced drifters. Of course reducing weight and a stiffer suspension will make this car handle even better. And to free up the engine, drivetrain mods, especialy shorter gears will make this car greater.
Rating : 9/10
What's Hot: Great balance and handling and responsive engine.
What's Not: Gears are a little to long, but oh well.
---------------
S14
-Power: 208HP@6000rpm
-Torque: 26.6 ft.lb@4500rpm
-Displacement: 1998 cc
-Weight: 1250 kg
First Impressions
(Grand Valley):
Drifted the turns very well, but stability and balance are a little off. Linking the drifts was quite easy with this car. Once you get it moving, good counter-stear can direct this car where you want it to go. It was hard to keep on the intended line during a long drift.
(SS11 II):
Handling a tight course is hard with the S14, it could benifet if it was lighter. Bodyroll was excessive and upset the the stability of the car, making it hard to have a smooth drift.
Conclusion:
Maintianing a nice flow through long turns was hard. Engine was powerful and never needed more horsepower. It's a shame because the engine is so good, but handling has gone down the drain when you drift tight tracks.
I re-tested the S14 with Full Drivetrain mods, Lightweight Stage 3 , and Semi-Racing Suspension and fully dropped the car and Shock Absorbers to 7(front and back).
The car drifted some much better at SS11 II, able to drift the tight turns with no problems. But it still had problems drifting long turns. I just didn't fel comfortable with this car.
Rating : 7/10
----------------------
S15
-Power: 239HP@6400rpm
-Torque: 26.6 ft.lb@4000rpm
-Displacement: 1998 cc
-Weight: 1240 kg
First Impressions
(Grand Valley):
Nice, handles the turn very well and has great balance. Long turns are drifted easily if you enter the corner with enough speed. The S15 showed good balance in the long drifts and its handling capability in the tight turns.
(SS11 II):
Point the S15 where you want it to go and its there. Handling was proved on SS11 II that the S15 is a good handling car. It has great balance, but slows alot during a drift. Weight could be the factor. Little bodyroll was present and the suspension seemed great.
Conclusion:
Nice, handles the turn very nice and has great balance. The tires either seemed to easily catch grip and was hard to maintain a drift. The engine felt a little week and the gears where just a little to long.
I then re-tested the S15 with Full Drivetrian mods and Lightweight Stage 3. The engine came alive and the car handled even better. It's a shame that this car needed mods to the drivetrian to bring the engine to life.
Rating : 8/10
What's Hot: Great balance and handling.
What's Not: Engine power and response.
---------------
R32 GTS-t
-Power: 206HP@6500rpm
-Torque: 25.7 ft.lb@3000rpm
-Displacement: 1998 cc
-Weight: 1260 kg
First Impressions
(Grand Valley):
Drifted and linked the turns very well here. The R32 GTS-t had problems drifting long corners though. I enjoyed the car, it was somewhat of a challenge.
(SS11 II):
Handled the tight turns very well. Engine power wasn't needed to drift the tight turns at SS11 II and the R32 GTS-t proved that. Loosing some weight would help this car here even more.
Conclusion:
The R32 GTS-t handles the turns very nice. Engine power seems to be its down side. Other than that, drifting witht this car is a challenge, but lots of fun.
I then re-tested the R32 GTS-t and added Lightweight stage 3 and full drive trian mods and kept the normal LSD. The car was even better with the tight turns but still shaky on the long corners, I think suspension mods could fix this.
Rating : 7.5/10
What's Hot: Great handling.
What's Not: Engine power.
---------------
Toyota
Chaser
-Power: 315hp@6500rpm
-Torque: 413lb/ft@3000rpm
-Displacement: -cc
-Weight: 1490 kg
First Impressions
(Grand Valley):
The Chaser has alot of power. You don't have to set up for a drift with this car, its power lets you power over right into a drift, letting you drift long turns with ease. I had trouble with tight turns and linking turns because its weight was giving the car to much momentum.
(SS11 II):
The Chaser needs to go on a diet. This is not a track for heavy cars. SS11 II is made for cars with great handling which the Chaser does not have. It power did help with long turns and thats a plus for this car. Its momentum carried it off the line and affected the next turn.
(Conclusion):
It is a heavy car and that takes away from its handling capability's. The Chaser all ready comes modded when you recieve it and supply's you with a stiffer suspension than any stock car. This car is an easy car to drift and in my opinion boring, because you can just use the power to drift and and it take little skill to keep your drift going.
No power needs to be added to this car, weight is more of a factor that must be delt with. I then tested this car with Stage 3 Weight Reduction, Full LSD, and Racing Tranny and its like a whole new car. The Chaser can now easily follow the intended line and its handling is great. The Racing Tranny gave the car shorter gears which help out to keep a steady flow throught the drift.
Rating 6/10
What's Hot: Amazing power and torque from stock engine.
What's Not: It's a heavy weight, handling is not so good.
---------------
AE86
Specs :
Power: 123HP@6500rpm
Torque: 14.4 ft.lb@5000rpm
Displacement: 1587cc
Weight: 925 kg
Intro:
The car has little horsepower to work with. This car with no modifications is very difficult to drift. It takes time to get comfortable with it and I was able to pull off some nice drifts and able to link some turns.
First Impressions
(Grand Valley):
To be able to drift this car, you'll have to keep the RPMs above 6 grand to be able to pull enough torque out of the engine to keep the tires spinning in a drift. You must be smooth and have to keep on the throttle through out the turn. If you come off the throttle completely while in a drift, you will gain traction and it is near impossible to break the tires free agian. I faint drifted the AE86 because it did not have enough power to power over, I had to use weight transfer to break traction.
(SS11 II):
Amazing!!! Simply Amazing! The AE86 did wonderfull at SS11 II. I had no problems what so ever on any turn. All the turns were pretty tight and the long turns i had generated enough speed to drift completely through. It almost as if this car where made for this track. Horsepower did not come into play on this track, balance and agility were the main keys here.
Conclusion:
Even though this car had very little horsepower, balance and great handling. After the inital test, mods I did were Stage 3 Weight Reduction and all drivetrains mods to the highest potential. I found the leaving the LSD normal allows you to drift with out spinning out so easily. A couple minutes of tunning the Full LSD could fix this problem. A draw back to leaving the LSD normal is when leaving a turn, one wheel spin and smokes when exiting a turn.
I left the suspension stock, I used its body roll to help weight transfer into a drift. 123 horsepower doesn't seem like much but it is enough to allow you to drift the last tunnel in Grand Valley. Some more power could be used, but I found the stock horsepower to be plenty.
I rate this car an "8"
"Was Hot"
