So, out of curiosity...

[HIJACKER]

I wanted to see for myself how difficult it is to drift this car. So, this past Sunday I went to Drift Nirvana at Summit Point Raceway and gave it a shot. Needless to say, it was the most challenging thing I've ever attempted to do in this car yet. Here is a pretty decent shot a photographer took that I wanted to share:

 

[Cozmo]

looks like fun. :biggrin:

 

[Liquid]

Fairly hard to get it to break loose and really hard to control it once it does.

 

[swerve2007]

if you recall, 'Top Gear' said that nsx was 'not a fun car' because you can't drift it easily- bunch of wankers.

 

[HIJACKER]

Fairly hard to get it to break loose

I disagree. It's actually really easy IMO.

and really hard to control it once it does.

This I REALLY I agree with. There is a very small area of control you have and once past that point, it will wrap a circle, quick.

 

[Liquid]

I disagree. It's actually really easy IMO.

Are you stock? With a completely stock setup on a moderately wet surface, I found it almost impossible to break loose in 2nd gear. In standing water it might be easier, with a SC it would be easier, in 1st gear it is easier. Compared to most cars, the NSX is hard to get to come around, which makes sense given the engine layout and the suspension.

 

[HIJACKER]

Are you stock? With a completely stock setup on a moderately wet surface, I found it almost impossible to break loose in 2nd gear. In standing water it might be easier, with a SC it would be easier, in 1st gear it is easier. Compared to most cars, the NSX is hard to get to come around, which makes sense given the engine layout and the suspension.

Only intake and exhaust. It honestly didn't take much, obviously have TCS off and give it some throttle on weight shift or pop the clutch and feather the throttle...

 

[EdinKali]

Are you stock? With a completely stock setup on a moderately wet surface, I found it almost impossible to break loose in 2nd gear. In standing water it might be easier, with a SC it would be easier, in 1st gear it is easier. Compared to most cars, the NSX is hard to get to come around, which makes sense given the engine layout and the suspension.

You just need more cornering speed. If you are on the limit of traction even a slight amount of throttle can send the back end around. I can step the back end out in the dry in 2nd gear with the TC off(even when I first got the car and the only mods were an exhaust and Eibachs). I will admit however that the mid-engine placement does make it harder to break the rear end loose compared to a front engine rear drive layout.

 

[swerve2007]

there is a reason why nobody drifts a 911 either. nsx layout is inherently spin-resistant but when it does, it is not easily controlable.

 

[Liquid]

You just need more cornering speed. If you are on the limit of traction even a slight amount of throttle can send the back end around. I can step the back end out in the dry in 2nd gear with the TC off(even when I first got the car and the only mods were an exhaust and Eibachs). I will admit however that the mid-engine placement does make it harder to break the rear end loose compared to a front engine rear drive layout.

Yes of course, you can spin any car in any conditions if you drive hard enough. My point is that it is relatively hard to get the back end around even if you are trying. If it is easy, then you should check your tires and/or alignment specs.

After having that experience on a skidpad trying to bring the back end around and finding it WAYYYYY harder than I expected, it always makes me wonder how these guys are driving when you read about loss of control of their car on a public road. In my view, if you lose control of the NSX on a public road, you have probably been driving recklessly or your car has not been properly maintained (especially tires).

 

[EdinKali]

Agreed, the best place to test the limits is the track or a closed course.

Having spent a lot of time on many different tracks I can honestly say the street is not the place to goof off. If you want to go fast, take it to the track.

 

[R13]

Looks like fun.

I have no idea how it is at speed (i.e. middle of 2nd gear), but I had mine reasonably sideways a number of times at a recent autocross. This was in dry conditions, but on very low grip asphalt. Car is bone stock w/stock skinny tires. I was in 1st most of the time, but could still use lift-off to get the car to rotate in 2nd.

I never got it really out of shape, probably never more than 20 degress of slip angle, but at that point it wasn't that bad to control with the throttle and some quick steering. Any more than that and I would have had my hands full with no PS. I would be curious to try 2nd gear conditions, but would want a LOT of runoff room.

 

[FXMDBilly]

Hijacker: It's fun isn't it?

there is a reason why nobody drifts a 911 either. nsx layout is inherently spin-resistant but when it does, it is not easily controlable.

Their was a 993 turbo drifting professionally in Formula D/D1 (i forget):

I had some fun in Porsches too:

And MR-car drifting:

I wouldn't necessarily call MR/RR platforms "spin resistant", actually the weight back there makes it in some ways easier to get the car to slide. But it is harder to sustain slides in those platforms and they tend to be less forgiving with an earlier 'point of no return'.

 

[swerve2007]

if i knew you are taking all comments 'literally' i would have said so. of course you can do 'everything' in 'anything' depending on your 'talent' but taking the numbers of such examples into account 99% of drift cars are front engined rear drive.

 

[CL65 Captain]

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[swerve2007]

i am drifting my radio-flyer but can't film it while i push!

 

[HIJACKER]

Agreed, the best place to test the limits is the track or a closed course.

Having spent a lot of time on many different tracks I can honestly say the street is not the place to goof off. If you want to go fast, take it to the track.

Well obviously. I didn't see anywhere in this thread where someone suggested otherwise and I would hope to hell NSX owner's (as a community) are mature enough to do that.

 

[NSXDreamer2]

would like to do my contribution too...

not the right track for drifting, but what the hell, my setup is way too slow

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfBwDuJneRc&feature=related

happen to the best of "us".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzkdhSdvAyE&feature=related

how do you guys link the youtube clips in a post??

 

[ChitownNSX]

A quick idea of how fast the rear end snaps around if you are trying to do that!

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