Here, you can click on a particular section within this article, otherwise, scroll down as we cover everything you need to know about Honda’s K24 engine.

• Which Cars Have the Honda K24 Engine?
• K24 Engine Specifications
• Honda K24 Tuning
• K24 Engine Swaps
• Honda K24 Forced Induction
• K24 Reliability & Common Issues
• Conclusion

Introduction to the Honda K24

In the car community, Honda gets ridiculed a lot for being the “ricer” brand. Yet, we can’t ignore the impact its cars have had in the automotive landscape. Raise your hands if you remember the very first scene from The Fast And The Furious.

Since the Honda fanboys came out in force and criticized the lack of Honda-related content at Drifted, we’ve opted for creating some in-depth guides to keep them happy.

Let’s face it. There’s nothing more challenging to deal with than an angry Honda fanboy. (Just kidding!)

For those of you that are wondering why we’ve decided to check out the Honda K24 engine, it’s because Honda’s legendary K-series engines are immensely underrated. That’s right, we said it.

While you’re huffing and puffing about FWD rice-boxes, we highly recommend that you head over to our previous guide for the K24’s younger brother, the Honda K20.

*WARNING* The K20 guide contains RX7 FD’s with Honda powerplants! Too late? Whoops.

Part of the beauty of Honda’s K-series is the convenience when it comes to swapping it into some of the least likely chassis imaginable.

We’d forgive you for purely thinking along the lines of cheap, FWD cars when it comes to the K-series.

However, you may well be surprised to hear that it’s not actually that challenging to swap the K24 into just about any chassis, even when it comes to some of the rarer mid-engined cars.

V8 swaps have become increasingly common throughout motorsport, mostly thanks to their (mainly) reasonable price tags alongside convenience and ease of sourcing when it comes to parts and engines.

It also, of course, falls to their impressive reliability, power potential, and ability to handle forced induction efficiently.

But, what if we told you that the Honda K24 also ticks all of these boxes?

We’re not the only one that thinks this, either, and for that reason, Speed Academy have put them head-to-head in this video:

There’s a wide range of K24 engines located under the hoods of some of the most popular cars on the market, such as Honda Accord’s and CR-V’s, and this makes them extremely convenient and cheap to source.

They’re also impressive when it comes to off-the-shelf upgrades and aftermarket support.

So, if you’re looking for extremely high power potential, a K-series swap could well begin to make a lot of sense.

As the popularity of LS swaps increases, the K-series could emerge as the superior purchase over time, with so many drifters opting for the typical V8 route.

With an ever-increasing off-the-shelf aftermarket mounting and wiring options available for the K-series, it’s undoubtedly emerging as an underdog in the engine-swap world.

So, whether you’re looking for a cheap and reliable daily driver swap, or a fully boosted race setup that’ll be able to help you smash ¼ mile records, the K24 certainly needs to be a contender to consider.

Make sure you keep your eyes peeled later on in this guide, as we’ll unveil some of the unlikely K24 swaps that we’ve come across.

Honda’s K24 series has birthed several of the immensely popular K-series engines over the years, and there have been more updates and variations than most enthusiasts realize.

After its initial launch in 2001, the 2.4-liter powerplant debuted in the Honda CR-V with the original K24A1 variation.

Production continues to the present day with the K24Y and K24Z variants, but they’re probably not what you’re looking for, as we’ll explain later.

The K24’s design was remarkably similar to its predecessor, the 2-liter K20.

Still, it featured some additional bonuses alongside the more significant displacement, such as an enlarged bore and stroke, friction-reducing technology, and electronically controlled ignition timing.

We’ll venture a little deeper into what changed between the many variations of the engine later in our guide.

You can either use the navigation at the top of the article to go to a specific section or continue scrolling down if you’re interested to know everything there is to know about Honda’s potent K24 engine.

Which Cars Have the Honda K24 Engine?

There have been many changes made to the K24 engine over its lifetime, and we highly recommend reading on if you’re considering which variations are going to be best for your needs, particularly if you’re looking to tap into their tuning potential.

Here is a list of cars that are powered by some form of the ever-popular Honda K24 engine series.

K24A1

2002-2009 Honda CR-V

K24A2

2002-08 Honda Accord Type-S (Japan)
2003-08 Honda Odyssey Absolute
2004-08 Acura TSX

K24A3

2003-07 Honda Accord (Japan/Europe)
2003-07 Honda Accord Euro (Australia/New Zealand)

K24A4

2003-05 Honda Accord (U.S.)
2003-08 Honda Odyssey
2003-06 Honda Element

K24A8

2006-07 Honda Accord (U.S.)
2007-11 Honda Element
2008-14 Honda Odyssey (Japan)

K24W (Earth Dreams)

2013-17 Honda Accord (U.S.)
2015-19 Honda CR-V (U.S.)

K24W4

2013-present Honda Accord (Thailand/Malaysia)
2014-present Honda Odyssey (Australia)

K24V5

2017-present Honda CR-V (Thailand)

K24V7

2016-present Acura ILX

K24W7

2015-20 Acura TLX

K24Y1

2012-16 Honda CR-V (Thailand)

K24Y2

2012-15 Honda Crosstour

K24Z1

2007-09 Honda CR-V (RE3, RE4)

K24Z2

2008-12 Honda Accord LX/LX-P (U.S.)
2016-present Proton Perdana

K24Z3

2008-12 Honda Accord LX-S/EX/EX-L (U.S.)
2009-14 Acura TSX
2008-15 Honda Accord (CP2, CS1)

K24Z4

2008-12 Honda CR-V (RE7)

K24Z5

2010-15 Honda Spirior

K24Z6

2010-11 Honda CR-V (U.S.)

2012-14 Honda CR-V (U.S.)

K24Z7

2012-15 Honda Civic Si
2013-15 Acura ILX

Honda K24 Engine Specifications

Since there are so many engines within the K24 family, we’ll give you a quick rundown of their specifications. This will help you choose the best K-Series engine for your specific needs – be it for a drift car, a show car, or an autocross champ.

In addition, we’re going to break down the main positives and negatives of their commonly-found engines too. So, let’s get started!

K24A1

The K24A1 was the first engine that Honda released within the K24 range, which featured in the 2002-09 Honda CR-V’s, and came with 160 hp and 162 lb-ft torque.

The A1 was where it all began, and it was a very similar engine to the B-series engine, with impressive low-end torque production.

Although it features impressive performance, it has a compression ratio of 9.6:1. The K24 features more durable connecting rods and superior counter-weighted crankshafts over its predecessor, the 2.0-liter K20.

When combined with the more significant displacement and with the addition of a composite two-stage intake manifold, this allowed for superior power and torque.

When talking about Honda Engines, we can’t skip over the legendary Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control system, more commonly known as VTEC (just kicked in yo!). Check out the video below to learn more about this system.

Sadly for K24A1 owners, it has no VTEC mechanism on the exhaust cam, and mostly relies on twelve valves before 2,200rpm, with the other four coming into action beyond.

The K24A1 has become one of the most popular choices for engine swaps and conversions.

Thanks to similarities between the A1 and A2, you can straight-swap the A2’s oil pump, which you’re not able to do on other K-series engines.

The K24A1 has one of the best cylinder heads, which is similar to the lucrative Type-S head, and takes kindly to being ported, which allows for an impressive amount of airflow.

Alternatively, if you’re looking for an easy swap, then the Type-S head itself is also an option.

If you’re looking for the best out-of-the-box solution from the K24, then let us introduce you to the K24A2.

K24A2

The K24A2 typically earns the title of the most impressive K24 engine out of the factory, but it’s also gained a pretty high price tag because of this, which makes other variations more tempting if you’re not shy when it comes to tuning.

Featured in the Acura TSX, alongside the Honda Oddessey and the JDM Accord Type-S, the K24A2 was capable of achieving between 197-205hp and between 164-171 lb/ft torque.

This engine was known as the K24A3 in the European and Australian markets.

For the A2, Honda opted for a significantly updated bottom-end, and the compression ratio rose to 10.5:1.

Unlike the K24A1, this time, they opted for the i-VTEC system on both the intake and the exhaust camshafts. They also applied lightweight pistons, dual balance shafts, a forged crankshaft, and re-inforced connecting rods, along with improved cams.

For the 2006-onwards Acura TSX, the K24A2 got an improved air intake duct, from 70mm to 80mm, an upgraded throttle body, from 60mm to 64mm, along with enhanced intake valves, a new intake camshaft, and an exhaust upgrade.

The outcome of this was the best performance that was achieved from the K24A2, pushing out 205 hp at 7,000 rpm and 164 lb/ft torque.

Although the power figures grew from 197-205 hp with the new improvements, torque took a slight hit, going from 171-164 lb/ft.

K24A3

The K24A3 is the same engine as the K24A2, produced for the European and Australian markets. The Honda Accord and Accord Euro models made from 2003 to 2007 carried this 2.4-liter four-cylinder inside the engine bay.

Unlike the K24A2, the K24A3 didn’t receive an upgrade in its later model years, so power remained at the initial figures of 197 hp and 171 lb/ft, with a 7,200 rpm redline.

K24A4

The K24A4 block is often the most common choice for those of you that plan on swapping out the pistons since they can often be sourced for a reasonable price thanks to their popularity.

The K24A4 was based on the A1, rather than the A2, and featured a compression ratio of 9.7:1. It provided 160 hp and 161 lb/ft torque. You can find this engine in everything from the Odyssey to the Civic Si.

Several revisions included an RAA single-stage intake manifold and revised intake and exhaust ports inside the cylinder head, which most enthusiasts agree don’t flow as well as the A1.

The primary purpose of the K24A4 production was to meet strict emissions standards. Since the power barely differs between the two, we’d say that Honda did a pretty decent job.

K24A8

The K24A8 was a slight upgrade from the K24A6, which they refined to meet an updated environmental regulation. Debuting in 2006, the K24A8 powered the Honda Element, Accord, and Odessey. The improved fuel efficiency of this version made it especially attractive for these family vehicles.

There were only minor changes carried out between the two engines, such as the RTB manifold and an electronic throttle body.

Power figures increased slightly with this minor revision, allowing for 166 hp and 161 lb/ft torque.

K24Z1

Launched in 2007 for the Honda CR-V, the K24Z1 officially replaced the K24A1. The K24Z-family’s primary aim was to meet the ever-growing emissions standards, while still trying to build on the success of the K24A.

It continues the 9.7:1 compression, and provides 166 hp and 161 lb/ft torque, with a redline of 6,500 rpm.

For this version, the oil filter is relocated, and internal changes include a forged-steel crankshaft and an internal balancer unit.

They continued to use the later 1-stage RTB intake manifold alongside an electronic drive-by-wire throttle body.

A new, denser catalytic converter has also been introduced to comply with the increasingly harsh emissions standards.

Despite its focus on emissions, the K24Z-family still provides an excellent platform tuning and engine swaps and doesn’t vary much from its predecessors.

K24Z2

The K24Z2 officially replaced the K24A8 on the production line and conformed to the highest emission standards.

Featuring a 10.5:1 compression ratio, revised fuel injectors, an integrated exhaust manifold, and an R40 intake manifold, this enabled power figures of 177 hp and 161 lb/ft torque.

K24Z3/K24Z7

The K24 once again received a significant overhaul when it came to the K24Z3 engine, which arrived with the substantially heavier second-generation Acura TSX.

While the K24Z3 for the Honda Accord had a 10.7:1 compression ratio, which produced less power and torque, it was effectively a K24Z3 with a high-flow exhaust system, capable of 190 hp and 162 lb/ft torque.

On the other hand, the 2009-14 Acura TSX K24Z3 had an improved engine with 31mm exhaust valves and a modified i-VTEC system, also providing a compression ratio of 11.0:1 and an increase to 201 hp and 172 lb/ft torque.

For the CP2 and CS1 Honda Accord models, however, it also featured the TSX’s superior engine, which was also the same as the K24Z7.

Included with the K24Z3 are chain-driven dual balance shafts, i-VTEC on intake and exhaust camshafts, lightweight pistons, uprated rods, and computer-programmed fuel injection (PGM-FI).

K24Z4/K24Z5/K24Z6

In another minor revision, Honda once again had to update the K24Z1 to conform to revised emissions standards, which meant they once again had to use a 9.7:1 compression, this time with 161 hp and 161 lb/ft torque.

The K24Z5 and K24Z6 are similar to the K24Z2, but with minor adjustments. The K24Z5 was only available in China, and the K24Z6 was later offered on Honda CR-V models sold in the United States.

Honda K24 Tuning

According to us here at Drifted.com, “affordable” and “performance” are two words that perfectly describe the Honda K24 engine.

There is a wide variety of options when it comes to tuning the K24 engine, and some incredible power figures are waiting to achieve if you’re willing to put the time and money into unleashing its potential.

Not only that but, you’ll probably need to include some blood, sweat, and tears, and plenty of swearing, too!

We already know that the K24A2 is capable of achieving 205 hp and 164 ft/lb torque out of the factory with the Acura TSX, but what if we want to aim higher?

The general recommendation to get the best basic setup with the K24 is to buy any K24A cylinder block, along with a K20A2, K20A Euro R, or KA20A Type R head.

Be warned that this only applies to the K24A series engines. The K24Z cannot be used due to the pistons making contact with the K20’s cylinder head.

Although it may seem odd to use K20 parts, they feature superior valve springs and camshafts to the K24. If you opt for this route, you’ll also want to consider replacing the K24’s water pump with the K20’s.

With race bearings, high-compression pistons, rods, studs, an uprated flywheel, fuel injectors, an ECU upgrade, and a K20A2 oil pump, you’re likely to get about 260 horsepower.

If that’s not enough, and you want to go to 300hp without looking at the forced induction route, you can do additional internal porting, along with valves, cams, an uprated throttle body, a CAI, and uprated manifolds along with a full exhaust system.

If you’re willing to go down the forced induction route, then power figures start at around 400hp and are capable of rising to some pretty incredible power figures, if you have the cash to throw at it.

Are you considering building a 500-horsepower K24 engine? This video will show you how it can be done. (Okay, perfectionists, it’s more of a K27, but you get the idea.)

If you do have the cash going spare, then there are always K24 crate engines out there to consider.

Companies such as 4 Piston Racing, offer highly-tuned turn-key K24 crate engines, with their K340 offering 340hp at 9,000 rpm, right the way through to their full drag setup, which is capable of an insane 8.94-second quarter-mile.

Sounds perfect, right? Sure, just be prepared to pay the price! 4 Piston Racing will happily sell you one of these for a hair over $11,000.

The great thing about the K24 engines is the wide variety of modifications on offer. No matter whether you’re looking for some off-the-shelf power upgrades, or a full race engine build.

They’re certainly capable of producing incredible power figures with extremely high levels of reliability when built and maintained correctly. It’s a Honda after all!

They can also make for perfect drift car engines, make sure you turn up the volume and prepare for an eargasm as we head back to 2014 to appreciate this S2000 K24 Formula Drift build:

We always highly recommend doing your research before you opt for the ideal K24 solution, but our information should certainly give you an excellent base for your future build.

Honda K24 Engine Swaps

Okay, so, this is where things get fun. We’ve all seen the Civic EG K24 swaps, and yeah, it’s convenient and all, but let’s face it, everyone and their dog has done that by now.

We’ve seen some pretty wild K24 swaps over the years, from Honda NSXs to bespoke Noble M400s. This just goes to prove what we said earlier with regards to the Honda K24 being the perfect V8 rival for just about anything, from RWD drift cars to mid-engine Time Attack weapons.

A simple Google search will reveal just how many simple K20/K24 swaps there are out there on the market, and there are several off-the-shelf packages for the Mazda Miata and Nissan 240SX owners out there.

For those of you that are considering it for your 240SX or Miata, the most common transmission for the swap would be the BMW ZF manual gearbox, which is thankfully both easily sourced and reasonably priced.

Other common K24 conversions are the likes of the Civic, but also the Toyota MR2, various Lotus’s, and also the Honda S2000.

Let’s start our crazy swap list with this ridiculous Subaru BRZ! BRZ + K24 + Gigantic turbo = This 700 hp insanity:

Since we mentioned mid-engined cars, how about another turbo-powered K24, this time in an MR2?

If MR2’s aren’t your thing, then you can surely appreciate a Supercharged 700hp, 800kg Lotus Exige turbo K24 destroying the competition at a Hillclimb event?

Or, what about the perfect sleeper? This Indonesian dude has the perfect recipe with his Honda Brio!

Finally, it doesn’t get much more awesome than this. This wheelie-popping K24-powered Toyota Tacoma destroys the competition at a drag event to collect $5,000.

Honda K24 Forced Induction

If you are planning to feed your K24 with some sweet, performance-inducing forced induction, there are plenty of choices on the market.

There’s certainly no shortage of turbocharged K24’s out there, but there’s also a decent amount of supercharged ones, too.

Thankfully, the K24 is one of the most convenient engines when it comes to forced induction, and can end up being one of the cheapest and most convenient engines to modify.

With the stock internals being capable of handling up to 4-500hp, you can see why so many people opt for the K24 when it comes to engine swaps.

With that said, forced induction does, of course, put a lot of strain on any engine, especially older ones that have perhaps not been fantastically well-cared-for.

For that reason, we’d always do a thorough tear-down to ensure you have a solid base before going through the effort of forced induction.

We’d also consider going with uprated internals to save the inevitable tears once you’ve started bouncing off the limiter later on.

Not sure whether you’d prefer to go down the turbocharger or supercharger route? We’ve answered all of the questions that are rattling around in your brain in our Turbocharger Vs Supercharger – What’s Best? article.

Honda K24 Reliability & Common Issues

The K-series is a true testament to Honda’s reliability, and a well-maintained stock engine is likely to last you hundreds of thousands of miles with minimal maintenance.

But, here at Drifted, the chances of you opting for the stock route are slim, and for a lot of you, the well-maintained aspect could well be lacking a little, too. (We’re not pointing any fingers!)

Although the engine is extremely robust and durable, it does have some minor niggles, as just about every engine we’ve ever taken a look at would.

One of the main components to fail can be the timing chain sensor, but there are solutions out there to minimize the risk. In addition, the tensioners on the timing chain are known to go bad too. If this happens, you are looking at a repair bill in the neighborhood of $700 to $1200. A small price for JDM supremacy I would say! *wink*

There are occasionally issues with leaking oil seals and excessive wear on the exhaust camshaft.

Rough engine noises can often be attributed to the incorrect use of engine oil or lack of maintenance. Lack of upkeep has also been the leading cause of rattling timing chains.

Over time, this can deteriorate the VTC gear, which would likely need replacing, especially if it’s coming from the right side of the engine.

These are mostly minor niggles, and almost always come down to improper maintenance.

So, keep on top of your servicing and don’t go crazy with modifying *cough* then the lifespan is expected to be at least 2-300,000 miles.

Honda K24 Conclusion

Honda’s K-series engines are certainly one of the very best value-for-money choices out there right now.

We’ve compared them to V8’s several times in this guide, but in some ways, we find them even more tempting.

V8’s have often had a tough life, they’re suffering from ever-increasing inflation due to their popularity in the motorsport world, and many of them are certainly showing signs of age. Oh, and did we mention the fuel costs?

We’re not saying that every K24 out there has had an easy life, but we’d bet that Grandma hasn’t been doing quite so many burnouts in her Accord.

If you’re looking for the best K24 engine right out of the box, then you’ll want to take a look at the K24A2.

However, given the convenience of upgrades, modifications, and matching parts between the various K-series engines, we certainly wouldn’t stress too much about making sure we got our hands the A2.

Given how kindly they also take to forced induction, they certainly have to be a consideration for those of you that are going down that route.

With the BMW gearbox conversion, it’s also an extremely convenient swap when it comes to RWD cars, and even more so for mid-engine cars. This 1000-horsepower K-swapped NSX is a perfect example of this.

Honda’s don’t always have the most favorable reputation within the tuning scene, but both the Honda K24 and the K20 certainly deserve a lot of respect, and we think there’s a good chance we may well be seeing even more of them in the years to come.

If that’s the case – we’re not complaining!

We hope that we’ve covered everything you could want to know about the fantastic Honda K24 engine in this guide.

If you’re not entirely sold on the Honda K24 just yet, then make sure you also head over to our Honda K20 guide to help you decide. You should also check out our B16 and D16 guides.

If you’re also interested in the other engines that Honda has to offer, make sure you check out our comprehensive Honda B-Series guide.

Thank you for reading our Honda K24 guide.

If you enjoyed this article, then please share it with the buttons at the side and bottom of your screen. If you’ve found this information useful, then please take a moment to share it with other Honda, or engine swap enthusiasts. We really appreciate your support.

Photography credits

We thank the following entities for the use of their photography in this article:

• kevos2k on S2KI
• Reece Mikkelson on Flickr
• Jason Hoang on Flickr
• Zac Shee on Flickr
• Tennen-Gas on Wikimedia Commons
• Hatsukari715 on Wikipedia
• Engine Swap Depot

The post Ultimate Honda K24 Guide – Everything You Need To Know first appeared on Drifted.com.

• Introduction
• Drifting in Forza Horizon 5
• Best Drift Car in Forza Horizon 5
• Conclusion

Introduction

Forza Horizon 5 has proven to be the fastest-growing Horizon game in history, and it got there quicker than a Nissan GTR could cross the quarter-mile.

Having hit 3 million unique players just a few days after its official release, there are now more than 15 million players enjoying what the latest title in the Horizon franchise has to offer.

It’s not difficult to see why the game has become so popular among car and driving enthusiasts, though, since the Forza Horizon series has always sought to cater to a wide variety of racing and car fans. Rally, drag, circuit, sprint, off-road, drift. You name it – the Forza Horizon series has something for the motorsport fan in you.

However, perhaps most of Forza Horizon 5’s allure can be seen in its online gameplay, where friends can meet up and drive their favorite cars around Forza Horizon’s open-world set in beautiful scenic Mexico.

A slow and low cruise around town can be a great way to unwind from grinding in the hundreds of racing events found in Forza Horizon 5. However, at Drifted, we love the Forza Horizon series for a self-explanatory reason – Drifting!

A Better Drifting Experience

In the physics department, Forza Horizon 5 offers an arguably less realistic but more approachable drifting feel compared to Forza Horizon 4. The game’s somewhat forgiving drifting physics seeks to help players focus more on the sideways experience than the techniques required to achieve and maintain drift states.

While the drifting physics still isn’t anywhere near as strict and unforgiving as in more realistic driving simulators such as Assetto Corsa, the drifting experience in Forza Horizon 5 is impressively realistic enough to require the use of real-life drifting techniques such as the Manji.

However, we bet you’re excited to tandem-drift with friends around Mexico’s lush street environments and beautiful mountain ranges, so we’ve taken the time to come up with the best drift car in Forza Horizon 5 that will suit your drift skills and style.

Getting Started: Drifting in Forza Horizon 5

If you’re a big fan of the Forza Horizon series, you probably already have a good idea of how to drift in Forza Horizon 5. However, you may be more interested in knowing about the best drift car Forza Horizon 5 offers. Don’t worry. We’ll get to that shortly, or you can scroll past this section.

However, if Horizon 5 is your maiden voyage into the Forza Horizon series, you might want to head over to our useful guide on How to Drift or watch this short clip on how to drift by TC9700Gaming so you can get a good idea of what you can try and do to start burning rubber in Forza Horizon 5.

Of course, since Forza Horizon 5 features new and refined drift physics, you can expect a dedicated guide on How to Drift in Forza Horizon 5 from us very soon.

Despite being a more ‘casual’ racing title, Forza Horizon 5’s driving physics are no slouch – real-life drifting techniques and principles will still come in handy when learning how to drift in Forza Horizon 5.

Things to Consider

In terms of car choices for getting the most out of drifting in Forza Horizon 5, you will ideally make sure that your weapon of choice is built on a rear-wheel-drive platform.

While AWD and even FWD cars can still technically drift, these cars can’t hold a candle to RWD cars in terms of sustained tire-shredding sideways action in Forza Horizon 5.

Tuning and setup are also essential aspects to consider if your goal is to score as many points as possible around Horizon 5’s Drift Zones.

While there are a ton of free public drift setups that you can download and use in-game, most of these setups accommodate a specific player’s driving style and preferences. Hence, these setups might not necessarily equate to a better drifting experience for you.

With that in mind, we made sure to pick only the best drift cars of Forza Horizon 5 from various performance classes that work well out of the box so that beginners and experienced drifters can spend less time on setups and more time shredding rubber around Mexico.

But before we get to our picks for the best drift cars Forza Horizon 5 has to offer, here are a few things you have to consider, especially if you’re new to drifting or just new to the Forza Horizon series in general.

Step 1 – Choose Your First Car

Upon starting your career in Forza Horizon 5, you’re given a choice of three cars: Toyota GR Supra, Chevrolet C8 Corvette Stingray, and the Ford Bronco.

The Ford Bronco is out of the question unless you want to go offroad (even though it is technically capable of drifting to a certain extent), which leaves us with the Toyota GR Supra and the Chevrolet C8 Corvette Stingray.

Honestly, you can’t go wrong with either, as both these cars are RWD platforms with tons of power to spare.

On the one hand, the C8 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray instantly beats out the slightly tuned Toyota GR Supra out of the box with more power, 515-horsepower versus 433-horsepower, respectively.

On the other hand, the Toyota GR Supra offers a more forgiving drifting characteristic, thanks to its ample power and excellent chassis balance.

Whichever of these beginner cars you end up with won’t matter as much, so pick the car that resonates with your soul more. After all, your goal is to eventually move up to the best drift car Forza Horizon 5. Either of these two cars will take you anywhere very quickly.

Step 2 – Upgrades & Modifications

In Forza Horizon 4, upgrading and modifying your beginner car for increased power, acceleration, and sharper handling was a mandatory step because of how low-powered the beginner car offerings were.

Fortunately, in Forza Horizon 5, the beginner cars are already slightly tuned right from the get-go, making future upgrades less costly so you can save up quickly to acquire some of the best cars in Forza Horizon 5, which we have listed in this article.

