Drift Tengoku — October 2003

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About this issue

English draft translations are available throughout this issue. Unclear or unreadable OCR remains flagged; these drafts have not received full image proofreading. The archive retains 310 scan files, including two duplicate captures, representing 308 unique pages.

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Page 93 · English draft

Draft translation. Unclear OCR remains flagged; full image proofreading has not been performed.

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  1. …that is where your eyes naturally look, so they are easy to see even while drifting! Another thing I care about is wiring. You may take care to make the gauges look good, but if the wiring is untidy, I question your judgment. Again: gauges are about functional beauty! Route wires away from heat and where they will not catch your feet. A car that handles such basics properly looks good. Attractive shapes and illumination concern the gauge by itself; with an aftermarket gauge, what matters is how it sits in the car. When I rebuilt the body and painted it black… [OCR damaged; continuation]
  2. OTL
  3. 50
  4. N
  5. …I bought a STACK unit. I had wanted one for a long time. I was remaking the whole instrument setup and looking for something suited to my car. I did not want lots of add-ons, so I chose STACK. It suits the car, right? After changing the interior that much, the standard instruments would look strange. That is functional beauty! Yes, it costs more than ordinary gauges, but that is part of the appeal: going that far for “just a gauge.” Some racers still sneer at “drift cars,” but I have devoted my life to building this drift car… [OCR damaged; continuation]
  6. I currently use a STACK instrument unit. Looks good, doesn’t it? [OCR damaged]
  7. …after all! [sentence ending]
  8. MKOGUCHI
  9. Water-temperature and boost-gauge needles move constantly, so mount them where they are easy to see. Even with peak-hold functions that let you check readings later, there is little point if you cannot see the gauges properly while drifting. [OCR damaged]
  10. Even a standard car is more fun with aftermarket gauges! I do not think they are only for fully tuned cars. Modified cars need them, of course, but they have value on a standard car too. Take a boost gauge: even without increasing boost, you might change the muffler or air cleaner or fit another part. The gauge’s behavior changes too, adding to the enjoyment of tuning. It also helps you check the car’s condition. I especially recommend a water-temperature gauge to beginners practicing circles. In fact, going without one is risky. At first you use first gear, and while learning you often rev the engine quite high. Yet you are not moving fast, so coolant temperature climbs rapidly. The factory needle does not respond linearly, so by the time you think something is wrong… [OCR damaged; continuation]
  11. Emperor’s Clinic
  12. [Unclear: damaged decorative lettering]
  13. I do not know how to build the car or practice drifting.
  14. …I am 20 and a big fan of Koguchi. Please listen to my problem. [OCR damaged]
  15. Hello, nice to meet you. I drive an S14 Silvia…
  16. …tice methods. Please tell me what sort of car setup and practice will help me learn to drift. Worried Usagi-chan, Tsukuba, Ibaraki. [OCR damaged]
  17. I recently started drifting, but I do not really understand car preparation or prac… [OCR damaged; continuation]
  18. …it has already overheated. You might notice, but often you do not, and many beginners blow engines through overheating. Fitting a gauge makes you pay attention to that parameter, so it is useful in that sense too. Knowing you have a temperature gauge encourages you to watch rising temperatures. There are many cooling modifications, but you need a gauge to assess their effects. You may think, “It used to run hot, but I replaced the radiator, so it should be fine,” when the cause was actually elsewhere. Fit gauges to check such things! Finally, if you install several gauges, make sure they all work correctly. I once drove a car with one unit displaying both coolant and oil temperature, but the oil-temperature sensor was lying loose in the engine bay, so one needle… [OCR damaged; continuation]
  19. Start with an LSD, coilovers and a bucket seat! [OCR damaged]
  20. From a postcard alone I cannot tell precisely what sort of car you drive or what… [continuation]
  21. …your skill level is, so I cannot answer in detail. But if you have an S14, start by fitting an LSD, coilovers and a bucket seat. Then put high-grip tires such as RE01, Neova or RT215 on the front, and worn-out tires on the rear. That gives you a drift-practice setup! [OCR damaged; historical advice]
  22. …establish the basics needed to drive, then take it gradually. Being all theory is the worst approach. Also, if your car has HICAS, you should cancel it. [OCR damaged; historical advice]
  23. There are plenty of parts you might want, but for now… [continuation]
  24. As for practice, a beginner practicing on mountain passes… [continuation]
  25. …stayed around 70 to 30 degrees [OCR range retained; verify]. I did not know about the loose sensor, so I assumed both needles worked and kept drifting, thinking the oil temperature was not rising much. Then I damaged an engine bearing. The oil must have been very hot. That can happen, so if a gauge behaves strangely, remove it or replace it promptly. Otherwise a gauge meant to protect the engine can become one that helps destroy it. [OCR damaged]
  26. …faces high risks, so attend a track event instead. At practice sessions or schools aimed at beginners, instructors will teach you properly.
  27. We welcome anything: small drifting questions, advice about your technique, how to drive a circuit, even relationship advice! Write your question for Koguchi in as much detail as possible on a postcard and send it to: Emperor’s Clinic, Drift Tengoku editorial department, 3-26-5 Sendagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 151-0051. [OCR damaged]
  28. Questions wanted!
  29. Be careful tightening sensors during installation. Without sealing tape, an oil leak could cause a fire. This is part of a mechanical water-temperature gauge; I wrapped the pipe in silicone hose to prevent rust. [OCR damaged; historical technical caption]
  30. 91