S13 or the S14?

[DRFT_DMN]

im kinda new to the whold drifting thing when it comes to understanding the way a car works. i am having a hard time choosing between an S13 and a S14 which are better drifters, the S13 or the S14?

[bone_stock_240]

I am going to have to respectfully send you to the noob question thread.

zerothread?id=249603

this way you can ask whatever question you want and not get flamed.

It really doesn't make a difference. Which one do you like more? Whatever minute difference is there from the stock configurations is completely erased as soon as you start adding aftermarket stuff on. I guarantee you also don't have the skill to actually feel whatever subtle difference in drifting potential either car would have. If I were a bandwagon jumper and into drifting, I would probably prefer the S13 mainly because they are more plentiful and cheaper.

[E7-S14]

If I were a bandwagon jumper and into drifting,

What bandwagon

i honestly didnt know their was a noob question thread

back to origianal postAnswer:their both basically the same under their skin.when it comes down to it its what ever you prefer

[redtop91]

S13 will be your way to go. They are cheaper and easier to come by than S14's. They also weigh about 100 lbs. less.

[adrianfromthecastle]

when it all comes down to it, it has to do with what your budget is. Obviously, s13 body parts are cheaper to replace (you can find more s13's in junkyards than you can s14's, not to mention everybody and their mamas doing jdm s13 silvia conversions and throwing away their front ends for cheap).

[neverlift]

**** my boy is selling a shell with that jdm tyte front end you speak of for only 1000 dollars with stock se wheels and flawless dash. so yeah an s13 is a much cheaper choice. there is also another s13 this one is a hatch for like 900 with coilovers and "nice" wheels.only s14 that looks decent is a kouki IMHO dont get me wrong I've seen a few zenkis that look good but.....

[DRFT_DMN]

Thanks guys i appreciate it, sorry next time ill go to noob question threads first and search PE@CE!!!

[FeintMind]

according to the Drift Bible, the S13 has more understeer, and is harder to drift than the "better balanced" s14.

I love the s13 though.

[Joe]

according to the Drift Bible, the S13 has more understeer, and is harder to drift than the "better balanced" s14.

I love the s13 though.

yea...and that can be removed with a good alignment.

What bandwagon

you been under a rock for 2 years?

[theclub]

The s14 is only like 50lbs more and is wider, anyone remeber those Pontiac Grand Prix wider is better commercials! I got the hatch but I like all the 240's, except the vert.

[Chukidori]

yea...and that can be removed with a good alignment.

you been under a rock for 2 years?

hes correct ^_^

And he is also talking about the silvia....In america , base model s14's had no rear sway bars and are more understeer bias than the s13's i think.

And like kamin said, it just takes some tweaking. Its not that the s13 is unbalanced, its the fact that ALL production cars are manufactured with an Understeer Bias because its the safest handling mode for novice drivers to control, just increase roll resistance in the rear (IE sway bar or stiffer springs) and it will correct that. If youve ever looked the front Sway bar is ****ing huge...and the back one is a flimsy little thing

[Joe]

well the front is always bigger than the rear

i still run my stock rear bar, you dont NEED to upgrade them at first.

good coilovers, good alignment.

do your research, learn what each setting does and how it affects the car while drifting.

[E7-S14]

excuse my ultra newbishness herebut by alignment.. you mean?.. make sure the front tires are aligned?..cuz i didn't think so

thx..

[Chukidori]

well the front is always bigger than the rear

i still run my stock rear bar, you dont NEED to upgrade them at first.

good coilovers, good alignment.

do your research, learn what each setting does and how it affects the car while drifting.

You dont even need good coilovers ..

. To tune out the understeer its just as easy as slapping a thicker sway bar to the rear, that will neutral it out maybe even push it more to the oversteer side, its also much cheaper. The sway bar as a side effect of its design works as lever to shift weight to the outside tire. So a thicker sway bar on the rear will generate more outward force on the outside rear tire, which will help even more with an open rear end since its usually the outside wheel that is static.

