Drift set-up with an RB engine?

[getsideways14]

First of all, I just want to say that this forum is awesome and I have really received a ton of information from the posters and postees as well as those who run it. Thanks for that. Now for my dilemma. I have a 1995 Nissan 240sx and just started drifting it about a month ago. After reading many pages on the issues of good balance coupled with cross balance I have learned a good bit and realize I have way too much weight in front because of the immense RB25DET and it's keeping me from getting a good drift. Any suggestions? Specifically I was talking to a few people who told me to get coil-over suspension because I am on springs now which makes a little bit of sense but that still will not help me with my front to back weight ratio. What will that help me with? My cross balance? Could a good ratio via cross balancing really help my situation? The other question I had was someone at the track thought it would be a good idea to run a stickier tire on the front wheels and a harder compound tire on the back wheels as to get the tires to grip better in the front and not slide around. Sounds logistic to me, but maybe someone could enlighten me as I have been receiving an overload of information from a ton of different sources. Sorry if this was too long, thanks to those who read and responded!

[bone_stock_240]

Have you already relocated the battery to the trunk? I am going to guess yes. Also try running with a full tank of gas. That might help a little. Coilovers should help, as well as replacing your bushings and just stiffening the car up in general.

[getsideways14]

Thanks for taking the time to check out the post. I actually did not locate the battery to the trunk yet. I have heard of doing that but wasn't sure if it would be worth the mess. But I will have some time between drift days so I will work on that, as well as making sure to fill up when arriving at the track. I just purchased purchased Tein tie rods so I am hoping for better steering response along with other postitive results. I also had my bushing wear out on me and am replacing them this next week so that's good news. Any elaboration on which parts to go with for stiffening? And and ideas about the harder compound tires in the rear and sticky ones up front?

[bone_stock_240]

There is a whole lot of stuff you can use to stiffen up your car. Strut bars, power braces, roll cage, urethane or aluminum subframe bushings, and other stuff. hopefully someone who actually knows what they are talking about will chime in. Sorry, I can't really give you advice on the tires. Kamin should be able to give you some general advice on your setup. He was running an RB25 in his car.

[Drifter S]

i dont really think the weight of the rb is an issue.. and the tie rods arent so much for steering response as they are for adjusting for more steering angle and also for their strength over stock ones.. what do u mean by not getting a good drift? i can show u footage of a BONE STOCK open diff s14 at a drift day running the course fine.. and also kuroi runs an rb26 in his already prone to understeer s13 chassis. parts arent what makes u get a "good" drift.. its driver 90%.. i would suggest just getting more seat time and working out the car and learning how it responds... as far as steering input.. most of drifting especially in the s chassis cars .. isnt done by controlling steering inputs.. hell 99% of the time u dont even hold the wheel drifting..lol.. it comes from throttle control and weight balance. i say get in some more practice im sure u will get it down with the car in its current form.

[getsideways14]

Thanks for the advice. I agree 100% that i need more seat time. I guess the original post was just to see what others were doing when running an RB.

[Joe]

I have way too much weight in front because of the immense RB25DET and it's keeping me from getting a good drift

NO NO NO NO IUGIUPGAHPOW4T8Y9AY9TH[A[E 9HA4T

i have been fighting that god damn argument for the 3 years i have owned a RB and drifted. for ****s sake IT DOES NOT **** UP YOUR WEIGHT BALANCE OR HANDLING. A TANK OF GAS MAKES AS MUCH OF A DIFFERENCE AS A RB SWAP

the only thing you need to drift is SEAT TIME. dont blame the car because you cant control it! (harsh, but true)

dont worry about parts and what to upgrade, just drive.

after you learn how to drift a little, get a good LSD, then good coilovers, then a good bucket seat.

[Drifter S]

NO NO NO NO IUGIUPGAHPOW4T8Y9AY9TH[A[E 9HA4T

i have been fighting that god damn argument for the 3 years i have owned a RB and drifted. for ****s sake IT DOES NOT **** UP YOUR WEIGHT BALANCE OR HANDLING. A TANK OF GAS MAKES AS MUCH OF A DIFFERENCE AS A RB SWAP

the only thing you need to drift is SEAT TIME. dont blame the car because you cant control it! (harsh, but true)

dont worry about parts and what to upgrade, just drive.

after you learn how to drift a little, get a good LSD, then good coilovers, then a good bucket seat.

this guy i like.. the first 240 drifter ive met that knows that..j/k.. u further stressed that seat time is what drifting is all about and what makes u a good drifter..u basically hit it the same way i tried to insist.. if more people would get seat time rather than parts.. thered be a lot less totalled rwd cars and wasted parts.. not to mention the skill level that would be out here at events.

[Justin Duncklee]

That's totally wrong. I've been drifting with my RB in my 95 just like yours. Honestly, it's a hell of alot better than having an SR up from. Understeer/ oversteer isn't a problem with the right tire set up. When you run like 195's or 205's in the front, yeah, your guna have problems at first, then you just have to learn how to use weight transfer and stuff to throw it around. I run:

Front: 235/40/18 Nitto INVO's Rear: 245/40/18 Nitoo 555R's

I have no problem with both sliding the car...

I would suggest getting some coilovers.. They do help alot.. Once you get it lowered with some coilovers, you'll have no problem. and you'll be eating the living piss out of people with stock SR's with your stock RB

[Justin Duncklee]

NO NO NO NO IUGIUPGAHPOW4T8Y9AY9TH[A[E 9HA4T

i have been fighting that god damn argument for the 3 years i have owned a RB and drifted. for ****s sake IT DOES NOT **** UP YOUR WEIGHT BALANCE OR HANDLING. A TANK OF GAS MAKES AS MUCH OF A DIFFERENCE AS A RB SWAP

the only thing you need to drift is SEAT TIME. dont blame the car because you cant control it! (harsh, but true)

dont worry about parts and what to upgrade, just drive.

after you learn how to drift a little, get a good LSD, then good coilovers, then a good bucket seat.

Exactly what I'm trying to say.

[getsideways14]

I agree with the seat time. I have been a bit more agressive the past couple of times I have been out and my new steering wheel is smaller and easier to grasp so that has helped a little bit as well. The rubber was falling off the old one because of some massive sun damage. Anyway, thanks for the tire sizes and brand name. I will be fiddling around with some different set-ups to see what works the best, and to start out I will use your suggestion. I also just ordered a Tomei LSD so I will continue to update the repsonse of the car. I am looking forward to a more consistent feel even when I'm off the throttle.

[FAST-DATSUN]

Seat time, set -up and learning too drive the RB using the TORQUE and not the RPM is where it is at.....