My head is spinning . . .

[Soldat]

Alright, I just got my first drift car. This car will have very little purpose other than drifting, drift comps, drift practice and drifting events. Possibly autocross, but only if I want to go play and there aren't any events going on.

I've been searching message boards in multiple places trying to find something of a Beginners guide to Drifting Suspension theory, but all I can seem to find are general definitions of suspension/handling terminology or people arguing. My family's been doing drag racing, autocross, stock cars, motorcross, stadium off road, go karts, etc for literally decades ( I myself am the least knowledgable in such subjects, but I have some experience) so we know how to make a car stick to the asphalt, but making a car that wants to do controlled slides is something of a foreign concept.

My question is this: Where do I start in regards to suspension tuning? I realize that every car is different and that an 86 Z28 will need to be tuned/handled differently than a 92 240SX, but there has to be some sort of general rules about where to start, right? Logic tells me to lighten the car as much as possible, slam it to the ground and stiffen it up as much as possible (again, track car only). Is there something in there that doesn't apply? Am I missing something else that's important?

Remember, we're all n00bs once. =)

[~Johnny]

I haven't been drifting for very long but I will share some knowledge that I've learned.

I too have been looking for various suspension setups for my 89 240sx but as you stated all thats out there are definitions of suspension components, etc. So, what I've learned is that you first need to setup your car for grip racing. Take the knowledge you and your family have with grip driving and apply it to the car you're trying to drift. The only thing that will be different will be the setting you set the suspension components to. If the car is track only, you want the suspension pretty damn stiff. That goes for grip and drifting.

My advice to you is set the car up as you would if you were grip driving: adjustable sway bars, tie rods, end links, control arms, etc. The only real difference I would see is the use of coilovers. While you don't need coilovers to drift it's the best way of getting high springs rates along with lowering the car a good bit. Get all those components and take it to a race suspension shop and tell them your goals. Or, if you want to adjust it yourself, there is an adequate amount of info on how to do so.

Sorry if this info isn't any help. After all, I'm a newb myself . I've just spent a lot of time researching this topic. Hopefully, someone will be able to provide some more specific information and will correct anything I've said wrong.

[Soldat]

Well, thanks for your input, it seems to coincide with the general ideas that I've found floating around. I guess my best bet is to just do as you said and treat the car like it's being prepped for autcross and then tweak/adjust to make it a little more driftable.