One of the key things we’re keen to push here at Team Japspeed is how easy it is to get into drifting in the UK. Sure, the Super-Pro class in the BDC features some SERIOUS builds with bespoke engines and fabrication, but we’re not talking about that – we’re talking about basic competitive drifting. How hard can it be? Time for Team Japspeed to find out…
Let’s get things straight, this is going to be a GENUINE 2012 Japspeed project car, albeit making its first outing at the Trax Show next weekend. One thing we do know is essential is a good, solid base car. We all love the ‘oddball’ drift cars but truth be told, there’s a damn good reason so many Nissan S-bodies compete in drifting worldwide – they’re cheap, they do the job and there’s plenty of parts available for them. We wanted this to be a true test – not buying a ‘stage 3’ semi-built example, standard to drift-ready in two days. Let’s go!
We’re lucky to have a massively dedicated team here at Japspeed, along with a half-decent workshop to begin the transformation. Everyone’s chipping in for this build – we’ve ever got Baggsy, Paul Smith and Shane Lynch involved – don’t ask us how, but it mainly involved free Monster Energy and McDonalds throughout the day. With the team assembled the first job was easy – strip it out!
So what key elements make a good ‘basic’ drift car? For a start you don’t need 1000bhp, so this build isn’t going to feature a wild engine – seat time and a well-sorted chassis are the two best elements to any drifter. Only once these two are mastered can you start upping the power. Removing the weight is a good way to not only improve the power/weight ratio, but it also makes a car way more predictable by reducing bodyroll. With drifting, you only need a well-supported seat, steering wheel and not much else so all the rest could be binned!
With the car now stripped it was time to unleash a few extra horses, using our proven Japspeed products in the process. A front-mount intercooler/intake, full Shotgun exhaust system (including turbo downpipe and de-cat) and stainless steel manifold should see the S14a close to 270bhp with similar levels of torque just to give that extra surge of power for any third/fourth gear corners in the dry. A Japspeed alloy radiator and oil cooler keeps the temperatures cool as throwing any car sideways at 100mph holding it on the limiter is going to cause some extra heat, and while you may only be drifting for a few seconds at a time it’s enough to cause serious damage.
Safety is always key in any form of motorsport, so Peter @ Fabricage kindly fabbed up a full 6-point cage complete with door bars to comply with BDC safety regulations. While this may look a little excessive for ‘entry’ level drifting, trust us, you can NEVER be too safe when it comes to rollcages. Along with the rollcage, it was time to make some proper chassis modifications – Daiyama coilovers as used on all our winning drift cars were fitted alongside adjustable arms, strut braces, tie rods and camber all round. We can’t stress enough how having a solid chassis is so beneficial to drifting, and increasing steering lock as well as making camber/toe adjustment depending on course and grip levels is a must. To finish off our handling package, the S14’s rear diff was welded – a budget favourite, and essential for locking the rear wheels without necessarily spending a fortune on a 2-way limited slip item. Great for drifting, not so much for daily driving!
Now came the fun part – making it look like a drift car! While this isn’t essential, making your car eye-catching is definitely a key part of drift culture not to mention making the car much more recognisable for any sponsors. Once the bumpers and side skirts were off, the timely process of masking up and keying the bodywork began before we could fit up the bodykit provided by Shane @ Drive ‘N’ Style. A decent-fitting kit saves SO much time with fitting and prep; especially if (like us) your spray booth consists of an empty workshop, a spraygun and a small generator. Gas masks at the ready…
So by the end of day one the S14a is beginning to resemble a drift car… nearly. Tomorrow’s the big day – paint’s being applied, fresh Rota wheels being fitted along with a huge remainder of parts and the all-important setting up of the car. Make sure you check out our Facebook page HERE for the latest updates, and check back on the blog to see whether we actually managed to build it in just 48 hours. Not long to go now!