You dont "need" it but its a useful upgrade.

But this guy is right, alignment is important. ^_^

[Joe]

i agree, but dollar for dollar coilovers are going to be more beneficial in the long run vs a sway bar and stock suspension, or just with lowering springs.

excuse my ultra newbishness herebut by alignment.. you mean?.. make sure the front tires are aligned?..cuz i didn't think so

thx..

you are thinking of an alignment like a normal person would. thats wrong lol.

out of the factory your car is designed with safety in mind, NOT with performance. therefore it runs a very passive alignment that is more focused on tire wear and keeping you out of trouble (understeer biased)

as soon as you get coilovers you should start considering doing a TRACK orientated alignment (more camber, more caster, LESS toe). whats the difference? the car will then handle 10x better, and be more predictable, and easier to initiate, and go faster, and bla bla bla.

a good alignment made as much of a difference as good coilovers did to my car.

my current setup

.1d toe in front AND rear

2.5 camber front and rear

8.5 caster front.

subtle changes to your alignment can completely change the way your car handles ONCE YOU UNDERSTAND HOW IT WORKS AND HOW IT FEELS. DONT d!ck WITH IT TILL YOU ARE CONFIDENT AS A DRIVER. i cant stress that enough.

i used to run toe out in the back (.1-.2d). that gives snappier initiations but is slower and less controllable at speeds. changing to toe in made it harder to initiate, but the car just sticks to the ground better while drifting.

[Chukidori]

Im aware of what the definitions of caster camber etc are, but would you explain the practical application of your increased caster for me please Kamin?

And how adjustable is it on a S13 without coilovers. I have yet to look into this

[Joe]

short answer, the more caster the straighter the wheels want to go.

google for a long answer, im lazy lol

and its not adjustable on a stock 240. you need tension rods to adjust caster.

[E7-S14]

thank you kamin for enlightening me on this subjecti kinda thought about that aspect "alignment" but didn't think to much into it..but i fully understand now

[Drifter S]

according to the Drift Bible, the S13 has more understeer, and is harder to drift than the "better balanced" s14.

I love the s13 though.

drift bible..lol.. its funny if u watch him... drift king or not.. he has no style and never releases the wheel.. i was shocked to see that after drifting for 3 years i watched this thing.. its sooooo different now from when i first was starting and watched it..

anyway.. its just a preference thing like 100000 other people just said. s14s feel a little different and tighter in stock form compared to s13s.. prolly from being a newer chassis.. but the price of 14 vs the 13 would leave u enough money for collars and tie rods and things to tighten up the 13 chassis too. so its kinda what u want yourself.

as for drifting the car doesnt even really matter for the first year or 2.. best thing to do is get something rwd with sloppy body roll and low power and learn to control it on a drift course.. when u can do that ull be amazed what u can do in a modded car and ull know what to do to your car to make it slide even easier.

[soslydwaysjon]

get a s13 if you don't want to spend money on the car..more for suspension..i got a zenki cuz its so sick looking...yeh

[banana cogniac]

from what i've seen on formula d and in magazines, s13's seem more popular. thats what i really want to get

[Joe]

from what i've seen on formula d and in magazines, s13's seem more popular. thats what i really want to get

its most popular because its the cheapest to replace.

[chetacheese]

s13, i think they are just lighter and aerodynamically shaped to drift. feels well balanced and easy to throw.

[BOOMSHAKALAKA]

im kinda new to the whold drifting thing when it comes to understanding the way a car works. i am having a hard time choosing between an S13 and a S14 which are better drifters, the S13 or the S14?

If you're having a hard time choosing, just pick which one looks better to you. Or better yet...pick the one you get the best deal on. The differences between the two are minimum. An S13 or S14 can't be a good drift car without a good driver. You, as the driver, will have to get out there and practice, research and gain knowledge as to how your car works and how to make it perform better to your liking.