• How long can a car sit without being driven?
• Preparing your car for storage
• Starting a car for the first time after storage
• Conclusion

Introduction

As gearheads, we all love to drive our cars at every possible opportunity. But, there are many reasons that cars can sometimes go a long time without being run, and it can understandably leave many car owners concerned about their pride and joy.

After the Coronavirus pandemic swept the world, unexpected lockdowns left car owners forced to abandon their vehicles, some for months on end.

As you’ve probably guessed, car manufacturers didn’t build their vehicles to sit still in one place for a long period of time. Sadly, this was the fate of many cars during the social distancing era.

Since they’re used to being driven each day, there are quite a few aspects of a vehicle that can quickly deteriorate if left unattended.

Alternatively, you may have finally picked up that drift car you’ve always dreamed of, but unfortunately, it’s not road legal, and you’re likely to have to store the car for months on end until you can next get to the track.

If you’re considering your first drift car, then make sure you take a look at our Best Drift Cars For Beginners guide.

Whatever your situation may be, we’ve covered it all in this guide, and we’ll break down your questions to ensure that you’re confident that your car will be kept in optimal condition when it gets stored for an extended period of time, be it weeks, months, or even years.

How long can a car sit without being driven?

There’s a wide range of factors to consider when it comes to this question.

For example, some vehicles could be left outside in a country that snows most of the year, where others might be under direct sunlight, neither of which are ideal scenarios.

As a rough guide, we always advise not to allow any more than two weeks to pass without driving your car if you expect it to start again.

However, if you carry out the recommendations in our guide, you’ll be able to store your car for months or even years with minimal issues.

We’re going to take a look at the primary considerations and best practices to consider if you intend to keep your car in tip-top condition.

Frequently starting a stored car

A popular myth that has seemingly passed on through the generations is that it’s a good idea to start a car that is parked to ensure the battery doesn’t go flat and to keep the engine components moving.

Although there is a partial element of truth here with regard to keeping components moving, idling a stored car isn’t the ideal practice. Doing so can lead to condensation build-up within the engine, eventually causing long-term damage.

Ideally, you want to take the car out for a 15-20 minute drive every two weeks, achieving speeds of over 50mph to assure that all of the components and fluids have the chance to reach optimal temperature, and also to charge the battery.

We understand that driving the car isn’t always possible, so we’ll look at everything to be considered when you’re planning for long-term storage in our next section.

Preparing your car for storage

One of your first considerations will always need to be where you decide to store the car. For example, some countries and areas have strict laws when it comes to storing your vehicle in a public place.

If you intend to leave it parked on the street, you could well wake up one morning to find your car is no longer there. Obviously, none of us want that to happen, right? So, depending on your location, it could be worth mentioning your intentions to your neighbors to ensure they don’t assume it’s left abandoned.

Another thing you’ll need to consider is the location. Leaving your car out in an open space will not only make it a potential temptation for thieves but excessive daylight exposure, particularly in hot areas, can cause paintwork issues.

Not to mention the issues that can arise if a disgruntled bird decides to offload onto your car, which can cause serious paintwork issues when left for a prolonged time.

It’s always best to store a car in a clean, dry, shaded environment, preferably off the road, and in a safe, enclosed space wherever possible.

Battery maintenance during storage

If your car is likely to be in long-term storage, and you won’t be needing the alarm, one of the best measures is to disconnect the battery from the car to ensure it doesn’t get drained.

When your car gets frequently driven, the battery charge gets maintained by the alternator, which is why the battery in a daily driven vehicle rarely goes flat.

Once your car’s in storage, the battery you’ve trusted for years could die in a matter of weeks or maybe even days, particularly in cold weather, due to lack of charge.

Trickle Chargers

If you’re looking to maintain your alarm functions, the best alternative is a battery trickle charger/maintainer.

These are extremely common among enthusiasts who store their cars long-term, and assuming you have an electricity source nearby; a trickle charger provides the perfect solution to keeping your battery topped up for long periods.

The difference between a trickle charger and a generic car battery charger is that the trickle charger sends the minimal amount of constant electricity supply to maintain the perfect battery life.

We’ve covered the best products on the market in our Best Car Battery Maintainer guide.

Our ‘Drifted Choice’ was the CTEK Car Battery Charger.

However, if you have a little extra cash to spare, the Schumacher SC1309 is a fantastic choice. The SC1309 not only charges the battery, but is also capable of jump-starting the car, and features advanced diagnostic testing. It’s an extremely convenient all-in-one tool to have around.

If you allow your car’s battery to go dead, not only is it an inconvenience to get it going again, but it can also leave your alarm blaring when you least expect it.

As you probably guessed, luck would have it that this typically happens middle of the night, which certainly won’t go down well with your neighbors who have been understanding of you parking up your car until now!

Additional complications can come with other features, such as remote locking, which no longer works, and your radio is likely to forget its code, which can be a pain to find, and you may even end up having to pay for a replacement.

For these reasons, it’s a no-brainer to get yourself a trickle charger/battery maintainer before long-term storage.

Preparing your tires for storage

Since cars are pretty damn heavy and the tires are the only component that comes in contact with the ground, they often begin to suffer over long periods.

The dreaded ‘flat spots’ on your tires can occur in just a matter of weeks, and this can cause permanent damage to the tires, which could potentially lead to a hefty repair bill that we can prevent.

If you have no way of moving the car, then the best practice you can do before storage is to ensure that the tires get inflated to the manufacturer’s recommended pressures. We would then recommend that you frequently check them every couple of weeks to ensure they haven’t deflated.

You may have seen that some car owners will leave their cars on axle stands or car ramps when leaving their vehicles for long periods. This is a great way of minimizing tire damage during storage.

Other owners may opt to move the car several meters every few weeks to avoid flat-spotting.

You can also buy car dollies, which will keep the tires on a rounded surface. When using these, we would still frequently check the pressures to ensure they don’t begin cracking.

You can check out our Best Car Dollies guide here to take a look at the best options on the market.

Preparing your bodywork for storage

Before your car goes into storage, make sure that it has a thorough wash, and preferably a paintwork correction and wax, too.

Doing so will undoubtedly be worth your time when it comes to ensuring the paint gets kept in prime condition.

It’s also an excellent opportunity to consider removing the wheels and having a thorough clean in the arches/wheel wells to ensure there’s no dirt, salt, or other contaminants that could potentially cause rust, leading to some major damage.

If you’re preserving a classic car or particularly a Japanese import, it may be worth looking at getting the car professionally undersealed so that you can ensure it stands its best chances against the elements long-term.

Once you’ve given the car a thorough clean and allowed it to completely dry, we recommend purchasing yourself a decent car cover, particularly if you don’t have a garage or a similar sheltered storage location.

Alternatively, you can get some long-term storage solutions such as a Carcoon. These not only keep the car sheltered and dry, but they also maintain the battery and provide constant air circulation, which is extremely important for our next section.

Preventing rust during car storage

The arch-enemy of every car enthusiast is the dreaded rust. This is something you should try to avoid at all costs.

Rust is another reason why it’s so important to choose a suitable storage location for your car. A dry, well-ventilated area is always the best way to prevent it from occurring.

Assuming you have followed the recommendations in our ‘Preparing your bodywork for storage’ section, you would have already carried out a thorough cleaning of areas like the wheel arches.

Wheel areas, as well as tight nooks and crannies on the car, are often liable to rust away once your vehicle is left standing, especially if you have road salt and grime leftover in your wheel arches from the winter months.

These reasons are why it’s vital to prepare the car before storage, and then ensure it gets kept in the driest, warmest, and most well-ventilated area as possible.

You’ll also want to consider the ground that you park your car on.

If you parked on grass, for example, then that is likely to absorb a lot of moisture overnight and on rainy days, which will eventually begin to erode your car’s metalwork.

Avoiding condensation issues and mold build-up inside the car

Preventing mold growth is essential if you don’t want your car to smell like rotten vegetables when you take it out of storage.

Mold can often become a common issue when a car is left parked up, and there are several ways to ensure prevention.

Firstly, parking the car in a shaded area, as we have advised previously, will help.

Mold typically builds up when the interior of a vehicle has been regularly exposed to extreme hot and cold temperatures, so keeping intense sunlight off it will help mold build-up, and also prevent paint damage.

You can also consider purchasing some re-usable car dehumidifier packs, which will absorb the moisture. Just remember to keep an eye on them to see if they need recharging occasionally.

Best fuel practices when storing a car long-term

It’s always a good idea to give your car a full tank of gasoline before storing it short or mid-term.

A full tank of gas helps prevent condensation build-up, so you can have the peace of mind that the car will be at its best when it comes to taking it out of hibernation.

If you’re storing the car mid-term, then you can also consider buying a fuel stabilizer along the lines of STA-BIL, which keeps your fuel fresh for up to two years.

For those of you that are carrying out a long-term build or know you won’t be driving the car for several years, it may well be worth removing your car’s gas tank and keeping it completely dry to eliminate any potential issues.

Should I change the vehicle’s fluids before long-term storage?

Although it might seem strange to do a fresh oil change before long-term storage, it’s definitely in your best interests – this also applies to your coolant, gearbox, power steering, and brake fluids, too.

Dirty fluids are likely to carry contaminants, which can cause a headache in the long-term, so it’s always best to know that your car’s filled with fresh fluids for peace of mind.

Should I engage the parking brake?

We don’t recommend engaging your parking brake for long-term storage.

With time, your brakes can end up rusting, which can cause the brakes to fuse to the drum or rotor, leaving you stranded when you desperately want to take the car out of hibernation.

Keeping the e-brake activated can also stretch the cable, which will be another inconvenience to resolve.

Storing your car on axle stands, or putting a wheel chock or brick around the tires is a far better solution to ensuring that it doesn’t move.

If you’re planning on leaving the car to sit for short to mid-term periods, then it’s recommended to leave it in a low gear.

Just be sure to remember to engage the clutch when you start it up again, or it might end up launching into your neighbors’ car, which won’t go down too well.

Maintaining belts and hoses during storage

Your vehicle’s rubber components, such as belts and hoses, can often dry out and crack as they deteriorate with age.

It’s common for drivers to neglect their routine belt and hose inspection, but without being used regularly, these can often deteriorate quicker than expected.

If your car has is stored for several years, particularly in warmer regions, it may be worth considering a belt and hose replacement before you get it back on the road.

If you’re not planning to replace the hoses, you’ll want to keep an eye out for any leaks or cracks after your first few drives to ensure you’re not losing fluid. Otherwise, this can be a costly mistake later if it goes unchecked.

Eliminating the rodents

It’s not uncommon that owners have come back to their cars after long-term storage to find that it’s transformed into a hotel for the local wildlife.

Although the idea may be amusing, the truth is that mice and other furry animals can cause significant damage to many areas of your car.

From chewing wires to enjoying your cozy carpet, rats will grab just about anything they can to craft the perfect nest.

Before you start your car for the first time, make sure you’ve checked any areas where rodents may be hiding – this includes not only the interior, but also the engine bay, and maybe even the exhaust.

If you fail to do so, then belts might not be the only thing squealing when you do get around to firing her up again!

Starting a car for the first time after storage

Taking a car out of storage is not as simple as turning the key and driving it out. There are several things you’ll want to be sure of before you get around to starting your car after its hibernation.

Firstly, check the car for any leaks. Although a gigantic oil spill on the floor is noticeable, other leakages might be quite so easy to detect, so it’s best to check all your hoses for damage.

Next, check all of your fluid levels to ensure they’re still nicely topped up. Depending on the length of time you’ve left the car, it may be an ideal time to carry out a change of all the fluids to be on the safe side.

While you’re changing the fluids, it’s always worth carrying out a filter and plug change, along with anything your engine consumes regularly.

If your car’s only standing for a few days, weeks, or months, we would expect the fuel to be okay, especially if you followed our advice and filled it with a full tank beforehand.

However, if it’s been a couple of years without additives, it may be worth thoroughly flushing the fuel system to get rid of any sludge deposits and ensure that no ugly problems surface.

Check that no rodents or pests have buried themselves in your car, or even worse, chewed through your wiring.

And if the vehicle in question is a convertible, we recommend thoroughly checking the top for holes before taking it out of its slumber. You don’t want to be surprised when the heavens open up!

If you’ve disconnected your battery, now is the time to reconnect it. If you’ve parked the car in gear, this is also the time to ensure that you’ve got your clutch down after leaving it in gear.

What’s Next?

After you’ve checked all these, we’re happy to say that you’re ready to start her up!

Hopefully, at this point, your motor will begin roaring back to life. If not, we’ll keep our fingers crossed for you that it’ll be something as simple as a dead battery.

If this is the case, your first port of call should be something like these rechargeable, battery-powered car jump starters which are always a convenient device to have on-hand, and they’re surprisingly reasonable, too.

Whether she’s started the first time, or you’ve managed to resolve the issues, it’s time to take her for a spin and remember why you never got rid of your pride and joy.