The Perfect Drift Spec

However, to get the best drifting experience from your drift car in Forza Horizon 5, make sure that you upgrade all of the following parameters to “Drift Spec” if they aren’t already:

• Engine Mods
• Brakes
• Suspension
• Drivetrain
• Wheels & Tires
• Aero

For starters, you can skip the Engine Mods if you’re rolling around the C8 Corvette Stingray or the GR Supra – these cars already boast well over 400-horsepower from the get-go – plenty of power to go sideways around the streets of Mexico.

Instead, you’re better off spending your cash on Weight Reduction, Anti-roll bars/Chassis Reinforcement. These upgrades improve the overall responsiveness of the car’s chassis when going sideways.

You’re going to want to max out everything within the ‘Drivetrain’ parameter since upgrades such as the Clutch/Flywheel, Transmission, and Differential all influence how your car starts and holds a slide when drifting.

Don’t forget to upgrade your tires to the appropriate ‘Drift’ tires modification. This will give your car the ideal grip levels it needs for drifting.

Avoid installing Sport, Semi-slick, Race, or Race-Slick tires on your drift car, as these tires are designed for maximum traction and will hinder your car’s ability to go sideways.

Finally, make sure you upgrade your suspension to ‘Drift’ spec custom suspension as this upgrade will give your car the adjustability freedom it needs when you begin dabbling into setups and tuning, which we will touch on in Step 3.

One of the things that made the Forza Horizon series such a popular game was that Turn 10/Playground Games gave Forza fans almost everything they needed to express themselves freely through their cars in-game.

The game’s seemingly endless choice of modifications and upgrades allows for an infinite number of configurations so players can roll around the streets of Mexico, expressing their unique style.

Step 3 – Tuning

Tuning is a dark art in Forza Horizon 5 – you either get it just right or not at all.

The performance and handling improvements that upgrade your car’s components should be good enough for most casual players.

However, hardcore enthusiasts will want to extract every bit of performance they can from their cars and build their Forza Horizon 5 best drift car setup – this is where tuning comes in.

We’re currently in the process of creating a dedicated Drift Tuning Guide for Forza Horizon 5. While that’s on the way, we’re going to have to settle for this Forza Horizon 5 Drift Car Tuning Tutorial by Crilla18

Step 4 – Turn Off Driver Assists

To make the game even more approachable and cater to a larger audience, Forza Horizon 5 sought to make the driving experience as forgiving as possible so that everyone could enjoy driving in-game.

The vanguards of this goal are the in-game Driver Assists in Forza Horizon 5.

While a few of the Driver Assists work wonders for Circuit and Sprint races, for Drifting, these assists will only hinder you from achieving sustained and controlled drifts around Mexico.

With this in mind, make sure that you configure the in-game Driver Assists as follows:

These settings should give you precise control of your drifts in-game but keep the game casual enough to keep you drifting for hours. A win-win in our books!

Step 5 – Seat Time

In Forza Horizon 5, no car, upgrade, or set-up combination can magically turn you into Vaugh Gittin Jr. overnight. Like any other form of art, drifting requires diligent and intentional practice to perfect, so don’t worry about not getting into the flow of drifting right away.

A great way to get the hang of the drift physics in Forza Horizon 5 is by simply finding a wide-open spot where you can practice doing figure of eights or even something as simple as donuts.

After all, if you think about it, wide sweeping corners are just glorified figures of eights, with some donuts thrown into the mix!

Whether you’re playing Forza Horizon 5 with a wheel, gamepad, or keyboard, awesome drifts in Forza Horizon 5 can be achieved with enough practice and the right car.

Another thing you might want to consider is the type of in-game camera to use for drifting.

Although Camera POVs come down to personal preference, the Chase Camera is probably the best POV for drifting in Forza Horizon 5. It offers the widest point-of-view, so you can easily judge your braking points, apex, and the succeeding corners.

However, if you prefer the realism that the Dashboard POV provides, then, by all means, go for it!

Best Drift Car in Forza Horizon 5

The Forza Horizon series has always had an impressive roster of cars from almost every manufacturer known to man.

The guys over at Playground Games also have a habit of outdoing themselves with every iteration of the Horizon series. For example, with Forza Horizon 5, they sought to have more cars available on launch versus Forza Horizon 4 – 500 versus 460, respectively.

Through multiple free, and DLC content updates, Forza Horizon 4 ended up with a massive 750 unique licensed cars on its roster. However, it’s only a matter of time before Forza Horizon 5 catches up to that amazing number.

With over 500 different cars to choose from, surely some stand out from the rest as dedicated drift machines designed to carve mountain roads and tear up Mexican streets.

Of course, we’d love to feature every notable drift car available in Forza Horizon 5, but we wouldn’t want to burn your eyes out reading through a massive list.

However, there is probably only one thing that drift enthusiasts want to know: What are the best drift cars in Forza Horizon 5?

With that in mind, we have made a list of our favorite drift cars in Forza Horizon 5, and what the Forza community would agree to be some of the Best Drift Car Forza Horizon 5 has to offer.

We know you’ve been itching to know our picks for the best drift car Forza Horizon 5 has to offer. The wait is over. Here are our choices for the best drift cars in Forza Horizon 5.

Nissan Silvia (240SX/S14/S15)

No best drift car Forza Horizon 5 list will ever be complete without the Nissan Silva (240SX/S14/S15).

Nissan’s S-platform has withstood the test of time and continues to be the go-to drift chassis for enthusiasts and pro-drifters alike.

In Forza Horizon 5, the Nissan 240SX/S14/S15 is one of the cheapest drift cars you can get in-game but don’t let the low price fool you – a few simple mods such as stiffer suspension, drift tires, chassis reinforcements, and some engine upgrades to its reliable SR20DET are enough to take the Nissan Silvia to the next level.

The super-reliable S-chassis will remain competitive in B-class, A-class, S1-class, and even S2-class if you opt for an engine swap later on, making it not only easiest drift car Forza Horizon 5 offers for beginners, but also a very competitive chassis down the line.

Mazda RX-7

Anime fans will immediately grab this iconic 90s sports car and paint it mustard yellow as quickly as possible in Forza Horizon 5 – just like Keisuke’s yellow Mazda RX-7 in Initial D.

The rotary-powered rear-wheel-drive B Class Japanese sports car sports a very competitive chassis for time-attack and circuit racing. However, it is no slouch for drifing as well.

The Mazda RX-7’s 13B two-rotor turbocharged rotary engine churns out 280-horsepower from a tiny 1.3 liter engine. With the help of forced induction, the RX-7’s relatively tiny powerplant has enough power to light up the rear wheels for as long as your gas tank has fuel.

Its lightweight chassis and near 50-50 weight distribution help make left-to-right transitions easy when drifting in Forza Horizon 5 as well.

In-game, max power sits at around ‘only’ 700-horsepower when fully modified. However, for the RX-7’s almost weightless chassis, that’s more than enough to shred rubber on your favorite backroads and mountain passes in Forza Horizon 5.

Mazda Miata MX-5

It’s no secret that Mazda made some sweet sports cars back in the 90s – two of their most iconic cars made it to our best drift car Forza Horizon 5 list after all!

In Forza Horizon 5, the Mazda Miata MX-5 is a short-wheelbase lightweight roadster with a relatively tiny four-cylinder engine. The D Class Roadster can be bought from the Autoshow for just 25,000 credits.

Forza Horizon veterans probably know that the humble Japanese roadster will struggle to keep the rear-wheels spinning in long sweeping corners, and they would be right.

But that’s the allure of the Mazda Miata MX-5. If you’re a beginner trying to figure out the ins and outs of drifting in Forza Horizon 5, the Miata is our pick for the best car to practice drifting within Forza Horizon 5.

The humble roadster’s ample power will teach you the skills you need to start, maintain, and finish drifts around the game’s scenic Mexican roads. At the same time, a simple rear-differential upgrade and stiffer drift-spec springs should help the MX-5 tackle left-to-right transitions easier.

Nissan Fairlady 370Z

We’re now getting into the realm of 300+ horsepower drift cars that should have no problems attacking wide and long sweeping corners.

The Nissan Fairlady 370Z’s 3.7-liter 332-horsepower V6 will have zero problems starting drifts in Forza Horizon 5. Since the V6 engine is naturally-aspirated, the powerband should be very smooth and linear – making it great for controlling drifts with the throttle.

The 370Z is definitely a step up from the three previous cars listed above. And while the 370z weighs a little bit more than those cars, a weight-reduction upgrade should be enough to help make the 370Z’s power even more useable.

Overall, the 370Z is one of our favorite drift cars for Forza Horizon 5, thanks to its predictable powerband, precise handling, good power, and affordable price.

You can grab this B Class drift classic from the Autoshow for just 40,000 credits.

Ford Mustang RTR

Jumping from the 370Z’s 332-horsepower V6 to the huge V8 in the A Class Ford Mustang RTR muscle car might seem intimidating at first but hear us out for a moment.

While the Ford Mustang RTR boasts significantly more power than the Nissan Fairlady 370Z, it also weighs quite a bit more. The extra weight should tame the animal that is the 5.0-liter Coyote V8 engine’s 460-horsepower and 420lb-ft of torque a bit.

Despite the increase in power, the Ford Mustang RTR should pretty much be similar to the 370Z handling-wise – just with more power and torque this time around.

Its linear, predictable powerband and very controllable chassis should help prepare you for what’s to come when you transition to more powerful, purpose-built drift cars on our list.

DeBerti Tacoma TRD

You’re probably shocked to see a truck make it to the list.

However, maybe the following stat lines will help you forgive us for including a Toyota workhorse on our best drift car in Forza Horizon 5 list: NASCAR V8 with 900(!) brake horsepower. Custom body and 74-degrees of steering angle earned its moniker ‘The Performance Truck.’

The power and steering angle of the DeBerti Toyota Tacoma TRD alone already screams “drift truck!”. With that much power and steering angle on tap, only your imagination is the limit when drifting the DeBerti Tacoma TRD.

Despite the mods that made this truck a drifting monstrosity, it stay true to its roots and remains one of the Best Dirt Drift Car Forza Horizon 5 for dirt drifting and rallying.

The S1 Class performance truck can be acquired for 500,000 credits from the Autoshow.

Mazda RX-7 Twerkstallion

Now we have three Mazdas filling up our best drift car in Forza Horizon 5 list. Mazda really made a name for themselves in the late 80s and early 90s, don’t you think?

However, the Mazda RX-7 Twerkstallion is a Mazda in form only. This beast has shed its old skin (engine) in favor of a modern American V8.

An engine swap that’s considered heresy for many Mazda purists, but the results speak for themselves – Twerstallion’s V8 engine produces 600-horsepower without working up a sweat.

That might not seem like much, especially when you’re coming from the DeBerti Tacoma TRD with 900-horsepower, but you’re forgetting one key factor – the Twerstallion only weighs 2866 pounds.

We all know a lightweight chassis, combined with tons of power, is the perfect recipe for unmatched sideways capability, and the Twerkstallion delivers on that front.

Your skill is the only limiting factor here. With tons of seat time in the first few drift cars we featured above, we have no doubts that you’ll easily be able to tame this drift monster with relative ease.

Ford “Hoonicorn” Mustang

Ah, the custom-built Ford Mustang made for “hooning” around.

The Ford “Hoonicorn” Mustang debuted in the series back in Forza Horizon 3 as part of a Car Pack. For Forza Horizon 4 and 5, the car returned as a standard-issue car.

Since its debut back in Forza Horizon 3, the Ford Hoonicorn Mustang GT has cemented itself time and time again as one of, if not the best drift car in the Forza Horizon series.

With at least 1400-horsepower and 1200lb-ft of torque on tap, the Hoonicorn Mustang easily makes our list as one of the best drift car in Forza Horizon 5. With that much power under the hood, we do not doubt that the Hoonicorn will spin all four wheels without a thought, making it the Best AWD Drift Car Forza Horizon 5.

We all know the deal by now – Insane amounts of power in a lightweight chassis make a great drift car. The Hoonicorn is no exception.

Formula Drift #43 Dodge Viper SRT10

The stock Dodge Viper SRT10 is already a drift monster capable of 90-degree slides in stock form.

However, the Formula Drift #43 car driven by Dean Kearny of the Bridges Racing team will make even the most seasoned drifters work up a good sweat.

1350 ground-shattering horsepower from the 8.3-liter twin-turbocharged V10 can be a handful for beginners, which is why we placed this car near the tail-end of our best drift car Forza Horizon 5 list.

If you’re thinking about slaying every drift zone known to Forza Horizon 5, get the Formula Drift #43 Dodge Viper SRT10 and slap on the AWD drivetrain upgrade for maximum control. This combination should easily make the Formula Drift #43 Dodge Viper SRT10 the best car for Drift Zones in Forza Horizon 5.

Formula Drift #34 Toyota Supra MKIV

You probably already saw this coming – the Formula Drift #43 Toyota Supra MKIV tops our list – it is our pick for the best drift car in Forza Horizon 5.

Powered by the bulletproof 2JZ straight-six engine used by multiple teams in almost every professional drift event, the Formula Drift #34 Toyota Supra MKIV makes a staggering 1035-horsepower and 920lb-ft of torque reliably by stroking the 3.0-liter 2JZ-GE to 3.4-liters and feeding it 19-lbs of boost.

The Formula Drift #34 Toyota Supra MKIV has less power than some more outrageous drift cars on this list. However, it more than makes up for it with top-tier speed, handling, and braking.

After getting a taste for the rowdy sub 1500-horsepower beasts such as the Hoonigan Ford Mustang and FD #43 Dodge Viper SRT10, you’ll find the FD #34 Toyota Supra MKIV strikes an outstanding balance between outright power and razor-sharp handling.

Scalpel-like precision and effortless speed arguably make the Formula Drift #34 Toyota Supra MKIV the best drift car in Forza Horizon 5 and best Formula drift car, too.

The Best Game for Drifting

Drifting has always been very addicting in the Forza Horizon series. However, Horizon 5 takes it to the next level, making drifting even more accessible and approachable for all types of motorsports fans.

However, even if drifting physics feels more ‘refined’ compared to the previous Horizon game, drifting still requires time and effort to get right in-game.

With that in mind, we have come up with a car list that caters to both the aspiring Forza Horizon 5 drifter and the experienced rubber-shredder. We have even taken the time to list them in a specific order – beginner-friendly ‘training-wheels’ to reverse-entry monsters, so you can find the right car for your skill level.

With hundreds of cars just waiting to be unlocked in-game, we have no doubts that you’ll find the perfect drift car for your driving style.

Conclusion

As you gain even more experience drift racing in Forza Horizon 5, you might start dabbling into upgrades and tuning to fine-tune your favorite drift car to your needs. Just take your time and start changing your car’s settings in small increments to understand how each tuning parameter works. Not sure which settings you need to use? Our Horizon 5 Drift Tune Guide will provide everything you need to know.

Lastly, remember to have fun! Horizon is still a just game, after all. With enough seat time, we’re sure you’ll get the hang of drifting in Forza Horizon 5 quicker than you’d expect.

So, there we have it! We hope that we’ve covered everything you could want to know about modding the best drift car in Forza Horizon 5 in this guide.

Now that you’ve got the fastest drift car in Horizon 5, why not check out the fastest drag cars in the game?

Practice your skills at the Stadium Stunt Park in Forza Horizon 5.

You might also enjoy our in-depth Forza Horizon 5 money glitch guide here.

Looking to earn some additional credits to purchase your favorite drift cars? You can do so by having fun smashing solar panels.

Earn more Skill Points by mastering the Daredevil Skills here.

Want to find a game with a more extensive map and different modes of transport? Check out The Crew 3!

Thank you for reading our Best Drift Car Forza Horizon 5 guide

If you enjoyed this best drift car Forza Horizon 5 guide, please share it with the buttons at the bottom of your screen. If you’ve found this information useful, please take a moment to share it with other drifting and Forza Horizon 5 fans. We appreciate your support.

If you’re looking for rally cars in Forza Horizon 5, we’ve listed our top picks for you!

Does your PC Crash when you play Forza Horizon 5? We might just have the solution for you!

Photography credits

We thank the following entities for the use of their photography in this article:

• THE_PPSH

The post Best Drift Car In Forza Horizon 5 Guide first appeared on Drifted.com.

• KW Variant 3 coilovers
• Megan Racing EZII coilovers
• Fortune Auto Dreadnought coilovers
• Stance XR1 coilovers
• BC Racing RM coilovers
• Fortune Auto 510 coilovers
• ISR Performance Pro Series coilovers
• Ksport Kontrol Pro coilovers
• APEXi N1 Evolution coilovers
• TEIN Super Drift coilovers
• TEIN Street Basis Z coilovers
• Jump to winners

In a hurry? Here is our 240SX coilover summary

Budget Choice	Drifted Choice	Runner Up
ISR Performance Pro Series 240SX Coilover Kit	KW Variant 3 (V3) 240SX Coilovers	TEIN Super Drift 240SX Coilovers
Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now

About the Nissan 240SX

The 240SX is the USDM (US) answer to the JDM (Japanese) 180SX S13 and 200SX S14. Featuring a front-engine rear-wheel drive short wheelbase, incredibly well-balanced chassis with a bargain retail price and an ample powerplant thrown in the bay, there was no surprise that it immediately took the market by storm.

In the present day, the 240SX fastback coupe is undoubtedly one of the most popular chassis for drifting in the US, and the 180SX/200SX are equally as popular in the rest of the world.

Without a doubt, the 240SX is undisputably one of the chassis’ ever when it comes to drifting, and prices are definitely on the rise. What could have been had for several hundred bucks a few years ago is now fetching multiple thousands.

This is known in the drifting community as ‘scene tax’, where certain car model names like used 240SX’s and the cost of their parts are on a serious uptrend. Drifting is a risky sport, especially on the streets, which has strongly contributed to a steady decline in roadworthy numbers, with rarity, comes increased value.

For those of you that are lucky enough to own one, you’ve come to the right place to make your car handle better than ever. Whether you’re looking to replace your tired OEM suspension or upgrade the budget setup that the previous owner installed, this guide will help you find the perfect replacement.

Coilovers are the ultimate suspension component to ensure your car handles to its full potential, often allowing full adjustability to provide the ultimate set up for your needs, whether you’re throwing it down sideways, competing in auto-x, wanting to slam it or just looking for a daily driving setup with adjustability.

Thankfully, prices for brand new coilovers haven’t seen the same level of growth as almost all other parts on the used car market, meaning you can get your brand-new setup at fantastic value.

How to install 240sx coilovers

Check out this coilover install on a 240sx S13 by Tyler Tea.

What’s in this guide?

We’ve created this to help you find the perfect coilover suspension setup to complement your S-Chassis, whether you own the first generation (S13) or second generation (S14).

For each coilover option, we also add our own comments. In addition, we have given a Drifted rating (1-5) based on features and price. We are considering budget, mid-range and high-end coilovers in this comparison.

Let’s take a look at our 240SX coilover selection

To read more about any of these products just click on the product name or photo.

KW Variant 3 (V3) Coilovers

• Manufacturer: KW
• Levels of damping adjustment: 14
• Construction type: Twin-tube
• Spring rate front: 343lbs/in
• Spring rate rear: 400lbs/in
• Fitment: Nissan 240SX (S13, S14)
• Value for money:
• Purchase link: KW Variant 3 (V3) Nissan 240SX coilovers

Our comment: We kick off our list with what is undoubtedly the best kits you can get your hands on for the 240SX.

German suspension experts offer this fantastic setup which offers rust-proof stainless steel construction and aswell as being one of the most popular kits on the market, owners continually sing the praises of this 3-way adjustable setup.

Whether you’re looking for a drift setup, auto-x or a daily driver, the V3’s will undoubtedly be one of the best choices for you.

Manufacturer description: “State-of-the-art technology from motor sports for more performance on the road. The separate and independently adjustable rebound- and compression damping allows for an individual suspension setup for different uses and preferences.”

“The unique patented system with its two-stage valves allows a rebound damping adjustment (comfort) and a compression adjustment (driving dynamics) in the low-speed range while the high-speed range which controls the driving safety is fixed.”

Megan Racing EZII Series 240SX Coilovers

• Manufacturer: Megan Racing
• Levels of damping adjustment: 15
• Construction type: Monotube
• Spring rate front: 8kg/mm
• Spring rate rear: 6kg/mm
• Fitment: Nissan 240SX (S13, S14)
• Value for money:

Purchase links: Megan Racing EZII Series 1989-1994 (S13) 240SX coilovers |
Megan Racing EZII Series 1995-1998 (S14) 240SX coilovers

Our comment: The Megan Racing EZII kit is the most reasonably priced setup in our guide, it offers an impressive level of damping with a solid monotube construction for a very low price point. If you want a cheap kit to lower your car and replace the tired stock suspension this is a solid choice.

We have known Megan Racing to be one of the love/hate brands on the market among owners, so if you can stump up a little extra change, there are better options out there for slightly more money.

Manufacturer description: “Megan Racing EZII Series coilover system is aimed towards the more budget oriented enthusiast to offer the most basic essentials from an after-market coil-over setup, yet makes no compromises for quality and performance.”

“15 Levels of Adjustable Damper Strength, Aluminum Brackets paired with rubber inserts, Rubber Dust Covers, Adjustable Ride Height, Conservative Spring Rates, Single-Cylinder Design – monotube, All coilover damper kits come with 1 year manufacture-defect limited warranty from the date of purchase, All Hardware is Included.”

Fortune Auto Dreadnought PRO 2-Way 240SX Coilovers

• Manufacturer: Fortune Auto
• Levels of damping adjustment: 24
• Construction type: Monotube with external reservoirs
• Spring rate front: Range of options available
• Spring rate rear: Range of options available
• Fitment: Nissan 240SX (S13, S14)
• Value for money:

Purchase links: Fortune Auto Dreadnought 1989-1994 (S13) 240SX coilovers |
Fortune Auto Dreadnought 1995-1998 (S14) 240SX coilovers

Our comment: Fortune Auto have arrived to help you empty your pockets! The stunning Fortune Auto Dreadnought’s are undoubtedly at the high end of the price bracket, but if you have the money to spare we have no doubt you’ll be a happy owner.

If your 240SX is likely to spend most of its time at the track, and not so much time on the road, these will undoubtedly be a contender for you if the budget allows.

Manufacturer description: “Dreadnought PRO dampers are the foundation of a race winning suspension; designed and tested in the harshest environment possible- the race track. Offering top tier race technology and durable race proven components, Dreadnought PRO damper systems are the ultimate in performance and adjustability.”

“All systems are completely built in-house by our engineering staff in Richmond, Virginia. We insist on building bespoke suspension in order to offer some of the best quality control in the industry.”

Stance XR1 240SX Coilovers

• Manufacturer: Stance
• Levels of damping adjustment: 16
• Construction type: Monotube with external reservoirs
• Spring rate front: 8kg/mm
• Spring rate rear: 6kg/mm
• Fitment: Nissan 240SX (S13, S14)
• Value for money:

Purchase links: Stance XR1 1989-1994 (S13) 240SX coilovers |
Stance XR1 1995-1998 (S14) 240SX coilovers

Our comment: Stance brings you their flagship coilover offering, which is great for owners who are looking for minimum ride height with good adjustability while still maintaining great handling.

Despite being slightly firmer than stock, it’s not a crashy ride and if frame-laying is your thing, street comfort probably isn’t at the top of your list! With the option of swift springs available, we’d highly recommend opting for these. If you’re intending to track the car there are better options out there, but for daily driving, this is a great, affordable option.

Manufacturer description: “Suspension tuning is a sort of “black art”. Properly valving dampers is difficult to master and there are many variables and individual parts involved in making the perfect suspension. We have acquired our knowledge through our involvement in all forms of motorsports. Vehicles using our custom valved dampers have excelled in drifting, time attack, drag racing, land speed, and hill climb. Drivers at the highest level of competition need maximum traction control, and that is what our Bespoke dampers provide.”

“The XR1 is our new flagship line of coilovers. Oversized diameter shocks allow large pistons for ultimate performance and response. 16-way adjustable dampening allows the driver to tune the shocks for any conditions and handling characteristics. With huge range of adjustment that can be felt and seen, it offers serious performance for all levels of drivers. Stance XR1 coilovers are built with highest quality materials and tolerances to ensure durability and performance.”

BC Racing RM Series Coilovers

• Manufacturers: BC Racing
• Levels of damping adjustment: 30
• Construction type: Monotubeli>
• Spring rate front: 8 kg/mm
• Spring rate rear: 6 kg/mm
• Fitment: Nissan 240SX (S13, S14)
• Value for money:

Purchase links: BC Racing RM 1989-1994 (S13) 240SX coilovers |
BC Racing RM 1995-1998 (S14) 240SX coilovers

Our comment: BC Racing have continued to earn themselves a positive reputation over the years, with many satisfied owners. The RM is their mid-range offering and is great for those who use their car for daily driving and like to hit the track occasionally.

With the RM being their mid-price offering, we highly recommend checking out their budget BC Racing BR coilovers for cheap daily use and high-end BC Racing ER coilovers for a high-performance track orientated setup.

Manufacturer description: “The BC Racing RM series feature high quality damping adjustable mono-tube inverted dampers at the front or front and rear, depending on vehicle. The RM coilovers offer the majority of the features of the BR series but with the additional benefit of the inverted damper unit. Inverting the damper unit brings with it a number of advantages.”

Fortune Auto 510 240SX Coilovers

• Manufacturer: Fortune Auto
• Levels of damping adjustment: 24
• Construction type: Monotube
• Spring rate front: Range of options available
• Spring rate rear: Range of options available
• Fitment: Nissan 240SX (S13, S14)
• Value for money:

Purchase links: Fortune Auto 510 1989-1994 (S13) 240SX coilovers |
Fortune Auto 510 1995-1998 (S14) 240SX coilovers

Our comment: Fortune Auto return to our guide with another fantastic product, this time their equally colorful mid-range offering. As tempting as the Dreadnought’s are, we understand that they’re going to be out of most owners price ranges.

