The Most Popular Drift Car Platforms From EDM, USDM and JDM manufacturers, a #BlogPost by Mk2Golfer

In today’s car culture, drift is a very popular type of racing. Cars sliding around corners, tyres smoking… It is definitely a one of a kind experience that many petrolheads decide to try out themselves. Deriving from the Land of the Rising Sun, drifting has found it’s way to car scenes in nearly every country on the planet. Even though Japanese cars might be the most popular among drifters, people tend to use some alternatives from their homecountries that are cheaper than the foreign imports and have parts that can be found for less money.

I’m pointing out the word cheaper because monetary resources are important for drifters.
They might pay a bit more money for their car, but the parts have to have low price tags. Each and every one of them, whether he is a pro or a beginner, crashes. Bumpers and body panels are the ones that always “die” first. But let’s not forget how tiring drift can be for a car’s engine, transmission and other vital components, so they often need to get rebuilt/replaced. And then there’s tyres… Loads and loads of them get used up during the races. Again, Japanese cars might be the most popular, but aren’t always the cheapest.

So, without any further ado I will show you the most popular drift cars tuners choose around the world!

In Japan, it's the Nissan S-Chassis

The S chassis is a group of sportscars produced by Nissan. These are lightweight, rear-wheel drive and equipped with Inline-Four engines.
On different markets these were known under different names, but were same cars with slight variations.

Their price, parts availability and performance made them perfect for doing skids.
Whether you get a 180SX or a 240SX, or even an S10 Silvia, you won’t be dissapointed.
The I4 engines, with the SR20DET as the most popular, and whose power outputs can vary, pump out just enough power to make you slide.
In factory condition, the Nissan S chassis cars have shown to be fairly reliable.
But just like every other performance car, these rarely stay stock. Turbo, camber/stance, weight reduction and such are the modifications people do to their Nissans to make their driftability (yes, that is a word) better.

The only bad thing is that the ‘drift tax’ is making their prices grow outside of Japan. But still, decent examples can be found around the US and Europe too.

In Europe, it's the BMW M3

M3 BMW… A true piece of German engineering.
German perfection. I have’t been to a drift meet without seeing one of them. And trust me, I’ve been to A LOT of drift meetings.
These are basically 3 Series, but performance tuned from the factory, with the M meaning ‘motorsport’.

With the M3 family is a good thing that you’ve got a wide range of different cars to choose from.
If you like good ol’ boxes, you can get yourself an E30.
If “Weight reduction, bro!” is your favorite quote by Alex Kersten, you can but an E36 Lightweight.
Or if you are up for something more modern, you can get an E90.
You have a wide range of engines as well: from I4 to V8. A true buffet!

M3s are beasts even when they’re stock, so you can take one straight to the track. Though for the best performance people do a few degrees of rear camber, a hydraulic handbrake and a shortshifter, for the beginning.

And if your budget is a bit tighter, your cheaper alternative can be a non-M3 3 series. People have split opinions on whether they are sports cars or not. One way or another, they are RWD and decently powered and improving their driftability is a matter of upgrading.

In America, it's the Ford Mustang SN95 and Fox Body

I’m guessing you can conclude that I watch ChrisFix and that Chadkake is a very good friend of mine.
But all jokes aside, the Mustangs have proven to be par excellence drift machines.
One of the main reasons for that is - you’ve guessed it - the mighty V8 combined with a strong chassis.
Basically everything a car needs to be drifted: power, rwd and strenght.

You can take it to the drift track with no mods except the safety ones (seats, cage and fire extinguisher) - that’s how good the Mustang is.
They came with a few different engines, but the most iconic one is the 302 (aka ‘5.0’).
Those engines are immortal, which is crutial for these car-molesting competitions.
The V8 rumble might not be the most common thing go be heard on the drift circuit. That is why this wild horse would be interesting to take to an international drift meet, with the JDM and Euro racers.

The only down side of it that I know about is that they’re not common anywhere except in the North America.

That would be it for today’s blogpost.
I hope you all enjoyed reading it!

See you 'round, like a donut! (PUN INTENDED)

Golfer out!