Before you set off, let’s just go around the car and check that the tire has all maintained their recommended pressures and that there aren’t any flat spots.

After that, you’re good to go. Leave a couple of minutes for the fluids to get circulating again, then remember to take it easy as you head off – this isn’t the time for wrapping it around a lamppost!

As you drive off carefully, be sure to test the brakes continually, and keep increasing the intensity to ensure that you remove any potential surface-rust that may have built upon the disks, and allow the pads to get bedded-in again.

Conclusion

We hope we’ve covered everything you need to know in our guide, whether you’re only looking to start your car after it’s been left still for a few weeks, or you’re finally getting your long-term project back on the road.

It’s a fantastic feeling to get your car back on the road finally, and we’re sure that if you’ve followed the recommendations in our guide, you’ll have many miles of happy motoring ahead.

Well, maybe after a few hiccups. After all, cars are never straightforward – especially drift cars!

If all else fails with getting your car started, we recommend checking out Madalin Stunt Cars 3 for endless free online gaming fun.

Thank you for reading our How Long Can A Car Sit Without Being Driven? guide.

If you enjoyed this article, then please share it with the buttons at the side and bottom of your screen. If you’ve found this information useful, then please take a moment to share it with other motoring enthusiasts. We appreciate your support.

Photography credits

We thank the following entities for the use of their photography in this article:

• Aryan Beezadhur on Pixabay

The post How Long Can a Car Sit Without Being Driven?  first appeared on Drifted.com.

• Paul Walker quotes about cars
• Paul Walker quotes about movies
• Paul Walker quotes about life
• Paul Walker quotes about family

Introduction

Popular YouTuber ThatDudeinBlue recorded an excellent video about Paul Walker and why he is still relevant to car enthusiasts today.

Many car enthusiasts were brought into the fold by the Fast And The Furious movie franchise that Paul was central to. I don’t think anyone would argue that he (and his character Brian O’Conner) is an important figure in the car scene and added marquee value to the franchise centered around JDM race cars.

Check out Paul’s charity; Reach Out Worldwide (ROWW).

When I was a young boy around 18 years old and my friends and I were tooling around in our first cars, a Hollywood movie that showcased tuned JDM cars racing on the highways and pulling cool stunts was something that inspired us to get so heavily into cars.

I’m sure many of you guys can relate.

Paul Walker quotes about cars

• Quote #1 “If one day the speed kills me, do not cry because I was smiling.“
• Quote #2 “I have an airplane hangar with 17 cars in it. That’s no joke. I have a ‘half pipe’ in there, too – you know, like a big ramp, where I skateboard. It’s awesome. It’s the ultimate fantasy.“
• Quote #3 “I’m a crazy car guy. I’ve got an airplane hangar full of cars.“
• Quote #4 “I grew up hunting and fishing. I’ve always been into archery. I’ve always been into cars… In my family, that was just stuff we did. That’s just the way it was.“
• Quote #5 “I wish I could be behind the wheel for every stunt.“

You can check out an exhaustive list of Brian Conner’s cars right here.

Paul Walker quotes about movies

• Quote #6 “I get that a lot. I’m Brian a lot more than I’m Paul Walker, which is awesome. When I hear, “Hey, Paul Walker!” my hair stands up on the back of my neck. It’s uncomfortable. But when I hear “It’s Brian!” it’s cool. I like Brian.“
• Quote #7 “There’s more to life than movies.“
• Quote #8 “My parents never looked at my acting as a career. They saw it as a way to help provide for the household.“
• Quote #9 “Basically, you’re selling a world as an actor, right? I mean it’s like any sales person: if you believe in your product, you know your product, you sell it a lot better.“
• Quote #10 “I just turned 40, and it’s weird to think that I’ve been doing this almost my whole life. I was a child actor and then didn’t do it through junior high and high school, then started up again in my late teens doing ‘Young and the Restless.’ Dabbled with school, went back to college, played around. I think I was doing Pleasantville at 23.“
• Quote #11 “As for Hollywood, I’ve got a killer job, and I’m having a blast. I have the luxury to go on trips whenever I want and invite my friends who can’t afford it. And, God willing, I’ll be able to do all that till the day I die.“
• Quote #12 “I sometimes struggle, because my job is like the antithesis of what surfing is all about. Surfing’s simple. It’s real.“

Paul Walker quotes about life

• Quote #13 “I’m not affected by violence the way some people are. I don’t know why, but I enjoy that intensity.“
• Quote #14 “I live by ‘Go big or go home.’ That’s with everything. It’s like either commit and go for it or don’t do it at all.“
• Quote #15 “I’m not afraid of anything. That’s just the way I am.“
• Quote #16 “Surfing soothes me, it’s always been a kind of Zen experience for me. The ocean is so magnificent, peaceful, and awesome. The rest of the world disappears for me when I’m on a wave.“
• Quote #17 “If you spend any time with a man, you’ll realize that we’re all still little boys.“
• Quote #18 “My philosophy is: If you can’t have fun, there’s no sense in doing it.“
• Quote #19 “I’m a Christian now. The things that drove me crazy growing up was how everyone works at fault-finding with different religions.“
• Quote #20 ““I’m much more likely to give myself a kick in the butt than a pat on the back.“
• Quote #21 “If I lost weight, I’d be two-dimensional!“
• Quote #22 “I’m not the least bit polished, I come from a blue collar background and I never thought I could feel comfortable around the English.“
• Quote #23 “I want to have the freedom to do whatever I want.“
• Quote #24 “My motto is, you have to get in a sport a day.“
• Quote #25 “If you spend any time with a man, you’ll realize that we’re all still little boys.“
• Quote #26 “My philosophy is: If you can’t have fun, there’s no sense in doing it.“
• Quote #27 “There’s a lot of guys that just get comfortable with their positions and rest on their laurels. I had to earn my way.“
• Quote #28 “I don’t go for the flash and panache.“
• Quote #29 “I was definitely ahead of my friends. I was French-kissing girls way before anybody else was.“
• Quote #30 “Everyone has an opinion.“
• Quote #31 “I’m a pretty agile guy, especially being taller and having done martial arts from about the age of 13, but parkour is one of those sports that I wish I’d discovered sooner. When my nephew first showed me, I thought, ‘Damn – I’m too old for this.’“
• Quote #32 “Me and my buddies are all like brothers. So it’s okay for us to say ‘I love you’ or whatever. It’s always cool. I think that comes from my dad. That’s just the way he always was.“
• Quote #33 “I thought I was a hippie, bro. I wore Birkenstocks every day. I went to a Christian high school, so I was pretty funky. The teachers didn’t give me a hard time, though, even though I was totally way out of line in terms of my dress code.“
• Quote #34 “Never hate people who are jealous of you, but respect their jealousy, they are people who think that you are better than them.“
• Quote #35 “I don’t go where the people are. I go where the people aren’t.“
• Quote #36 “No matter how good or bad your life is, wake up each morning and be thankful you still have one.“
• Quote #37 “The journey is more important to me now. There’s no gaurantee, no matter what. We get one run in life.“

Paul Walker quotes about family

• Quote #38 “I’m into being a dad, that’s where my focus is most of the time. I’m an actor that’s my job, but it’s not my life. I have a lot of other interests too.“
• Quote #39 “You know, all that really matters is that the people you love are happy and healthy. Everything else is just sprinkles on the sundae.“
• Quote #40 “I want to get married. I think about it a lot. But I also think about my cars, so maybe my priorities aren’t exactly in line just yet.“
• Quote #41 “Life’s too short. And the biggest curse is falling in love with somebody.“
• Quote #42 “My mom’s hot. I mean she’s old, but my mom’s out of control.“
• Quote #43 “I’m really close to all of my family.“

More Fast & Furious content

If you enjoyed this article then please check out our Cars Of Tokyo Drift feature. Want to find out more about Paul Walker’s cars? Then head over to our Paul Walker Skyline feature.

The post 43 Inspiring Paul Walker Quotes About Cars, Movies, Life & Family first appeared on Drifted.com.

• Introduction
• Ford Mustang GT
• Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X
• BMW M3
• Chevrolet Corvette C5
• Honda S2000
• Dodge Challenger SRT-8
• Chevrolet Camaro SS
• Cadillac CTS-V
• Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG
• Nissan 370Z
• Pontiac GTO
• Wildcard

Introduction

We’ve all been there with thinking, “Man, I wish I could afford one of those” at some point in our lives, especially when it comes to hearing the latest performance car roar away at the lights. leaving you in the dust.

However, as time progresses, you’ll be amazed to see just how many performance cars become a realistic option with a $20k budget.

Thankfully, high-performance cars only appeal to a niche market, so once the wealthy owner has spent his time showing off, it’s time to move onto the newest model, leaving someone to bag a bargain.

Who says that someone can’t be you?

With iconic JDM cars continuing to grow in price, it’s often more viable to check out vehicles on the USDM closer to home, but that certainly doesn’t mean you can’t look further afield with a $20k budget.

Although $20k won’t be bagging you a Lambo, we’ve witnessed plenty of tuner cars built for less than $20k upset that have caused devastating embarrassment to a selection of supercars at the lights – much to the humiliation of the owners.

Initial Considerations

Before you splash out your entire twenty-grand budget, we recommend that you consider a few things.

Mods & Tuning

While tuning is always a temptation and can indeed be a consideration, you’ll want to decide where your priorities lie before you begin deciding which car is going to be best for your needs.

Sleeper cars are hugely appealing, but we’re mainly focusing on the present-day bargains that left the showroom with impressive power from new in this guide.

However, as you’ve probably guessed, we find it hard to keep our cars stock here at Drifted, so if you’re planning to fit some upgrades such as an aftermarket exhaust or suspension, then you’ll want to ensure these plans fit into your budget.

Many owners will buy the car with the budget and then begin saving for mods further down the line, while others will immediately have the urge to improve the looks of their new purchase right away.

Condition

Let’s face it – we all love a bargain!

When you begin searching for your perfect performance car, you’ll need to be careful not to get carried away.

Although some owners will use their fast ride to show off on a trip to the grocery store, the chances are that the majority of performance cars would’ve been driven the ‘right’ way for most of their lives.

For that reason, they can often pop up for prices that seem a bit too good to be true, and this is where you’ll need to tread carefully.

Damage

One consideration would be that although the initial owner could afford a performance car, it doesn’t necessarily mean they could drive it correctly, which may have led to a crash at some point.

Buying a car that’s been wrapped around a pole isn’t going to be an ideal investment.

Spoiler: We’ve included a Mustang, so you’ll also want to check for body parts hiding in the grille.

Jokes aside, it’s always essential to check for crash damage and history before purchasing.

Maintenance

As you’ve probably guessed, with most cars (not all), the older the vehicle gets, the cheaper it gets.

Unfortunately, this can often lead to performance cars falling into the wrong hands, where the owner is more interested in smashing the car off the limiter with every journey.

As for oil changes? Meh, why bother?!

In all seriousness – many performance cars are treated with care, with the owners likely to have splashed the cash. In which case – perfect!

Try and get a car with a service and maintenance history with as many receipts as possible to investigate what kind of life it’s lived.

Additional Costs

It’s one thing to afford the cars in this guide with your $20k budget, but it can sometimes become a whole different ball game when it comes to having the cash when things go wrong.

With many of these cars needing big, chunky tires and premium parts, you’ll be surprised how quickly your bank balance starts disappearing.

Not to mention that gas is going to be far more expensive than your typical daily, and you’re probably going to want to put the pedal to the metal to let the engine scream at every opportunity.

Make sure you also consider insurance, as that’s likely to come with an added premium.

All we’re saying is that it’s a sensible idea to keep some cash aside just in case things go wrong.

Buying a high-performance car and being able to afford long-term maintenance can often be an entirely different story.

Final Considerations

We’re far from saying that buying a used fast car is a bad idea. It’s just best to prepare for the worst-case scenarios that could surface.

With the used car market continually fluctuating in price, some of these cars may be slightly over budget. Still, we’ve seen each car pop up for sale under $20k recently, so patience will likely pay off when it comes to bagging yourself a bargain.

So, with that said, it’s time to use the depreciation to your advantage and cop yourself one of the fastest used cars on the market with a reasonable price tag!

Ford Mustang GT

• Horsepower: 412 hp
• Torque: 390 lb/ft
• 0-60 mph: 4.6 seconds
• Top speed: 155 mph

Since we’ve already spoiled the big secret, the Ford Mustang GT comes in as the first fast car consideration on our list.

Although the RTR variant made famous by Vaughn Gittin Jr would be a perfect choice, the reasonably-priced Ford Mustang GT certainly doesn’t disappoint.

As Ford paid testament to the Mustang’s of yesteryear with the styling for their fifth-generation GT, it brings affordable muscle car goodness to the masses.

With the sought-after 5.0L V8 GT model easily achieved within this price range, we’re sure that you won’t be left disappointed.

