Drifting Engines...

[kmfdmk]

I want to learn about engine building. More specifically I want to learn about drifting engine setups. I want to build myself an engine that will live through the high RPM's necessary for drifting use. According to wikipedia it is linear response not maximum power is the goal when building up a drifting engine.

So....

Linear Response

Smaller Displacements mean less mass to rotationally accelerate.
Maximally optimized flowing intake & exhaust
High Compression ?? (just a complete guess)
Small(er) turbo (as compared to the larger) for quicker response
Oversize valves... that would increase airflow but also add mass to move on acceleration
Flatter response cams....

Any other characteristics you guys can think of ?

What about engine building books or resources? I tried doing some searching online and couldn't find too much.

[narfdanarf]

I would do something supercharged or all motor for drifting.

[Davis Silver Sti]

As far as using a smaller turbo...I would think that a very good power to weight ration is a main performance factor.
Most small turbos will give quicker spool BUT less top end/high hp.

Most of the 4cyl. drift cars are VERY peaky in hp; only getting it at the upper rpms.

The more successful drift cars seems to have highly bulit turbo'd engines stuffed into a light weight car. (240/Silvia)

If you are going to seriously look into a drfit car, I would either buy a drift car already made/used, or find another person that has the same year Supra you have and find out everything about it and do the same thing they did.
While starting from scratch may be rewarding, it can be a project that can last a long, long, long time with heavy finnances.

To get back on topic, You will really need some HP to get the car to do what you want. A very well built 4cyl, or a fairly built V-8 should be a starting point.

[kmfdmk]

I agree with what you're saying and know you're right. Thus far my experience with drifting is limited to wet/slick surfaces. Trying to recreate the same thing on a dry surface is going to require a whole lot more power. I'm quickly convincing myself to just put a 7M-GTE in the Supra and buy a 240sx. There's a beautiful stock 240sx on ebay with 90,000 some miles for around 9,000 which really is a steal.

As far as using a smaller turbo...I would think that a very good power to weight ration is a main performance factor.
Most small turbos will give quicker spool BUT less top end/high hp.

Most of the 4cyl. drift cars are VERY peaky in hp; only getting it at the upper rpms.

The more successful drift cars seems to have highly bulit turbo'd engines stuffed into a light weight car. (240/Silvia)

So you're saying a small turbo in a very well balanced car (w/ a good weight/hp ratio).

I am aware of the peaky HP tuning in the top end of the RPM spectrum. I have no problem with it being peaky :D That just means I get to keep my foot in the throttle and do more shifting (And coincidentally replace the tires, differential & xmission, & clutch more often)..

Any engine building resources you can turn me onto, or anything else racing related you can give a heads up on Davis? I'm incredibly bored on the weekends Fri, Sat & Sun... Working 4 10's is great but there's nothing to do on a Caribbean Island...

[95neoner]

Most of the cars in formula D now are putting down about 500hp. What sticks in my mind the most though is when back a couple years at Road Atlanta, when Taka Aono was still running his first 86, that car only had about 150hp and was staying right with Sam Hubinette's Viper for 5 runs. It ended up getting too hot and Taka's team gave it to Hubinette, but I believe that says something in its own. Once they put Taka in that 240 last season I believe it was, he wasn't nearly as good. What this long rant is getting at is that I don't believe it comes so much from the car, but more the driver. I'm not saying that at a longer track power doesn't do anything for you, because it'll help you carry the car further and with higher entry speeds, but I've gotta think that most of it is just getting used to driving the car... seat time basically. I've always heard that the best idea is to start with stuff like the suspension, tires, and lsd, then move on to more power. If you've got an open lsd, then get rid of it first. I personally haven't even gotten my 240 up and running yet, but it's worth trying if you're not really sure where to start. I'm not sure of what mods you have already either, so maybe you've already prepped your car well and feel a need for a power boost. Whatever the deal, remember that grip really is your friend.

(only looked at the month/day... my bad w/ the dead thread thing >_< maybe some insight for someone else...)

[daveb91]

No problem man you bring up some good points. Hey its good you signed up post some pics of your ride I liked to see more of that engine work..