by Andrew Hoffman
Many automotive enthusiasts these days buy vehicles to set up specifically for drifting. The Aston Martin V8 Vantage is a very popular car for drifting, and with some basic upgrades you can enjoy increased drifting performance. While everyone has their own opinions on what is needed to make a car drift better, there are some basic ways that you can upgrade your Aston Martin V8 Vantage, and here are a few of them.
1. Upgrade Your Tires
In order to gain a clean and smooth drift line, you must have the right tires. Drifting causes significant amounts of wear and tear on your tires, so make sure that you buy racing tires that are built to take a beating. Buy lightweight aftermarket wheels from a reputable brand. To increase drifting capabilities, some drivers choose to use different tires in the front and back. Remember, drifting abuses tires in a serious way, so invest in the highest quality tires that you can find in your price range.
2. Invest in Quality Brakes
Many drivers don’t realize how critical brakes are when drifting until it is too late. You don’t want to be in the middle of drifting around a corner, only to have an obstacle in your way that you can’t avoid. Invest in new brake lines, pads, and rotors. You may find yourself slamming on the brakes while drifting, so consider buying stainless brake lines so that your stock rubber brake lines do not expand when you hit the brakes hard.
3. Buy a New Suspension System
Drifting is essentially losing control of your car, and simultaneously controlling it. Without the right suspension system, you are not going to be able to gain the control you need. Additionally, when your car hits the pavement after a drift, you don’t want to feel that impact, nor do you want your vehicle to take the brunt of the force of the rebound. Upgrading your suspension gives you the control you need, while also preventing damage to your vehicle down the line.
4. Increase Speed
Drifting requires your vehicle to be able to hit speeds, so you should take steps to improve the speed, horsepower, and overall performance. According to the racing experts at Enjuku Racing, would-be drifters should look into installing a supercharger or turbocharger. There are plenty of other ways to boost horsepower, including upgrading the exhaust system, buying a performance air intake system, and decreasing the weight of your engine by installing lighter parts. In addition to improving your drifting, these upgrades will make your driving experience more enjoyable, so think of it as an investment in your long-term driving career.
Safety Comes First
Before modifying your vehicle or attempting to drift, make sure that you know what you are doing. Only practice drifting on closed courses, and always use parts that are made and sold by reputable companies. If you are not comfortable performing the aftermarket upgrades yourself, talk to a known and trusted mechanic in your area. Drifting can be a tremendous amount of fun, but it can also be dangerous, so never put yourself or others at risk.