A respectable 412 horses lie under the hood, earning the GT a 0-60 time of 4.6 seconds before eventually hitting a respectable top speed of 155 mph.

It might not be the most exciting option, but long-term maintenance is likely to be far more reasonable than some of the alternatives, and there are plenty of OEM and aftermarket spares and upgrades to be found.

If you’re looking for one of the rarer models, we have seen a few SVT models surface within the budget, but remember to do the all-important checks to ensure it hasn’t crashed into any crowds. (Sorry!)

Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X

• Horsepower: 291 hp
• Torque: 300 lb/ft
• 0-60 mph: 4.9 seconds
• Top speed: 146 mph

If you’re looking for some AWD turbocharged fun, then the Evo is going to be one of the best options out there.

With a $20k budget, you’ll have plenty to choose from, including both the GSR and MR variants of the Evo X.

Featuring a 0-60 time of 4.9 seconds from the 2.0L turbocharged engine, it’ll go on to reach a top speed of 146 mph.

For those of you with snowy winters to contend with, where AWD could become in handy, the Evo could make a fantastic choice.

Trust us, all wheel-drive drifts are heaps of fun!

BMW M3

• Horsepower: 420 hp
• Torque: 295 lb/ft
• 0-60 mph: 4.3 seconds
• Top speed: 174 mph

You might be wondering why we’ve not mentioned a specific model for the M3, and that’s because your $20k will thankfully give you a selection of M3’s to choose from.

Although the power figures above are for the V8-powered E92 M3, they all produce respectable power figures.

While E36 and E46 M3’s are often sourced for around $10k, we’ve also seen E92’s pop up in the $15k region.

Many car enthusiasts believe that the E46 M3 was the last of the ‘true’ M3’s, and with prices rising across Europe, it might be the perfect investment for the future in the US.

If you’re considering the E46 M3, then try to avoid the SMG automatic transmission if possible, as these can often come with costly consequences. (Ask me how I know!)

Although the M3 offers the best package in stock form, the E9x 335i also has heaps of potential if you’re looking to build something unique.

With many claiming that the 335i’s N54 engine is the German 2JZ, you’ll be able to reach 500 hp for as little as $1,500.

If you’re after something a little different, then the 135i could be a serious contender.

Chevrolet Corvette C5

• Horsepower: 350 hp
• Torque: 350 lb/ft
• 0-60 mph: 5.3 seconds
• Top speed: 175 mph

Let’s face it, the US isn’t best known for producing stunning cars, but we feel that Chevy pulled it out of the bag with the C5 Corvette.

With the C5’s seven-year production run spanning from 1997-2004, the C5 features the highly-tunable and sought-after LS1 engine under the hood.

Having proven itself one of the most tuner-friendly engines of all-time, the LS isn’t shy when it comes to achieving four-figure outputs for those planning to carry out upgrades further down the line.

If you choose to keep it stock, it’ll still push reach 0-60 in 5.3 seconds with a top speed of 175 mph.

With C5’s available for less than $15k, you’re going to struggle to get more bang-for-your-buck if significant power is your goal.

If you’re willing to consider one of the earlier models, we’ve also seen C6’s within the $20k range.

We feel that the C5 is a genuine contender for the ultimate $20k car.

Honda S2000

• Horsepower: 237 hp
• Torque: 162 lb/ft
• 0-60 mph: 6.1 seconds
• Top speed: 150 mph

We can almost hear the groans from the muscle car fans from here!

Yep, that’s right – we feel that the S2K is one of the best fast cars for under $20k!

We’ve found S2K’s for as little as $10k, but we’d prefer to opt for a low-mileage example in good condition nearer the $20k mark.

Although Honda’s two-seater roadster won’t be the fastest car in a straight line, it’s sure to leave the majority of this list red-faced in the twisties.

With a vast selection of aftermarket tuning options available, the S2K is capable of becoming a serious weapon.

This lightweight, 50/50 weight distribution chassis sports an F1 inspired 9,000 rpm engine in stock form, with a limited-slip diff in the rear and the potential to have top-down sideways fun.

Although the power figures might not look too impressive on the surface, the 124 hp per-liter of the S2K is around two hp per cubic inch, the highest of any naturally aspirated mass-production car.

If you can stump up the cash further down the line, a turbo kit would be capable of pushing out up to 700 hp, which will transform the humble S2K into a supercar-destroying sleeper.

With just 66,547 S2000’s sales in the US and no signs of a successor, we feel that this underrated roadster could become a fantastic investment for the future.

Dodge Challenger SRT-8

• Horsepower: 425 hp
• Torque: 420 lb/ft
• 0-60 mph: 4.5 seconds
• Top speed: 176 mph

USDM fans rejoice!

With Dodge Challenger prices creeping down, $20k is now capable of bagging you an SRT8, but you’ll have to keep saving if you’re after a Hellcat.

Despite the possibility of getting an SRT-8 within budget, you’ll have a lot more selection when it comes to the 5.7L R/T models, with 372 hp and 398 lb/ft torque.

However, we can understand that the punchier 425 hp SRT-8 6.4L HEMI V8 will understandably be a real temptation.

It might not be the most impressive in the twisties, but you can guarantee it’ll provide heaps of fun and a thrilling driving experience in a straight line.

If you want something more practical, why not take a look at the Challenger’s bigger brother – the Dodge Charger!

Chevrolet Camaro SS

• Horsepower: 426 hp
• Torque: 420 lb/ft
• 0-60 mph: 4.6 seconds
• Top speed: 172 mph

After an eight-year hiatus, the fifth-generation Chevy Camaro took the market by storm.

Featuring the latest LS engine at the time, the LS3 pushes out 426 hp and 420 lb/ft torque from the 6.2L powerplant, with its tuning potential achieving the lucrative four-figure possibilities.

With its fully independent four-wheel suspension system and Brembo brakes, the SS also comes with fancy features such as launch control for added excitement.

The Camaro SS is deservedly a hugely popular choice, which will undoubtedly hold its value well for the foreseeable future.

With some entry-level options available for less than $15k, you’ll be able to tap into the potential that the LS has to offer with the leftover cash!

Cadillac CTS-V

• Horsepower: 556 hp
• Torque: 551 lb/ft
• 0-60 mph: 4.0 seconds
• Top speed: 191 mph

Honestly – we feel that the CTS-V is ugly as hell.

Why is that a good thing? Because we love sleeper cars!

Let’s face it, most guys are gonna know the potential of the CTS-V, but for many, this Cadillac is sure to take them by surprise at the lights.

Although the latest model will be well out of budget, the second generation can sometimes be scooped up for $20k if you’re patient.

On the outside, it looks like your typical mediocre Cadillac with a few fancy features, such as a twin rear exhaust, but once you plant your foot, you’ll soon realize that it lives up to the hype.

With a ridiculous 556 hp and 551 lb-ft of torque, the supercharged 6.2L V8 is capable of shifting this chunky four-door sedan to 60 mph in just 4 seconds!

You’re not likely to turn around in admiration when you walk away from a CTS-V. But, when you’re behind the wheel, all will be forgotten!

If you’re looking for pure straight-line speed, then you’re going to struggle to find a more impressive car than the CTS-V for your $20k budget.

Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG

• Horsepower: 469 hp
• Torque: 516 lb/ft
• 0-60 mph: 4.4 seconds
• Top speed: Limited to 155 mph with rumored potential to reach 205 mph

When this game-changing 5.4-liter supercharged V8 four-door sedan with 469 hp and 516 lb/ft torque arrived on the market in 2003, it blew everyone’s minds.

Although it’s limited to 155 mph in stock form, having the limiter removed will supposedly enable top speeds of up to 205 mph with the right tires.

With revolutionary features such as adaptive air suspension, this luxury cruiser wasn’t purely capable of epic burnouts – it can be launched from 0-60 in just 4.4 seconds!

This incredible, rare beast with plenty of power can be found for as little as $10k, don’t expect repairs and maintenance to be quite so cheap.

We love how unsuspecting these monsters are, looking almost identical to a stock Merc on the exterior.

One of the most incredible all-rounders for $20k, but with the E55 AMG potentially approaching almost twenty years old, make sure you’ve got enough money saved for potential issues further down the line.

Want to learn more about the E55? Join Daddy Doug in his in-depth review.

Nissan 370Z

• Horsepower: 350 hp
• Torque: 276 lb/ft
• 0-60 mph: 4.6 seconds
• Top speed: Limited to 155 mph with rumored potential to reach 171 mph

How could we miss the ‘Z’ off our list?

It may not be the craziest car here in stock form, but it’s still got enough grunt to produce a cheesy grin.

What makes Nissan’s 370Z coupe shine is the tuning potential of both the chassis and the 3.7-liter VQ37VHR.

With off-the-shelf turbo and supercharger upgrades available, the VQ engine is capable of pushing out up to 950 hp with the correct supporting mods.

With 370Z’s popping up for as little as $12k depending on the model year, the 350Z can also be a genuine consideration nearer the $8k mark, providing plenty of spare cash in the bank for upgrades.

If you’re interested in checking out the differences between the two, make sure you take a look at our 350Z vs 370Z guide.

The Infiniti G35 and G37 will also be a great purchase if you’re after something a little different.

Pontiac GTO

• Horsepower: 400 hp
• Torque: 400 lb/ft
• 0-60 mph: 4.7 seconds
• Top speed: 180 mph

Admittedly we don’t feel that the Pontiac GTO is the best-looking here, but it’s what lies under the hood that makes it all worthwhile.

Despite being sold for just two years, Pontiac provided the GTO with two engines during this time – the LS1 and the LS2.

Thankfully, your $20k budget will allow you the option to choose which engine you’d prefer, with the 2005-06 6.0L LS2 model providing 400 hp and 400 pound-feet of torque being the most common choice.

The earlier LS1 model is far from disappointing, with 350 hp and 365 lb/ft torque, a six-speed manual transmission, a 0-60 of 5.3 seconds, and a top speed of 159 mph.

If you intend to tune the engine, they both have incredible possibilities and present a bargain opportunity to grab yourself an LS-powered car.

Wildcard: Mazda Miata

• Horsepower: Up to 1,000 hp

Yep – that’s right – we feel that the Mazda MX-5 Miata can be one of the fastest cars you can get for under $20k.

And no, we haven’t lost our minds! However, there may be a method to the madness – so hear us out.

MK1 and MK2 Miata’s with a four-cylinder engine can be had for just a few thousand bucks. There are several for sale at the time of writing, around $3,500, with possible room for negotiation.

Then, all you need to do is activate this unique magic trick – LS swap!

There’s no secret that the Miata is incredible when it comes to handling, and with an insane amount of aftermarket support, it’s the perfect platform for the LS engine.

Admittedly it won’t live up to the same level of luxury that we’ve provided with many cars in this guide, but if you’re looking for a drift or track car, this can present incredible value for money.

Since it’s a popular swap, you may also be lucky enough to find one second-hand, in which case we’d expect it to fall well within budget.

… As long as you can deal with the never-ending hairdresser jokes.

It may not be to everyone’s taste, but there are fewer things more enjoyable in life than roof-down fun in a rear-wheel drive LS-swapped Miata with a manual transmission!

Don’t believe us? Then, check out this track review of an LS3 Miata on the Speed Academy Youtube channel.

So, there we have it! We hope that we’ve covered all the cars you hoped to see in this guide.

Thank you for reading our Fast Cars Under $20k guide.

If you enjoyed this article, please share it with the buttons at the bottom of your screen. If you’ve found this information useful, then please take a moment to share it with other automotive enthusiasts. We appreciate your support.

Photography credits

We thank the following entities for the use of their photography in this article:

• Co_ty74 at Fitment Industries
• Velgen at Fitment Industries
• Wolfpack718 at Fitment Industries
• Blackman432 at Fitment Industries
• sinister_ss306 at Fitment Industries
• SlowAMG at Fitment Industries
• Pandem986 at Fitment Industries
• nickyferocious at Fitment Industries
• CXRacing on eBay
• Frankenspotter Photography on Flickr

The post Ultimate Fast Cars For Under $20k Guide first appeared on Drifted.com.

National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) is an American racing event known for their stock-car racing. If you have ever dreamt of becoming a NASCAR driver then think again!

NASCAR is an expensive sport and it evolves lots of mental as well as physical training and focus.

With focus and proper training, sensible and measurable steps towards the ultimate goal, race car drivers can drive professionally in NASCAR.

However, to become a driver, you need certain qualifications and should know some basics before entering the racing world. With that said, and if you are ready to get stuck in – here are our top ten tips to become a NASCAR driver.

First let’s take a look at Anthony Alfredo’s excellent YouTube video which describes how he got into NASCAR after dabbling in Lacross and professional football:

If you still dream of becoming a NASCAR racer then here are few tips for you!

Start young

The sooner you get behind the wheel, the sooner you will be able to start your professional racing career.

There are not many examples of professional drivers who got started when they were over twenty. Most professional drivers were talent scouted when they were in their early teens while racing go-karts at their local racetrack.

