How did you learn to drift?

[PANDAemic]

I'm planning to take my S13 to the track soon to see how it fairs against all the SR20's out there and I just want to learn what your guys' first experience with drifting or anything went. Me personally I don't know how to do it but I intend on learning, been saving up for tires and if needed a new kit.

So I just want to know how everybodies first time went and any pointers on a guy thats trying to learn.

[AAV240sx]

All right look man there lots of ways you can do this. Handbraking is the easiest so the first thing I want you to do, I want you to rip that E-Brake. After you rip that E-Brake then I want you to power over. Just don't mess up Mona. Aight?

But in all seriousness, if the track you're going to has a Drift Nirvana event or something along the lines where they can teach you first hand that's the best way... can't really be good at it just from just reading words over the internet, but in the mean time I suggest watching the drift bible lol.

oh and there's a drift forum section... should probably look into that and read the stickies...

[PANDAemic]

LOL, I totally didnt see that section... But yea, I gotta start somewhere.

[Chris28]

Let go of the wheel, it will turn for you. Fighting the wheel will only make you spin out.

[PEZi]

I actually learned nice and slow. Started drifting in the snow just because of how easy it was. Learned the dynamics from that and applied to rain... process continues.

[PANDAemic]

Thanks for the replies! Yea, I think it only rained 3 times in 2011 here in So Cal, and snow?!?! THATS UNHEARD OF!

I think I might go to a track day and learn from them. I'm one of those guys that gets paranoid out of the smallest things.

[Hooked on 240]

Back in 05 i got my first 240, only mod it had was a VLSD . And wouldnt you know it it snowed the day after.

I taught my self stick, and learned to drift in the snow all the same week. Pretty good when your 16 lol ever since then i havent looked back.

The best part of winter here in NY is when we get big massive storms at night. ive always had a train of cars drifting for hours til the plows catch up at 5am. And local cops sometimes tag along. seeing a tahoe drift is hilarious btw.

[PANDAemic]

Yea, I taught myself how to drive stick as well, it's just teaching yourself to drift is really risky in Cali because of the cops...

[usdms13]

I used to practice in big parking lots and mountain roads eventually got heat from the 5-0. I also practiced at el mirage dry lake bed. good place to learn weight transfer etc., just dirties the car up... a lot. eventually made my way to willow springs, which was awesome. all done with a ka24e lol

[asoomal]

Let go of the wheel, it will turn for you. Fighting the wheel will only make you spin out.

Doesn't work with HICAS lol.

[PANDAemic]

I used to practice in big parking lots and mountain roads eventually got heat from the 5-0. I also practiced at el mirage dry lake bed. good place to learn weight transfer etc., just dirties the car up... a lot. eventually made my way to willow springs, which was awesome. all done with a ka24e lol

I was going to go to the track in riverside, do you happen to know the name of this track? I heard they have people there that can teach you.

EDIT: Its Adams Motorsport Park...

I've been meaning to ask, how do you tell if your 240 is Hicas or not and also how do you know if you have a LSD, Welded Diff or open diff?

[slidestyle69]

I learned from learning from people that had already learned from people that had already learned how to.

asking on a forum only gets so far...jus sayin. find a group of people and show some leg to get some lessons.

[BusyBadger]

Let go of the wheel, it will turn for you. Fighting the wheel will only make you spin out.

Doesn't work with HICAS lol.

asking on a forum only gets so far...jus sayin. find a group of people and *snip* get some lessons.

Not sure he needs to show some leg, but hey...you never know! To continue with a theme from one of the earlier responses...

"There's no 'wax on wax off' of drifting. You learn by doin it."

[PANDAemic]

Not sure he needs to show some leg, but hey...you never know! To continue with a theme from one of the earlier responses...

I've been known to have a pair of pretty sexy legs...

I think my other question kinda got missed since I just edited it in my other post but how do I tell if my S13 is Hicas and if it has a LSD/Welded Diff?

[usdms13]

if your tires sound like they are "skidding" when u make turns,its welded. for the lsd, light em up and see if both tires lay down rubber. as for the HICAS, there should be a steering rack in the rear of the car. shouldn't be hard to miss

[benz88]

I learned on snow. And then moved to Wet Pavement. Now normal pavement haha.

[PANDAemic]

if your tires sound like they are "skidding" when u make turns,its welded. for the lsd, light em up and see if both tires lay down rubber. as for the HICAS, there should be a steering rack in the rear of the car. shouldn't be hard to miss

Something like this?

[usdms13]

YUP!

[PANDAemic]

Time to look under my car!

Can somebody tell me in short what HICAS does? Wikipedia has a lot of words and complicated stuff I'm not familiar with.

[usdms13]

it is 4 wheel steering

[PANDAemic]

Thanks! So does it make drifting harder or easier?

[BusyBadger]

Harder, the rear wheels will want to turn instead of breaking loose. HICAS also makes high speed driving a little twitchy.

[PANDAemic]

Hmmm, well I was being a lazy a** today and I didn't leave my house but from what you said I think I might have HICAS, did it only come on certain years/models?

I noticed when driving on the freeway at like 80~90mph my car starts to swurve a bit. Not sure if thats just my suspension...

[Razi]

That doesn't sound like something HICAS would cause.
How's your alignment and bushings?

[PANDAemic]

Not sure, I have to get them checked out soon anyhow. Just money is the main issue. I've been driving pretty fine so I think I'll hold off on it for a little.

I'm using an enitre stock set-up, only thing thats been changed is coils.

[Razi]

I'd double check everything.
Put money into maintenance and keeping the car proper, extra money goes towards fun time.

[PANDAemic]

Yea, I was working on that. First things first I was planning on removing/fixing things that can get my tickets exterior wise like replacing broken glass, lights etc. And then I would work my way up to suspencion like replacing bushings and getting a new set-up (I kinda need some advice for this). Once I finished those as my top 2 priority I would then work on outer appearance like removing dents, paint and body.

[supra33202]

http://www.driftday.com/

1) Go to a trackday that has a open area (skid pad).
2) 1st gear and dump the clutch. Let go of the steering wheel for about 1-2 seconds, and catch the steering wheel. Keep the throttle, and try to do circles in a control manner.
3) If you have relatively high horse power car. Do circles. Try to step on gas while turning (power over technique).

[usdms13]

the "swerving" you referred to is possibly your sub-frame bushings, or other linkage bushings. might be about time to replace them all ...

[PANDAemic]

True, I am driving an 89... This car is older than myself...