The 510 offers rivaled quality and advanced features of the higher-end setup at a fraction of the price. If your heart is set on Fortune Auto coilovers and the price is still too high, make sure you take a look at their S13 500 series and S14 500 series coilovers, which fall into the low-end price bracket but still maintain exceptional quality.

Manufacturer description: “Fortune Auto is proud to release the all new Generation 5 510 series dampers. The advanced suspension technology found in our new shock absorbers is derived from recent successes in World Challenge, One Lap of America, and Global Time Attack.”

“All systems are completely built in-house by our engineering staff in Richmond, Virginia. We insist on building bespoke suspension in order to offer some of the best quality control in the industry.”

ISR Performance Pro 240SX Coilovers

• Manufacturer: ISR
• Levels of damping adjustment: 32
• Construction type: Monotube
• Spring rate front: 8kg/mm
• Spring rate rear: 6kg/mm
• Fitment: Nissan 240SX (S13, S14)
• Value for money:

Purchase links: ISR Performance Pro 1989-1994 (S13) 240SX coilovers |
ISR Performance Pro 1995-1998 (S14) 240SX coilovers

Our comment: Formerly (rather awkwardly) known as ISIS, these coilovers have been a popular budget choice by owners under both brand names.

With coilovers, it’s often a case of ‘you get what you pay for’, however, for those of you that are looking for a cheap kit which will give you a good setup for the street, you’re going to struggle to find better than these for the money.

Manufacturer description: “After years of success with Basic Coilovers, ISR Performance has released a high-end line of coilovers that offer better dampening control and overall driving performance than many of their predecessors.”

“ISR coilovers are designed to deliver ultimate performance for both track racing and everyday driving, making them some of the most flexible coilovers around.”

KSport Kontrol Pro 240SX Coilovers

• Manufacturer: KSport
• Levels of damping adjustment: 36
• Construction type: Monotube
• Spring rate front: 8.7kg/mm
• Spring rate rear: 6.2kg/mm
• Fitment: Nissan 240SX (S13, S14)
• Value for money:

Purchase links: KSport Kontrol Pro 1989-1994 (S13) 240SX coilovers |
KSport Kontrol Pro 1995-1998 (S14) 240SX coilovers

Our comment: K-Sport has been in the coilover game for a long time now and have built up a decent reputation amongst owners. They are known for being on the firmer side even when fully adjusted, so if you’re looking for a soft setup, these might not be for you.

We’re not entirely sure why the price of the S13 variant is so much higher than the S14, which are $900.00. For $900.00 these are undoubtedly going to be a great consideration for the budget buyers, but we feel there’s better options out there at $1,305.00.

Manufacturer description: “Ksport Kontrol Pro Fully Adjustable Coilover Kits provide the ultimate in suspension technology for your vehicle, both on the street or at the track. 36 levels of damping adjustment allow fine tuning of the damper to suit both handling and comfort needs. The damping adjustment alters compression and rebound simultaneously, for more effective and user-friendly setup changes.”

“The Ksport Kontrol Pro Coilover system has been designed with professional road racing in mind, offering extremely high value and performance for any application.”

APEXi N1 Evolution 240SX Coilovers

• Manufacturer: APEXi
• Levels of damping adjustment: 25
• Construction type: Monotube
• Spring rate front: 9kg/mm
• Spring rate rear: 8kg/mm
• Fitment: Nissan 240SX (S13, S14)
• Value for money:

Purchase links: APEXi N1 Evolution 1989-1994 (S13) 240SX coilovers |
APEXi N1 Evolution 1995-1998 (S14) 240SX coilovers

Our comment: Stepping into the higher end of the suspension market, APEXi bring you their upper-range N1 Evolution drift-orientated coilovers. Despite the serious price tag, these are undoubtedly a fantastic choice for those who are looking for a great coilover system which is more track-orientated than street.

Unfortunately, they have priced themselves above the KW V3’s, which we feel are the strongest contender in the mid-range price bracket. Although they’re undoubtedly a great setup, we’d definitely be putting our money into the V3’s.

Manufacturer description: “The N1 Evolution is the newest generation of our track engineered flag ship N1 suspension. All N1 dampers feature large piston, monotube design using a threaded base for height adjustments without compromising shock or spring travel.”

“Every year, we gather incredible amounts of suspension data from our direct involvement in many different racing series. This specialized data goes directly into our sports parts development to provide the customer with the same cutting edge suspension technology we use on all of our race vehicles.”

TEIN Super Drift 240SX Coilovers

• Manufacturer: TEIN
• Levels of damping adjustment: 16
• Construction type: Monotube
• Spring rate front: 10kg/mm
• Spring rate rear: 8kg/mm
• Fitment: Nissan 240SX (S13, S14)
• Value for money:

Purchase links: TEIN Super Drift 1989-1994 (S13) 240SX coilovers |
TEIN Super Drift 1995-1998 (S14) 240SX coilovers

Our comment: JDM suspension experts TEIN acknowledge the demand for S-Chassis drift-specific coilover setups and release this great coilover setup to the market which provides everything you need to throw your car down sideways.

Another great thing about this setup is that is EDFC compatible. If you have a little extra money reserved, the EDFC system allows you to electronically control the damping on each coilover from inside the car without getting out your seat. This is a great idea for those that are frequently driving on the streets and heading to the track.

Manufacturer description: “TEIN’s support of competition D1 drivers and vehicles has led to the development of Super Drift dampers. Which were specifically developed for the avid drifter. Spring rates and damping force characteristics were chosen to increase car control in a drift, and to aid in initiating a slide with minimum driving inputs.”

“Full length and 16 level damping force adjustment allow suspension tuning for drivers at all skill levels. Pillow ball top mount with front camber adjustment plates are included*. EDFC compatible for quick and hassle free dampening force changes. Super Drift is the suspension of choice for all levels of drifters.”

Tein Street Basis Z 240SX Coilovers

• Manufacturer: TEIN
• Levels of damping adjustment: N/A (Fixed)
• Construction type: Twin Tube
• Spring rate front: 6kg/mm
• Spring rate rear: 4kg/mm
• Fitment: Nissan 240SX (S13, S14)
• Value for money:

Purchase links: TEIN Street Basis Z 1989-1994 (S13) 240SX coilovers |
TEIN Street Basis Z 1995-1998 (S14) 240SX coilovers

Our comment: If drifting isn’t your goal, but you’re keen to stay true to the JDM route with your 240SX build, then this bargain offering from JDM legends TEIN could provide the perfect solution for those looking for an excellent setup on a budget.

On initial inspection, you’d be forgiven for thinking that there must be a typo with the price, but we can assure you these are incredible value for money.

Although this is an entry-level kit, which doesn’t allow for adjustable damping, TEIN has used its decades of knowledge at the forefront of the suspension game to provide this out-of-the-box setup.

While you’re able to get a great setup for a bargain, the downside here is that they’re a sealed unit, which means you won’t be able to get them rebuilt further down the line.

However, since they’re a fraction of the price of most alternatives, it means you can treat yourself to a new coilover day once again in a few years if necessary!

Although this kit isn’t likely to be the best choice for the ultimate refinement from your suspension setup, it presents a perfect opportunity for those looking to dramatically improve their handling and adjust their ride height on a budget.

Manufacturer description: “STREET BASIS Z is strictly a ride height adjustable kit. This makes it a perfect setup for the daily driver looking for an increase in handling performance without compromising comfort for everyday use.”

“TEIN coilovers are built from TEIN’s direct knowledge of suspension products due to their extensive racing history. TEIN Street Basis Z Coilovers are TEIN’s entry level coilover that gives you all of the benefits of a high quality dual height adjustable coilover at an entry level price.”

Our winner

Our winner is the epic KW Variant 3 (V3) coilovers.

KW simply cannot be faulted for the price point. With the perfected German build quality combined with 3-way adjustability and rust resistant coating, you really aren’t going to get a better product for your money.

KW Variant 3 (V3) Coilovers

For those with a mid-range budget who are looking for a setup for both the road and track, look no further. KW are unquestionably up there with the very best in the suspension game, and although it may seem expensive, trust us when we say they’re actually incredible value for money.

Runner-up

TEIN has been around in the JDM tuning scene since the beginning of time, yet their products keep evolving to match the high standards we expect from them. For those of you that are planning on skidding your 240, their Super Drift Coilover Kit combined with the EDFC damping is definitely going to be an excellent choice.

TEIN Super Drift Coilover Kit

For those of you on a budget, we’d highly recommend taking a look at the ISR Performance Pro Series coilovers. At under $800, we struggle to believe you will be able to find a better coilover out there for the money.

ISR Performance Pro Series Coilover Kit

Thank you for reading our Nissan 240SX coilover guide!

If you enjoyed this article then please share it with the sharing buttons at the side and the bottom of your screen.

Additional 240SX articles

Unsure if the 240SX S13 is the perfect drift car for your needs? Check out our 7 Reasons The Nissan S13 Is The Best Drift Car article to see if we can persuade you!

Still unsure? Why not take a look at our 11 Best Budget Project Cars to see if any of these tickle your fancy?

If you’ve already got your heart set on a 240, and didn’t need any convincing, you’ll definitely want to check out our 6 Sensational 240sx S13 Drift Builds on Drifted article!

Photography credits

We thank the following entities for use of their photography in this article:

• Z1 Motorsports
• TEIN
• Enjuku Racing

The post Ultimate 240sx Coilover Guide first appeared on Drifted.com.

• BMW E36 M3
• Nissan 350Z
• Nissan Skyline R33 GTS-T
• Mazda MX-5/Miata NB
• Nissan 240sx S14
• BMW E46 M3
• Toyota JZX-90
• Nissan 180sx
• Toyota Corolla AE86
• Mazda RX-7 FD3S
• Mazda RX-8
• Mercedes C230 Kompressor
• Lexus IS200
• Infiniti G35
• Toyota GT86/BRZ/FR-S
• Ford Mustang GT

Introducing: The best beginner drift cars

With so many potential platforms to choose from when picking your first drift car, getting the perfect ride can prove a little challenging.

For just that reason, I have written this guide to provide you with the cars that myself and the Drifted team think are solid choices when it comes to choosing a beginner drift car.

Best drift cars list

New to the world of drifting?

Well then, you need to check out our drifting tips for beginners article. It is also worth having a look at our Drifting 101 guide. If you prefer things a bit more “hands on” then try a bit of sideways action with the Drift Hunters game.

Ready to start on your drifing journey? Let’s see some cars!

BMW M3 E36

The BMW M3 is the mainstay drifting car for many countries around the world, this is especially true in Europe where the number E36 and E46 models on track even outnumber the s-bodies.

With solid German engineering underpinning every aspect of the car, high performing naturally aspirated engines, and great looks it is no big surprise that this is a great drifting platform.

The E36 offered 3.0 litre straight six engines which ran through five-speed manual transmissions and limited slip differentials. In European trim the engine produced 282 bhp as standard.

E36 examples are plentiful and relatively cheap for the performance that they offer. This would be a solid, low cost entry into the drifting world and could also be a great platform for a street sleeper.

With BMW M3 prices continuing to increase in recent years, it may also be worth considering one of the modern-day 3 Series options.

Browse BMW E36 articles

• BMW E36 Coilover Guide

Nissan 350Z

The Nissan 350Z was released in 2003 to rave reviews, this car was the latest in the ‘Z’ car lineage and carried many of the traits that made the cars before it a great success with sports car fans of the period.

The 350Z was built by Nissan in the classic sports car drivetrain configuration of front engine and rear wheel drive. Oh, and did I mention its retro-inspired looks?

As standard, the cars came with a bulletproof 3.5 litre V6 engine producing 287bhp at the flywheel which was put to the tarmac through a six speed manual transmission and a limited slip differential.

These mechanical assets make the Nissan 350Z a perfect beginners drift car; a potent and tough power plant mated with a manual gearbox and a limited slip differential ensure that as you learn the ropes and increase your drifting abilities this car should see you through until you feel ready to substantially increase your car’s power level.

If you end up loving this platform there are forced induction options available for the V6 engine (depending on your budget) so the Nissan 350z could well be your perfect partner.

With the 350Z’s sibling, the 370Z, now becoming increasingly affordable, more drifting beginners than ever opting for the modern-day Z as their weapon of choice.

Wondering if you should take a 350Z or save up for a 370z? Try our 350z vs 370z guide to see which Z car is the right fit for you.

Browse Nissan 350Z articles

• 350Z Buyer’s Guide
• Ultimate 350Z Mods Guide
• 350Z Turbo kit guide
• 350Z Exhaust Guide
• 350Z Coilover Guide
• 350Z Front Bumper Guide
• 350Z LS Swap Guide
• 350Z Seat Buying Guide
• 350Z Front Lip Guide
• 350Z Rear Diffuser Guide
• 350Z Wing Guide
• 350Z Lowering Springs
• 350Z Wheels Guide
• 350Z Bash Bar Guide
• 350Z Wheel Spacers Guide
• 350Z Battery Guide
• VQ35DE – Everything You Need To Know

Nissan Skyline R33 GTS-T

The Nissan Skyline is a high-performance sports coupe with a lineage going as far back and as equally impressive as the Nissan ‘Z’ cars.

The model we have picked for this guide is the R33 GTS-T, this model was built between 1993 and 1998 and offers some great features for the aspiring drifter.

The R33 GTS-T uses a 2.5 litre straight six RB25DET engine mated to an efficient turbo charger. The power is fed through a five speed manual transmission and into a limited slip differential.

This six-cylinder engine produced a healthy 280bhp from the factory and there is proven power potential of up to 400bhp with a few bolt on modifications.

As standard there is plenty of power to hone your skills plus the potential is there if you want to up the power.

There are many Skyline owner’s clubs available to help you out if you want to do your own mechanical work or face problems, which is always a bonus.

There is also very strong aftermarket support for the R33 so you can customise it to your heart’s content. A good solid choice.

If you are interested in importing your own Nissan Skyline into the US, then you best check out this article first: Why are Nissan Skylines illegal in the United States?

Mazda MX-5/Miata NB

There is a popular saying among gearheads that goes “Miata is always the answer!” The same applies here, as we believe anyone who is on the hunt for a great entry-level drift car should definitely have the MX-5 on their radar.

The MX-5 (Europe/EDM), also known as the Miata (US/USDM) and Eunos (Japan/JDM) is a classic Japanese take on the iconic drop-top sports car concept. The original model was unveiled in 1989 and went on to become one of the best-selling sports cars of all time.

The NB designation refers to the second generation of the model of this fun roadster, this version received many improvements over the original including a useful hike in power output.

We recommend the 1.8 litre option as the four-cylinder engine offers 138 bhp on tap, which is plenty for any drifter starting out.

The car offers solid and reliable mechanicals throughout and is naturally aspirated.

This means that improving the power output will be challenging without spending out on forced induction and the supporting modifications needed to run it.

Great aftermarket support and active enthusiast communities mean it should be a good platform to adopt. Prices are very reasonable. Please note: Drifted’s own Dan H’s MX-5 NA pictured, not an NB (sorry but I love Dan’s car!).

Browse Mazda Miata / MX-5 articles

• Ultimate Miata Mods Guide
• Mazda Miata Coilover Guide
• Ultimate Miata Supercharger Guide
• Ultimate Mazda Miata Exhaust Guide
• Ultimate Miata Engine Swap Guide
• Ultimate Mazda Miata Cold Air Intake Guide
• Ultimate Miata Turbo Kit Guide
• Ultimate Miata Battery Guide
• Ultimate Mazda Miata Wheel Guide
• Ultimate Miata LED Headlight Guide

Nissan 240sx S14

If you ask someone to imagine a drift car, we can guarantee that 9 out of 10 people will imagine the Nissan 240sx.

No drift cars list could ever be complete without at least one generation of Nissan’s 240sx being mentioned, this car (after the expensive AE86) is the recognised face of drifting with hundreds of the cars around the globe being used in both grassroots and pro levels.

We have picked the S14 variant as there are plenty still available (the S13 is becoming rarer and more sought after and therefore more valuable), they offer a solid engine package and come with great looks.

The 240sx S14 houses a 2.4 litre naturally aspirated engine that produces 155 bhp, this is fed into a five speed manual transmission and put onto the tarmac through a limited slip differential as standard.

The lightweight chassis means you do not need a lot of power to get the 240sx loose at the rear end and the natural balance will help you learn faster than with many other cars.

The aftermarket support for this platform is huge so you can pick up a standard example, learn the ropes and this car can grow with you by introducing upgraded aftermarket parts – if you want it to.

A great option for the drifting beginner, highly recommended.

Browse Nissan 240sx / 200sx articles

• Ultimate Nissan S14 Coilover Guide
• KA24DE – The Ultimate Motor Guide
• Ultimate KA24DE Turbo Kit Guide

BMW M3 E46

The BMW M3 E46 was the more powerful and better-looking younger brother of the E36. The engine performance was increased to an impressive 338 bhp out of the box with the inclusion of a new inline six-cylinder engine that has proven to be bulletproof to this day.

Everything that applies to the E36 above also applies to this car with the exception that they are on the higher end of the price range.

The E46 is a staple part of the drifting landscape with one powering Michael Essa to a Formula Drift win in recent years. If you can afford to stretch to an E46 M3 you will not be disappointed.

With prices continually increasing on the older-generation M3’s, while modern-day M3 and M4 prices drop, it may well be worth considering the latest platform if the M3 is already an option. Keep in mind that the latest G80 M3 will be the last of its kind to be offered with a manual transmission.

Browse BMW E46 articles

• BMW E46 M3 Exhaust Guide
• BMW E46 M3 Supercharger Guide
• BMW E46 Coilover Guide
• DRIFT CAR: 2JZ E46

Toyota JZX-90

Here’s a car that you might have never heard of. The Toyota Mark II has been active in the drift scene in Japan and Asia since the early nineties however in the West these JDM cars have been a rare sight on the road.

As these cars have gotten older and more affordable they are seeing their way across the ocean and are popping up on our shores in increasing numbers.

In most markets these cars are at a price point lower than the E46 M3 mentioned in this guide and they offer many benefits the beginner drifter would do well to consider.

Packing a potent and highly tuneable straight six 2.5 litre 1JZ-GTE Specs turbo charged engine the JZX-90 is not lacking for power or for tuning potential.

The transmission was a five-speed manual and it featured a limited-slip differential as standard.

This big, luxury four-door sedan offers an easy road into drifting with a well-balanced chassis and fast engine response.

If you can get one in your country, this would be my pick of the bunch for a beginner’s drift car that not only drives well, but also looks and sounds the part.

If you’re a JZX fan, make sure you check out this insane Toyota JZX-100 build from Daigo Saito.

Browse Toyota Chaser articles

• 1JZ Vs 2JZ – Which Is Best?

Nissan 180sx

The JDM Nissan 180sx is one of the icons of the drifting world. Launched back in 1989 with a potent turbocharged CA18DET under the hood, the lightweight and RWD FR platform was a hit with both mountain touge racers and track enthusiasts.

The car was equipped with a limited slip differential and it’s great natural balance made it a little easier to get the hang of the tricky drifting learning curve.

As the years went by Nissan decided to upgrade the CA18DET with their new SR20DET powerplant, this engine produced over 200bhp out the box and was tuneable up to 400bhp with just bolt-ons and tuning.

The 180sx aftermarket is one of the largest available today, with everything from aero parts, engine components and drivetrain upgrades available off the shelf.

Right now in 2023, the 180sx has appreciated in value and is a little out of reach from budget drifters. However, if you can get your hands on one, and if you take care of it, the Nissan 180sx will make both a superb road and drift car.

Browse Nissan 180sx articles

• CA18DET Vs SR20DET- Which One Is Better And Why?
• Ultimate SR20DET Turbo Guide
• Hiro’s 180sx car feature
• The Perfectionist 180sx car feature

Toyota Corolla AE86

Here we are at last, the Hachi Roku (hachi-roku meaning “eight six”), the Drift King’s trusted steed – Toyota’s mighty AE86. I had left this car out of the beginners guide so far due to the rising value of the “twincam” AE86.

These iconic drift cars are now so valuable you’d have to be very financially well-heeled, to buy one, let alone to drift it!

But really, no drift car guide is complete without the AE86 so let’s crack on…

The plucky little Toyota offers a wonderfully balanced front engine, rear-wheel-drive platform. Nestled up front is the naturally aspirated 4A-GE inline four-cylinder DOHC powerplant which develops 128bhp @ 6,600rpm. This power was put through the rear wheels with an optional limited slip differential.

Back in the eighties safety restrictions were nothing like today so manufacturers had a lot of scope to create lightweight cars. Toyota managed to keep the kerb weight to just under a ton. This light weight and solid power are a perfect recipe for a nippy little sports car.

There are plenty of tuning options, engine swaps, aero kits and parts available for the little Corolla, there are even AE86 dedicated part suppliers based in Ireland and Japan.

If you can afford one, you will love the Hachi Roku. Keiichi salutes you!

Browse Toyota Corolla AE86 articles

• Keiihci Tsuchiya’s AE86 car feature
• 7 Epic AE86 Roundup

Mazda RX-7 FD3S

The third generation of Mazda’s RX-7 line, the FD3S, is a great choice for a budding drifter. Stunning looks, great aftermarket support, potent powerplant and a finely tuned chassis make the FD3S a great choice.

The Mazda RX-7 enjoyed a long and successful career, with the model receiving numerous upgrades and improvements as it was revised for each iteration. The initial cars were called Series 6 cars (1992-1995), Series 7 cars (1996-1998) gained more power, improved engineering and revised looks.

The final Series 8 cars (1998-2002) are the most desirable, with a slew of updates covering power, interior and exterior. This culminated in the Spirit R – the ultimate RX-7.

The RX-7 uses the 13B-REW twin-rotor engine, running twin sequential turbochargers. The nature of the rotary engines means RX-7 drivers enjoy a huge powerband, the car pulling hard all the way to the redline. The downsides of this powerplant are fuel economy, heat generation and potentially “apex seal” failure.

Most RX-7’s on the market today will have already had an engine rebuild, however, I would still budget in a rebuild if you are planning on beating on the car (let’s be honest, of course you will!).

The FD3S has some excellent aftermarket support, many specialists worldwide support the platform, especially in Japan which has several dedicated RX-7 tuning houses.

The large displacement offered by the rotary engine means it will spool up turbochargers very effectively, so single turbo conversions are very common within the RX-7 community. This means the drivetrain has potential for big power.

If you can find a good one, that has been looked after and has had the right parts upgraded, it will make a fine drift car.

I ran an FD3S for a year, it was tuned with a single turbo to 350bhp and was great fun, spinning up second and third gears in the dry. The fun lasted until I needed to gas the tank up – I calculated it achieved less then 10mpg! Ouch.

Mazda RX-8

Let us take a small detour from traditional piston engines to one shaped like a Dorito. With RX-7 prices continuing to soar, yet RX-8’s popping up on the market cheaper than ever, this younger brother of the FD could be the perfect answer for those looking to get into drifting.

The RX-8’s four-seat cockpit is bedazzled with rear-opening suicide doors, making it more practical than the FD RX-7 too!

Weighing in at just 1,309kg, the RX-8 makes the perfect candidate for an engine swap further down the line if you’re like us and terrified of rotary maintenance!

If you’re brave and you’ve got deep pockets, you could even consider taking it back to its original 13B heritage.

With its sleek shape, rear suicide doors, incredible handling, and insanely cheap price tag, the Mazda RX-8 is a fantastic car that can present a real bargain.

Browse Mazda RX-8 articles

• RX-8 Turbo Kit Guide
• RX-8 Coilover Guide
• RX-8 Exhaust Guide

Mercedes C230 Kompressor (W202)

Mercedes is probably one of the last car manufacturers that you would think of when it comes to finding an ideal drift car for beginners, but let us surprise you with this entry to our list.

The W202 C Class 230 Kompressor, which in short is a supercharged 2.3 litre, 4 cylinder engine is the perfect drift car for a beginners to start with and is comes recommended by Dan from YourCar.co.uk, who is currently building one.

From the factory, it has 190 BHP and 280 LB/FT of torque from the bulletproof M111 engine that can take abuse all day long.

They were produced from 1993 to 2000 and with the predecessor being the mighty 190E. In around 2012, they could have been picked up for around £500 but have creeped up to around the £1,000 mark these days.

Manual C230 Kompressors are becoming harder to find but there are still many around and loads of spares parts available.

An alternative to the C230 could be the 2.5 turbo diesels but modified by fitting a larger turbo but this will become an expensive drift car to begin with.

Lexus IS200 / Altezza (XE10)

The Lexus IS200 (or Altezza in Japan) was one of Lexus’s most sporty cars when it was released back in 1998.

Nobuaki Katayama (lead engineer on the AE86 project) was responsible for the technical development of this car.

Nobuaki-san’s efforts paid off as the car won Japan’s prestigious “Car of the Year” honour when it was released and continued to retain the title until 1999. The car was praised for its stylish looks, luxurious cabin, high revving engine and solid handling dynamics provided by the classic FR layout.

Now, in 2020, this compact and sporty sedan is a very tempting proposition for a beginner’s drift car.

These cars are widely available in most Western markets, normally well under the USD 1k range. They come with the reliable 1G-FE BEAMS engine, a front-engine and rear-wheel-drive platform plus a limited-slip differential as standard.

Although the power output of 158 bhp and 147 lb-ft of torque isn’t going to set anybody’s hair on fire, it is plenty to allow you to break traction and learn how to get to grips with the car.

The US market was also blessed with the IS200’s bigger brother, the IS300 which came equipped with a 2JZ variant, but, as these cars are more desirable, they will command considerably more cash.

While tuning potential is limited by the naturally aspirated engine, some owner’s that wanted to keep hold of this platform have been known to add mild superchargers onto the engine, this typically brings power up to the 250-300 bhp mark.

Overall this is a great drift car for a beginner and certainly worth keeping an eye out in the local classifieds for.

However, if you can get your hands on an IS300, it’s likely to be the better choice if you’re looking to keep the car long-term, with plenty of upgrades available for the naturally-aspirated 2JZ.