Your younger years will also provide the perfect opportunity to get a headstart when it comes to health, fitness, nutrition, and general wellbeing.

While years of hard work and seat time is necessary, achieving optimal physical condition will help ensure you’re ready for the big-time when the moment arrives.

Focusing on fitness and nutrition will set a good example, and it’ll also help you be as quick and agile as possible, especially if karting is your initial goal.

Rent and practice with Go-Karts

Pretty much every professional race car driver’s career would have started with basic go-kart racing (Lewis Hamilton is a good example). With karting, you can learn how to control a vehicle on the race track at speed and you can teach yourself the art of racing through practicing behind the wheel.

You can even participate in karting competitions from local to the international competitions. If you are under age then try and find a track for youth racing.

Practice on SIM racing software

Sim racing has exploded in the last five years, and with the recent pandemic, many professional racing events have been moved (temporarily) to Sim racing.

This should show you just how highly regarded Sim racing is to professional drivers. While renting go-karts and trackdays every day is going to cost a lot of money, you could be running and re-running real world circuits in a Sim racing rig every single night after school (or work), perfecting your technique before you get behind the wheel for real.

Here at Drifted we have a selection of Sim racing games, these free to play games should get you started.

Network, network, network

Networking is a massive part of becomming a professional racing driver. Being involved in the racing community, be it go-karting or any other kind of motorsport and being out in the paddocks and garages and chatting with other drivers and teams will do wonders for your professional profile.

You need to behave yourself and take care to represent yourself well, on and off the race track. You need to sell yourself to everybody you meet.

The motorsports community has been described as a large family and the sooner you can start meeting people and impressing them with you positive attitude as well as your driving skills, the sooner doors will start to open for you.

Study vehicle mechanics

Understanding the mechanics of racing cars is essential for your to have a career in professional racing. You won’t necessarily need to work on a car (although this might be a good side income to support your racing), but you will need to understand the mechanics of all of the main components including the engine, drivetrain, suspension and chassis in order to understand how to extract the best from them.

Volunteer for local drivers and teams

You can give help to local driver’s crew as a volunteer. There are some programs out there that provide training for the volunteers. Teams need volunteers to do all sorts of jobs which is a good way of getting on-site experience.

Take part in NASCAR driving course

There are many speedways where you can take experience from ride-along laps to following a pace car, or the ultimate driver’s seat challenge with an experienced passenger.

While this won’t directly help you with your career, it will give you a small taste of what that driving experience might feel like.

Get an Internship at NASCAR

While many race car drivers don’t have a college degree as there were no driving schools back in those days, it is now possible for a lucky few to get an internship degree from racing companies including NASCAR.

These will be extremely competitive but it is definitely worth investigating.

Attend a racing school

If you have the cash, attending a racing school is going to help you hugely. There are many organizations in the country where you can get professioanl tutorage to help you perfect your own driving technique.

This might also be a good way to get on the radar of any teams talent scouting for their next drivers.

Find money, lot’s of money

Race car drivers get money from the sponsors for racing. It can cost millions of dollars to set up equipment and everything else you need so you are going to need to either come from money, or set up a network of sponsors.

Try and gain sponsors by building a professional profile, take your branding and media seriously and start approaching smaller companies to sponsor you.

Always treat these companies well and over deliver on what you have promised them. Make sure you document all of this process so as you progress in your career so when you get the opportunity to talk with larger companies you can show them your track record.

If we have wet your appetite for NASCAR then why not have a play of our favourite NASCAR Racing game?

If you’re into NASCAR Heat 4, you would want to check out our ultimate setups guide here!

You might also find our guide for aspiring NASCAR drivers helpful if you dream to become one someday.

The post 10 Tips To Become A NASCAR Driver first appeared on Drifted.com.

Calling all speed enthusiasts and adrenaline junkies! If the mere thought of a racetrack gets your heart pounding and your palms sweating, then you know the joy of a track day like no other.

But before you can unleash the power of your drift car on those twists and turns of the circuit, you need to master the art of transporting your prized possession safely and efficiently.

Here is the ultimate guide to transporting your race car for a track day, it will get you ready from preparing your mean machine to conquering the road on a heart-pounding track day!

Preparing Your Race Car

Picture this: Your race car is poised and ready for action, the engine growling in anticipation. But hold on, speed demon! Before you hit the road, ensure your four-wheeled beast is in top-notch condition. Give it the love and care it deserves with a thorough inspection. Here are a few things you can do to prepare your car:

1. The Engine’s Roar: Pop open that hood and inspect every inch of your engine. Look out for any signs of wear and tear, and make sure all the vital fluids are at their optimal levels. Give your engine a pat on the valve cover if it’s raring to go!
2. The Brakes that Bite: A race car’s best friend, the brakes, need some love too. Check the brake pads and discs to ensure they are up for the challenges that lie ahead. You wouldn’t want to hit the track without the stopping power, would you?
3. Tire Tango: Your tires are the chariots that will take you through the twists and turns of the racetrack. Check the tire pressure and give them a pep talk to handle the heat on the asphalt!
4. Suspension Soiree: The suspension system is your race car’s dancing partner, ensuring a smooth ride on the tarmac dance floor. Inspect it carefully and tighten any loose ends for a thrilling suspension tango!

The Right Transport Method

Every superhero needs a trusty sidekick, and for your race car, it’s the transport method that will carry it to glory! Several options are at your disposal:

1. Trailer Triumph: Like a fortress on wheels, enclosed trailers offer protection from all the elements that Mother Nature can throw your way. Rain or shine, your race car will ride in style and arrive at the track looking pristine!
2. Open Road trailer: If you prefer the raw and rugged feel, an open trailer is your go-to choice. Not only does it let your race car flaunt its charms to the world, but it’s also budget-friendly, leaving you with more gas money for the track day fun!
3. Transport Experts: According to an author at A1AutoTransport.com, experts are the ultimate choice for race car transport. With finesse of a maestro, they handle high-performance vehicles, ensuring your race car safely arrives at the track—leaving you with one less thing to worry about.

Choreographing the Perfect Ballet

It’s showtime, folks! The loading of your race car onto the trailer demands a flawless performance. Follow these steps to execute the loading ballet like a pro:

1. Center Stage: Position your race car like a diva on the trailer’s center stage. Balance is key, ensuring your car doesn’t tip the scales on one side and upset the trailer’s dance rhythm!
2. Strap-in Spectacle: This is no ordinary strapping-in routine! Use high-quality straps and tie-downs to secure your race car. It’s like fastening a seatbelt on a roller coaster; your car should be snug and secure for the ride of its life!
3. Beauty Protection: Your race car is a stunner, so keep it that way during its journey to the track. Wrap it in soft padding and blankets like a VIP red carpet event, protecting it from scratches and keeping it primed for the track day paparazzi!

Secure the Trailer and Prepare for the Grand Symphony

With your race car set and secured, it’s time to cue the road symphony! But before you hit that high note, double-check all connections, ensuring your trailer is hitched securely to your towing vehicle. Your towing vehicle is your conductor, so make sure it’s up to the task of leading the charge on the road!

Now, take a test drive like a virtuoso maestro! Assess the trailer’s stability, feel the harmony between the towing vehicle and the trailer, and make any necessary adjustments to ensure a smooth, rhythmic ride!

Plan Your Route Like a Treasure Hunt

A race car, a trailer, and a thrilling track day adventure—this is no ordinary road trip! Plan your route with the precision of a treasure hunt, and you’ll strike gold at the racetrack!

1. Seek Smooth Sailing: Find roads that boast the smoothest asphalt, ensuring a seamless performance for your race car. The last thing you want is a bumpy ride before the real action begins!
2. Elude Obstacles: The track isn’t the only challenge—avoid construction zones and detours that could hinder your adventure. Focus on the road ahead, and you’ll be one step closer to track day euphoria!
3. Pit Stops and Refueling: Your journey will be one for the books, so ensure your pit stops are like intermissions between thrilling acts! Refuel your towing vehicle and yourself, taking a moment to soak in the anticipation of what’s to come!
4. Navigate Traffic: Just like a master conductor knows when to change tempo, you should plan your travel time to avoid peak traffic hours. By doing so, you’ll glide through the roads like a virtuoso on a racetrack while ensuring compliance with vehicle safety standards. Prioritizing safety on the road is as crucial as honing your racing skills on the track!

Emergency Preparedness

Every performer knows that the show must go on, no matter what! And so it is on the road to your track day escapade. Pack an emergency kit to handle any unforeseen incidents:

1. Toolbox Thrills: Arm yourself with a comprehensive toolkit, ready to tackle any technical hiccup that dares cross your path.
2. First-Aid Superhero: Be the superhero your fellow road trippers need by carrying a first-aid kit to handle any minor mishaps with ease.
3. Spare Parts Savior: Your race car deserves a superhero’s backup! Bring along necessary spare parts like belts, hoses, and fuses to keep your chariot running like a dream.
4. Emergency Contacts: In the world of motorsport, it takes a village. Keep a list of emergency contacts, including roadside assistance and track personnel, to summon aid when needed.

Our Choice For Transporting Your Race Car

We recommend A1 Auto Transport for track day car transport and experience unrivaled expertise, safety, and reliability in the USA. With decades of experience, their specialized trailers ensure your race car travels in style and security.

Count on on-time performance and transparent pricing, no surprises.

Their dedicated team is committed to exceeding expectations, making A1 Auto Transport the winning choice for a seamless track day adventure. Rev your engine and trust your prized possession to A1 Auto Transport-it’s your ticket to triumph on the racetrack!

Conclusion

Bravo! You’ve navigated the twists and turns of this ultimate guide to transporting your race car for a track day adventure. From preparing your race car to securing it onto the trailer, from planning your route to preparing for the unexpected, you’ve aced it all!

Now, with your race car safely delivered to the track, it’s time for the grand finale!

Unleash the beast, feel the rumble of the engine beneath you, and conquer the track like the fearless racer you are! The exhilaration of a track day awaits you, and the thrill of speed will take you to heights you’ve never imagined.

The post The Ultimate Guide For Transporting Your Race Car first appeared on Drifted.com.

• Early career
• Success on track
• Racing career
• What’s next?
• Keiichi Tsuchiya quotes
• Jeremy Clarkson meets the Drift King
• The Drift Bible

The Drift King may be a retired from racing but we see no sign of Keiichi Tsuchiya stepping back from the international drifting scene that he created.

In fact, our drifting sources have spotted him at major drifting events in Europe lately, including King of Europe (KoE) ProSeries rounds in Anneau du Rhin, France, at the Swiss Circuit de Lignières, and Oschersleben in Germany.

As drifting devotees, we only see evidence of the Drift King’s unfailing commitment to the high-speed sport. Despite his infamous status, he remains a smokin’ hot advocate of drifting.

So, why are we, and other drifting fans, so into this guy? What has he done to earn our reverence and, yes let’s go there, our love?

Taking on the touge

Keiichi was determined to succeed, right from his early drifting days. Despite his lack of wealth to fund his passion, he dedicated himself to touge running in the 1970s, grabbing the attention of fellow street racers – or hashiriya.

The snow-covered bends of the Japanese mountain roads gave Keiichi plenty of opportunity to hone what were to become his unique racing skills.

It is rumored that the character Takumi from the hit Japanese Anime ‘Initial D’ was based around Keiichi.

“Speed isn’t everything; you gotta look cool on the touge too.”

Keiichi was inspired by his own hero, Kunimitsu Takahashi, a former racing professional known for tail slides on the track. Whilst on the roads, he’d push himself and the capability of his cars, taking his tactics to a new, thrilling level.

The Drift King is crowned

As an ambitious street racer pulling moves that nobody had seen before, Keiichi quickly gathered an underground following. When he became a pro’ racer, he took his oversteer slide on to the track, injecting more excitement for racing spectators.

Although his freshman licence was suspended for his sensational but illegal moves, he’d introduced drifting to official racing, giving the sport legitimacy. For this, Keiichi was crowned the ‘Drift King’.

Plupsy and other heroic stuff

Keiichi’s heroism was about to go stratospheric. In 1987 he was caught on film in his AE86. Known as ‘Plupsy’, the video is a classic among fans and has even been the inspiration of today’s best drifters.

“I drift to overtake. Not because it is the quickest way around a corner, but the most exciting way.”

And you know that Japanese animation we mentioned earlier? Well, it was that hugely popular 90s Anime series, apparently based on Keiichi’s early drifting years, which also fuelled his reputation as a rebellious spirit.

To add to his humble charm, the Drift King didn’t expect any of this to happen. He drifted because he loved it. He once explained: “I drift to overtake. Not because it is the quickest way around a corner, but the most exciting way.”

Keiichi had people hooked.

The Drift King’s racing career

Now in his 60s, the Drift King had an illustrious racing career spanning more than a quarter of a century, and covering contests like the All Japan Touring Car Championship, Toyota Cup and All Japan GT Championship.

