Drift corner
Are you into drifting and dreaming of elegant corners and controlled slides on track? Check out our Drift corner and learn about all the upgrades you need for (your) drift car.
DRIFT CORNER
This guide is your one-stop shop for all
At Tuners Capital we created this guide to make it easier to decide how to upgrade your car for drifting. The guide is suitable for beginners and advanced drivers alike, as we keep updating it together with active drivers.
Kazalo
PLATFORM
Choosing the right platform
Choosing the right platform for drifting is essential for every enthusiast. Among the many options here, the BMW E36 and BMW E46 stand out. Here are a few reasons why these two platforms are so popular with Slovenian drivers:
1. Power and performance: the E36 and E46 are known for factory engines with plenty of power and responsive rear-wheel drive. That gives you enough power to hold the lines you want while keeping the car under control.
2. Modification options: both platforms have been around for over 20 years, so they offer a wide range of options for engine, spring and suspension modifications.
3. Parts availability: in Slovenia the availability of spare parts is for the BMW E36 and E46 an excellent. That makes the car easier and cheaper to maintain, which matters a lot with regular track use. The same cannot be said, for example, for Japanese cars that are popular elsewhere in the world.
Choosing between the BMW E36 and E46, you are sure to find a reliable, capable car that satisfies your appetite for adrenaline-fuelled drifting. The e9x series is slowly joining the list too, as these cars are getting to the point where they are cheaper than, say, an older e46. Whichever you choose, it is important to set the car up to match your skills and experience and to attend courses and events to sharpen your skills and become a top drifter. Buying the car and welding the differential for a 100% locker we will leave out of this guide. Below you can see which other upgrades are recommended and why.
What does a Slovenian professional drifter say about choosing your first drift car?
SUSPENSION
Suspension – springs and dampers, steering angle, reinforcements …
The right components on a drift car matter enormously: a well-built car lets you push past limits and get great results on track.
- Coilover suspension height-adjustable (Gewinde) dampers are the heart of your drift car. Properly set up and tuned suspension is the difference between ordinary driving and outstanding corners. Our range covers a wide choice of products in every price class. For the best stability, response and adjustability we recommend coilover suspension BC Racing, which besides ride height also allow damping adjustment.
- Steering wheel angle adapters full control through the corners is essential for successful drifting. Among our kits for steering angle you will find the right part and get exactly the amount of lock you need for performing complex manoeuvres.
- Adjustable Arms allow precise adjustment of wheel geometry, which is essential for optimal response while drifting. The adjustable arms are tested to our own criteria for quality control. They are suitable both for drifting as well as for road cars and other motorsport vehicles.
- Chassis reinforcements you can think of them as armour for our car. Reinforcements increase the strength and rigidity of your car, which means more safety and better control through hard drift corners. On older cars such as the BMW E36 and E46 we also recommend reinforcements as a preventive measure, as old bodyshells tend to crack under heavy loads.
Featured products:
INTERIOR
Interior – hydraulic handbrake, seat, steering wheel …
The interior is the space that gives the driver confidence and full control of the car, so it is important to understand how much the interior equipment matters for every driver. Below we have picked suitable parts for an upgrade, which covers:
- Hydraulic handbrake is an indispensable piece of equipment for drifters, as it gives precise control over the rear wheels. With it you can easily break traction, get full control of the steering and add the finishing touch to your corners.
- Bucket seat is comfortable and gives excellent support during fast, dynamic manoeuvres on track. The ergonomic shape holds you in place so you can focus on your driving without worrying for sliding around in the seat.
- Sports steering wheel is your connection to the car, so choosing the right one is crucial. A durable, well-padded wheel with an ergonomic grip gives precise feel and allows fast, responsive inputs.
- Other accessories we also offer a wide range of accessories, including harnesses, fire extinguishers, roll cages and other interior equipment.
Featured products:
MOTOR
Engine – cooling, air filters, upgrades …
To keep a drift season as cheap as possible, the driver has one main goal – to make sure for engine safety (besides not wrecking the car – haha). This matters especially on drift cars, as the engines spend most of their time at high revs, which raises temperatures and, if components are not set up correctly, increases wear on engine parts. Below are some modifications that make sense for drift cars:
- Oil pump upgrade on BMW engines (M50, M52, M54) it is important to upgrade the oil pump’s main shaft for the reinforced version. As the name suggests, the reinforced version is made for the abuse we give it. The factory oil pump shaft can shear off, which cuts oil pressure to the engine and leads to the engine seizing. Upgrading this component on the engines mentioned is almost essential.
- Oil cooler as mentioned, drift cars spend most of their time at high revs, which heats up the oil and all the engine’s components. High temperature is a silent killer, so it is important to keep oil temperatures as low as possible. We recommend fitting the oil cooler using an adapter that mounts as the filter housing cover for oil.
- Other accessories we also offer a wide range of accessories, including performance oils in various grades, other engine components and coolers for water, silicone hoses for water, etc..
Featured products:
Obleke
FINALLY
To succeed on track as a driver, you need confidence. Preveri Tuners Capital majice and makes sure you look cool on track.
CONCLUSION
DRIFT CORNER
We created the Drift corner, and will keep developing it, together with drivers who have been drifting in Slovenia and abroad for more than 10 years. The guide is meant as a starting point; it is best to do your own research based on your needs. If you have special requests, our team is always available. You can find our contact details here.
P. S.
If you haven’t already, you can sign up for our newsletter using the form below. You can expect more articles like this in your inbox, plus other news from the car world, such as upcoming car meets, track days and other events. We will also let you know when this guide is expanded or changed in any way.
WHY BUY FROM US?
Long-term development!
Our goal is to grow motorsport with an outstanding shopping experience and excellent pre-sales support that helps take your driving to the next level. We are also committed to building car culture by supporting local motorsport events or organising them ourselves. In 2023 we organised a drift event called Game of Drift. By organising this event we took the first step towards developing drifting here and successfully introducing it to a wider audience!
Hats off to the guys at Tuners Capital. I can say they are always ready to help and to adapt to each case individually.
Every car has its own needs and quirks, right? And with modifications, those needs, quirks and wishes only grow. From spare parts for aftermarket products to endless wish lists and full baskets, for that we slowly work up the courage to actually pay for. I can find the vast majority of things at TunersCapital what I can’t find there usually doesn’t exist at all.