Check out my favorite IS300 turbo kits, coilover kits, exhaust upgrades, and body kit options to see the potential that it has in store.

Infiniti G35 Coupe

The Infiniti G35 is the second car on our list to utilize Nissan’s potent VQ35DE engine. The G35 is an upmarket version of the 350Z platform aimed at a more “premium” target audience. Classy looks, a high-quality interior, and better components separated the G35 from it’s cheaper cousin.

The classic drift car recipe is fully represented in the G35; a powerful and high revving V6 engine, manual transmission, front engine and rear-wheel-drive layout, and a limited-slip differential (on manual models).

While the car tipped the scales a little more than the 350Z, stripping the interior of all those lovely materials makes a big difference and helps to boost performance for no cost.

And when we talk about boosting performance, the G35’s VQ35DE really is ripe for the tuning.

From off the shelf supercharger and turbocharger kits to a plethora of NA upgrades, the G35 is a platform that can grow with you as you get to grips with the art of drifting and you want more from your car.

The fact that these cars are quite plentiful in supply and are becoming very affordable is just another reason this may be the perfect beginners’ drift car.

I strongly encourage you to consider an Infiniti G35 for your first drift car.

With Infiniti G37 prices continuing to fall in recent years, it could now present the perfect opportunity to get your hands on the G35’s younger, more powerful sibling.

We’ve weighed up the positives and negatives of both platforms in our G35 vs G37 guide to help make the decision easier.

If you think the G37 may be the ideal choice, make sure you head over to our G37 mods guide to learn how you can unleash its true potential.

Browse Infiniti G35 articles

• Infiniti G35 Guide – Everything You Need To Know
• Infiniti G35 Tuning Guides
• Infiniti G35 Turbo Kit Guide
• Infiniti G35 Vs Nissan 350z – What’s Best?

Toyota GT86/Subaru BRZ/Scion FR-S

After already securing its spot as one of the best drift chassis’ ever built, the Toyobaru is finally starting to fall in price and become more affordable to beginners that are willing to spend a few extra bucks.

With stunning, modern looks, and plenty of gadgets to match, the GT86 is the perfect drift car for those looking for something more recent to enjoy.

Since Toyota recently announced the 2022 GR 86, GT86/BRZ/FR-S prices will likely continue coming down, which is excellent news for drifting fans!

With the GT86 already capturing numerous podiums in drifting competitions across the globe, there’s no question that this epic platform has insane potential.

Admittedly, it doesn’t come with a massive amount of power from the factory, but luckily for our readers, we’ve written several GT86 Tuning Guides to show you how to unleash its potential.

The GT86/BRZ/FR-S are fantastic, stylish, modern-day drift cars with an ever-dropping price tag, and we’re already eyeing them up as future candidates for our personal goals.

The reign of the GT86/BRZ/FR-S came to an end in 2021, with a brand new, slide happy successor taking its place. We’ll talk more about the car that replaced the GT86 later on in this article.

Browse Toyota GT86 articles

• GT86 Exhaust Guide
• GT86 Turbo Kit Guide
• GT86 Supercharger Guide
• GT86 Coilover Guide

Ford Mustang GT

Thanks in part to its appearance in great car movies like Bullitt and Gone In 60 Seconds, the Ford Mustang has cemented its legacy as one of the most popular vehicles on the planet.

The history of the Ford Mustang goes back to the 1960s, and it continues to thrive in the drift scene to the present day.

While the most affordable Mustang on the used car market is the Fox Body, the newer GT model can also be picked up at an affordable price for many.

That’s not all; the Mustang’s fifth-generation model, which earned an unfortunate reputation for its crowd-hunting antics, also provides a roaring V8 soundtrack at a reasonable price point, with legendary aesthetics to match.

Brazilian champion Diego Higa went on to prove what this chassis was truly capable of by taking the win in the Hyperdrive series.

Sara Haro also managed to impress on the world stage with her near-stock V6 model.

As Chelsea DeNofa and Vaughn Gittin Jr continue to prove what the wheelie-poppin’ RTR chassis has to offer in the present day in Formula Drift, there’s no doubt of the Mustang’s potential capabilities.

These are all great drift cars, but where is the 240sx S13?

So the 240sx S13, arguably the “go-to” car for many drifters.. While it has been omitted from this list, Nissan’s 240sx S13 does indeed make a great beginner’s drift car. But, as we had already included the talented 180SX it seemed a little too much of the same to include it’s stateside brother. For detailed information on the S13 check out our Nissan S13 article.

An off the wall alternative to the drift cars we have mentioned already could be this truck. The truck is a mid 90’s Nissan that shares a similar floor-plan to the 240sx and also shares the KA engine and running gear. Truck drifting yeah!

Drift car frequently asked questions (FAQ)

I originally penned this article back in 2016, and I have been updating it every year since. Since it has been live for a number of years, I have received many questions about the article, and drift cars specifically. Here is a quick Q&A summary of those questions:

What are good drift cars?

A selection of good drift cars in 2023 are: Nissan 350Z, Lexus IS300, Mazda Miata, Toyota JZX-90, BMW E46 M3, Ford Mustang GT, Scion FR-S/BRZ/GT86 and Nissan 240SX.

What are the best cheap drift cars?

The best cheap drift cars in 2023 are: Mazda Miata, Lexus IS200, Infiniti G35, BMW E36, and the Mazda RX-8. If you want to go deeper on the budget side of drift cars, we have created a comprehensive guide for cheap drift cars.

What are the best drift cars?

If budget is no issue, the best drift cars are: Toyota AE86, Mazda RX-7, Toyota JZX-100, Nissan 180SX, Nissan Silvia (S15), Nissan 370Z and the Nissan Skyline GTS-T (R33/R34).

What cars can drift?

Any front engine, rear wheel drive car can drift. The best drift cars have certain characteristics out of the box to make it easier, these include excellent weight distribution, high engine power with additional tuning potential, and a limited slip differential.

Have you considered an RC drift car?

If you are not yet old enough to get behind the wheel of that first drift car, or perhaps your living accomodation won’t support another “toy” car, then why not start your drifting journey with an RC drift car? RC drift cars offer a lot of the same thrills with a lot less of the spills. If you are looking for a drift car themed present, then a Micro RC car from our Micro RC cars guide should be right up your street.

Thank you for reading my article article. If you enjoyed it, please share it using the social buttons.

If you’re leaning more into Trucks, we have the perfect JDM Trucks list for you.

If you’re looking into JDM AWD Cars, you can check the top models in the market on our list here.

The post 17 Best Drift Cars For Beginners first appeared on Drifted.com.

• Air Intake
• Mass Air Flow Sensor
• Intercooler
• Fuel Injectors
• Fuel Pump
• Exhaust System
• Turbocharger
• Boost Controller
• ECU & Tuning

In a hurry? Watch our SR20DET tuning guide summary

Introduction to SR20DET tuning

Welcome to our SR20 tuning guide, this guide contains nine tuning tips that when implemented correctly should have your SR20DET running at peak performance.

WARNING: Before we dive into this tuning guide you need to consider that running your SR20DET at higher than factory power levels will put additional strain on all parts of the drivetrain. Depending on how far you push your engine you may need to upgrade to a stronger clutch and quite possibly a stronger gearbox.

The Silvia S15 six speed manual transmission is rumoured to hold up to around 350ps but pushing higher figures than that is not advised. As an alternative the Nissan 350z gearbox is a good candidate for a swap being robustly engineered and also a six speed.

You will also need to look into cooling, an upgraded radiator and higher pressure radiator cap will help to keep engine temperatures down. Although it looks ugly and takes up space in the ‘bay, within the SR20DET community it is widely recommended to retain the standard viscous fan and fan cowling.

Please also bear in mind that I am an enthusiast, not a professional. I am giving this advice in good faith, if you have any doubts what so ever please contact your local trusted tuner or garage and discuss your plans with them.

Now on with the tuning tips!

About the SR20DET

This Japanese built turbo charged four cylinder engine has powered over two decades of reliable drift cars. It is relatively cheap to purchase, reliable up to circa 400ps on stock internals and it is extremely tuneable.

What is the history of this engine? What versions of the SR20 exist? What cars did they come in?

The first SR20DET that rolled out of the Nissan Motor Company’s factory in 1989 could be found transversely mounted in the Nissan Bluebird 2000SSS.

A couple of years later in 1991 Nissan decided to redesign the mounting of the engine and flipped it longitudinally for it’s upcoming rear wheel drive coupé platforms. The first car to use this new configuration was the Nissan 180sx (S13).

All through the nineties Nissan tweaked their four cylinder SR20, along the way releasing a naturally aspirated SR20DE that found it’s way into most of the rare Nissan Silvia convertible range.

In the mid-nineties the Nissan Silvia / 200sx (S14) received the new “bentcam” SR20DET, this offered Variable Valve and Timing, bigger injectors and a larger T28 turbo charger.

The final incarnation of the SR20DET was built for the Nissan Silvia Spec R (S15). This version featured all of the improvements Nissan had engineered over the past nine years and in addition squeezed out an extra 50ps.

SR20DET engine specifications

Here are the specifications from the final ‘bentcam’ SR20DET that was housed in the S15:

• Manufacturer: Nissan
• Version: Nissan Silvia Spec R S15 (1999-2002)
• Displacement: 1998cc (rounded to 2.0 liters)
• Configuration: DOHC (Dual Over Head Cams), 16 Valves, Chain driven cam sprockets
• Power: 250ps @ 6,400 rpm
• Torque: 220 lb ft
• Turbo: T-28 Ball Bearing T2 Flange
• Stock boost: 7 psi
• Cars that housed the SR20DET: Nissan Bluebird, Nissan Pulsar, Nissan Sunny, Nissan 180sx, Nissan Silvia, Nissan Avenir, Nissan Liberty, Nissan R’nessa, Nissan 200sx

You can read more SR20 specs right here.

Now we have discussed the history of the SR20 and the cars that it came in let’s dive into the tuning.

Tuning philosophy

Basic engine tuning philosophy is pretty simple; Think of the engine as a giant air pump. Air comes in through the air intake, it is compressed on it’s journey by the turbocharger, it combusts in the engine and the waste is shot out of the exhaust.

Our approach to obtaining more power is to increase the amount of air coming into the engine, increase the air density by upgrading the turbocharger and to decrease the air flow restrictions of the exhaust system to allow waste to get out as quickly as possible.

These nine tuning tips aim to achieve this without needing to open the engine itself, while also keeping your SR20 running safely. In the tuning community you would refer to this approach as “bolt-ons” because you are not opening the engine.

Tuning tip #1: Upgrade Your Air Intake

The first SR20det tuning tip is to upgrade the engine’s air intake. Factory air intake systems are designed with dual purpose; to filter dirty air and to restrict intake noise.

An aftermarket performance air intake system is going to be focused purely on getting as much clean air into the engine as possible at the sacrifice of increased levels of intake noise. There are many aftermarket air intake systems available for the SR20DET and many of those have lofty power claims.

I would take those claims with a pinch of salt.

The MKIV Supra forum published an interesting article testing four different premium air intake kits on the same 2JZGTE, although it is not an SR20DET and the figures won’t exactly add up you get a good feel for which filters perform the best.

If it was my money I would pick the APEXi Power Intake.

I have used this air intake on my own cars in the past and I have always been happy with it. Unlike the foam filters this is also washable.

Tuning tip #2: Upgrade Your Mass Air Flow Sensor

As the name suggests the Mass Air Flow Sensor is a simple device that measures the volume of air coming into the air intake, this information is relayed to the car’s ECU so that the correct air / fuel mixture is set.

The original SR20DET was built to produce 200bhp at the flywheel, the engine used a Mass Air Flow Sensor with generous headroom all the way up to 300ps however to go over this we are going to need to look at the SR20det’s older brother for parts..

A Nissan 300zx Z32 model Mass Air Flow Sensor should be perfect to support our targeted power level and a brand new ISR Performance Z32 MAF can be found here.

Recently, tuners are steering away from the outdated Z32 MAF in favor of the modern-day equivalent found in the R35 GTR.

Although this may sound like overkill for SR20DET’s, it’s very similar to the outdated 20-year-old Z32 AFM, with a touch of updated technology.

With improved precision, the R35 GTR mass air flow meter allows for a far stable tune, eliminating the “MAF stalling” issues that many experienced with the Z32.

If you’re planning on going down the MAF route, we highly recommend opting for the R35 option over the Z32.

Another option is to ditch the Mass Air Flow Sensor entirely and go with a MAP sensor setup, this will do away with the ugly looking MAFS but I don’t really see the need unless you are going for seriously high power figures.

Tuning tip #3: Install A Front Mount Intercooler (FMIC)

The third SR20DET tuning tip I have for you is to ditch the stock (wing mounted) intercooler and replace it with a large front mounted intercooler.

An intercooler is designed cool the air charge – the cooler the air charge, the denser the air, the denser the air the more efficient the combustion cycle. By replacing the standard intercooler with a larger unit and placing that behind the front bumper (rather than in the wing like in most s-chassis) means more airflow to the intercooler and that means better cooling.

Which unit you choose depends on your budget but in my own 180sx SR20DET build I used a huge front mounted intercooler (S14, S15) – (S13). There are also plenty of cheaper alternatives on the market.

Tuning tip #4: Upgrade Your Fuel Injectors

The fourth tip to building your SR20DET into a true bad ass is to replace your standard fuel injectors with larger ones. Each different generation SR20DET’s came with different sized fuel injectors but if you want to turn up the wick on the power then you will want to increase the displacement of your fuel injectors.

Standard fuel injectors will work fine with the turbo boost setting at a stock or at slightly increased level however to really hike up your engine power you are definitely going to need to increase the size.

A set of four 550cc fuel injectors should do the trick. You can go even bigger in size for safety and future power headroom and just instruct your tuner to turn down the fuel duty cycle for now.

The FiveO 550cc fuel injector set should do the job. I haven’t personally used FiveO before but they seem to get good reviews.

Tuning tip #5: Upgrade Your Fuel Pump

Your car’s standard fuel pump has been around for at least 14 years (in the case of a late model Silvia S15) so it is probably due a replacement anyway, an engine leaning out from fuel starvation is going to go bang pretty quickly and we don’t want that.

When aiming for over 300ps you will definitely want to upgrade the standard fuel pump to a larger, higher capacity unit.

A pump that is flowing more fuel is going to provide a lovely, high pressure fuel stream to feed your larger fuel injectors. These two supporting modifications are going to allow you to safely increase the turbo boost pressure.

A good aftermarket fuel pump is a Walbro High Pressure 255 ltr/hr in tank fuel pump.

Tuning tip #6: Upgrade Your Exhaust System

Like the factory air intake your standard exhaust system is designed as a compromise between providing performance and keeping down the sound level.

An aftermarket performance exhaust system will offer increased pipework size and crucially less bends and obstructions to ensure that the exiting engine waste can leave the exhaust as quickly as possible.

As for which system to get you have a huge selection of exhaust systems on the market to choose from. For my choice at a reasonable price level I would pick the APEXi N1, this system has been around for a long time and is a proven performer for a reasonable price.

Our sister site the 180sx Club has written a detailed exhaust guide listing many of the currently available exhaust systems for the Nissan S13, S14 and S15. The guide also includes pictures and videos of each exhaust system so you can get a real feel for the exact look and sound that you want.

We highly recommend upgrading the SR20DET’s restrictive manifold (header) alongside an aftermarket exhaust to maximize the airflow.

While the Tomei Expreme Manifold is a popular choice for those looking for a simple setup, there are plenty of other alternatives.

Those looking for a cheaper option will want to check out the ISR Performance V2 Tubular Exhaust Manifold.

ISR Performance also offers premium RamHorn Top Mount, and Tubular Bottom Mount manifold alternatives if your plans are a bit different.

Tuning tip #7: Upgrade Your Turbocharger

The turbo charger one of the most complex and the most expensive upgrades on our SR20DET tuning list. There are so many options, trim levels and intake sizes, exhaust sizes etc I cannot confidently cover them all.

So instead let’s try to keep it as simple as possible; if our goal is to increase the engine output to 350ps – 400ps at the flywheel I would stick with a T2 flange. This means that we can reuse the standard (cast iron) exhaust manifold and fittings and just swap out the turbo charger unit itself.

To produce higher power outputs without an excessive amount of turbo-lag I would suggest a Garrett GT2871R turbo charger.

Garrett are one of the most well respected turbo manufacturers and the GT2871R is an ideal pairing with a properly supported SR20DET. This turbo is both oil and water cooled and has a great reputation.

Alternatively, if you’re after a newer update to the ever-popular GT2871R, then Garrett’s latest offering, the G25-550 turbo, is seen by many as the ultimate choice.

If you’re unsure which is best for you, check out this video from Adam LZ, where he fits the G25-550 turbo to his SR-powered S13 before heading to the dyno:

Garrett parts are readily available if you ever need to service the unit.

If you’re looking for a complete turbo kit for the SR20DET, we highly recommend checking out these offerings from ISR Performance.

ISR Performance Garrett GT2871R Turbo Kit Package

• Garrett GT2871R-RS turbo
• ISR Performance Bottom Mount Turbo Manifold
• ISR Performance Turbo Lines for S13 or S14
• Clocking adapter and Wastegate Rod Extension (S13 Only)
• GT fitting and drain kit (S13 Only)
• Oil Restrictor for Garrett Ball Bearing Turbos (S13 and S14)
• ISR SR20DET 7 Layer Exhaust Manifold Gasket
• ISR 4 Bolt Turbine Inlet Gasket

ISR Performance RS3871 Turbo Upgrade Package

• ISR Performance RS3871 Turbo drive (rated to ~380hp)
• ISR Performance V2 Bottom Mount Turbo Manifold
• ISR Performance Turbine O2 Housing
• ISR Performance Turbo lines
• ISR Performance Intake Kit
• All gaskets, couplers, clamps, and hardware (Does not include new exhaust manifold studs to the head)

Tuning tip #8: Install A Boost Controller

Now that all the supporting modifications in place on the intake side, the fueling side, the turbo charger and the exhaust side we can look at increasing the boost level.

In order to do this an electronic boost controller is the next item on our shopping list. By replacing the standard restrictive boost controller with an aftermarket item we can control the turbo charger boost pressure level from inside the cabin.

An attractive control unit will be fitted inside the cabin, normally around the dashboard area and this can be used to set the boost level.

Alongside setting the boost pressure level most modern boost controllers feature a ‘Scramble boost‘ setting, this setting is designed to spike the boost for a short amount of time, useful for performing an overtake.

GReddy is a highly regarded Japanese tuning brand and their Profec OLED boost controller is a lovely little toy. It is a modern, sophisticated and compact machine that is packed with features. This will make a great addition to any dashboard.

Cheaper boost controller alternatives are available, a simple manual boost controller will get the job done.

Tuning tip #9: Upgrade Your Engine management & Tuning

Everything is now in place to seriously hike up your SR20DET’s power output, all that is left is upgrading your car’s ECU and getting it professionally tuned. Standard ECU’s are tough to work with and most older cars require soldering on a chip that contains the custom tuning ‘maps’ which are needed to run your new performance components at their optimum level.

A standalone replacement Engine Management System such as an APEXi Power FC is a plug and play unit that neatly swaps with the standard ECU.

This ECU can also use a ‘Commander’ which is a cool little gizmo that you can mount on your dashboard to monitor vital engine statistics, temps, revs etc and also if needed you can create tunes on the fly.

Although the APEXi Power FC has continued to be a popular choice over the years, many see it as outdated technology compared to some of the other options on the market today.

One of the most impressive choices for SR20DET ECU’s in the present day comes from Link Engine Management.

Link makes off-the-shelf ECU’s for S13/S14 and S15 Silvia’s.

Now that the ECU is in place it is time to find a local tuner. Tuners can be hit and miss so it is really worth doing your research and asking around your local tuning community or owners clubs to find people willing to recommend a tuner. You will also want to make sure that your tuner is familiar with the SR20DET.

All of these fantastic aftermarkets parts will come to nothing if the tuner you select does not know how to safely tune a car. I am based in the United Kingdom and I have always used the London firm FC Tuning for all of my ECU tunes.

Drifted is not sponsored by FC Tuning, they are simply my personal preference. Steve has tuned my 180sx and JZX90 in the past so I trust him with my engines.

Conclusion

With all nine steps of our SR20 tuning guide followed and a healthy base engine you should be looking at the thick end of 300ps at the flywheel. Furthermore your engine should also be putting out some ferocious torque and you will really feel that.

Professional race shops and tuners have built SR20DET engines to hit far bigger numbers than these but to do that safely you will need to start upgrading your internal engine components such as pistons, rings, con-rods etc.

If you want to change the driving characteristics you can also look at stroker kits to increase your engine displacement. There are plenty of stroker kits on the market, the TOMEI 2.2 kit gets a good reputation and is often used on JDM tuner builds. TODA produce very popular 2.2 liter stroker kits.

Crate SR20DET engines

If you want to extract some next level power and reliability (and if you have deep pockets) a crate engine from TOMEI might be a good choice. The TOMEI GENESIS has a mouth watering specification and a great reputation, but TOMEI has unfortunately discontinued production.

There are many other tuning parts which can help you get to the 400ps figure that I haven’t mentioned including aftermarket camshafts, intake and exhaust manifold upgrades, cylinder head work but for this tuning guide I am keeping it as simple as possible.

You could also go down the route of Nitrous Oxide..

Wondering what a tuned SR20DET is capable of? Check out this 1971 Datsun Ute with a 1000 horsepower SR20 stuck under the hood.

Or what about this equally impressive SR20DET powered “Cage-Car”

For more tuning guides just like this for other popular drift cars, check out our tuning guides section.

Now that you are an SR20DET tuning genius why not check out how this engine fared against the mighty RB20DET? Maybe Nissan engines aren’t for you? Why not check out Mitsubishi’s 4G63T? Some say it’s the best 4-cylinder ever!

If you are passionate about SR20’s then take a look at Speedhunter’s SR20 archives to discover more great content.

Want an instant hit of drifting action? Try our free to play drifting games.

The post 9 Step SR20 Tuning Guide For Peak Performance first appeared on Drifted.com.

• Which Cars Have The RB20DET Engine?
• Nissan RB20DET Engine Specifications & Variations
• Nissan RB20DET Tuning & Upgrades
• RB20DET vs SR20DET & RB25DET
• Nissan RB20DET Engine Swaps
• Nissan RB20DET Reliability & Common Issues
• Conclusion

Introduction

We’ve explored many of the most predominant engines used in the drift scene to date, but since the original RB engine, the RB20DET, has been left out until now, it’s time to take a deep dive into what the grandfather of the RB family has to offer.

Unless you’re entirely new to drifting, we’re willing to bet that you’ve heard people raving about the RB engines from Nissan, which have become one of the most popular engines over the years.

Their desirability is partly thanks to their eargasm-inducing sounds, alongside the ridiculous power potential.

Although the RB20DET is the smallest engine of the turbocharged RB-series, it’s still highly sought after, and undoubtedly has a lot to offer.

It can be challenging to choose the perfect candidate for your engine swap, so we’ve created this guide to help you decide whether the RB20DET is going to be the ideal choice for your needs.

The RB20E was the first RB to hit the market, which was the successor to the outdated Nissan L20 engine.

Between the 1985-2004 model years, Nissan produced several variations of the RB engine, which later went on to increase in capacity from the original 2.0L RB20 to the 3.0L RB30, with stroker kits eventually providing 3.4L upgrades.

For this guide, we’ll be sticking with the first-ever turbocharged model in the family, the RB20DET.

The RB20DET initially launched in the Nissan HR31 Skyline and the Fairlady 200ZR, which began production in 1985.

It later went on to be included in various other cars, such as the Laurel, Cefiro, and the Skyline BNR32.

In stock form, the turbocharged RB20DET utilized up to 10 psi of boost pressure (model dependent) to achieve up to 212 hp.

However, there was plenty of power potential left lying in wait from the factory, which we’ll take an in-depth look at later in this guide.

Although the RB20DET isn’t often the most glorified RB engine, it’s best known for being the cheapest option alongside being exceptionally rev-friendly when it comes to drifting and produces that delightful straight-six RB-sound that we know and love.

There aren’t many alternatives in a similar price bracket that have the tuning potential and an 8,000rpm redline to compete with the RB20DET for the price, which is what makes it a fantastic proposition to consider.

Sure, the RB26DETT is the dream RB engine, but with the likes of the Skyline R34 being illegal in the US, and the rarity/cost factor of the RB26, it’s certainly worthwhile to consider the far cheaper alternatives.

Which Cars Have The RB20DET Engine?

The RB20DET was a popular choice between the mid-to-late 90s, and it soon found its way under the hood of various Nissan models.

• Nissan Skyline HR31
• Nissan Skyline R32
• Nissan Fairlady 200ZR
• Nissan Stagea
• Nissan Cefiro
• Nissan Crew
• Nissan Laurel

Nissan RB20DET Engine Specifications & Variations

The RB20DET’s design builds on its predecessor, the L20A engine, keeping the same stroke and bore of the original.

But, that’s where the similarities between the two end, as Nissan went on to upgrade the pistons, connecting rods, camshaft, cylinder head gasket, and the ECU, with the compression ratio reduced to 8.5:1.

With a displacement of 1,998 centimeters and an inline six-cylinder configuration, a Garrett ball-bearing T28 turbocharger combined with a T3 exhaust manifold enabled up to 10 PSI.

There were two main variations of the RB20DET produced, the red top and the silver top; although the red top is rare to find in the states, it features in pre-1988 engines in Australia and New Zealand.

Replacements between the two variants were a new cylinder head, an uprated turbocharger, pistons, connecting rods, camshafts, and also an updated cylinder head gasket.

The red top was only capable of producing up to 190 hp, so it’s typically the less desirable choice of the two options.