Yet, his proudest achievement was reportedly at LeMans 24 hours in 1995. The street driving in his youth probably contributed to his night-time racing speed, which helped him to win his class and finish second overall.

“What is power without control?”

Over the years, he’s driven the Toyota Supra GT500, Porsche 911 GT1 and Honda NSX GT500. But we’ve heard he’s still got a soft spot for his old togue driving car, the 1986 Toyota AE86. In another interview in 2012, Keiichi said he was driving a “fantastic” 1.8-litre engine with 180bhp.

But what we drifting fans really thank Keiichi for is the Drift 1 Grand Prix’ series (D1GP). Started in Japan with Daijiro Inada – founder of Option magazine and Tokyo Auto Salon. D1GP is now an international series, which has brought drifting to the masses and produced famous drivers.

Still plenty of fuel in this engine!

Although the Drift King retired from racing in 2003, he still promotes drifting with enduring passion. The energy he once burnt out on the track is now used to train younger drivers and promote drifting globally.

He’s even worked as the stunt coordinator and stunt man for the movie Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift in 2006. If, by the rarest of chances, you haven’t seen it yet watch out for his cameo as a fisherman.

In 2010, both Keiichi and Daijiro moved from D1 GP to set up the Drift Muscle series. Aimed at a similar audience as D1 SL, classes are chosen according to driver skill, not car power.

So, no, we see no evidence of this legend quitting from the scene any time soon. For this, we’re truly thankful. We want this guy steering the drifting world for a long time yet.

What next for the Drift King and drifting?

In 2004, Keiichi predicted in an interview that people were tired of nice, clean Japanese drifting. Fans wanted something “more thrilling and dangerous”. Of course, he was right.

We’ve seen feature videos involving drifting from brands such as Ken Block’s sensational Gymkhana series to prove it. There’s a massive global appetite for the riskier side of drifting.

YouTube alone has plenty of amateur-filmed street drifting videos that attract huge numbers of views – especially when something goes wrong.

As for the king himself, we’re excited about what influence he’ll have next on the drifting culture as it grows roots in more countries.

Maybe we’ll see a prince – or princess – worthy of inheriting Keiichi’s title. It could be someone he’s been working with or an unknown street racer who has learned from afar.
Or maybe drifting has now reached so many people, we’re ready for a whole royal family of drifting to emerge.

Our drifting contacts will keep us in the loop on Drift King appearances. Sign up to the Drifted newsletter to be among the first to get the latest.

Keiichi Tsuchiya quotes

During our research on Keiichi-san we came across these eight fantastic quotes that we think you will enjoy.

• I drift not because it is a quicker way around a corner, but it is the most exciting way… – Keiichi Tsuchiya
• Speed isn’t everything; you gotta look cool on the touge too. – Keiichi Tsuchiya
• The car (FT86) is not only FUN to drive, but in terms of quality and precision of handling, the car has very much surpassed any expectations I had. More easily put, if you had blind folded me and told me this was a new creation by BMW’s M department, I would not even hesitate to believe you. It’s that good. – Keiichi Tsuchiya
• The important thing is to keep trying – Keiichi Tsuchiya
• You brake and then turn the wheel, step on the clutch, and pull the e-brake. Release the e-brake, go into countersteer mode, then wait. Wait until you know the car is facing the corner exit direction. then you smile and slam on the gas as you exit the corner. – Keiichi Tsuchiya
• What is power without control? – Keiichi Tsuchiya
• I’m afraid that if I raced you on the street I’d push you to your death. – Keiichi Tsuchiya
• It is easy to make plans but difficult to carry them out – Keiichi Tsuchiya

Do you fancy your chances as the next Drift King? Prove your skills by beating Drift Hunters.

Jeremy Clarkson meets the Drift King

Back in the 90’s Jeremy Clarkson of Top Gear (now The Grand Tour) fame flew to Japan to check out drifting for the first time. If you enjoy Jeremy’s presentation style (and his fantastic hair do) check out this great video of when he met Keiichi-san:

The Drift Bible

At the tail end of 2016 Keiichi Tsuchiya released a video giving a complete run down on his own personalised AE86. He then compares his heavily customised Hachi Ruke with the latest Toyota GT86 sports car.

The entire video is in Japanese however the video has English sub-titles. You can see this video hosted on YouTube below:

If you like reading about Keiichi you may want to check out the Drift Bible.

Here is the description: Keiichi ‘Drift King’ Tsuchiya takes presents a clear and precise tutorial of how to e-brake, shift lock, power over, brake, feint and lift off. He shows how to drift using cars with different characteristics and describes the mods that are necessary to drift.
View the Drift Bible [DVD]

New Vs Old – Keiichi compares modern to classic drift cars

Further reading:

• Get your car on point with our Tuning Guides
• Silodrome Plupsy feature
• King Of Drift unblocked game – Are you the real Drift King?
• SNAPSHOT: Cheating AE86
• Speedhunter’s excellent Keiichi article

The post Keiichi Tsuchiya – From Teenage Tearaway To Drift King first appeared on Drifted.com.

• What is drifting?
• The origins of drifting
• Famous drifters
• Drifting for beginners
• Essential equipment for drifting
• Where are the drifting hotspots?
• What drifting events are there?
• Learning how to drift

Whether you’re new to the world of drifting, have been to a drifting competition and wondered ‘just what goes into it to make it possible’, or are considering taking up drifting yourself, welcome to the definitive guide to drifting!

From the origins of a motorsport that, as of 2018, is the fastest growing, to the most famous drifters around, and a taste of what it takes to start drifting, we have covered everything you need to know about this unique and exhilarating sport.

Ready to dive into the action? Let’s start with the first need-to-know: just what exactly is drifting?

What is drifting?

Drifting is taking a car and exceeding the limits of it – and adding in some style with as much smoke as you can possibly kick up. Sound exciting? That’s because it is!

Manufacturers design vehicles to be able to grip the surface of the road. This makes the car safe to drive, and of course, compliant with regulations. Drifting takes this essential function of a vehicle and explores just how far it can go on the track.

The art of drifting is achieved by taking a rear wheel drive (RWD) car and pushing it into oversteer; achieved by using the handbrake and clutch, and the throttle. When you push the vehicle into oversteer, the traction on the rear wheels break and then move out of line. The slide that this creates is then controlled via the application of the counter-steer and throttle.

Achieving and executing a drift is incredibly technical, but the sport is all about style. While most motorsports centre around lap times and speed, drifting is about the angle of the drift once the oversteer has been initiated, how close the driver gets to clipping points on their track line, and of course, how much smoke they kick up.

This accumulates to create an incredibly diverse sport with plenty of variations in competition. Solo drifting or tandem drifting (where one driver follows another driver’s lead line as closely as possible without interfering with the line or making contact), is extremely exciting to watch and exhilarating to be part of. One of the best takeaways from ‘what is drifting?’, is that excelling at drifting means putting on the best show possible.

The origins of drifting

When it comes to pinpointing the exact origins of drifting, there is a bit of speculation at play with two potential origin stories.

The first story sees the sport emerging from Japan in the 1970’s/1980’s; this is generally believed to be the most likely of the two origin stories. The story starts with a man named Keiichi Tsuchiya, who is believed to be amongst the first people to have introduced sliding on race tracks. This emerged as a result of his experience driving on the mountainous Japanese roads.

From this humble beginning, Japan harnessed the concept of the sport and pioneered it. Slowly, it started to become a sport with a higher profile, attracting the kind of big-budget competition that you can see today.

The second story states that it was the art of ‘Scandinavian flicking’, that began the trend and eventually led to Japan pioneering the sport. This technique of initiating oversteer via the handbrake was used during rallying in order to prevent the vehicle losing momentum on the track.

Whichever origin story is truly correct, doesn’t detract from the fact that drifting has come a long way as a motorsport in only recent years, and today, only seems to be growing.

Famous drifters

Due to the popularity of the motorsport, it will come as no surprise that quite a few drifting legends have already emerged, pathing the way for the motorsport as we know it today. There are two standout drifters that have worked their way up the ranks to be classed as two of the most famous drifters in the world; Keiichi Tsuchiya and Daigo Saito.

Keiichi Tsuchiya

We’ve already touched on Keiichi Tsuchiya as a key player in the origins of drifting, but he went on to have an outstanding career in drifting, to the point that today, he is known as the ‘Drift King’.

Tsuchiya’s exciting career sees him go from a teenage tearaway to a king of the drifting track, covering renowned contests like the All Japan GT Championship and the Toyota Cup. While he has retired from drifting today, his career inspired a generation of new drifters and he is still a prominent face in the motorsport.

Daigo Saito

Daigo Saito is a big name in the drifting world and a true legend of the Japanese drifting scene. Renowned for his control over some almighty beasts of drifting cars, Saito has paved his way into the drifting history books with wins at the 2008 Japanese D1GP Championship, Formula D series and Formula D Asia series. Today, Daigo Saito is commonly considered to be either the number one drifting champion or at the very least, way up there with the very best.

Want to learn more about JDM cars? Try our 11 Best JDM Cars From The Nineties feature.

Drifting for beginners

Now you know a little more about what the sport entails, the history of drifting, and those household names of the drifting world, its time to delve a little deeper into how to start drifting yourself. For all those drivers out there inspired by the showmanship and excellent technical ability of drifters – this is the section of the guide for you!

We’ll be taking a look at some of the top tips every beginner should know, and also those essential bits of information you need to know about drifting cars and equipment. But first things first, why should you consider drifting?

If you’re a drifting enthusiast, then you’ll already be up to speed with the excitement that drifting creates – it’s a unique motorsport and is popular for a reason. If you’re just taking your first tentative steps into the drifting world, then its worth checking out a few videos and tutorials – immersing yourself in what makes drifting so exhilarating.

As we’ll cover later in the guide, drifting also opens the door to competitions across the globe and introduces drivers to a whole new way to explore some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world. Drifting is a growing sport, with drift challenges becoming even more exciting and diverse. Unlike most racing sports, drifting is in its early days and offers a prime opportunity to expand your horizons when it comes to motorsports.

Top tips for beginner drifters

Drifting can be a bit of a baffling sport at first, no matter how much you know about it. One of the best ways to get your head around what you should be doing and what to avoid is to take a look at some of the top tips for drifting for beginners. If you’re getting ready to drift for the first time or preparing for your first competition, here’s what you need to know:

1. Understand How Your Car Works

Your car is the most important piece of equipment that you need to drift, so you need to understand how it works – the ins and outs of what makes your car tick. Understanding the uniqueness of your vehicle is the key to understanding how it’s going to perform out on the track.

2. Understand Why You Want to Drift

Drifting is a technical sport and it’s unlikely that you’re going to nail it on your first attempt. It takes practice and determination to excel at drifting. You need to be committed to the sport, and in return, it can really set you free. Understand what makes you want to drift, and you’ll find that determination and commitment that you need to excel.

3. Perform the Right Upgrades

Once you know your car, you can get to grips with the right upgrades that it’ll need to achieve a boost in performance out on the track. From coilovers to perfect suspension, take the time to tailor your car to your drifting style and make it as comfortable as possible to drive.

4. Think About Chassis Stability

Reinforcing the chassis on your car is essential if you’re going to drift. Achieving stability when you initiate oversteer is vital if you’re going to begin well and achieve a good slide.

5. Practice Leads to Success

At the end of the day, you’re going to need to put in the practice if you want to excel. This means practising initiating a drift, learning the facets, and putting those upgrades to good use. A great car will only take you so far before practice has to take you the rest of the way.

6. Practice on drifting games

There are some amazing drift simulators like Assetto Corsa which can be played with a full VR sim racing rig, however for no budget at all you can play games like Drift Hunters right here at Drifted, for free. At the end of the day, any practice will help!

What car should you use for drifting?

As we mentioned before, your vehicle is the most important piece of equipment that you need to drift. Choosing the best car to start drifting with can be a bit of a minefield, especially if you’re new to drifting.

The weight of the car, the engine, suspension, and power output all need careful consideration, along with pretty much every other element of the vehicle that is going to make the difference between a comfortable and well-suited drive and one that really isn’t going to bring out the best of your skills.

So, where to start?

The first decision you’re going to have to make is whether to choose an automatic car or a manual car. Now, manual cars are generally the preferred option for beginners and pros alike, but automatic still has a small following. If you’re brand new to drifting, a manual is very likely to be the best option for you; while it is possible to drift an automatic, it can be much harder. Really, it comes down to preference, but you’ll likely find that you have a MUCH larger choice of cars when you opt for a manual drive.

Luckily, there are plenty of decent cars that are well-equipped for beginners and not too expensive. Here are 7 of our top picks for beginners:

• 1. NISSAN 240sx S14
• 2. BMW M3 E36
• 3. NISSAN SKYLINE R33 GTS-T
• 4. NISSAN 350z
• 5. MAZDA MX-5 NB
• 6. BMW M3 E46
• 7. Toyota Mark II Tourer V JZX-90

Picking your first drifting car is a massive step, so always make sure that you do your research, test out the vehicles if possible, and get advice from drivers that have had experience drifting in the vehicles before.

