Is it possible to drift with low power engine cars?

(2011-08-20 14:15:07)

1. Lawa Dilzar Says: I like drifting cars, but I don't have enough money to buy powerful engine to drift with, so I have BMW 520 1994 and wanna drift with, and the problem is (mine is auto gear not normal), but every time I try I'm gonna loose control of the rode with it. I watched so many tutorials of drifting and I do all the tips at the exact time, but it won't still on control on the rode so please help!

2. Walt Kowalski Says: your problem here is that your car is heavy as hell, plus it's an automatic. not a whole lot of power is needed to send the car sideways, i've seen multiple people do it with old Miatas that make less than 120hp. however, those Miatas only weigh about 2,000 lbs which makes it a bit easier to thrash them around. another factor is that you have an automatic. when i send a car into a drift, i usually do so in 2nd gear. with a manual tranny, i don't have to worry about the car upshifting on its own when i reach higher RPMs. drifting is all about finesse, you need to work the wheel and give boosts of throttle at just the right moment to maintain control of the slide without spinning out. when you have a car that weighs 2 tons like yours, this is definitely going to take some practice.

PS: do you have the traction control turned off? i know it's an older car, but a lot of 90's 5-Series cars came equipped with it, and it'll definitely inhibit your drifting ability.

3. Michael Says: It is technically possible to drift with any car but is pointless in any car. Drifting is normally done to show off although it can be done on a track if the driver has chosen the wrong line into a corner. Like all scrubbing maneuvers it loses time so no smart racer does it out of choice unless he is trying to get behind somebody in a corner while leading the competitor to think it was a goof.

4. fuzzylogic_y2k Says: Yes it is totally possible to drift with a low power car. Its just no where near the same technique as with a high powered one.

If your low power car has a stability control system however you are pretty much out of luck. When it senses the wheels are slipping it will throttle down and/or apply breaking pressure until the slip is corrected. Thus killing the ability to drift.

5. don r Says: I used to drift my Fiat 850 Spider all the time. It's technique, not power. Put some cheap sears tires on your beemer and it'll drift all over the place- especially when you don't want to.