Nissan RB20DET specifications:

• Cylinder block: Cast-iron
• Cylinder head: Cast-iron
• Configuration: Inline straight-six
• Valvetrain: DOHC (4 valves)
• Piston stroke: 69.7mm (2.74″)
• Cylinder bore: 78mm (3.07″)
• Compression ratio: 8.5:1
• Displacement: 2.0L (1,998 cc)
• Stock power: 212 bhp (at 6,400 rpm)
• Stock torque: 195lb/ft (at 3,200 rpm)
• Weight: 245kg (540lb)
• Stock turbo: Garrett T28 w/ T3 flange
• Maximum tuning potential (with extensive modifications): 450+ hp

We’ve written a separate guide where we take a deeper dive into the RB20DET engine specifications.

In total, Nissan went on to produce seven different models of the RB20-family:

• RB20E
• RB20ET
• RB20DE
• RB20DET
• RB20P
• RB20DET-R
• RB20DE NEO

Nissan RB20DET Tuning & Upgrades

One of the main benefits of the RB20DET is the potential tuning capabilities that it has to offer.

Sure, it’s not going to break any records in stock form, but let’s face it, who opts for an RB engine to keep it stock?

When fully tuned, we’ve seen the RB20DET frequently reach up to 400bhp, with several others claiming to have achieved up to 450bhp, which we expect to be the limit on stock internals at around 1.2 bar of boost.

One of the main downsides of the RB20DET that you’ll soon realize is that it somewhat lacks torque compared to some of its rivals at around the 4,500rpm range.

Most tuning enthusiasts overcome this with the usual supporting mods, alongside a larger turbo and uprated camshafts, which help to eliminate the issue with low-end torque.

If you’re looking for a cheaper alternative, then a camshaft upgrade on the stock turbo can also be a consideration.

Although some engines such as the 2JZ-GE are capable of being N/A-T’d by simply bolting on a turbo and expecting the same results, this isn’t the case with the naturally-aspirated RB20 engines.

For that reason, if you’re planning on a turbocharged RB, then you’ll make life far easier by opting for the DET engines from the very start rather than trying to upgrade them later.

There are a lot of different ways that you can go about reaching the tuning potential of the RB20DET, but as always, it’s crucial to start with a healthy base engine, especially for drifting or significant power goals.

The obvious start to tuning any engine is to have it breathing to its full potential, which means starting with simple bolt-on mods, such as a cold air intake, along with upgrading the exhaust system, along with the headers/manifold if you’re chasing decent power.

We’d usually opt for the typical 2.5-3” diameter exhaust, which is the usual size for a free-flowing aftermarket exhaust, and there’ll be plenty of choices on the market for most models.

Installing these will eliminate most of the restrictions within the stock setup, enabling a nice, free-flowing exhaust, alongside getting the RB’s vocal cords flowing a little better.

From there, you can increase the airflow into the engine with an aftermarket front-mount intercooler. Other convenient upgrades include injectors, MAF, an uprated fuel pump, and a boost controller.

Once you reach this point, you should be achieving around 320-330bhp.

We’d recommend having your boost controller set up by a reputable tuner or taking a look at aftermarket or piggyback ECU options if you’re planning on going further in the quest for additional power.

From there, it’s time to consider upgrading the T28 turbo, which is where you’ll be able to unlock the true potential and continue venturing towards the 400-450bhp benchmark.

There are several options to consider when it comes to optimal turbos for the RB20DET, and if you’d like to stick with a simple setup, then the manufacturers of the stock turbo, Garrett, offer options such as the GT2860RS.

Alternatively, there’s the HKS GT-RS Turbo, which is capable of around 350hp on a quick-spool, responsive setup, which would be perfect for street use.

If you’re looking for immense power gains, then the Garrett GT3071R is an excellent match for the RB20DET.

Given the engine’s lack of low-down torque, a laggy turbo isn’t going to be an ideal combination, and with the GT3071R rated to up to 480hp, it’ll be a perfect option to reach over 400hp.

Although it can be tempting to crank up the boost as much as possible, we don’t recommend going over 0.8 bar (11.5 psi) on stock internals, but with a forged setup, some have managed to exceed 1.2 bar (approx. 17.5 psi.)

Of course, the higher you go on boost, the more you’re risking the reliability of the engine.

Once you’ve decided on a turbo, you’ll need to look at multi-layer steel head gaskets, uprated head studs, and uprated camshafts. We highly recommend the TOMEI PROCAM upgrade.

There’s also the option to go with an aftermarket oil pump, connecting rods, pistons, valve spring kits, and a ported and polished head.

If you’ve opted to go full-retard with a 400hp+ setup, but you’re suffering from turbo lag, it’s time to consider increasing the displacement, which you can grow to up to 2.4L with a forged 2.4L RB24 stroker kit.

Unfortunately, by this point, you’ll need to be prepared to have your pockets leaking like a sieve. So, be warned, as you may end up wishing that you’d opted for an alternative swap from the start.

RB20DET vs SR20DET & RB25DET

When it comes to considering which engine is going to be best suited for your needs, especially for drifting, the SR20DET and the RB25DET are typically two of the primary considerations.

It’s not fair to stack these against the tuning giants such as the RB26DETT, and Toyota’s 2JZ, as they’re in an entirely different league.

RB20DET vs. SR20DET

We’ve put these engines head-to-head in our comprehensive RB20DET vs. SR20DET head-to-head battle.

Despite their four (SR20) vs. six (RB20) cylinder differences, these equal-displacement engines are similar power when stock, and often divide opinions as to which is best, especially when it comes to drifting.

The SR20DET is typically the most common choice, mostly thanks to its popularity in Japan, where it earned a cult following, featuring in a considerable number of Nissan’s production cars.

The SR20DET is hugely popular among S-chassis owners, namely 240SX, in the US that are looking for a convenient KA24DE upgrade, where demand has sent its price soaring in recent years.

On the other hand, the RB20 is likely to be a much cheaper choice, and also has the added benefit of (arguably) being the better sounding engine of the two.

When it comes to spares and upgrades, the SR20DET is going to be the more convenient option, thanks to its popularity, with a massive array of new and aftermarket parts available.

With the RB20DET’s cast-iron block, it weighs a significant amount more than the SR20DET, and the SR20DET is also easier to extract larger horsepower figures thanks to its superior internals.

Both engines are likely to top out at around 400hp before you’ll have to start throwing significant cash to achieve bigger gains, which is where you’re likely to be better off looking at other alternatives.

Two of the main reasons we’d opt for the RB20DET over the SR20DET are that they’re cheap, and they sound epic.

On that note, we present our next, slightly more unfair comparison.

RB20DET vs. RB25DET

Tuning enthusiasts that have spent big bucks trying to go beyond the 400hp barrier on the RB20DET, and perhaps the SR20DET, have often wished they’d made the RB25DET consideration from the start.

The RB25DET replaced the RB20DET engine from 1993, and the upgraded RB25DET included a new variable intake cam system that resolved the issue with the RB20’s lack of torque in the lower rev-range.

Thanks to its larger displacement, it’s far easier to achieve the 400hp mark with the RB25DET, and many have surpassed 500hp.

You then have the option to consider an RB26DETT head, with a stroker kit that’s capable of taking the displacement to 2.8 or 2.9L.

Although the RB25DET isn’t necessary for everyone, it’s an ideal choice for those that have substantial power goals, and although it’ll be more expensive than the RB20DET, it’s likely to end up being more beneficial in the long run.

Nissan RB20DET Engine Swaps

Since the RB20DET can often provide excellent value for money as an engine swap, enthusiasts across the world have jumped at the opportunity to replace their disappointing OEM engines with the RB20.

One of the most common swaps is for the 240SX, where most owners are keen to get rid of the lackluster KA24DE engine that the USDM models received.

So much so that there are various off-the-shelf conversion parts available, such as 240SX RB20 steel and aluminium driveshafts and RB swap mounts.

Alongside the RB20DET, the CA18DET and SR20DET are two popular alternative upgrade considerations for 240SX owners.

Are you considering an RB swap on your 240SX? You’ll want to check out this video:

The 240SX isn’t the only popular Nissan choice for the swap either, with the 240Z and 280Z also being popular choices.

It doesn’t stop there either, with Miata owners always keen to cause an upset, they’ve taken advantage of the RB20’s opportunities.

And it’s even an ideal choice when it comes to old-school JDM Toyota’s, too:

And it’s even found its way into some less-likely European drift cars:

Put it this way, we’ve seen the RB20DET swapped into just about everything, from Volvo’s to Ford pick-ups.

So, if you’re wondering whether it’s the ideal swap for your ride, take a look at YouTube or Google; the chances are that someone may have already fitted an RB into the chassis in question and may be able to offer some helpful advice.

Nissan RB20DET Reliability & Common Issues

With the correct regular service and maintenance, and minimal modification, the RB20DET is a testament to the reliability of the JDM engines of its generation.

Given its age, it’s not surprising that it has a couple of minor potential issues, as with any other engine out there, but they’re no real cause for concern.

Firstly, the most common issue lies with the ignition coils.

Many have had misfires, or their car has failed to start at all, caused by worn ignition coils.

If you’ve got related issues, the first port of call is to check the plugs. If they look okay, then turn your attention to the coil packs.

Once swapped, if the issue changes in some way, then you’ve likely found the culprit.

Given the heat that comes from turbocharged engines, this isn’t uncommon, and thankfully, failing coil packs are easy to source and replace.

If you wish to be on the safe side, Nissan recommends changing them every 60,000 miles (100,000km).

If maintained correctly and bounced off the limiter every drive and pushed to 400hp, you can expect to achieve over 250,000 miles from your RB20DET with minimal issues.

It is worth remembering that since the RB20DET is now rather old, and not as common as some of the other options out there, it can sometimes be a little more challenging to find used/new spares.

Conclusion

There’s a huge selection of engines out there to choose from when it comes to deciding on the perfect candidate for choosing your next car or engine swap.

Although the RB20DET isn’t the most incredible engine on the planet, it still ticks many of the right boxes for those who are after some reasonably-priced fun.

In our opinion, it’s superior to CA18DET, capable of matching the SR20DET, and even a worthwhile consideration against the RB25DET with reasonable power targets in mind.

For those of you with goals beyond 400hp, you’ll most likely be better off starting with a more substantial base engine that won’t need such extensive modification to reach your goals.

Although the initial outlay will likely be higher, we’re willing to bet it’ll be the better choice in the long run.

Its six-cylinder soundtrack is likely to provide the perfect harmony for your ears, and it’ll be capable of putting a massive smile on your face when you head to the track or the twisties.

Although some enthusiasts will claim that they’re overweight, lack torque, and don’t have enough power, you can’t keep everyone happy.

So, use your personal feelings to decide whether RB20DET is the right choice for you, rather than worrying about other people’s opinions.

Personalization is the beauty of the tuning scene. If it ticks the right boxes for your needs, then we’re sure the RB20DET won’t leave you disappointed.

We hope that we’ve covered everything you could want to know about Nissan’s RB20DET in this guide.

Thank you for reading our Nissan RB20DET guide.

If you enjoyed this article, then please share it with the buttons at the side and bottom of your screen. If you’ve found this information useful, then please take a moment to share it with other Nissan and RB enthusiasts. We appreciate your support.

Photography credits

We thank the following entities for the use of their photography in this article:

• Opron on Flickr
• Wikimedia Commons
• Serjio Zenkov on Flickr
• paulStarPics on Flickr
• Andrew Smith on Flickr
• Nicholas How on Flickr

The post Ultimate Nissan RB20DET Engine Guide first appeared on Drifted.com.

• Introduction
• History & Specs
• Which Cars Have The LT1 Engine?
• Tuning & Upgrade Potential
• Reliability & Common Issues
• LT1 Engine Swaps
• Conclusion

Introduction to the LT1 engine

For many years, GM’s Gen II LT1 has offered the perfect solution for tuners on a budget looking for a cost-effective V8.

With the 1992-97 5.7L considered to be one of the last “true” small block Chevy engines, the newer Gen V has instantly become a modern-day masterpiece, which will undoubtedly soar in popularity as time progresses.

Although the earlier LT1 was overshadowed by the immensely popular LS1, it’ll undoubtedly appeal to those looking for a bargain swap or build.

Easily sourced from wrecking yards across the US, the Gen II LT1 provides a reasonable amount of power in stock form and has excellent power potential lying in wait for those willing to spend a few bucks unlocking its potential.

With LS prices continuing to climb, the Gen II LT1 provides an excellent, conveniently sourced alternative.

For those with a larger budget, the latest 6.2-liter Gen V LT1 is understandably going to be a real temptation, providing the highest output to date in the base-level Corvette models.

With tuners beginning to push the boundaries and more parts than ever flooding the market, the LT1’s future continues to look exciting.

In this guide, we’ll take a look at everything you could need to know about these two modern V8’s, and we’ll also take a look at the first generation in the LT family – the LT-1.

LT1 Engine History & Specs

Things can get a little bit confusing when planning an LT1 build, as GM provided three engines designated as the ‘LT1′.

Gen I LT-1

For its time, GM’s ‘Mighty Mouse’ small-block V8 was revolutionary, immediately capturing motorsports enthusiasts’ attention when it arrived in 1955, featuring in the bay of the Chevy Corvette and Bel Air.

The Mighty Mouse crammed a tremendous amount of power into a small package for the first time, making it the perfect solution for a wide variety of purposes, and became the ideal candidate for a dragster engine swap.

After receiving raving success on the market, GM opted to release a newly-revised Gen II of their small-block range in 1970 – the LT-1.

Engine Specs – 1970-72 – LT-1 Gen I, 5.7L small-block

• Displacement: 5.7 L (5,733 cc)
• Compression ratio: 11:1:1 and 9.0:1
• Horsepower: 353 hp at 5,600 rpm
• Torque: 392 lb/ft at 4,100 rpm

There are several different claims regarding power, but after reading many ‘gross hp’ arguments online, we decided to settle with the Super Chevy dyno test of the two engines.

With the initial 1970-72 engines, power output was supposedly 370 hp for the Corvette and 360 hp for the Camaro, although there are no listed differences between them.

In 1971, the LT1’s compression ratio decreased to 9.01: with an output of 330 hp for the Corvette and Camaro, with a net horsepower rating of 275 hp.

Once again, in 1972, this decreased, to a net horsepower of 255 hp, with no gross horsepower stated.

Other sites will claim 370 hp and 380 lb/ft torque, so the power figures seem to be a bit up in the air. Regardless, we’re sure that these 40-year-old engines would’ve lost a few horses along the way!

Regardless of precise numbers, pushing out around 350 hp from a small-block in the 1970s was an awe-inspiring feat.

Thankfully, they made life a little easier for the first-gen model in the lineup by naming this the ‘LT-1′, which helps differentiate the original block from its successors.

Gen II LT1 Engine

Chevrolet unveiled their brand new Corvette in 1991, paying testament to the former LT-1 engine with the LT1.

Engine Specs – 1991-97 – LT1 Gen II, 5.7L small-block

• Displacement: 5.7 L, 350 CI (5,733cc)
• Compression ratio: 10.4:1
• Horsepower: 350 hp
• Torque: 379 lb/ft

Further confusion surrounds the LT1 figures, but the Super Chevy dyno records showed that when put against the old-school LT-1, the newer revision fell very slightly short of its predecessor.

Many online sources claim various power figures, ranging from 275-350 hp from the multiple revisions and 325-379 lb/ft.

Although this may seem disappointing at an initial glance, it’s the potential that lies in wait that makes the LT1 350 the superior choice.

The newly-released engine used a reverse-flow cooling system, cooling the cylinder heads first. This change provided lower combustion chamber temperatures and significantly improved spark. These changes allowed the engine to run higher compression than the previous variant.

Several variations with different power outputs would later reach the market, all of which came with a cast-iron block.

Although most LT1 models came with cast-iron heads, the Corvette and Camaro LT1 engines used aluminium.

Corvette blocks also received four-bolt main caps, but others had two-bolt, which often makes the Corvette engines the most desirable for those significant power gains from their LT1, unsurprisingly making it the most challenging to source.

When the LT1 hit the market, GM went back to the drawing board for the next engine in their small-block range, as they prepared to cause shockwaves once again with the release of the LS1 engine.

Gen V LT1 Engine

Chevy’s Gen V LT1 is a modern-day masterpiece and the worthy successor to the highly-acclaimed LS engine.

Engine Specs – 2014-Present – LT1 Gen V, 6.2L small-block

• Displacement: 6.2 L, 376 CI
• Compression ratio: 11.5:1
• Horsepower: 460 hp
• Torque: 465 lb/ft

V8 fans worldwide rejoiced when GM announced another new small-block to the V8 lineup, which arrived in the 2014 C7 Chevy Corvette.

You’d think they may have had a new name for yet another groundbreaking method, but nope – they opted for the tried-and-tested LT1!

Despite borrowing the name of its small-block predecessors, that’s where the similarities end with this brand-new direct fuel injection design, which shoots fuel directly into the combustion chamber instead of the intake runner.

There are claims that GM had over 6-million hours of testing before the release of the Gen V LT1 to ensure that the engine met their various strict requirements.

Unlike the previous LT1’s, the Gen V was the first to use a lightweight aluminium block alongside a forged crankshaft and a six-bolt main and aluminium cylinder heads.

The LT1 had GM’s variable valve timing, known as Dual Equal Cam Phasing, which automatically advanced the camshaft timing, providing a smooth idle from the engine (assuming you don’t go fitting wild cams!) With the engine under load, the cam phasers adjust to optimize the valve timing for maximum output.

With 450 hp on tap in stock form, we feel that the latest LT1 is a worthy successor of the small-blocks that it replaced and an incredible feat of modern engineering.

An Exciting Future

Although many will be sad to see the end of the LS, the LT lives on to provide exciting prospects for the future of GM’s small-block V8 lineup.

The Gen V LT may not have achieved the same regard as the LS when tuning, but it’s still early days for this complex, modern design.

Even though big-power Gen V builds have are quickly surfacing online, you’ll need to have deep pockets if you’re looking to build one in the present day, which is why many tuners are still opting for either the Gen II LT1 or the LS.

For those you’ve got big bucks to splash on building a Gen V LS1, it’s worth noting that some Corvette versions came with a dry-sump system and that there’s also a crate engine available, both of which are worth considering.

If you’re interested to know more about the Gen V LT1, make sure you check out this fascinating video:

For those keen to see how GM built the Gen V – this fascinating insight will also be of interest:

We feel that the future is exciting for the LT1 once the initial tuning limitations have been resolved, and we can’t wait to see tuning houses pushing it to (and beyond) its limits!

As you can see, the two earlier engines had many similarities, but the Gen V is in a whole different league.

Which Cars Have The LT1 Engine?

The LT-1 and LT1 engines feature in various applications, from cop cars to high-performance sports cars.

If you’re looking to purchase an LT1, you’ll need to be looking for the following models:

Gen I LT-1 Applications:

• 1970-1972 Chevrolet Corvette
• 1970-1972 Chevrolet Camaro
• 1970 Chevrolet Nova Yenko Deuc

Gen II LT1 Applications:

• 1992-1996 Chevrolet Corvette C4
• 1993-1997 Chevrolet Camaro Z28, B4C, and SS
• 1993-1997 Pontiac Firebird Formula and Trans Am
• 1994-1996 Buick Roadmaster
• 1994-1996 Chevrolet Caprice
• 1994-1996 Chevrolet Caprice Police Package
• 1994-1996 Chevrolet Impala SS
• 1994-1996 Chevrolet Caprice Wagon
• 1994-1996 Buick Roadmaster Wagon
• 1994-1996 Cadillac Fleetwood

Gen V LT1 Applications:

• 2016-present Chevrolet Camaro SS
• 2014-present Chevrolet Corvette Stingray
• 2017-present Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport

LT1 Engine Tuning & Upgrade Potential

When it comes to big-power tuning, many opt for the LS series, thanks to the impressive range of upgrades available on the market, but that certainly doesn’t mean that the LT1 doesn’t have a respectable amount of tuning potential.

If you’re considering tuning the old-school Gen I LT-1 engine; then you’re likely to have your work cut out, as parts will be hard to come by.

Gen V tuning could undoubtedly surpass the LS-series in the long run, but its eventual power boundaries are yet to be discovered.

With the convenience of enormous power gains from a turbo-powered LS1, it remains the most convenient bang-for-your-buck option for significant power gains at present.

Despite this, the LT1 Gen II remains the most viable choice for excellent gains on a budget and is often easily sourced in a yard with a bargain price tag.

If you’re hunting down a Gen II engine for power gains, then the Corvette variants are going to be your best bet, featuring aluminium heads alongside the four-bolt main bearing caps.

Once you’ve got your hands on an LT1, there’s a variety of options to consider.

LT1 Gen II Tuning

Depending on how much power you’re planning for your build, these stages will give a basic guideline of which upgrade you’ll need.

Stage 1 (additional 20-30 hp)

• Cold air intake
• Cat-back exhaust
• Fresh plugs & wires
• Electric water pump
• Underdrive pulleys
• Tune

Stage 2 (around 325 hp) – Alongside Stage 1 mods

• 58 mm throttle body
• MAF sensor
• Headers
• Rockers

Stage 3 (around 400 hp) – Alongside previous mods

• Ported LT1/LT4/aftermarket heads
• Manifold
• Cam

Stage 4 (around 500 hp) – Alongside previous mods

• Forged rods & crankshaft/stroker kit
• Nitrous/forced induction considerations

Stage 5 (500+ hp) – Alongside previous mods

• Fully forged & 383 stroker
• Nitrous/turbocharger

If you’re feeling brave enough to go to 500 hp and beyond, you will, of course, need to ensure you’ve got a healthy engine to start with, especially when you begin spraying nitrous and turbocharging.

Many have achieved 700 hp from the stock bottom end on the Gen II engines, but correct fueling is essential, with many blowing up in the 600 hp range due to incorrect fueling.

Adding the 383ci stroker kit alongside a turbocharger has been proven to provide 800 hp at around 14 lbs of boost.

Although supercharging is also a consideration, a turbocharged setup would undoubtedly be more exciting and provide more significant gains. If you’re thinking about a supercharger, we recommend taking a look at this video:

If you’re keen to see what can be achieved with a big enough budget on an LT1, make sure you check out this 7-second monster:

LT1 Gen V Tuning

Tuning options for Gen V engines are limited currently, but we’re expecting to see some drastic changes soon.

We’ve already seen some four-figure builds surfacing, and with crate engines available for around $8,000, we can’t wait to see what the future has in store.

We can’t wait to see this 1,400+ hp Gen V LT1 Pro Street engine running down the strip.

LT1 Engine Reliability & Common Issues

Although the Gen V LT1’s haven’t had much of a chance to be put to the test when it comes to long-term reliability, if it’s anything like the Gen II in that regard, then it’s sure to be impressive.

Many Gen II LT1’s have lasted beyond 300,000 miles with the correct maintenance and service.

Typical minor wear-and-tear items to consider are likely to be the water pump, coolant sensor, and gaskets that could be deteriorating with age.

With that said, the LT1 does have one common flaw, which is often the most considerable inconvenience for Gen II owners.

Optispark Issues

Optispark may well have worked perfectly during the testing procedures at GM’s convenient short-term test facilities, but when it came to long-term, real-world testing, it wasn’t as straightforward for the LT1.

Mounted low down on the front of the engine, the Opti gets exposed to the elements you’ll encounter daily. Whether it’s salt, mud, water, or general road grime, you can count on it to suck it up nicely.

Over time, combined with inadequate ventilation holes, a build-up of these elements leads to trapped moisture, followed by corrosion, which eventually becomes engine misfires and other nasties.

Alternatively, should you be unfortunate enough to experience a leak from the radiator hose, this could drench the Opti with coolant due to its inconvenient location.

With the Opti located behind the water pump, service and maintenance are far more inconvenient than a conventional distributor.

Not only is it inconvenient, but should you decide to go for a new Opti, you’re likely to have to fork out a substantial amount and then have to spend time getting to it. Chances are, if you’re looking to go OEM, the issue will reoccur eventually.

The most cost-effective solution is to avoid the dealership and opt for uprated aftermarket parts, which are readily available on the market.

There are DIY ‘quick fixes’, but as always, with difficult-to-reach places, we highly advise splashing the cash a little to ensure that the job gets done correctly, and you don’t have to frequently correct the same issue.

There’s no question that this was a significant design flaw on the LT1, which could have been avoided.

With the LS1, GM upgraded this system to coil packs to avoid these issues entirely, and the dreaded Optispark problems were eliminated.

LT1 Engine Swaps

Are you looking for some inspiration for your LT1 build? Here are some of our favorite LT1 swaps!

We’ve fallen in love with this twin-turbo LT1 1962 C2 Corvette that leaves some of the world’s finest supercars for dust.

Check out this unlikely battle of an LT1-powered S12 Silvia up against a 1UZ-powered AE86!

It’s not your everyday swap, but we can understand the appeal of swapping out a rotary for a V8.

Controversial! Check out this Nissan 240SX drift car throwing it down sideways.

The ultimate sleeper- we LOVE this unsuspecting Volvo 262C LT1 swap.

460 hp Gen V LT1 into a 1971 C10 truck? Check!

That’s not the only classic truck to get a Gen V swap. You’ll want to turn your speakers up for this one!

A Difficult Choice

GM may have made things a little confusing by giving three engines more or less the same name, but whichever one you’re considering going for, we’re sure you won’t regret it.

With the Gen II being the most commonly-found engine of the three, it often finds itself compared to the LS, which is understandable.

Admittedly, the LSx engines are going to be the better all-rounder when compared to the Gen II LT1, but with the ever-increasing price, you’re likely to have to fork out big bucks for a well-maintained LS.

On the other hand, Gen II LT1’s are easily sourced and exceptionally reasonably priced, which is why they’re the perfect solution for budget builds.

Conclusion

The downside with the LT1 is that the aftermarket tuning scene isn’t as sought-after as the LS, which can make finding spares and off-the-shelves upgrades a little more challenging, so that would be one of our primary considerations.

On the other hand, the Gen V LT1 is probably the fairer comparison to the LSx, and putting the two engines head-to-head in stock form, the Gen V LT1 would be a clear winner for us.

With that said, the LSx would be the clear winner when it comes to aftermarket support once again, with tuners still looking to conquer the Gen V LT1’s eventual possibilities.