Now that you’ve picked perfect drift car, you are going to need some car insurance. Check out our comprehensive guide for types of car insurance in the USA. Don’t like to keep things stock? Then check out our extensive car tuning guides.

Will drifting damage your car?

For beginners, a limited shift differential (LSD), is the way to go for easier control over your drifting, whether on wet roads or dry roads.

A big worry for anyone starting out in drifting is whether drifting is going to damage their vehicle, and if so, to what extent. Put very simply, yes, drifting does damage your car, but then very few sports can be enjoyed without the occasional wear and tear on the equipment that you use.

Really, the extent of damage that your car will sustain comes down to your driving, and the way that you look after your vehicle. If you are cautious, then you can minimize the damage to only encounter the unavoidable wear and tear of putting your car through its paces, and the results of an off, that at some point or another, every drifter is going to experience.

Tyre replacement is a key part of the damage sustained through drifting, and something that you will have to go through on a regular basis. On top of that is any chassis damage sustained during an off. Ending up off the track can cause minimal or major damage, depending on what you’re landing on; a grassy patch is unlikely to do as much damage as a large ditch, for example.

Repairing your vehicle will factor into your drifting experience, but again, like any sport, its all part of the experience, and if you’re careful and follow the right protocol and techniques, damage should rarely be anything too serious.

Essential equipment for drifting

There really is no limit to the number of ways that you can modify and enhance your vehicle; drifting is one of those sports where the extent of customisation is really down to how much you want. However, it’s not advisable to go all out before you truly commit to the sport. There are some true essentials that you’re going to need to take your drifting to the next level, and then much of the rest comes down to preference, aesthetics, and gradual enhancement.

Five major pieces of equipment make up the essentials: the seat, differential, suspension, handbrake, and rubber. Let’s break them down a little…

Seat

This is the source of your comfort and something that you’re going to want to make sure that you get right. Installing a specialist seat, like a racing seat or a fixed-back seat, will make all the difference when drifting. Getting a harness installed is also a crucial safety measure!

Differential

For beginners, a limited shift differential (LSD), is the way to go for easier control over your drifting, whether on wet roads or dry roads.

Suspension

The suspension in your car is a key part of your ability to drift; a good all in one coilover unit will help you to retain more control over your vehicle and help with handling.

Handbrake

Always make sure that your handbrake is in excellent condition, otherwise, you’ll feel the repercussions when initiating a drift. If you find that your handbrake is not performing as it should, its better to get it replaced quickly.

Rubber

Drifting eats tyres; never be in any doubt that if you really get into drifting, then you’re going to be burning through tyres at a rapid rate. As a beginner, try investing in re-moulded types, and always think about quality!

Where are the drifting hotspots?

Putting the technical aspects of drifting aside, it’s about time to unleash what can really set drifting apart as a uniquely exhilarating sport – the best drifting hotspots around the world. These are places to really let loose and have fun, put your drifting skills to the test and explore parts of the world in one of the most exciting ways imaginable. Here are three of the best drifting hotspots:

Evergreen Drift Park, New Zealand

Located Meremere, New Zealand, the Evergreen Drift Park is a dedicated drift park that offers a brand-new track for drifting enthusiasts to check out. The track features narrow corners, with a unique set-up that creates a complex track with a unique design.

Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi

The site of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the Yas Marina Circuit features 21 corners that explore Yas Island. This stunning track offers a unique view of Abu Dhabi with exciting tight corners, long straights, and the chance to get up close to some sand dunes.

Franschhoek Pass, South Africa

A very narrow mountainous road in South Africa, Franschhoek Pass offers truly breath-taking views and a drifting experience like no other. Located in Cape Town, you can expect to pick up some serious speed on this road and take in some of the best views in South Africa at the same time.

Drifting competitions

While some drifters strive to compete in drifting competitions, others simply enjoy the sport as a way to let off steam; whichever category you fall into, there is something truly exhilarating about witnessing a drifting competition first hand.

Thankfully, drifting competitions are in relative abundance across the globe, so whether you’re willing to travel, or are looking for a competition to check out near you, you shouldn’t be hard pressed to get in on the excitement.

Drifting competitions come in all shapes and sizes, but they also come with a unique scoring and judging system. Drivers arrive, sign on, and get a clear picture of the track that they’re going to be facing. This involves mapping out a course, assessing the clipping points, and getting to grips with the line that the judges will expect to be followed.

A key thing to note here are the painted boxes on the track – these boxes (or sometimes cones), show where a driver has to run the rear or the front of their car.

Drivers have to compete in the qualifying run which will cut the competition down to only 32 drivers. Then it’s on to the battles, which see the first-place position take on the driver in the 32nd place position; tiering down in the same way until every driver has drifted. The drivers will take turns being the leader and the chaser, each time mirroring the driver in front without crossing the 3-metre rule.

Points are tallied up at the end of a run, with the drivers losing points for a bad start, understeering, hitting other vehicles, spinning the car out, and clipping. The winner of the competition will have shown the best demonstration of angle, line, style, speed, and a key part of any competition, show.

What drifting events are there?

As we mentioned, drifting competitions occur all over the world, with plenty of variations and series to watch or even get involved in. These draw in massive crowds and some of the biggest names in the drifting world. They’re also a great place to check out drifting cars and unique modifications as drivers strive to make sure their equipment is always up to the task. These are some of the main competitions to be on the lookout for:

Formula DRIFT, USA

This is a premier drifting series hosted in the United States. The competition began in 2003 and is performed at race tracks all around North America.

D1 Grand Prix, Japan

Another premier drifting series, this time hosted in Japan. The Drift 1 Grand Prix is one of the most well-known championships in the world; you need to be exceptional to even qualify for this competition!

King of Nations Series, Europe

The King of Nations series takes place in various locations across Europe, with a different global calendar each year that spans countries ranging from Italy to France.

Learning how to drift

Taking up drifting as a sport is a big decision, but one that is rewarding in so many ways. The ability to let loose and have fun with drifting is unlike any other experience in the world. Whether this is your first voyage into the sport or a welcome refresher of just what drifting is all about, we hope our guide has provided a little insight into the diverse, exciting, and outstanding world of drifting. Curious to try drifting yourself? There’s no better time to get started!

Anything else?

No doubt we’ve missed loads. Disagree with what we’ve said? Got something to add? Have any questions? Leave us a comment, feedback or questions below and we’ll slowly but surely add some debate to the article!

Don’t forget to share the love by clicking the sharing buttons – we really appreciate it!

If you would like to check out some fantastic drifting content check out Speedhunters – one of our favourite websites!

The post Drifting 101 Guide first appeared on Drifted.com.

• What Is A NOx Sensor?
• NOx Sensor Problems
• NOx Sensor Failure Symptoms
• Why Do NOx Sensors Fail?
• Replacing A NOx Sensor
• Are NOx Sensors Covered Under Warranty?
• Conclusion

Introduction

After many incredibly significant breakthroughs in modern-day motoring, manufacturers can now produce engines that are more economical and efficient than ever before.

While this is undoubtedly fantastic for the environment alongside producing silky-smooth daily motoring, it often presents some unfortunate side-effects for owners.

Those of us aging a little quicker than we’d like to be will remember how simple the old-school cars were.

A simple printed manual and a small box of tools were just about all that was once required to fix just about any problem that surfaced in your car, and before you knew it, you were back on the road in no time.

However, when you lift the hood on most modern cars, it’s likely to be a different story. Sure, the fancy plastic covers are significantly more pleasing to the eye than the oil-covered cable-ridden engines of old, but your shiny new bay is likely to laugh when you begin trying to resolve your issues with your basic tool kit.

Modern interiors provide every gadget and gizmo imaginable that’ll allow you to achieve the ultimate comfort on your long journey, and it’s the same story under the hood, too.

Problems that were once solvable with nuts, bolts, and a spanner are a distant memory, as on-board diagnostics have become the new norm.

Issues are now more likely to require a computer, a scanner, and a whole heap of in-depth knowledge to diagnose and repair.

With the onboard computers and sensors controlling just about every aspect of how your vehicle runs and behaves, it’ll come as no surprise that they eventually require some attention.

Unfortunately, NOx, or Nitrogen Oxide Sensors, are certainly no exception.

What Is A NOx Sensor?

The NOx sensor is a device/component which measures the levels of nitrogen emitted from your vehicle.

NOx sensors are just one of the components that comprise the NOx reduction after-treatment system, which is responsible for reducing harmful exhaust gases and protecting the environment in diesel vehicles with urea-based SCR systems (Selective Catalytic Reduction).

Depending on the vehicle’s make and model, the components present can vary. A typical system would comprise a turbocharger, a DPF, and an SCR catalyst – with the NOx sensor sitting upstream from the catalyst.

More than one NOx sensor may be present in some vehicles, featuring both an upstream and downstream NOx sensor.

With this assembly, the first sensor is installed near the turbo downpipe, which measures the engine-output NOx, with the second sensor measuring the NOx emissions exiting the SCR assembly.

What Does A NOx Sensor Do?

As engine emission regulations become more stringent than ever, the NOx (Nitrous Oxide) sensor’s role is to analyze the emissions and determine nitrogen oxide quantities released into the environment.

The NOx sensor works by detecting the level of nitrogen oxide in the exhaust stream via an electro-catalytic mechanism, with a material that reacts with nitrogen oxides.

A voltage passed through an electrolyte can assess how much NOx is present, with the more substantial voltage representing a more significant NOx level.

Suppose the NOx sensor detects that there incorrect amount of NOx produced. In that case, it will transmit the information to the SCR system, which will then adjust the output to allow the vehicle to conform to emissions regulations.

For this reason, the NOx sensor is vital for the SCR system in cars with diesel engines to ensure that the vehicle continues to conform to the emissions standards required.

For those looking for an in-depth explanation, we highly recommend looking at this excellent video from ADPTraining.

Is A NOx Sensor Necessary?

Unfortunately, yes. The NOx sensor is responsible for measuring the vehicles’ NOx levels produced following the combustion cycle.

Its role is to monitor and observe the catalyst’s performance to ensure that the system isn’t producing excess gases.

Not only could this be harmful to the environment, but your vehicle will also fail on emissions when it comes to annual testing time.

With the government rules worldwide becoming increasingly strict regarding vehicle exhaust gas emissions, the new Euro 6 norms that affect all modern diesel cars and light-duty diesel passenger trucks in Europe wouldn’t be possible without including the NOx sensor.

NOx Sensor Problems

As with many electronic components that serve such a significant purpose, NOx sensors, unfortunately, have a limited lifespan, which means that you’ll need to expect to change them at some point during vehicle ownership.

Once the NOx sensor stops emitting a signal within a specific bandwidth, it will flag up an error within your ECU (Engine Control Unit), which is likely to cause the vehicle to go into ‘Limp Mode’, otherwise known as ‘Emergency Mode’.

Most times, this will be immediately obvious due to the illumination of your ‘Engine Warning’ light in the dashboard cluster, along with symptoms such as unstable idle, juddering/jerking while driving, and excessive fuel consumption.

In most cases, you can expect it all to be rather dramatic, and it’s at this point that a broken NOx sensor should be a consideration.

NOx Sensor Failure Symptoms

As with most issues, a NOx sensor isn’t going to provide a prior warning before its imminent failure, but thankfully it’s often convenient to get a conclusive answer as to whether you have got a bad NOx sensor.

Engine Warning Light Illumination

When the NOx Sensor (alongside many other potential issues) fails, your ‘Engine Warning Light’ should illuminate in your instrument cluster to warn you there’s an issue. In some cases, you may have more than one light.

Since the NOx sensor is detrimental to your vehicle’s maintenance, we highly recommended getting the issue looked into right away.

Since you’re most likely not going to be able to visually see any issues with your NOx sensor, even once removed, your best chances are to scan the vehicle’s ECU for error codes as a first step to find where the problem lies.

For those of you that have an OBD engine code scanner, you should be able to detect whether it’s the NOx sensor causing your issues with an onboard diagnostic reading from home. Alternatively, your local friendly garage will also be able to help.

One of the downsides of reading engine fault codes is that the code may relate to several potential issues.

For instance, you’re likely to have the ‘P2200’ code flag up on BMW vehicles, but this could relate to several potential problems. These common causes of failure can be any of the following:

• Coolant temperature sensor
• Leak in the exhaust system
• Mass air-flow sensor
• Oxygen sensor

Likewise, things are much the same for other brands, such as A0009053603 on Mercedes-Benz vehicles, which is also associated with many potential issues.

Increased Fuel Consumption

Another indication that may help narrow down whether it’s likely to be the NOx sensor would be from excessive fuel consumption.

Since the ECU requires the NOx sensor data and information, when the NOx sensor no longer operates as intended, the ECU is unsure how much fuel to provide to the engine.

Without accurate feedback provided by the NOx sensor, the ECU provides an incorrect fuel mixture and air-to-fuel ratio.

Jerkiness, Misifiring and Erratic/Unstable Idle

When the NOx sensor has failed, the ECU can no longer determine how much fuel the injectors should spray inside the chamber.

In turn, the injectors begin surging or sporadically starving the engine since the ECU is incapable of determining the optimal quantities required.

When this issue arises, your car may sometimes be attempting to ‘rev’ the engine, even without your foot touching the throttle.

In other cases, the ECU panics and typically activates the ‘Limp Mode’ or ‘Emergency Mode’, which will see your car or truck begin to behave erratically due to running a rich fuel mixture to preserve the engine alongside attempting to maximize the (minimal) remaining performance.

We would expect these symptoms to typically activate the ‘Engine Warning Light’ right away, but it may provide an additional clue that it’s likely to be the NOx sensor at fault.

As you may have guessed, any of these three NOx sensor symptoms aren’t going to be doing any favors for the longevity of your engine, so we highly recommend that you get your ECU scanned as soon as possible should they arise.

Why Do NOx Sensors Fail?

Given their location, it will come as no surprise that soot buildup on the sensor is one of the most common reasons for failure.

It’s also not unheard of that damaged cables due to the exhaust heat can be the root cause of the issue, and in this case, it should be visually apparent where the problem lies.

Sometimes it’s not the actual NOx sensor itself that fails, but rather the internal probe used to determine the NOx levels has generated a fault.

Given that it’s a general wear-and-tear item that you should need to expect to replace eventually, there are many potential reasons for NOx sensor failure.

How Do You Clean a NOx Sensor?

Many owners have had success with using the following cleaning method, which is well worth trying (at your own risk) for the sake of a few bucks.

Although this won’t always prove successful, it’s worth giving a shot before you begin digging deeper, especially if you’re unfortunate enough to have crazy-expensive NOx Sensors on your vehicle.

Can NOx Sensors Be Repaired?

If the cleaning method above didn’t solve the problem, another alternative to consider is whether it’s worthwhile to repair, rather than replace, the NOx Sensor.

Although it’s often not easy to pinpoint precisely where the issue lies to be sure it’ll resolve the problem, you’re able to replace a faulty sensor probe with some wiring knowledge using various guides online.

However, we’d recommend either getting someone to do it for you or just purchasing a new off-the-shelf sensor to save the inconvenience for those that lack experience when it comes to wiring, especially if you’re not positive that it’s the cause of the issue.

Replacing A NOx Sensor

Although the cleaning and repairing options above work for many, it’s often easier to swap out the NOx Sensor(s) for a brand-new replacement for peace of mind that the problem is resolved.

Prices for NOx Sensors can vary wildly depending on the make and model of your vehicle, as well as whether you opt for a factory or aftermarket part.

It’s not unheard of that the bill for replacing NOx Sensors can reach four-figures, and considering that this is a high-failure part, it’s certainly worth weighing up your options when deciding which solution is best for you.

Fitting Refurbished NOx Sensors

Given that NOx Sensors can sometimes come with a hefty price tag, it’s not unusual that owners will opt for refurbished sensors, which can often come in around 1.5 times cheaper than a brand new part.

While we understand the appeal of saving the cost, these are likely to have had the sensor probe swap we spoke about above carried out.

As always, the downside of purchasing a refurbished part, especially when it’s something as temperamental as a NOx sensor, could well go wrong again shortly after. For that reason, we’d highly recommend ensuring that it comes with a worthwhile warranty.

Fitting New NOX Sensors

Although they can sometimes come with an eye-watering price tag, your best bet is to replace your faulty NOx Sensor with a brand new replacement that comes with the most extended warranty you can find.

Main dealers are often likely to offer the best warranties better compliance with your ride, but we would also expect them to come up with the highest price tag.

Thankfully, once you’ve fitted your shiny new NOx sensor, we wouldn’t expect to have to deal with them again for quite some time, if ever again.

Are NOx Sensors Covered Under Warranty?

Given how frequently NOx sensors can go wrong, it comes as no surprise that many are hoping that they’ll be covered under their existing warranty.

For those who have purchased your vehicle from new, manufacturer warranties for the NOx sensor can vary immensely, with the typical warranty periods ranging from around five to ten years. There may also be a mileage limit to consider.

If the car is under ten years old, we recommend going through past service information and speaking to the dealership to ensure that the sensors aren’t covered.

For example, some BMWs are covered by a ten year/120,000 mile NOx sensor warranty, which will come as welcome news to many.

Additional Warranty

If your manufacturer’s cover has expired, then it’s well worth taking out a warranty that will cover any parts that may need replacing, including NOx sensors and the catalytic converter, with the latter being highly expensive to replace due to it containing precious metals like platinum and palladium.

Olive, a company based in Walnut Creek, CA, has provided comprehensive vehicle warranties for almost fifteen years and includes one of the most advanced end-to-end mechanical breakdown coverages available.

The best part is that you’re able to get a fully-customizable quote online in a matter of seconds without the inconvenience of getting robocalled and hassled by salespeople.

Suppose your vehicle is less than 12 years old, with less than 140,000 miles on the clock. In that case, you’ll be able to take advantage of their incredible warranty plans. We recommend their ‘Complete Care’ package, covering any emissions-related issues for ultimate peace of mind.

Conclusion

Modern-day motoring can often be far more complicated than we’d like, and no-one enjoys having to part with their hard-earned cash when issues such as a faulty NOx sensor arrive.

We’ve provided several solutions to help you choose which option will be best for your needs, from refurbishing, replacing, right the way through to ensuring you’ve got yourself covered for any inconveniences that may arise.

So, there we have it! We hope that we’ve covered everything you could want to know about NOx Sensors in this guide.

If we’ve failed to cover anything you’d like to know more about when it comes to NOx sensors, then don’t hesitate to drop us a line.

For those of you looking for some free games to enjoy, make sure you head over and check out our Drifted Arcade.

If you’re looking to get the most out of what your ride has to offer, why not take a look at our comprehensive tuning guides?

Are you interested in absorbing more in-depth car-related knowledge? We’ve got a vast selection of Car Guides and Engine Guides.

For those interested in checking out the world of drifting, our Beginner Guides give the perfect introduction to the sport, and our gaming guides will provide the opportunity to enjoy what it has to offer from the comfort of your own home!

Thank you for reading our Importance of NOx Sensors guide.

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Photography credits

We thank the following entities for the use of their photography in this article:

• Motor Verso
• PRIOR DESIGN on Flickr

The post Ultimate NOx Sensors Guide first appeared on Drifted.com.

All drifting enthusiasts who take their car on the road will face this situation sooner or later. Either through rust or through getting a little too carried away after playing Drift Hunters and ending up crashing their drift car.

The prospect of scrapping a car can sometimes be a little intimidating. As well as making sure you’ve got a good price for your old vehicle, you’ve got to make sure you can get the car to dismantler – and wrap up all your paperwork when you’re there.

To help, we’ve put together this quick, 4-step guide that’ll make sure you’ve ticked all the important parts of the process off your list.

Step 1 – Cherished number plate?

If you’ve got a personalised number plate that you’d like to keep, you should make sure you’ve transfered it from your vehicle before it’s scrapped (especially if you have forked out for a trick 4D number plate – you wouldn’t want to throw it in the bin when you can reuse it on your next ride). The quickest way to do this is to use the DVLA’s online service – although it’s possible to remove a registration mark through the post too.

It’s important to make sure this process is completed before the car is removed, as it can be difficult or impossible to get your number plate back after the car is dismantled and recycled.

Step 2 – Find a great quote

Although your old or damaged car might not look like it’s worth much – you might be surprised by how much dismantlers could offer. A quick and easy way to make sure you’re getting the highest possible price for your vehicle is to use a scrapping service where you can compare prices from the best local scrap yards.

If you prefer to do things the old-fashioned way and call around for quotes, make sure you’re talking to scrap yards that meet ‘Authorised Treatment Facility’ (ATF) standards. These dismantlers meet with the government and DVLA requirements needed to officially scrap a car and produce the paperwork you’ll need to prove it’s been done.

Step 3 – Organise collection

Whether your car’s failed its MOT, been damaged in an accident or has just become unreliable with age, there’s a good chance it’s no longer suitable for use on the road. If this is the case, driving it to a scrap yard isn’t an option – as the normal rules of the road still apply when you’re taking a car to a dismantler.

Virtually all scrap dealers have the means to recover your vehicle, so, it’s worth making sure this has been taken into consideration when you’re searching for quotes. Having the car collected from your location saves a lot of time and hassle when compared to trying to organise towing or otherwise moving your car.

Step 4 – Tie up your paperwork

The final part of scrapping your car involves making sure all your official DVLA paperwork is correctly filled out and returned.

As the owner or keeper of the vehicle, it’s your responsibility to make sure the DVLA are informed of any changes to ownership – including the transfer to a scrap dealer or dismantler. Fortunately, you can do this quickly and easily with section 9 of the V5C log book document.

You’ll need to complete the date of the transfer, along with the name and address details of the company collecting your car. When this section is signed and dated by both yourself and the person recovering your vehicle, you’ll be able to send it back to the DVLA at the address on the rear.

The scrap dealer will take the rest of the log book away – and will produce the paperwork you need to confirm that your car’s been officially recycled.

Lost V5? You don’t need a replacement!

Struggling to find your V5C log book for the car you’re scrapping? Don’t worry – you don’t need one to scrap your car. A letter detailing the date of the transfer, the name and address of the scrap yard you’re selling to, and both yours and the recovery driver’s signature will suffice – as long as it’s sent to the DVLA immediately after your car’s been collected.

Occasionally, a slightly unscrupulous scrap dealer might suggest they need to knock £25 off the price you’ve been offered to replace the V5C – but they don’t.

They’ll receive the documentation they need in due course – and you’ll save £25!

The post Scrapping Your Car – A 4-Step Guide (UK) first appeared on Drifted.com.

• What is forced induction?
• Why are turbos better than superchargers?
• Why are superchargers better than turbochargers?
• Do turbochargers increase horsepower?
• Can you put a supercharger on any engine?
• Can you have a supercharger and turbocharger on the same car?
• What does the future hold for forced induction?
• Conclusion
• After a specific guide for your car?

So you like turbos huh? How about a turbo on your turbo’s turbo?

As we kick off our guide, we’re going to answer some of the most commonly asked questions when it comes to forced induction. Click on a question to reveal the answer, or scroll down and read through to gain some forced induction knowledge!

Introduction

Turbochargers vs Superchargers – It’s always one of the hottest topics with car owners at meets and the automotive equivalent of the Coke vs Pepsi argument.

It’s time to put the gloves down as we have a rational discussion about forced induction systems to decide which option is best for your needs.

So, you’ve spent thousands of dollars and hours building your pride and joy to get it looking and handling exactly how you wanted, only to then realize that you forgot to squeeze every single horsepower that is lying in wait under the hood.

The required additional mods are bolted on which enable an internal combustion engine to breathe to its full potential such as an intake, and a full exhaust, it sounds fantastic, but when you smash the throttle to the floor, it’s not quite as terrifying as you’d like it to be.

Sure, engine swapping is an option, but it comes with many headaches and a huge amount of time, cost, custom fabrication, and one-off components. There’s no doubt that some engines are better off being swapped, but most modern engines turn into a whole different beast with forced induction added without compromising reliability.

In this article, we’re going to answer some of the most common questions regarding the never-ending turbocharger vs supercharger argument, whilst delivering facts from other sources to provide you with the ultimate turbocharger vs supercharger guide.

On a different note, if you are looking for your first drift car to turbo or supercharge, our best drift cars for beginners guide is here to help.

What is forced induction?

It really is what it says on the tin, whether you’re looking at a turbocharger or a supercharger, simply put, both are designed to force as much air into your engine’s cylinders as possible.

The more oxygen your engine is supplied with, the more power you’re capable of achieving. That being said, it does have its limits. You’re not simply going to strap the world’s biggest twin-turbo setup to your Civic and magically achieve 3,000hp. Generating extra power with forced induction is more complex than that!

When outfitting your engine with a forced induction setup, you have to pay attention to internal engine components including, but not limited to the camshaft, piston rings, valve springs, pushrods, and even the engine block itself. Disregard these components for long enough, and you’re engine will eventually go “Kaboom” after a few pulls!

Here’s a great in-depth explanation of how turbochargers and superchargers work:

Why are turbos better than superchargers?

Turbochargers are capable of producing far more power relative to their size and improve the efficiency of the engine. Unlike superchargers, turbos will provide you with an intense power surge once they’re on boost.

Wait, hold up. Who said that turbos ARE better? Don’t worry supercharger fans, we’ve got your back. We’re going to deliver an honest answer here.

With that being said, turbochargers DO have their benefits. Sure, both are capable of producing tonnes of additional power, but for those who want a crazier delivery, turbos are generally the way to go.