Additionally, as builds of 1,400 hp and beyond begin to surface, who knows what the future has in store for the Gen V engine?

With several cars rolling out of the factory with the Gen V under the hood, as well as crate engines available from GM, we hope to see an abundance of Gen V engines hitting the marketplace and for tuners to unleash the true potential!

If you’re not sold on the LT1, why not check out some of the other bargain powerplant alternatives that we’ve explored?

We’ve taken a look at the 2UZFE, 2AZFE, 7M-GTE, and the 1MZ-FE.

If immense power is your goal, don’t forget about JDM options such as the 2JZ-GTE and RB26DETT!

So, there we have it! We hope that we’ve covered everything you could want to know about GM’s small-block LT1 V8 in this guide.

Thank you for reading our LT1 engine guide.

If you enjoyed this article, please share it with the buttons at the bottom of your screen. If you’ve found this information useful, then please take a moment to share it with other LT1 and V8 enthusiasts. We appreciate your support.

Photography credits

We thank the following entities for the use of their photography in this article:

• Sicnag on Flickr
• Jerry Edmundson on Flickr
• Abdullah AlBargan on Flickr
• nicholaspassarelli on Fitment Industries
• AJ.Vette on Fitment Industries
• z277wolfe on Fitment Industries
• wolfiethefoxx_ on Fitment Industries
• Hazetaa & By_bjork on Fitment Industries
• velgenwheels on Fitment Industries

The post Ultimate LT1 Engine Guide first appeared on Drifted.com.

• Our RC drift cars winners
• Ready-to-Run vs kit vs chassis – the differences explained
• Ready-to-Run RC drift cars
• RC drift car kits
• RC drift car chassis

In a hurry? Here is our RC Drift Car summary

RC Drift Car Kit Choice	Ready-to-Run Choice	RC Drift Car Chassis Choice
HPI RS4 Sport 3 4WD Drift Car Kit	MST RMX 2.5 RTR Drift Car Kit	Usukani D3T 1/8 RC Drift Tricycle Chassis Kit
Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now

Our ready-to-run RC drift car choice

Whether you’re just getting started with RC drifting and want an excellent ready-to-go car right out of the box or you’re not interested in building a kit, the MST RMX 2.5 offers the ultimate opportunity.

MST RMX 2.5 RTR Drift Car Kit

Our choice for the ready-to-run RC Drift Cars is the MST RMX 2.5 RTR Drift Car Kit

With their upgraded brushless ready-to-run car, high speeds can be achieved from this incredible value-for-money MST RTR kit.

With the insane choice of bodies, from Liberty Walk Mustangs to Toyota GR Supra‘s, you’ll struggle to find a better-looking ride.

Our RC drift car kit choice

Having stood the test of time, the HPI Sport 3 doesn’t feature the latest, cutting-edge technology. Instead, you get a highly-regarded platform with incredible durability that has stood the test of time.

HPI RS4 Sport 3 4WD Drift Car Kit

Our favorite is the Worthouse S15, which comes with interchangeable vinyl, allowing you to drift as three-time FD Champion James Deane or his teammate, Piotr Wiecek!

Our choice for the RC Drift Car Kit choice is the HPI RS4 Sport 3 4WD Drift Car Kit

For someone not looking to spend huge bucks on their RC drift car immediately, this kit presents a perfect opportunity for beginners looking for some simple fun without breaking the bank.

Our RC drift car chassis choice

Now, admittedly this is a controversial winner since the Yokomo YD-2 is technically a more refined and superior quality kit (although they are becoming hard to find).

Usukani D3T 1/8 RC Drift Tricycle Chassis Kit

Our choice for the RC drift car chassis is the Usukani D3T Drift Tricycle Chassis

Is there anything more JDM then a completely bonkers tricycle RC drift car? You are spoilt for choice with complex chassis kits but for pure fun factor, we absolutely love the Usuakni D3T drift trike!

Introduction to RC drift cars

As much as we love real-life drifting, we’re never going to deny that it’s an expensive hobby.

Not only do you have to worry about maintenance and repairs on your drift car, but tires and fuel need to be a serious consideration, too.

That’s before you’ve even considered the endless list of upgrades and modifications that you want to do to make the car competitive.

Once you’ve built the car of your dreams, you then need to consider the costs of getting to and from events, then when it gets more serious, the cost of racing equipment.

Although drifting is one of the most insanely exciting hobbies on the planet, unfortunately, it comes with a never-ending cost.

These disadvantages have birthed the concept of VR sim racing and free online drifting games, with enthusiasts building increasingly impressive drifting sim rigs so that they can get their precious seat time at a fraction of the price.

Not only is this extremely useful for training, but it also comes at a fraction of the price and inconvenience that comes with running a real car.

But, what if you’re still craving the physical art form of drifting?

Sure, gaming might tick the right boxes for some of you, but there’s always something incredibly exciting about the feeling of controlling a physical drift car, whether it’s full-sized, or in miniature scale. This is where RC drifting becomes the perfect solution.

Not only do you get to learn the basics of car control, gaining knowledge in areas like counter-steering alongside an understanding of weight shift and braking under load, but also it’s hugely entertaining in the process.

If you’re just getting started with RC drifting, our How to Drift guide will be a fantastic place to start, as it’ll give you a much deeper understanding of what the car is doing and how it’s reacting to the various inputs which allow you to master the art of drifting.

Once you’ve got to grips with the basics, you’ll want to decide which RC drift car is best for your needs, so first, let us explain the various RC drift car variations on the market.

Ready-to-run vs kit vs chassis – the differences explained

As you’ve probably noticed, we’ve broken down this guide into three different categories to allow you to choose the perfect drift car for your needs, or maybe even the lucky person you’re buying for.

Ready-to-run RC drift cars

Ready-to-run is the most self-explanatory method when it comes to RC drift cars, and often makes the ideal gift for a first-time RC drift car owner.

You buy the car that ticks the right boxes for your needs (or perhaps your kids’), have it conveniently sent to your door, remove the packaging, and immediately begin testing the boundaries once the batteries are installed and charged.

You can probably expect a few crashes to happen very shortly after!

Ready-to-run kits are the easiest, most convenient, and often the cheapest method if you’re just getting started with RC drifting. We often think of these cars as an ideal entry to the sport.

The downside of ready-to-run kits is that if you happen to have a high-speed impact and something gets broken, you’re most probably going to be left having to replace the entire car.

Therefore, if you’re looking to get serious with your RC drift car right away, or you can see this potentially becoming a long-term hobby, we’d advise that you continue reading. You’ll thank us later.

RC drift car kits

With a kit, you would typically receive the car in many parts, which you then need to construct yourself, but don’t panic; it’s not as difficult as it sounds, as you’ll have clear instructions to guide you.

I’m sure many of you would be wondering why anyone would want to do this, so we’re going to explain the advantages of a kit.

With a ready-to-run car, the chances are that if you have a severe impact, you may end up breaking some of the parts on your vehicle.

In this situation, you’re most likely going to have to either cut your losses or return your car in the hope that it’s repairable, but the chances are that’s not very likely or cost-effective.

With a kit, not only do you get to enjoy the pleasure of building the car, which you could perhaps make a family affair, but you’ll also gain an excellent understanding of how the different components of the car work – this is the perfect introduction for an aspiring mechanic.

Not only do you gain an understanding of the car and have the enjoyment of the build process, but if you were to crash your RC drift car and break one, or more components, you can assess the damage and replace the spare part(s) necessary.

The ability to fix any damage is the main advantage of a kit; instead of buying a ready-to-run car.

Once your replacement parts turn up, you’ll now know how to replace them with your newfound knowledge from building the car, and you can then enjoy many more hours of worry-free drifting (assuming your abilities have improved since the crash, of course!)

Another advantage of buying a kit is that you’ll likely want superior upgrades as your skill levels progress.

Whether that’s an improved chassis, batteries, motor, or suspension, you name it; you can upgrade everything and build the RC drift car of your dreams without having to buy EVERY part each time like you would with a ready-to-run car.

For the RC drift car enthusiast, this can make for great Birthday and Christmas present opportunities.

Are you looking to upgrade your suspension? No worries, Grandma’s got you covered this year!

We always recommend that you carefully look into the possibility that a kit may need additional components. Most kits don’t come with all of the required electrical components, for example.

RC drift car chassis

Kits and Chassis are typically very similar. The main times that we would consider buying the bare-bones chassis rather than a kit is if we couldn’t find the perfect body shell.

Sometimes, it perhaps works out cheaper to buy a chassis and a shell separately, but otherwise, we would consider opting for a kit and then keeping the shell as a spare for practicing.

Now that you’ve read our explanation of the different variations, you’re clued up when it comes to purchasing the perfect RC drift car package for your needs, so let’s take a look at the best RC drift cars on the market!

Ready-to-run RC drift cars

Here is our selection of ready-to-run RC drift cars:

MST RMX 2.5 Brushless RTR RC Drift Car

• Manufacturer: MST
• Suitable for: 14 years and up
• Configuration: RWD
• Scale ratio: 1/10th
• Value for money product rating
• Purchase link: MST RMX 2.5 RTR w/Rocket Bunny Toyota GR Supra Body (Metal Grey) (many more JDM body options available)

Our comment: The most recent ready-to-run chassis to shake up the RC drift scene came with the introduction of the MST RMX 2.5 at the start of 2023.

With the latest technology within an affordable package, it’s easy to see why many RC drift fans feel that it’s a perfect choice.

Aimed at both beginner and intermediate RC drifters, the MST RMX 2.5 will be more than capable when rubbing doors with some of the premium kits on the market.

One of the benefits of an RTR kit is that MST checks each model before it’s shipped, which means it’s perfectly calibrated and set up right out of the box. So if you notice minimal tire wear with your new purchase, don’t panic!

Although the RMX 2.5 can throw down huge, consistent angles right out of the box, it also provides two motor install locations and two servo install locations if you wish to adjust the weight distribution.

Whether you’re just getting started with RC drifting and want an excellent ready-to-go car right out of the box or you’re not interested in building a kit, the MST RMX 2.5 offers the ultimate opportunity.

With the insane choice of bodies, from Liberty Walk Mustangs to Toyota GR Supra‘s, you’ll struggle to find a better-looking ride on the market.

Manufacturer description: “This is the MST RMX 2.5 1/10 2WD Brushless RTR Drift Car. Building off of the success of the RMX 2.0 this updated version brings the next level of performance to the RMX name. With countless hours of research and development, MST has fine tuned the RMX platform for the ultimate drift experience.”

“Designed to be easy to drive for beginners but still rewarding for the experienced drifter, MST has included an updated chassis. This improved chassis offers increased traction and control along with a plethora of adjustments to fine tune your driving experience. Whether you are an experienced drifter or just getting started, the RMX 2.5 RTR gives you the performance you are looking for with looks to match!”

Features

• Two motor install options – upper or lower gravity
• Two servo install options – vertical or lateral
• Plastic high-rigidity construction
• Unique front suspension system for great steering
• The adjustable steering system with two-step Ackermann changes
• 6 degrees KPI steering upright, and -0.5 trailing axle design
• An inside rod fulcrum mount at the front upper arm features 10-step height adjustment and both side positions
• Fully-sealed dustproof bevel gearbox system
• Standard ball differential
• 5 changeable second-deceleration-ratio gear sets of 1.89-3.82 (standard 3.08)
• The fulcrum at the rear suspension upper rod is 5-step adjustable on both sides. The outer fulcrum is 4-step adjustable on both sides
• Steel CVD axle for rear transmission system
• Suitable for long and short battery
• Full great smooth metal ball connectors
• Standard realistic caliper and disc shape brake set

HSP FlyingFish Nissan Skyline GT-R RC Drift Car

• Manufacturer: HSP
• Suitable for: 14 years and up
• Configuration: 4WD
• Scale ratio: 1/10th
• Model number: 94123
• Value for money product rating
• Purchase link: Discontinued online

Our comment: If you’re looking for a bargain, then you’re going to struggle to get more for your money than the HSP FlyingFish.

Thanks to the newly upgraded RC 540 motor, this provides impressive performance and enables speeds of over 35km/h out of the box.

If you’re looking to go even faster (which isn’t necessary for learning the basics of drifting), then make sure you take a look at the higher-spec brushless version, which is capable of an incredible 60km/h!

Although this is far cheaper than the HPI equivalents above, the materials are known for being a little more fragile. However, spares are easily sourced online.

The HSP FlyingFish is a genuine bargain, and a fantastic entry to RC drifting for the money.

Manufacturer description: “You can now get your own serious RC Hobby Drift Car at an amazing price. Straight out of the box this RC car is very competitive while the fully adjustable suspension lets you fine-tune to each track spec. Mash the throttle and the new RC 540 screams into life with a massive 22% more power and 9% lighter chassis, this new RC model is seriously competitive. You will truly be astonished by the quality of this RC Drift Car for the price you are paying. Everyone will want one.”

“This latest version has an even lower center of gravity and coupled to 4 wheel shaft drive and the latest Driftech Low profile drift tires makes 4 wheel drifts easier than ever. Comes with everything except the 8 AA batteries for the transmitter.”

Features

• 100% Ready To Run
• 4-Wheel Drive System
• Shaft Drive
• Front and Rear Ball Raced Differentials
• High Discharge 2000mAh 7.2 V NiMh Battery and Charger
• Upgraded RC 540 Race Motor
• Light Weight Alloy Drive Shaft
• Light Weight Aluminium Alloy High-Intensity Upper Plate
• Front and Rear Differentials with Bevel Gears
• Full 4 Wheel A-Arm 100% independent Adjustable Suspension
• Aluminum Cap Oil Filled Adjustable Shock Absorbers
• Adjustable Height
• Adjustable Camber
• Adjustable tilt angle
• New Even Lighter Smaller Front and Gear Boxes
• HSP Driftech Low Profile Tyres
• 3 Way Electronic Speed Controller with Brake and Reverse
• Factory Installed Servo Saver
• 2 Channel Pistol Grip Radio Factory Installed

Redcat Racing Thunder RC Drift Car

• Manufacturer: Redcat Racing
• Suitable for: 14 years and up
• Configuration: 4WD
• Scale ratio: 1/10th
• Value for money product rating
• Purchase link:
  Redcat Racing Thunder Drift (Gun Metal)

Our comment: The Thunder Drift from Redcat Racing is very similar to their EPX drift car above, except this car comes with the superior belt-driven method for improved performance.

Its improved belt-driven system helps all four wheels move at the same time rather than the lag which you can experience from the cheaper shaft-driven system, and is usually only found in premium RC cars.

Owners have pointed out that the belts have sometimes arrived loose and required tightening, which is an easy fix that improved the performance dramatically.

The Thunder Drift is an insane value-for-money belt-driven drift car, and although we prefer the quality of the HPI products, there’s no questioning that this is a real bargain in comparison.

Manufacturer description: “Welcome to a whole new level of drifting with the 4WD belt-driven, high-performance Thunder Drift! Quality drifting requires precision driving to consistently challenge the line between control and chaos. A combination of brushed motor and special RC drift tires allow the Thunder Drift to slide effortlessly around corners, while the high-performance belt drive system provides an edge over the typical drifter.”

“Say goodbye to gear slop with the Thunder Drift’s high-performance belt drive system. Fully adjustable for ultra-smooth acceleration, the Thunder Drift is ready to drift circles around the competition. Blue anodized aluminum threaded body oil-filled shocks allow for quick ride height adjustments. Easily direct more weight to a single wheel for precise tuning. Shock dampening can be tuned by adding different weight oils inside the shocks, or by swapping out the pistons. The Thunder Drift’s fully tunable 4-wheel independent suspension allows the driver to adjust toe angle and camber, with the turn of a wrench, to achieve the drifting setup you like.”

Features

• 1/10 scale drift car
• 4 wheel drive
• Belt driven for smooth power transfer
• Independent suspension
• Lightweight plastic chassis
• Aluminum threaded body oil-filled shocks
• Bearings throughout
• Tunable suspension
• Adjustable ride height
• Tunable shocks
• Adjustable camber angle
• Multiple shock mounting positions
• Adjustable belt tension.
• 22T RC540 Brushed electric motor
• Waterproof electronics – 40A ESC
• Responsive steering servo
• 2.4GHz radio

Exceed RC Drift Star 350Z

• Manufacturer: Exceed RC
• Suitable for: 14 years and up
• Configuration: 4WD
• Scale ratio: 1/10th
• Value for money product rating
• Purchase link: Exceed RC Drift Star 350Z

Our comment: The Exceed RC Drift Star 350Z drift car is a replica of the Nissan 350Z, and certainly looks to have been inspired by The Fast and the Furious.

Given that this has very similar specifications to the Redcat Racing EPX Drift Car, but features a brushless motor, making it the superior choice.

There’s no doubt that we prefer the look of the 350Z, so if this brushless drifter ticks the right boxes, then you really can’t go wrong.

Manufacturer description: “The EXCEED RC Electric Drift Star model represents a new generation of 1/10 scale on-road drift cars. This ready-to-run Drift Star car is electric-powered and perfect for indoor or outdoor drifting.”

“Based on our popular and durable on-road electric powered car, this drift version adds specially designed solid compound drift tires pre-mounted on high-performance wheels. Combined with a powerful programmable 45amp brushless ESC and brushless motor, this Driftstar is capable of extreme drift angles and speed.”

Features

• The new KV 3300 Brushless motor provides reliable and consistent power for high-performance drift driving
• The 2.5mm lightweight chassis provides excellent performance and durability
• An excellent differential system design provides quick access to the front or rear differential by removing only a few screws. You can now access the front and rear differential for easy maintenance
• New lightweight suspension arms deliver quick suspension response and reduce the critical sprung weight and overall weight of the car
• High-capacity battery provides long run times
• The high-quality 2.4Ghz transmitter and receiver work together to let you precisely control your car
• Four-wheel drive system
• Excellent front/rear camber and toe-in setup
• Anodized aluminum center long drive shaft
• Stable suspension arms and solid front/rear shock tower
• Oil-filled aluminum capped shocks
• Precise steering fitting delivers a quick response
• Complete ball bearings for a smooth and an efficient drive
• High-performance anti-skid drift tires, chrome-plated spoke rims and pre-mounted drift wheels

GoolRC WLtoys K989 High Speed Race Car RC Drift Car

• Manufacturer: GoolRC
• Suitable for: 14 years and up
• Configuration: 4WD
• Scale ratio: 1/28th
• Value for money product rating
• Purchase link: GoolRC WLtoys K989 High Speed RC Race Car Drift Car

Our comment: If you’re keen on the smaller style cars above, but you fancy something a little more impressive, this Ken Block-style Ford Fiesta replica could well be what you’re looking for.

With a more substantial set-up, this is ideal for the hobbyist with a smaller area to play in.

Although this car is small, it packs a serious punch and is capable of quickly achieving speeds of up to 30km/h.

Another perfect entry-level variation with a decent controller, this is perfect for the younger generation of Ken Block fans that are looking for their first RC drifter.

Manufacturer description: “The racing car is super fast, responsive, full function, and remote controlled. You can freely control the speed and direction, and perform U-shape drifts with ease.”

“Also features steering (go forward and backward, turn left and right). It is delicately manufactured, which is the standard of all hobby class vehicles.”

Features

• 2.4GHz transmitter, you’ll never get any radio interference with this electric car.
• You can enjoy drifting with the on-road anti-skid drift tires.
• High-quality PC material car shell, like a real car, with excellent flexibility, to prevent the impact of rupture.
• The speed reaches up to 30 KM/H, which makes the car race faster than others.
• The rechargeable battery is available for longer playtime, it will last up to 30 minutes.
• Metal chassis, sturdy and durable, protects the car and with longer service life.

JADA Toys Fast & Furious Brian’s Nissan Skyline GT-R (BNR34)

• Manufacturer: JADA Toys
• Suitable for: 6 years and up
• Configuration: 4WD
• Scale ratio: 1/16th
• Value for money product rating
• Purchase link:
  Fast & Furious Brian O’Conner 1/16th Nissan Skyline GT-R (BNR34) |
  Fast & Furious Han Mazda RX7 FD 1/10th scale RC drift car |
  Fast & Furious Brian O’Conner Toyota Supra 1/16th scale RC drift car

Our comment: JADA Toys have launched a range of The Fast and the Furious cars onto the RC market, which is perfect for both young and old fans of the movie.

Fans of Brian O’Conner will undoubtedly relish the opportunity to drift his R34 Skyline GT-R!

Are you stuck for the perfect Christmas or Birthday gift for your Fast and the Furious-crazy friend or relative? Look no further!

The 1/16th scale cars conveniently charge via USB and feature surprisingly impressive battery life.

These reasonably priced RC drift cars are the ultimate gift for any Fast and the Furious fan, and they’ll undoubtedly want to collect the whole range.

As you’ve probably guessed, these cars weren’t created with the serious enthusiast in mind, but they’re perfect for cheap entertainment with all the family.

Manufacturer description: “From the franchise built on speed comes Brian’s highly modified Nissan Skyline GT-R (BNR34) featuring styling cues directly from the movie! Race to the finish as this aggressively styled 1:16 scale RC vehicle features lightweight aero modifications and performance wheels!”

“Help Dom and his crew as they continue their global exploits in the unstoppable franchise built on speed! You call the shots as you lead the team on their crusade with vehicles featuring styling cues directly from the movie! Featuring a turbo Boost feature, This R/C vehicle is ready for action-packed fun!”

Features

• 2.4 GHz – fully functioning R/C
• Turbo Boost feature
• Alkaline Battery included- ready to run
• Exterior styling directly from the Fast and Furious movie
• Officially licensed and authentic movie decoration with themed packaging
• USB charging technology

HPI Racing Micro RS4 Drift Fail Crew Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R

• Manufacturer: HPI Racing
• Suitable for: 14 years and up
• Configuration: 4WD
• Scale ratio: 1/18th
• Model number: HPI120101
• Value for money product rating
• Purchase link: Discontinued

Our comment: Best known for showing off his skills at Europe’s infamous Gatebil festival, the legendary Fail Crew Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R driven by ‘Mad Max’ Tvardovsky is now available in 1/18th scale!

This pre-built, ready-to-run RC drift car from HPI Racing combines its 4WD speed belt drivetrain with a high-powered motor and double-wishbone independent front suspension to provide maximum power and control.

Utilizing HPI’s very-own 180-size motor, with electronic speed control, full-time 4WD belt drive, and a water-resistant servo, this is an excellent setup for those of you who are looking for a smaller beginner drift car.

Despite this being a ready-to-run kit, HPI has ensured that it’s one of the few which provides optional hop-up upgrades, which could be the perfect solution once you’ve got the hang of RC drifting.

Although the more commonly found RC car scale size is 1/10th, this 1/18th scale car could be the perfect answer for those of you that are looking for a smaller alternative.

Manufacturer description: “With its 4WD belt-drive system and hard tires, the Micro RS4 Drift is easy to drift on any smooth surface! Concrete, short carpet, and even tarmac or asphalt are all ideal sliding surfaces that were made for your car – you’ll feel like a real drifter with the Micro RS4!”

“With the full range of HPI custom bodies for your car, it’s easy to turn your Micro RS4 Drift car into any kind of car you can imagine! Do you fancy swapping for a snarling American muscle car, a different drift car, or even a gravel-eating rally car? All these looks and more are waiting for you! To complete the look, you can also have a look at the huge range of available custom wheels and even drift and grip tires from HPI Racing!”

Features

• Pre-Built, Ready to Run 1/18th scale racing car
• Drives just like a larger RC car!
• 4WD for maximum control and speed
• Belt drivetrain for efficient power transfer to front wheels
• Double-wishbone independent front suspension
• Coil-over inboard cantilever front shocks
• Front universal dogbones
• Front and rear differentials for maximum drivetrain efficiency
• Fully equipped with ball bearings for maximum efficiency
• SCM-2S-WP electronic speed control for total control
• 2.4GHz radio system for long-range reception, no frequency crystals needed
• 180-size motor for fast speeds and quick acceleration
• 6v 1200mAh battery for long driving times and plenty of power
• AC wall charger included for extra convenience
• 4 AA batteries included for the transmitter

HPI Racing Micro RS4 Ford Mustang RTR-X

• Manufacturer: HPI Racing
• Suitable for: 16 years and up
• Configuration: 4WD
• Scale ratio: 1/10th
• Model number: 112468
• Value for money product rating
• Purchase link: HPI Racing Micro RS4 Ford Mustang RTR-X

Our comment: The next car in our ready-to-run line-up is based on the awesome 1969 Ford Mustang RTR-X drift car.

Utilizing a one-piece molded chassis, allowed HPI to build a replica that performs like the real car. With the drivetrain tunnel molded down the middle, this provides similar handling characteristics.

They’ve also introduced a low-profile layout to ensure that all the components sit as low as possible in the chassis, allowing for a low center of gravity for optimum handling.

The RTR Mustang is quite possibly the best ready-to-run car on our list and would make the perfect entry-level RC drift car straight out of the box.

HPI has once again produced a variety of hop-up upgrades should you wish to upgrade the car to an intermediate level further down the line.

Manufacturer description: “The newest member of the HPI x Vaughn Gittin Jr. collection is here, and it’s the perfect little brother to the 1/10th scale HPI Mustang RTR-X Sprint 2 Sport and Nitro RS4 3 Evo+! This Micro RS4 is a scaled-down, 1/18th version of Vaughn’s iconic 1969 Ford Mustang RTR-X, which was designed by Vaughn in partnership with the Need For Speed crew! Vaughn is the only one who can drive the real thing, but if you want an RC replica that can fit in the palm of your hand, this is the only version you’ll be able to find!”

“The Micro Mustang RTR-X is perfect for shredding tires inside and outside, with a high-powered motor driving all four wheels and coil-over shocks providing smooth power and excellent control. This Ready To Run Micro RS4 kit features a highly detailed and scale 1969 Ford Mustang RTR-X replica body for an awesome scale look wherever you drive! Just like the 1/10th scale replica, we even include TWO SETS of wheels and tires, one for drifting and one for racing!”

Features

• Pre-Built, Ready to Run 1/18th scale racing car
• Officially licensed replica of Vaughn Gittin Jr.’s 1969 Ford Mustang RTR-X
• Drives just like a larger RC car!
• 4WD for maximum control and speed
• Belt drivetrain for efficient power transfer to front wheels
• Double-wishbone independent front suspension
• Coil-over inboard cantilever front shocks
• Front universal dogbones
• Front and rear differentials for maximum drivetrain efficiency
• Fully equipped with ball bearings for maximum efficiency
• EN-2 electronic speed control for total control
• 2.4GHz radio system for long-range reception, no frequency crystals needed
• 180-size motor for fast speeds and quick acceleration
• 6v 1200mAh battery for long driving times and plenty of power
• AC wall charger included for extra convenience
• 4 AA batteries included for the transmitter

Mostop Mini RC Drift Truck

• Manufacturer: Mostop
• Suitable for: 12 years and up
• Configuration: 4WD
• Scale ratio: 1/16th
• Value for money product rating
• Purchase link: Mostop Mini RC Drift Truck

Our comment: If you’re after a reasonably-priced entry-level drift truck, this 1/16th scale offering from Mostop may be just what you’re looking for.

With top speeds of an impressive 20 mph (30km/h), it’s certainly no slouch for its size and could be capable of causing an upset against some of the more expensive competitors.

One of the unique aspects of this buggy is that it comes with two sets of tires, making it ideal for using on-road or off-road, making it one of the most exciting prospects for those who enjoy drifting on varied terrains.

Another unique feature is the angel-eye headlamps, which have three lighting modes, and you can switch them on or off if you wish to conserve your battery life.

The 2.4GHz remote has a range of 150ft, and you can run several of these cars alongside your friends without the risk of interference.

The 1200mAh rechargeable battery enables a 20-25 minute racing time following around 3-4 hours of charging.

Although it won’t compete with the most expensive offerings on the market, this drift buggy has plenty of unique features which make it a perfect prospect for an entry-level RC drift car for a young enthusiast.

Manufacturer description: “Equipped with a double set of tires, 4 rubber racing tires and 4 smooth drift tires, you can experience drifting and racing once you own one of this drift racing car.”

“Designed with 4WD powerful motors, which provide this RC drift car with strong power and driving force to make it run fast, it’s capable of reaching speeds of up to 30+KM/H (20MPH).”

Features

• High-Speed Drifting Car – Remote control drift car can go forward, backward, turn left and right, brake, and other full-scale synchronous control functions. The speed can reach up to 30 km/H, which provides you with a faster high-speed racing experience.
• 2.4G Remote Control – 2.4 GHz high frequency assures a longer controlling distance of at least 150 feet, it can support multiplayer playing the RC cars together at the same time without interference. Automatically pairing and stable signal.
• Stable & Safe Design – Designed with great stability during racing due to the independent suspension and ESP Electronic Stability System. Overcharge and over-current protection are adopted to ensure security for playing and charging.
• Full-Scale Drift Truck – There is a proportional throttle and steering control function in the sensitive remote control system, players have conditions to control the speeds and fine-tune direction by the controller.
• Battery Life – Comes with a 7.4V 1200mAh lithium battery, 3-4 hour charging time to support 20-25 minute playing. Equipped with 2 sets of tires for replacement. 3 levels of adjustable headlamps make it cool and realistic.

RC drift car kits

Here is our selection of RC drift car kits:

HPI RS4 Sport 3 4WD RC Drift Car Kit

• Manufacturer: HPI
• Suitable for: 14 years and up
• Configuration: 4WD
• Scale ratio: 1/10th
• Value for money product rating
• Purchase link: HPI Sport 3 James Deane Nissan S15 |
  HPI Sport 3 Drift VGJR “Fun Haver” Ford Mustang |
  HPI RS4 Sport 3 Dai Yoshihara Subaru BRZ |
  HPI Sport 3 Drift BMW E30 Driftworks *NEW RELEASE 2023*

Our comment: Although the MST RMX 2.5 is the ultimate entry-level kit, the HPI Sport 3 drift offers a great, affordable, entry-level alternative.

Having stood the test of time, the HPI Sport 3 doesn’t feature the latest, cutting-edge technology. Instead, you get a highly-regarded platform with incredible durability that has stood the test of time.

Having released the Driftworks E30 for their 2023 update, some fantastic Formula D alternatives exist, such as Dai Yoshihara’s Subaru BRZ and Vaughn Gittin Jr’s “Fun Haver” Mustang.

Our favorite is the Worthouse S15, which comes with interchangeable vinyl, allowing you to drift as three-time FD Champion James Deane or his teammate, Piotr Wiecek!

For someone not looking to spend huge bucks on their RC drift car immediately, this kit presents a perfect opportunity for beginners looking for some simple fun without breaking the bank.

Manufacturer description: “Under the hood, this 1/10th scale Nissan is built on the popular HPI RS4 Sport 3 chassis. With full-time shaft-driven 4WD, a fully sealed drivetrain, waterproof 2.4 GHz electronics/radio gear, fully independent double wishbone suspension and adjustable oil filled shocks, you’ll be ready to shred in any condition.”

“To complete the package, this kit allows you to replicate both cars on the Worthouse drift team. Alternate stickers are included in every kit to allow you to turn your RS4 Sport 3 into a replica of James’ teammate, Piotr Wiecek!”

Features

• One-Piece Molded Chassis
• Low Profile Layout Design
• Brushless Capable Drivetrain
• Full-Time 4WD
• Sealed Center Driveshaft
• Easy Access Differentials
• 4-Gear Metal Differentials
• Adjustable Double-Wishbone Suspension
• Threaded Oil-Filled Shocks
• Double Bellcrank Steering
• Aluminum Motor Mount

Tamiya TT-02D – Various Models

• Manufacturer: Tamiya
• Suitable for: 14 years and up
• Configuration: 4WD
• Scale ratio: 1/10th
• Value for money product rating
• Purchase link:
  Tamiya TT-02D – Nismo COPPERMIX Nissan Silvia S15 |
  Tamiya TT-02D – Nissan Skyline R32 GT-R |
  Tamiya TT-02D – Nissan Skyline R33 GT-R |
  Tamiya TT-02D – Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R Z-Tune |
  Tamiya TT-02D – Nissan R35 GT-R |
  Tamiya TT-02D – Toyota Supra |
  Tamiya TT-02D – Mazda RX-7 FD |
  Tamiya TT-02D – Honda Civic SiR EG6

Our comment: Tamiya is one of the most reputable brands in the RC drift scene, and their TT-02D Drift Spec chassis is a testament to the continued fantastic quality that they’ve been launching throughout the years.

If you’re not shy when it comes to building your RC drift car, then the entry-level TT-02D kit could well be the perfect answer to your needs.

As the 24mm wide drift-spec tires provide the perfect traction, the CVA shock units combined with the 4-wheel double wishbone suspension offer the ultimate handling for drifting.

With a full ball-bearing setup, an aluminium motor heat sink, and a tuned sports motor as standard, this is the perfect introduction to your RC drift career.

As you’ve probably guessed, there’s a vast range of hop-up upgrade modifications on the market to build the ultimate ride and all the spares you could ever need if you were to crash a little too hard.

It’s no coincidence that so many enthusiasts start with the TT-02D, as it’s the perfect entry-level kit, and Tamiya provides a massive range of body shells.

Although several kits are available, they are all the same parts with different body shells, so it’s entirely your decision as to which shell is best for you.

The only downside with the TT-02D over the ready-to-run kits is that you’ll need to factor in the additional costs of buying the electronics, such as a radio, receiver, ESC, steering servo, battery, and charger.

The shells also arrive as clear plastic, which allows you to fully customize and choose any colors or stickers that you fancy.

Don’t let the additional expenses put you off this fantastic kit, though, as the TT-02D is worth every cent once you’ve got everything up and running!

Manufacturer description: “The TT-02 chassis is Tamiya’s latest entry-level 4WD full independent suspension assembly kit that offers ease of assembly and easy maintenance.”

“The TT-02D is the Drift Spec variant that includes special parts to make it a fun-to-drive drifting machine.”

Features

• Scale: 1/10
• Construction type: assembly kit
• Terrain use: on-road
• Drivetrain: 4WD
• Drive type: shaft
• Drive line: dog bone
• Differential type: gear
• Suspension: fully independent double wishbone
• Steering mechanism: bell-crank
• Shock damper: oil-filled damper
• Shock damper material: plastic
• Chassis material: plastic
• Bearings: shielded ball bearing
• Adjustable camber: fixed
• Adjustable toe angles: front only
• Adjustable ground clearance: yes
• Adjustable gear ratio: yes
• Adjustable wheelbase: yes
• Adjustable track width: yes
• Adjustable shock angle: yes

MST RMX 2.0 RWD RC Drift Car Kit

• Manufacturer: MST
• Suitable for: 14 years and up
• Configuration: RWD
• Scale ratio: 1/10th
• Value for money product rating
• Purchase link: Discontinued online

Our comment: For many, the MST RMX 2.0 RTR above will be the ideal choice for those getting started in RC drifting or looking for the most convenient and refined option straight out of the box.

However, this kit provides the perfect opportunity for those looking to create a custom RC drift car build with their own choice of electronics.

Utilizing the latest technology, we feel that the RMX 2.0, which hit the market in November 2021, provides the ultimate value for money against some of its more expensive, outdated rivals.

Whether you’re looking to buy a standalone chassis or take advantage of the discounted shells with the package deals, the RMX 2.0 has repeatedly proven an incredible platform for sliding sideways.

Although the RMX 2.0 can throw down huge, consistent angles right out of the box, it also provides two motor install locations and two servo install locations if you wish to adjust the weight distribution.

Although the kit comes in at a fantastic price, remember that you will also need to budget for the additional electronics. Once you’ve calculated this, we recommend deciding whether this or the RTR kit will better suit your needs.

Manufacturer description: “The ingenious design allows for higher drift speeds and ensures a very simple but efficient steering behavior. The chassis is extremely stiff and nearly unbreakable. The structure of the top deck with its struts ensures very good cooling of the electronic components. Extremely large and variable steering deflections by Ackermann control increase handling.”

“The motor and the steering servo can be installed in 2 different positions to adjust the center of gravity according to your needs. The RMX S is the ideal drifter for beginners and due to its variable design also suitable for professionals.”

Features

• Two motor install options – upper or lower gravity
• Two servo install options – vertical or lateral
• Plastic high-rigidity construction
• Unique front suspension system for great steering
• The adjustable steering system with two-step Ackermann changes
• 6 degrees KPI steering upright, and -0.5 trailing axle design
• The inside rod fulcrum mount at the front upper arm features 10-step height adjustment and both side positions
• Fully-sealed dustproof bevel gear box system
• Standard ball differential
• 5 changeable second-deceleration-ratio gear sets of 1.89-3.82 (standard 3.08)
• The fulcrum at the rear suspension upper rod is 5-step adjustable on both sides. The outer fulcrum is 4-step adjustable on both sides
• Steel CVD axle of the rear transmission system
• Suitable for long and short battery
• Full great smooth metal ball connectors
• Standard realistic caliper and disc shape brake set

RC drift car chassis

Here is our selection of RC drift car chassis:

Usukani D3T 1/8 RC Drift Tricycle Chassis Kit

• Manufacturer: Usukani
• Suitable for: 14 years and up
• Configuration: RWD
• Scale ratio: 1/8th
• Value for money product rating
• Purchase link: Usukani D3T 1/8 RC Drift Tricycle Kit (Tukcica Body) |
  Usukani D3T 1/8 RC Drift Tricycle Kit (Bajcica Body)

Our comment: If you’re looking for a unique RC drift car to stand out at events, look no further than the epic Usuakni D3T drift trike!

Your rival competitors will be in awe as you throw down some epic lines with these well-refined three-wheelers!

Although they won’t be up to the standard of the premium offerings that companies such as Yokomo have to offer, you’ll undoubtedly walk away from every event with the crowd-pleaser award!

Manufacturer description: “The Usukani D3T 1/8 RC Drift Tricycle Chassis Kit is a special version of the TUKCICA kit with an updated BAJCICA body set included. High-quality components and attention to design make this 1/8th scale trike an exciting and responsive product.”

“The unique three-wheeled drifting platform includes two bodies for optional appearances and slick drifting style. Decide between either the original TUKCICA body shown in the video below or the alternate BAJCICA body with the covered and enclosed tricycle bed. Pick colors, paint the bodies and get drifting in style!”

Features

• Three wheels (RWD)
• Three-gear transmission seal gear case
• Rear wheel independent suspension
• Front fork two-spring shock
• Rear wheel Damping Shock Absorber
• Adjustable Front Fork angle System
• Dual spring steering buffer tie rod+
• Rims
• Ultrathin drift tries (PP/HDPE)
• Full ball bearing
• High tenacity and impact resistance Nylon
• Metal motor mount
• Metal pinion gear (Gear ratio: approx 10.77)
• Metal Spur Gear Adapter
• Stainless steel Universal Bone
• Transparent PC bodyshell

Needed to complete

It’s worth remembering that this kit doesn’t come with the following parts, which will need to be purchased separately, but this allows you to choose the best products for your needs:

• Transmitter
• Receiver
• Low height servo
• Gyro
• ESC
• Type 540 motor
• 7.4V 2S short lipo battery

Tamiya TB-03 VDS Drift Spec Chassis

• Manufacturer: Tamiya
• Suitable for: 14 years and up
• Configuration: 4WD
• Scale ratio: 1/10th
• Value for money product rating
• Purchase link: Tamiya TB-03 VDS Drift Spec Chassis

Our comment: If you’re not entirely new to RC drifting, and you don’t mind splashing a little extra cash for the ultimate off-the-shelf package, then Tamiya’s TB-03 VDS drift spec chassis is the perfect choice for you!

With the knowledge gained from their TA-05 VDF, Tamiya developed this top-spec chassis, which is perfectly tweaked for the ultimate drifting performance.

With a 2.5mm thick carbon lower deck, aluminum gearbox braces for the front and rear gearboxes, and an aluminum center brace to provide rigidity, the TB-03 was undoubtedly built with performance and durability in mind.

As far as quality and performance go, you’re going to struggle to find a better off-the-shelf kit than the TB-03, even if it is a little expensive and still requires a body shell, motor, and electronics to be purchased separately.

If you’re just getting started with drifting and this is a temptation, then we’d also recommend taking a look at Tamiya’s TT-02D kit above.

Manufacturer description: “Based on the shaft-driven TB-03 chassis, this drift-spec chassis incorporates a 2.5mm thick carbon lower deck, aluminum gearbox braces to hold front/rear gearboxes, and a distinctive aluminum center brace to provide rigidity toward chassis pitch.”

“The well-balanced layout has the two-piece propeller shaft along the center of the chassis with the battery pack and R/C unit positioned at chassis sides. The chassis also comes equipped with high-spec parts such as knuckle extensions, parallel steering link, and rear direct coupling to offer an exciting drift experience.”

Features

• Equipped with the TB-03’s front and rear gearboxes
• 2.5mm thick carbon fiber lower deck
• Aluminum center F/R gearbox braces which offer superior chassis strength
• The chassis layout is optimized for drifting and features a 2-piece propeller shaft along the center line of the chassis with the battery pack, motor, and R/C radio gear positioned on either side of the car
• 4-wheel double wishbone suspension is equipped with short reversible suspension arms as seen on the TB-03, TA-05 Version 2, and TRF 416,417
• TRF (Tamiya Racing Factory) Aluminum threaded shock body and Teflon piston dampers included
• A parallel geometry steering system with both left and right symmetrical steering angles offers excellent control and easier counter-steering maneuvers
• Front ball diff and rear direct coupling (spool)
• 2-piece universal propeller shaft
• Aluminum turnbuckle shafts
• Front and Rear universal shafts
• Aluminum hex wheel hubs
• Hi-torque servo saver included
• Steel diff joints for improved wear and durability

Hobbypower Alloy & Carbon RWD Drift Racing Chassis

• Manufacturer: Hobbypower
• Suitable for: 14 years and up
• Configuration: RWD
• Scale ratio: 1/10th
• Value for money product rating
• Purchase link: Hobbypower Alloy & Carbon RWD Drift Racing Chassis

Our comment: If you’re keen to buy a chassis setup, but haven’t got the money to splash out on the upper-price-bracket Tamiya TB-03 above, then fear not, as Hobbypower has the ultimate alternative for those of you looking for a fantastic chassis on a budget.

This chassis is made with premium alloy and carbon and represents incredible value for money.

Unlike the other kits in our guide, this is a rear-wheel-drive setup with the weight centered at the back, and an ultra-wide-angle steering system for maximum steering lock capabilities.

You’ll struggle to get more for your money than this RWD belt-driven car, but you will still need to consider the costs of electronics and the body shell(s).

For beginners on a budget that are keen to learn exactly how to build an RC car from the ground up, you aren’t going to get better value for money than this chassis.

Manufacturer description: “This is a Rear-wheel drive (RWD)1:10 drift kit which is very suitable for drifting beginners.”

“The kit weight centered at the back and it already comes with the ultra wide angle steering system making the beginner easier to handle and enjoy the drifting experience.”

Features

• Main Chassis, Upper Deck, Front, and Rear Shock Towers
• 2-Belt Drive System
• KIT-D4AWD Internal Gear Ratio is 1.47
• Ultra Wide Angle Universal Driveshafts (65 degrees)
• Height. Adjustable. Dampers & Full Bearing
• Wide Double-Wishbone Suspension Design
• 15 Degrees Front Caster Angle
• Adjustable Y Shaped Front Upper Suspension Arms
• Weight: 800g

Needed to complete

It’s worth remembering that this kit doesn’t come with the following parts, which will need to be purchased separately, but this allows you to choose the best products for your needs:

• 1/10 Drift Body & Paint
• Motor & ESC
• 2 Channel Radio System (minimum)
• Steering Servo
• Shorty LiPo Battery & Charger

MST FMX 2.0 “LCG” RWD RC Electric Drift Car Kit

• Manufacturer: MST
• Suitable for: 14 years and up
• Configuration: RWD
• Scale ratio: 1/10th
• Value for money product rating
• Purchase link: MST FMX 2.0 “LCG” RWD Electric Drift Car Kit

Our comment: For intermediate/advanced drifters with a bigger budget, this could be the perfect opportunity to land yourself an epic carbon fiber chassis.

An LCG (low center of gravity) aluminum motor mount is positioned 5mm lower than the previous generation, which provides increased stability and control.

The upper deck is made from carbon fiber, which looks incredible and makes it strong and lightweight.

This is an excellent choice for beginners to experienced RC enthusiasts looking for a reasonably-priced carbon fiber drift chassis with a lower-midrange price tag.

Manufacturer description: “The MST FMX 2.0 “LCG” 1/10 RWD Electric Drift Car Kit is a mid-motor, rear-wheel drive kit designed with the enthusiast in mind. Featuring high-quality carbon fiber and molded composite parts, super smooth shocks, and a plethora of tuning settings available right out of the box, this kit delivers great steering angles in a mid-motor platform that is great for both beginners and experienced enthusiasts alike.”

“This redesigned LCG aluminum motor mount lowers the center of gravity of the motor by up to 5mm than the last generation, which further increases the stability and control. The freshly designed carbon upper deck is separated from the motor mount, increasing the torsion of the car body, reducing the height of the upper deck, and more dynamic and streamlined visual looks.”

Features

• Middle motor mounts and centralized configurations
• Carbon fiber chassis with dual vertical carbon fiber upper deck
• A redesigned great front suspension system
• Adjustable Ackerman angle variation in 2 sections of the steering system
• Front steering wheel base KPI at 6 degrees. – 0.5 towing distance of axle
• Redesigned front upper arm inside seat supports 10-steps bi-side adjustments
• Full dust-proof rear gearbox with the bevel gear shaft drive
• Standard ball differential
• A variable second reduction ratio of the rear axle in a total of 6 variable range of 1.78-3.82 (standard 3.82)
• Updated carbon upper deck
• Standard equipped with a realistic car brake and caliper set

Needed to complete

It’s worth remembering that this kit doesn’t come with the following parts, which will need to be purchased separately, but this allows you to choose the best products for your needs:

• 1/10 Drift Body & Paint
• Motor & ESC
• 2 Channel Radio System (minimum)
• Steering Servo
• Shorty LiPo Battery & Charger
• Wheels & Tires

MST FXX 2.0 S RWD Electric RC Drift Car Kit

• Manufacturer: MST
• Suitable for: 14 years and up
• Configuration: RWD
• Scale ratio: 1/10th
• Value for money product rating
• Purchase link:
  MST FXX 2.0 S 1/10 RWD Drift Kit w/Clear BMW E92 Body |
  MST FXX 2.0 S 1/10 RWD Drift Kit w/Clear Vertex Toyota Soarer JZ3 Body |
  MST FXX 2.0 S 1/10 RWD Drift Kit w/Clear Lamborghini Gallardo LP56 |
  MST FXX 2.0 S 1/10 RWD Electric Drift Kit (No Body)

Our comment: Although the FXX 2.0 comes in at a higher price than the RMX 2.0, it’s likely to make for a more suitable setup for intermediate/advanced drifters looking to take their skills to the next level.

It may not have fancy carbon fiber parts, which admittedly leaves it more prone to damage, but if you’re drifting in an open space with few solid obstacles, that shouldn’t be too much of a concern.

This kit is also available without a bodyshell, but for an additional twenty bucks, we think it’s well worth going with one of the body shell kits, even if you only intend to use it as a spare, or perhaps for show.

Manufacturer description: “The MST FXX 2.0 S 1/10 RWD Electric Drift Car Kit combines the centralized chassis configuration of the FXX 2.0 KMW, with a redesigned motor forward transmission configuration and front suspension system to create an amazingly progressive driving experience.”

“This rear-wheel drive-specific design is complimented by the unique MB rear suspension system that provides increased rear geometry adjustments, allowing the suspension to better handle steep drift angles with an optimized secondary reduction ratio for improved throttle control. All of these features combined create a high-performance chassis that provides handling characteristics more like that of a 1:1 drift car.”

Features

• The front motor configuration creates a feel similar to a real drift car, for a more realistic driving experience
• CNC machined chassis with the readjusted center of gravity provides better weight distribution
• Updated motor mount, suspension, and ATK system
• The integrated steering system with redesigned aluminum alloy steering connection plate updates the geometry settings to create steep front wheel steering angles, allowing for greater drift angles
• Equipped with MB rear suspension system for increased adjustments and tuning possibilities
• Steel CVD axle for the rear transmission system
• Standard realistic caliper and disc brake set
• Full ball bearings
• Hydraulic Dampers

Needed to complete

It’s worth remembering that this kit doesn’t come with the following parts, which will need to be purchased separately, but this allows you to choose the best products for your needs:

• 1/10 Drift Body & Paint
• Motor & ESC
• 2 Channel Radio System (minimum)
• Steering Servo
• Shorty LiPo Battery & Charger
• Wheels & Tires

Yokomo YD-2E RWD RC Drift Car Kit

• Manufacturer: Yokomo
• Suitable for: 14 years and up
• Configuration: RWD
• Scale ratio: 1/10th
• Value for money product rating
• Purchase link: Yokomo YD-2E RWD Drift Car Kit (Plastic Chassis) |
  Yokomo YD-2E PLUS RWD Drift Car Kit (Graphite Chassis)

Our comment: Yokomo is arguably the highest-regarded company in the RC drift car market, but not all their products are eye-wateringly expensive!

The entry-level YD-2E chassis comes with a fantastic price tag with the plastic chassis version for those looking to get started.

However, if you’re feeling fancy, then there’s also the graphite ‘PLUS’ model alternative to choose from, which comes from the high-end ‘E’ series model.

Manufacturer description: “The Yokomo YD-2E 2WD RWD Drift Car Kit is helping to drive the RWD trend in the drift world. Featuring updated “short type” Front Suspension Arms to optimize the Ackermann setting and prevent interference with the wheels, these arms offer increased steering angle and improved overall performance. The chassis tub allows the use of standard and shorty type LiPo batteries, as well as 6-cell nickel packs.”

“The kit includes LS Rear Lower Suspension Arms as standard for more down stroke and increased grip in order to achieve both stability and speed at the same time. A 4-gear transmission positions the motor horizontally and helps to prevent torque twists. Plus, the design helps to encourage power traction, providing increased stability and acceleration during corner exit.”

Features

• 4 Gear rear transmission
• Closed gearbox
• Four-wheel independent double wishbone suspension
• Front short suspension arm
• High-performance vehicle height adjustable oil damper
• Resin-made one-piece main chassis
• Aluminum motor mounting plate
• RWD exclusive high-angle steering system
• 49mm bone rear universal shaft
• LS Rear lower suspension arm
• Large Rear Diffuser

Needed to complete

It’s worth remembering that this kit doesn’t come with the following parts, which will need to be purchased separately, but this allows you to choose the best products for your needs:

• 1/10 Drift Body & Paint
• 2-Channel radio system
• Electronic Speed Control
• 540 Motor
• Steering Servo
• 7.4V LiPo battery pack
• Compatible battery charger
• Drift car tires & Wheels
• Steering Gyro

Yokomo YD-2R Plus RWD RC Drift Car Kit

• Manufacturer: Yokomo
• Suitable for: 14 years and up
• Configuration: RWD
• Scale ratio: 1/10th
• Value for money product rating
• Purchase link: Yokomo YD-2R Plus 1/10 RWD Drift Car Kit

Our comment: The YD-2R Plus is the mid-range offering from Yokomo, which features a matte graphite double-deck chassis and a six-stage adjustable rear-mounted motor for superior weight balance.

With this layout, you’ll have additional grip in the rear, thanks to the weight being placed on the back. Combined with the aluminium shocks and towers, you’ll achieve maximum traction, which is perfect if you often drift in low-grip areas.

If you’re looking for a competitive car without having to go into the premium price bracket, the YD-2R plus is likely to offer the perfect solution.