A turbocharger is an air compressor that is driven by an exhaust gas turbine. The main difference between the two is that a supercharger requires engine power to run. However, a turbocharger uses the exhaust gases which result from combustion and converts that into additional power, therefore making it more efficient.

This allows small engines to make big power and provide heaps of torque which a naturally aspirated engine wouldn’t otherwise have.

ProCarMechanics.com explain how turbochargers work more in-depth here:

“A turbocharger uses the exhaust stream for its energy. The exhaust will run through a turbine that will itself spin the compressor. The turbine spinning can be as much 150,000 RPM (Rotations Per Minute). To put that in layman’s terms, the turbocharger is able to have an RPM speed that can be almost 30 times faster than an ordinary automobile engine. It does take a little while for the turbine to produce the boost, and can result in the car lunging forward when the turbocharger kicks into action.”

“The size of the turbocharger can impact power with a smaller one producing more boost faster. A turbocharger is particularly effective at high altitudes where other engines experience difficulty. Because the air is less dense a normal engine gets a smaller amount of air. Turbocharged engines do not suffer a dramatic reduction in power since the turbocharger is more capable of pumping thinner air.”

Another benefit of turbocharging is that it improves engine economy, sometimes up to 20-40%. This is why almost all modern econoboxes come with tiny, turbocharged engines.

Sure, we know that’s not the first thing on the mind of most petrolheads and your new best friend at the gas station is likely to be disappointed. But, you can spend your newfound wealth on tires which you’re undoubtedly going to need AND you get to help save polar bears!

Power and fuel economy aside, turbochargers are typically known for being the quieter of the two. superchargers like to whine, sometimes excessively, whereas turbochargers prefer to ‘whoosh’ and create all sorts of funky noises.

Although turbocharging was mostly associated with JDM culture in the past, you’d be hard-pressed to find a Western car manufacturer that doesn’t produce a turbocharged model nowadays.

Turbocharging is gaining popularity at an insanely fast rate, here’s what buyautoparts.com had to say about what the future holds:

“Even to the surprise of some industry experts, turbochargers are increasing at a dramatically fast rate and are leaving supercharger production in the dust. This is because a turbocharged engine offers a “no compromise” solution for automakers that need to meet increasingly strict fuel economy and emission standards while meeting customer demand for better-performing vehicles.”

“Manufacturers are also combining turbochargers with direct fuel injection technology to allow them to offer smaller gasoline engines, which saves fuel without sacrificing power. The final added benefit that many green consumers love is that turbochargers help reduce harmful exhaust emissions and help improve fuel efficiency. The market for a turbo is expected to grow even faster over the next few years with 43% of new vehicles expected to be turbocharged by 2019.”

Why are superchargers better than turbochargers?

Supercharger owners have the upper hand which no turbo owner can disagree with when it comes to lag, or lack of it for that matter. The bigger the turbo, the bigger the lag, meaning you’ll need to wait for it to spool up before the boost arrives.

On the other hand, superchargers are driven by the crankshaft of the engine, which means that the boost delivery is instant in the lower RPMs and remains consistent throughout the rev range.

When you compare the cost, it’s typically the supercharger that comes out in front. Not only that, but many owners will argue that the supercharger is the more reliable offering long-term, which typically requires less maintenance, therefore it’s likely to be the cheaper option throughout the duration of your ownership.

redline360 explain in more detail how a supercharger works:

“A supercharger is a unit that bolts to your engine and connects with a belt between your crankshaft and the supercharger unit. As the engine spins, it spins the supercharger and makes the supercharger force air into the engine. The size of the pulley that spins the supercharger determines how much boost you will make. A smaller pulley means the supercharger will spin faster so it will make more boost.”

“The supercharger is limited by its efficiency, so if you overboost the supercharger, it will blow hot air into your engine and you will not make as much power (amongst a myriad of other problems). Since the engine needs to literally spin the supercharger, it is not as efficient as you need to use horsepower to make horsepower.”

They also drop some helpful advice for those of you that have smog/emissions concerns in your states:

“There are far more smog legal supercharger kits than there are smog legal turbo kits. The reason is that the supercharger doesn’t have as much smog altering or modifying equipment such as a turbo usually. While a supercharger can have an intercooler and blow off valve, it does not have a wastegate. These items can make your car or truck not pass smog, and would need to be expensive to be done in an emissions friendly way, which makes them out of the budget for most people.”

One of the reasons that superchargers are so popular is because of their linear power delivery. This is what made them popular among drag racers in the muscle car era.

Where a turbo is likely to throw you back in your seat, light up the rear wheels, and then make you do a 180, the supercharger is much calmer and collected when delivering its boost of power.

For example, superchargers are often more suited to tight situations where spooling times are an issue. For drag racing, you’re much more likely to fancy a turbo to get the most power in a straight line. However, if you wanted to go on a tight and twisty canyon run, chances are that the supercharger is going to be far more suitable for the occasion.

What is a Procharger?

We’ve seen Prochargers grow in popularity in recent years, and many tuning enthusiasts have asked us how they stack up compared to the traditional superchargers.

Although a Procharger is a brand-named centrifugal supercharger, they’re often praised for their advanced efficiency compared to alternative brands.

Utilizing a high-speed impeller, a Procharger sucks in air, which hits the middle of the impeller and gets distributed by an intense centrifugal force.

With this extracted air, a diffuser then produces high air pressure, providing a serious punch of additional power at higher revs.

Due to its efficient design, the Procharger provides one of the most consistent and stable boost outputs on the market.

Many owners have managed to utilize its compact design to squeeze it in at the front of the engine, rather than the typical top-located location.

The front-mounted design not only looks impressive, but also reduces heat, and all of this is provided in a lightweight package.

With all these benefits, it’s easy to see why so many tuning enthusiasts are opting for Pro chargers, with the only slight drawback being that the supercharger-whine produced from these is often louder than some of the other options available.

Check out this video from Engineering Explained, which gives you an in-depth look at Turbochargers vs Superchargers, as they choose Supercharging for the ultimate forced-induction method:

Do turbochargers increase horsepower?

Of course, but how much horsepower you’ll gain will vary on a huge number of factors such as initial engine power and additional modifications.

First up, If you’re looking to turbo your car, you’ll want to ensure that you have a good free-flowing exhaust system. To get the most out of your system, the gases have to escape, and typically the larger diameter exhausts are far more likely to be the better choice for a turbo setup.

Turbos come in a huge range of sizes, from tiny to huge. If you were to strap a huge turbo to a small-engined, unmodified car, not only are you risking a rather tasty explosion, but you’re also going to suffer from some rather disappointing lag before the moment arrives. In addition, the vehicle be enormously difficult to handle, too.

Many cars have off-the-shelf turbo kits for an easy turbo solution, if not, many owners club forums or Facebook pages will be able to guide you in building the ideal off-the-shelf kit to suit your needs.

As well as additional bolt-on mods, you’ll also need to consider having your car tuned to get the most out of your newfound power gains and to ensure it is working efficiently and reliably.

Donut Media explains all there is to know about turbochargers in this video:

Can you put a supercharger on any engine?

Technically, yes. It is indeed possible to put a supercharger on almost any engine. However, unless there’s an available off-the-shelf kit for your car, we’d highly advise against doing so.

You might be thinking that you can get a used supercharger from any old car for cheap, add a couple of supporting mods, strap it to your engine, and then do burnouts around the block impressing your buddies with all your newfound power gains. Unfortunately, it’s not quite as simple as that.

Years of research and development go into the kits which are available off the shelf. They’re tried and tested and then often updated to ensure that the customer is receiving the best end product.

Sure, the price may seem expensive, but you can be assured you’re getting a working product.

We’re not saying it’s impossible to make an entire kit yourself, but for the insane amount of time, money, and trial and error you’re likely to go through, the off-the-shelf parts will most likely end up looking far more tempting than when you decided against them. If you do it, fair play. We’d love to see it!

Can you have a supercharger and turbocharger on the same car?

Sure. It’s called ‘twincharging’ and manufacturers have been successfully using this method since the 1980’s.

One of the most famous early twincharged offerings was from Lancia in their Delta S4 which was released in 1985. They competed with 560hp with a 1,759cc engine. When their engineers pushed it under extreme conditions, it produced 1,000hp at a whopping 5 bar of boost.

In more recent years, Volvo and VW have both adopted twincharged engines, with VW’s 1.4 TSI pushing out 182HP and being able to provide the torque of a 2.3-liter engine with 20% less fuel consumption.

Jaguar also made an attempt with an 850hp, 738lb ft/lb torque hypercar which was capable of 60mph in 3 seconds. Unfortunately, it was never made into a full production model.

Since then, Zenvo has already tried its attempt with the ST1, with an apparent 1,089 hp and 1,055 ft/lb torque. Unfortunately, it did nothing more than set on fire before later laying down a lap that was slower than a BMW M5 around their track. But, you can’t deny the fact that it looks menacing! You can take this twin-charged beast for a ride of your own in Forza Horizon 5.

It’s great to see everyday manufacturers such as Volvo and VW use twincharging in their reliable modern-day production cars. There’s no doubt that the potential is there, but we believe there’s still a long way to go until it reaches its full potential.

If you’re interested in twincharging, check out this great video from Engineering Explained about how Volvo’s twincharged production engine works:

What does the future hold for forced induction?

As we mentioned previously, turbos are clearly winning the popular vote within the market as far as the foreseeable future is concerned. Electrically-enhanced turbos are most likely to become increasingly common, where an electric motor spools up the turbo at low RPMs, producing a useful boost until the turbo is capable of spooling itself.

This is already being integrated into Formula 1 with the innovative ERS system and overcomes the biggest issue for the turbo, which is lag.

As for electrically-enhancing supercharging, you’ve probably, (well, hopefully) laughed at the kits on eBay which claim to give you a billion hp gains by strapping a $20 device to your engine, but let’s pretend we’re in an ideal world and they don’t exist for a moment.

Most car batteries and electric systems can’t provide the volume of power quick enough to enhance a supercharger beneficially. This is why electric superchargers would require supercapacitors, which can store energy and then output that energy rapidly when required. These can be recharged via hybrid methods such as regenerative braking.

Mazda currently uses a supercapacitor in their i-eLoop mild hybrid, and although it’s not an electric supercharger, it’s a large capacitor which is currently being sold in cars, which maybe gives some potential to the concept further down the lines.

Volvo has already combined an electric system with twincharging, so the forced induction possibilities for the future are certainly looking exciting!

Conclusion

If you’ve made it with us to this point, congratulations! You’ve probably gained a whole load of knowledge as to how these systems work and which one is most likely to benefit you.

As we stated in the beginning, which method of forced induction is ‘best’ purely comes down to your own personal taste. Some people like to head to the track and shave valuable seconds off their lap time, others like to push their turbocharged engine beyond its limits in the hopes of winning the local street race.

Big-engined V8s are far more suited to supercharging since the charger will be consuming some of your engine power. If you’ve got a lower-powered car but looking for some big gains, then turbocharging is most likely the better route for you.

We will list the pros and cons of each to give a quick and easy summary, but our guide is full of useful information so we highly recommend having a read!

Turbocharger

Here is a quick pros and cons summary of turbochargers:

Supercharger

Here is a quick pros and cons summary of superchargers:

Now, for the big question – which option do we prefer?

We completely understand the appeal of superchargers, they’re the easier option that provides a consistent and predictable delivery.

However, we just love the look, sound, and sheer ridiculousness that can be achieved with turbos. We just love the “Whoosh” too much. Nothing quite beats waiting for the turbo to kick in, lighting up the rear tires, and throwing the car down sideways. Just make sure you hold the steering wheel tight and don’t bin it!

On top of that, turbo kits are more readily available on the market than supercharger kits. So, if you own an obscure ride, you’ll have better choices on the turbo side.

Although the arguments will undoubtedly never end, we hope that our guide has given you a little more firepower to emphasize your side of the argument! Good luck!

After a specific guide for your car?

We’ve done exclusive guides for some of the most sought-after models and we’re planning to do a whole lot more, here’s our current list. If we’ve missed yours, let us know!

Turbo kit guides

• Honda S2000
• Lexus IS300
• Infiniti G37
• Nissan 370Z
• Toyota GT86
• Infiniti G35
• Scion FR-S
• Subaru BRZ
• Nissan 350Z
• Mazda Miata

Supercharger kit guides

• BMW E46 M3
• Honda S2000
• Infiniti G37
• Mazda Miata
• Toyota GT86
• Infiniti G35
• Scion FR-S
• Subaru BRZ
• Nissan 350Z
• Nissan 370Z

Photography credits

Drifted would like to extend thanks to the following sources for use of their images:

• DSTROYR
• Dargon
• DSPORT Magazine
• Noriyaro
• Eagle Ridge GM
• autoevolution
• Wikipedia
• MotorTrend
• RK Autowerks

The post Turbocharger Vs Supercharger – What’s Best? first appeared on Drifted.com.