Manufacturer description: “The Yokomo YD-2R Plus 1/10 2WD RWD Drift Car Kit was created to deliver the rear traction control needed on low-grip tracks found in drifting circles. Yokomo achieves superior rear traction with an updated rear-motor design, a layout that can maximize traction without changing the total weight of the kit.”

“In this layout, the motor is mounted on the rear overhang to distribute the load directly to rear tires, exactly where you want it on low-grip drifting tracks. Acceleration will apply the maximum load to the contact surface of the rear tires, giving them the bite they need to pull out of turns and maneuver with agility. This is a high-spec machine equipped with the popular graphite double-deck chassis, aluminum SLF oil shock, aluminum front, and rear shock towers, and much more.”

Features

• Rear motor and rear two-wheel drive
• Redesigned Integrated upper deck
• Matte graphite double-deck Chassis
• 6-stage adjustable aluminum motor mount
• 4-wheel independent double wishbone suspension
• 3 gears Rear Transmission
• Updated Sealed gearbox
• Aluminum front /rear shock tower
• Narrow scrub steering block
• Straight /short Li-po Battery compatible

Needed to complete

It’s worth remembering that this kit doesn’t come with the following parts, which will need to be purchased separately, but this allows you to choose the best products for your needs:

• 1/10 Drift Body & Paint
• 2-Channel radio system
• Electronic Speed Control
• 540 Motor
• Steering Servo
• Battery (Li-po 2-cell, shorty type)
• Compatible battery charger
• Drift car tires & Wheels

Yokomo YD-2ZX 1/10 RWD Competition RC Drift Car Kit

• Manufacturer: Yokomo
• Suitable for: 14 years and up
• Configuration: RWD
• Scale ratio: 1/10th
• Value for money product rating
• Purchase link: Discontinued online

Our comment: If you’re planning to go down the competitive route, and you’ll settle for nothing less than the best, the YD-2ZX is the ultimate premium pick.

Available in black, red, or purple, the YD-2ZX has been specifically designed with competition in mind and offers the ultimate platform to secure a spot on the podium without needing to upgrade various components.

Yokomo is the master of RC car design, and we’re confident that this flagship graphite offering will not disappoint.

Manufacturer description: “The Yokomo YD-2ZX 1/10 2WD RWD Competition Drift Car Kit has been designed to become the top model RWD drift car. Built for performance this drift chassis gives the user many features to provide a smooth and stylish experience. With the Yokomo YD-2ZX, you can drift like there’s no tomorrow.”

“This drift car features a high traction graphite chassis and double deck design. Yokomo changed the way the steering servo attaches to the chassis side, making the upper deck more flexible. This allows for a smoother steering feel without hindering the flex of the chassis. The transmission is equipped with a unique motor mount allowing for a higher motor mount and better heat dissipation. The battery can be fully moved within the chassis without hindering kinetic performance. The front bulkhead, suspension mount, shock tower, and big bore shock are made from machined aluminum for high rigidity and lower weight. These features come together to deliver a highly competitive chassis.”

Features

• Redesigned graphite main chassis & upper deck
• Vibrant Purple Anodized aluminum parts
• Graphite front bumper
• Slide rack steering system
• Aluminum special motor mount
• Aluminum shock towers
• Aluminum suspension mounts
• Aluminum lower suspension arm adapter
• Aluminum integrated front bulkhead
• Aluminum SLF Big Bore Shock
• Aluminum Gear Diff Joint
• Aluminum Hexagon Hub
• Graphite front bumper/brace
• Aluminum 3mm steering stopper
• Front/rear short suspension arms

Needed to complete

It’s worth remembering that this kit doesn’t come with the following parts, which will need to be purchased separately, but this allows you to choose the best products for your needs:

• 2-Channel radio system
• Electronic Speed Control
• 540 Motor
• Standard-size steering servo
• 7.4V LiPo “Shorty” or Stick LiPo battery pack
• LiPo-compatible battery charger
• Drift car tires & Wheels
• 200mm TC or Drift body
• Polycarbonate paint for the body

Thank you for reading our RC drift cars guide

If you enjoyed this article, then please share it with the sharing buttons at the side and the bottom of your screen.

Check out our selection of the best-rated micro RC cars and RC monster trucks on the market!

RC drift cars FAQ

What’s the best RC drift car kit?

Our RC drift car kit choice is the MST RMX 2.0, providing fantastic value for money with a freshly-improved chassis, which has proven to be a hit among RC drifters.

What are the best RC drift cars?

There are three types of RC drift cars, so here are our recommendations depending on what you’re looking for: Our RTR (ready-to-run) choice is the HSP FlyingFish, and our RC drift car kit preference is the MST RMX 2.0 RWD. For those looking to build their RC drift cars from scratch, the Hobbypower RWD drift chassis offers fantastic value for money.

What’s the best 1/10 RC drift car?

Our favorite 1/10 RC drift car kit is the MST RMX 2.0, and the HSP FlyingFish is our top pick for those looking for a ready-to-run RC drift car. These picks offer exceptional value for money for those looking to get started with RC drifting.

Information and photography credits

We thank the following entities for the use of their information and photography in this article:

• Amazon
• AMain Hobbies
• eBay

The post Best RC Drift Cars Guide For 2023 first appeared on Drifted.com.

Drift Hunters summary

Drift Hunters is a free-to-play drifting game. Drift a selection of high-performance tuner cars on a variety of exciting tracks.

The game uses the UNITY engine which means a completely 3D world with realistic physics and a solid frame rate.

Starting with the iconic Toyota Corolla AE86 as you hit the track and improve your drifting techniques you can unlock cars including Nissan S13, Toyota Supra, 2015 Mustang an RWB 911 and many more.

You can customise your car to your heart’s content, modifying both visual tuning and performance. Five different race circuits are at your disposal, so what are you waiting for? Turn the key!

New to drifting? You can find out everything you need to know on our drifting guide.

Become the ultimate Drift Hunter

Since the launch of Drift Hunters, there have been two upgrades to the game – Drift Hunters 2 and Drift Hunters MAX.

The latest game in the series, Drift Hunters MAX, has completely overhauled the game. With Drift Hunters MAX now featuring more cars, tracks, and even a brand-new Drift Attack mode with clipping points and drift zones, there’s even the opportunity to compete against other Drift Hunters fans on the leaderboards for the first time.

Drift Hunters MAX is quickly becoming the most popular choice among the Drift Hunters franchise, and once you’ve given it a try, we’re sure you’ll agree that it’s undoubtedly the best game yet!

Drift Hunters car list

Here is a complete list of the cars available to play in the game:

• Toyota Trueno GT-APEX (AE86)
• Datsun 240z
• Nissan 240sx (S13)
• BMW M3 (E29)
• Mitsubishi Evolution (VIII)
• Subaru Impreza WRX
• BMW M3 (E36)
• Nissan 240sx (S14)
• Nissan Silvia Spec R (S15)
• Honda S2000 (AP1)
• Mazda RX-7 Type R (FD3S)
• BMW M3 (E46)
• Toyota GT86
• Toyota Supra (JZA80)
• BMW 1M Coupé (E82)
• Infiniti G35 Coupe
• Mercedes Benz AMG CLA Saloon (C45)
• Ford Fiesta ST (Mark VI)
• Nissan 370z Coupe
• Nissan Skyline GTR (R34)
• Lexus IS350
• Dodge Challenger Hellcat
• Ford Mustang Fastback (S550)
• BMW 335i (F30)
• Nissan GTR (R35)
• Porsche 911 GT (993)

If you would like to see more detail on each car, you can read our exhaustive Drift Hunters car list.

Game features

Here is the official feature list from the developer:

• Over 25 awesome drift cars. Drive your dreams
• Detailed car tuning
• Car customization. Paint your car in any color with 4 types of paint. Change rims, paint rims. Stance it
• Upgrade performance of your car – make more skids
• 10 nice tracks for drifting, racing or just doing burnouts
• Realistic drift physics
• Collect drift points and earn money
• If you enjoy drift culture and jdm at all, be sure – drift hunters is for you!

Gameplay screenshots

Check out this selection of high-octane gameplay screenshots:

How to play Drift Hunters unblocked

Are you having trouble playing Drift Hunters at drifted.com? Sometimes colleges and work places will block gaming websites from their networks, this sucks as you can’t access our games. The answer is to use one of our mirrors.

We recommend heading to 180SX.club, where you can enjoy Drift Hunters unblocked and Drift Hunters 2 unblocked.

Drift Hunters guides, tutorials & walkthroughs

We have created this section to collate all of our guides, tutorials and walkthroughs for the game in one place.

Drift Hunters beginners tutorial

New to Drift Hunters? Then our beginners tutorial is just for you! We walk through choosing and setting up your car, track selection and basic drifting techniques.

Want to ace Drift Hunters and rank with the best players out there? Then you need to check out our advanced Drift Hunters guide.

Drift Hunters money guide

Are you looking for the best hacks to earn unlimited money in Drift Hunters? We’ve got you covered with our Drift Hunters money guide.

Drift Hunters high score walkthrough video

Looking for some tips on how to master Drift Hunters? Try this easy high-score Drift Hunters guide:

Please note, this video is taken from the mobile game, but the technique still works great for this game.

Drift Hunters tuning guide

Drift Hunters offers a wide variety of tuning options from adding aftermarket parts, bodykits, wheels, paint, suspension tuning and more to your car. Are you looking for the best tune in Drift Hunters?

We’ve got you covered with our Drift Hunters tuning guide. You can tune your wheel offsets, turbo lag, brake balance, front camber, ride height and more.

How to play Drift Hunters

To control your drift car’s controls while battling on the track you are going to use your keyboard’s cursor keys, space bar controls the hand brake. You can change the camera angle by pressing the C key.

To upshift or downshift with a manual transmission use the left shift and CTRL key, respectively. Using the hand brake is useful to help you scrub off speed and control your car during drifts.

Game controls

• UP: Gas
• DOWN: Brake
• LEFT: Steer left
• RIGHT: Steer right
• SPACEBAR: Hand brake
• C: Change camera
• LEFT SHIFT: Shift up gear
• LEFT CTRL: Shift down gear

System requirements

We recommend ensuring that your computer meets the following requirements to ensure you’re getting the most out of your Drift Hunters gaming experience:

Minimum system requirements

• CPU Speed: 1.6 GHz
• RAM: 4 GB
• Operating System: 64-bit (x64) Windows 8, or Windows 10
• Video Card: Graphics card with DX10 (Shader Model 4.0) capabilities and a minimum of 2 GB of graphics memory

Recommended system requirements

• CPU Speed: 2.0 GHz
• RAM: 8 GB
• Operating System: 64-bit (x64) Windows 10, or Windows 11
• Video Card: Graphics card with DX10 (Shader Model 4.0) capabilities and a minimum of 3 GB of graphics memory

If your system falls below these recommendations, we advise upgrading your GPU.

When upgrading your system isn’t possible, we recommend heading to ‘OPTIONS’ from the in-game menu and selecting ‘LOW’ graphics.

While you’re not going to make the most of the incredible visuals that the game offers, you may still get to experience the impressive physics.

Drift Hunters is now optimized for use on Google Chromebooks.

Enjoyed Drift Hunters but looking for more? Try these related games:

• Drift Hunters MAX
• Drift Hunters 2
• Supra Drift 3D
• Drift Boss

Completed Drift Hunters? Then you should check out these Drift Hunters alternatives.

The post Drift Hunters – Drifted Games first appeared on Drifted.com.

• Introduction
• What is Handling?
• Best Handling Cars

Introduction

When choosing a car, handling should always be one of your primary considerations, especially for those who would class themselves as petrolheads.

While there’s no question that top speed is exciting, it’s almost useless for most canyon runs or even tracks.

Some of the most fun we’ve had behind the wheel has been in an agile, lightweight sports car, such as a Miata, which could potentially only set you back a couple of thousand dollars – if that.

Using the Miata as an example, neither top speed nor acceleration will ever be the ultimate selling point for these cars, especially if you’re considering one of the earlier 1.6 or 1.8L NA or NB models.

Sure, you could opt for forced induction, which is a whole different ball-game and will likely sacrifice the handling to some extent in the process, thus defeating the objective.

Suppose you venture to the canyons, even in a stock Miata, with the roof down and a reasonably decent set of coilovers.

In that case, you’ll soon realize just how much fun can potentially be achieved, even at low speeds, in a car that handles exceptionally well.

What is Handling?

Handling is always subjective and will depend on who’s testing the car and how hard they’re willing to push it to test its handling capabilities.

Ideally, a car with impressive handling should be capable of getting thrown into a corner at high speed yet feel refined and predictable throughout.

Steering response and feedback are two of the primary considerations. How does the car react to what the driver is expecting from it?

For instance, if you throw a car into a corner at a respectable speed, and you end up understeering before getting t-boned into a tree, the chances are that car doesn’t have good handling!

We would expect a well-handled car to respond well with even the slightest adjustments to steering. If it’s snappy and requires a lot of correction to push hard, then it’s not going to be ideal.

You want a sharp, direct response from the steering and to feel fully in control at all times.

If a car has a delay with steering feedback or doesn’t provide an adequate amount of ‘feel’, then it won’t be what we’re looking for.

Oversteer isn’t necessarily a bad thing, provided it’s predictable and easily-corrected with a well-balanced chassis.

A near-perfect chassis balance is why cars such as the Nissan Silvia S15 are often highly regarded as the best handling drift cars.

Sure, the back end is likely to step out when pushed to the limit or beyond, but you know you can confidently plant your foot and steer your way out of the situation. (Well, that’s the plan, anyway!)

The Essentials of Great Handling

Body roll is also undesirable in a well-handled car, as the last thing you want is to feel like you’re driving a boat through the corners.

Purchasing a set of coilovers, or perhaps even lowering springs, can often rectify body roll issues.

With that said, merely bolting a set of coilovers to your car that currently handles like a boat is never going to provide a complete solution.

The chassis needs to feel planted and inspire confidence in the driver, and the cars listed in this guide all have fantastic potential, whether that’s in stock form or with a few simple upgrades.

Braking should also be a consideration when it comes to handling, as a car with a dead-spot in the brake pedal certainly isn’t going to be desirable when you’re fine-tuning your braking distances.

Finally, it has to be highly enjoyable and entertaining to drive.

As we mentioned earlier, speed isn’t everything, and a good-handling car is often far more enjoyable for daily or weekend use than a car that’s capable of achieving license-losing speeds in a matter of seconds.

Is a vehicle with good handling important?

Not only does a car with good handling provide epic amounts of fun, but it also provides some safety elements too.

Well, providing it doesn’t encourage you to drive beyond your capabilities around every corner, that is!

Let’s say your partner is considering getting a new car, but they’re not a petrolhead. Would a well-handled car be worthwhile in this regard? Certainly.

If he/she got into a situation where they had to swerve to avoid an animal in the road, a car that handles well would be far more predictable when it comes to ensuring that the ultimate car control is maintained.

So our top tip for today is to encourage your other half to get a car with great handling (safety, of course) and then think of various reasons and excuses to take it out for a spin on the weekends!

Thank us later.

Will coilovers provide good handling?

While coilovers can improve your car’s handling, a good chassis is still vital, which is why we recommend considering the vehicles in this list.

Coilovers, when set up correctly (we’re looking at you here, stance kids) on a solid chassis, are likely to provide the best possible handling.

However, slamming it into the ground and losing all suspension travel will have the opposite effect.

Likewise, fitting coilovers to your 6,000lb SUV won’t make it compete with Porsche’s in the twisties, unfortunately.

What cars are we looking at in this guide?

We’re mostly going to be considering affordable, everyday road cars, with a surprising balance thrown into the mix.

You can find the Mercedes-Benz AMG GT S and Audi R8’s in every guide online, but since they’re going to be out of budget for most of us, we’ve decided to keep our list a little more realistic.

It’s worth remembering that handling is subjective and a matter of opinion. Unlike top speed and 0-60 times, there’s no ‘official’ way of measuring a car’s handling, which essentially boils down to driver feedback.

Although we hope that our fans won’t disagree with what we’ve got on this list, we’ve undoubtedly missed off a whole bunch of cars, but we’d never get this list published if we provided them all!

We’ve stuck with the rear-wheel-drive platform for this guide. Sorry, Civic Type-R fanboys, you can’t win ‘em all! We have still managed to include a Honda to keep you happy.

10 Best Handling Cars (In Our Opinion!)

For this list, we’re looking at some of the cars we feel are the best handling options on the used car market, which are both affordable and rear-wheel-drive.

Here’s our favorite pick of the bunch, displayed in alphabetical order to frustrate the keyboard warriors.

Just kidding, we’ve refrained from listing our personal opinions on the best, as we feel different cars will suit different needs – you really can’t go wrong with any of the options in this guide.

BMW M3

You may be thinking, “an M3 certainly isn’t affordable for me!” but you may well be surprised by the price tag of BMW’s Ultimate Driving Machine.

We’ve now been blessed with more than four decades of the 3 Series. With the E21 first appearing in 1975, as we fast-forward to the present day, the “M-car” has five variations, with the latest in the series, the G80, arriving in 2021.

Despite the E30 now earning classic status, with a price-tag to match, E36 and E46 M3 coupes and sedans can still be found with reasonable price-tags and are known for being two of the best handlers in the line-up.

As time progresses, both the E9x M3 and the 335i are becoming incredible choices for the price, and both cars are fantastic in the handling department.

If you’ve got a little more cash to spare, both the F80 M3 and F82/F83 M4 can become serious considerations.

Not only is the M3 fantastic in the twisties, but each generation also has heaps of power, and the newer they get, the more spacious and practical they became.

Controversially, Car and Driver labeled the BMW E36 M3 “The best handling car at any price” in 1997.

Since the car went up against the best of what Ferrari and Porsche had to offer, we think you’ll agree that’s a pretty bold statement, but a true testament to this motoring legend.

If you’re looking for a daily driver that’ll be incredible on both straights and twisties while also having enough space for the family in the week, the M3 is a perfect choice.

Ford Mustang

Okay, so not everyone’s gonna agree here. But, we’re not looking at the Mustang with the same mindset as the previous M3.

Although Eleanor was undoubtedly a thing of beauty, she’d had one too many cupcakes and certainly wouldn’t have made our best-handling cars list.

Ford undoubtedly built the Mustang to compete with other muscle cars of its era, and handling wasn’t really at the forefront of their intentions in the earlier years.

However, as time progressed, American muscle cars have thankfully gone from handling like cruise ships to providing some of the best contenders out there a run for their money.

For example, the Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 not only provides 460 hp from its 5.0L V8, but it has a MacPherson double-ball suspension combined with many suspension goodies.

These goodies include Hydraulic MagneRide damping with gas pressurization, which provides a revolutionary suspension approach.

Combined with Brembo six-piston brakes, this impressive muscle car is more than capable when it comes to the twisties, and you can guarantee the 460hp powerplant will provide more than enough grunt in the straights, too.

Honda S2000

Those of you that are frequent visitors to Drifted won’t be surprised to see the Honda S2000 on our list.

For those of you who hate convertibles, you’ll have a serious fight on your hands to resist the urge of the S2K.

Not only was the F1-inspired engine the highest specific-output engine in the world, thanks to its insane 9,000rpm redline, but the combination of an old-school stick-shifter and a limited-slip differential in the rear made it a Miata on steroids.

The S2000 weighs in at 2,800lb with 50/50 weight distribution combined with the VTEC-powered naturally-aspirated four-cylinder and manual transmission, making it one of our favorite cars – not just when it comes to handling, either.

Honda and two-seater sporter fans have been screaming out for an update on the S2K, but they’ve not provided any hope that a successor is on the way.

Yay, go Honda! Because Front-Wheel Drive cars are so much more exciting, of course.

Since Honda produced the S2000 for just ten years, they’ve retained their value unsurprisingly well.

Do we feel they justify the price tag? Definitely.

Although you could match the 240hp with a Miata alongside a turbo or supercharger kit, it still wouldn’t be as well-refined or reliable as the S2K.

Talking of turbo kits, did we mention that the S2000 is capable of achieving up to 700 horsepower?

Mazda MX-5 Miata

You guessed it. How could we possibly forget the Mazda Miata?

The humble two-seater roadster will undoubtedly be one of the first considerations that will come to mind when considering a car with exceptional handling characteristics.

Although the NA and NB models are likely to be the first choice for many, thanks to their incredible value-for-money, the later generations are still fantastic in the handling department.

Earlier models will suffer badly from rust issues, which means that numbers are now falling rapidly, but if you’re lucky enough to live in a dry part of the world, this isn’t likely to be much of an issue.

The Miata is one of the most commonly-raced cars globally, and that’s certainly not due to hosting a monstrous powerplant under the hood. Quite the opposite.

Thankfully, they’re the perfect option for tuning, and with an exceptional base chassis for your build, the Miata is a tuner’s dream.

Make sure you check out our Miata tuning guides to see what the two-seater, roof-down pocket rockets are capable of achieving.

Mazda RX-8

Ahh, joys. The ever-controversial Mazda RX-8.

RX7 fans screamed out for a successor to the legendary RX-7, and for some reason, Mazda listened.

Before we knew it, the RX-8 was born, and it was probably the best and worst thing that Mazda ever did. Although they did a few of those, to be fair.

The RX8 took third place in the Car and Driver 2011 Best-Handling Car in America guide, against the likes of the Porsche Boxster and Lotus Elise, ranking it above the likes of the BMW M3 and Nissan GT-R.

We’re not entirely sure if we could ever own an RX-8, given the rotary issues, which we highly recommend considering if you’re thinking about purchasing one.

With that said, bolt on a set of coilovers, and the RX-8 will most definitely be the best handling car you’ll get for the money.

Just be prepared for repair bills along the way, that’s all.

A real bargain that even has off-the-shelf turbo kits available for those who love carrying out ridiculous amounts of engine maintenance.

Nissan 370Z

Another drifted favorite is Nissan’s Z-car, and although its older brother, the 350Z, is another epic contender, it’s the 370Z that would be our personal choice.

If money isn’t an issue, it’ll come as no surprise that the NISMO variant is the most desirable, and the exceptionally balanced handling makes it well worthy of a spot on our list.

The 350Z has been one of the most popular drift cars of all time, and the 370Z provides that little bit more in a highly-refined, modernized package.

It’s not the lightest car in our guide, but with a potential 350 horsepower on offer from the 3.7-liter V6 powerplant, it’s certainly no slouch.

With the Fairlady seen as one of the last ‘true’ sports cars, both the 350 and the 370Z will be fantastic in the twisties.

If you’re considering either car, make sure you head over to our Nissan 350Z and 370Z tuning guides to see the real potential these incredible creations have to offer.

Whether you’re looking to achieve maximum grip in the twisties or throw it down sideways at the track, the Z-car will provide the perfect solution.

Nissan Silvia

Although the S15 might not be legal in the US just yet, there’s not long to wait!

Nissan’s Silvia family is typically regarded as the holy grail of drift cars in the handling department.

Whether it’s the S13 or S14 (240SX) or the most recent, S15, none of them have disappointed.

There’s a valid reason that drifting legend Naoki Nakamura has stuck with the S-chassis platform all these years, and handling undoubtedly plays a huge role.

You’ll need to expect to pay some rather hefty JDM scene tax if you want to get your hands on an S-chassis, but we can assure you it’s worth it.

With perfect weight balance and a high-revving turbocharged SR20 (the KA has gotta go, sorry), the S-chassis makes the perfect-handling car with just a few bolt-on mods.

Porsche Boxster Spyder

We advise you to think of this as a wildcard in our guide. We like to provide some variety, and since most cars are well out of the typical price range.

Although they’re certainly not cheap, the lightweight Boxster Spyder is available for under $50k on the used market, and they often beat supercars with double or triple the price tag in the handling department.

Since Car and Driver awarded it the “2011 Best-Handling Car in America”, it’ll be well worth the price tag for those with deeper pockets.

Toyota GT86/Subaru BRZ/Scion FR-S

Jeez, they don’t make it simple with these names, do they?

The Toyobaru BR86 is one of the finest handling cars that’s still available in the present day.

Although some enthusiasts will quite rightly point out the lack of power, there’s very little that beats this chassis in terms of low-powered fun, regardless of the price tag.

For that reason, it’s often compared to the Miata, and we put the two head-to-head in this guide.

If you like the idea of a Miata but need a car that’s practical for everyday use, look no further than the GT86/BRZ/FR-S.

There are very few lightweight rear-wheel-drive options in the modern market, but this successor to the legendary AE86 delivered in style.

If you’re worried that the power won’t be adequate, then make sure you check out our GT86/BRZ/FR-S tuning guides, where we’ll show you how to unlock their true power potential.

We certainly wouldn’t rule out this platform without getting behind the wheel and experiencing it for yourself, as we can guarantee that it’s ridiculous amounts of fun, even in stock form.

With prices touching the $10,000-mark for some of the higher-mileage examples, it’s the perfect opportunity to consider seeing what they have to offer.

Toyota GR Supra

Toyota may have upset some of its loyal fanbase with the release of the GR Supra, but thankfully, they managed to keep the GT86’s bigger *cough* German brother rear-wheel-drive.

If you’re lucky enough to make the GR Toyota Supra a consideration, then the 2.0-liter variant is the far superior option in the handling department, thanks to the weight-saving.

Toyota UK provides an in-depth explanation regarding how they went about achieving the cars’ excellent handling capabilities.

Although most enthusiasts will be quick to tell you that it’s a re-styled Z4, that isn’t the case.

In their review, Autocar stated, “it certainly comes across as a more dynamically exciting machine than the Z4. Its steering feels far quicker off centre than the BMW’s, its front end much more adhesive and darting. There’s a greater sense of composure about it, too, particularly at the rear axle”.

“The BMW’s tail can skit about under cornering or over off-camber surfaces, whereas the Supra feels more planted and secure with its adaptive dampers set to Sport”.

So, there we have it! We hope that we’ve covered everything you could want to know about what we feel are some of the best handling cars in this guide.

Thank you for reading our Best Handling Cars guide.

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Photography credits

We thank the following entities for the use of their photography in this article:

• Fitment Industries

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