Mastering the art of drifting in Forza Horizon 3 requires more than just raw driving skill; it demands a meticulously tuned car. This guide provides a comprehensive walkthrough of the tuning process, covering everything from car selection and upgrades to fine-tuning your suspension and gearing for optimal drift performance.
Choosing the Right Car for Drifting in FH3
While many Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) cars in Forza Horizon 3 can drift, some are better suited than others. Front-engine RWD cars generally offer a more predictable drift experience. Mid-engine and rear-engine cars, while capable of drifting with the right tuning, tend to have more grip due to their weight distribution. Consider RWD convertibles as they often have better weight distribution for drifting. Remember, some cars can be converted to RWD after purchase, opening up more options.
A Nissan 240SX drifting sideways, showcasing its RWD capabilities.
Essential Upgrades for Drifting
Maximize your car’s drift potential with these key upgrades:
Platform and Handling:
Opt for Race-spec components for optimal performance. While Weight Reduction, Roll Cage, and Anti-Roll Bars aren’t mandatory, they significantly enhance handling.
Drivetrain:
Upgrade to Race components for improved power delivery and durability.
Wheels and Tires:
Choose Street or Sport tire compounds for consistent grip. Avoid Racing Slicks as they are often restricted in competitive drifting. Experiment with tire width. Wider rear tires can increase grip for maintaining speed, while wider front tires can improve steering response. Rim choice is primarily aesthetic.
Aspiration:
Single turbochargers are popular but can introduce turbo lag. Twin turbos, twin-screw superchargers, and centrifugal superchargers offer alternative performance characteristics. Consider your driving style and how you manage power delivery.
Performance:
A Sport Flywheel is crucial for smooth power delivery. While other performance upgrades are optional, aim for a horsepower range suitable for controlled drifting (around 400hp is a good starting point). Keep the car within the S class for competition eligibility. Avoid exceeding 650hp as it often disqualifies cars from competitive events.
Forza Horizon 3’s detailed tuning menu allows for precise adjustments.
Fine-Tuning Your Drift Car
This section delves into the intricacies of tuning each component for optimal drifting:
Tire Pressure:
Aim for 32 PSI while hot. Start at 28 PSI and adjust incrementally after test laps, monitoring tire pressure via telemetry.
Alignment:
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Camber: Use negative camber on both front and rear tires (-4 to -5 degrees for the front, -1 to -2 degrees for the rear). Adjust for near-zero camber while drifting, using telemetry for feedback. This maximizes tire contact patch during drifts.
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Toe: Use positive toe in the front for increased steering angle during drifts. Experiment with slight negative toe in the rear (0 to -0.5 degrees).
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Caster: Adjust caster based on personal preference. Higher caster increases stability but reduces responsiveness, while lower caster enhances responsiveness but can make the car feel twitchy.
Anti-Roll Bars, Springs, and Ride Height:
Use the formula (A-B)C+B=X, where A is the stiffest setting, B is the softest setting, and C is the weight distribution percentage on the front or rear axle. This formula helps balance the car’s handling. Adjust ride height so the front is slightly higher than the rear for improved braking stability.
Damping:
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Rebound Stiffness: Calculate using the same formula as anti-roll bars and springs.
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Bump Stiffness: Set bump stiffness to 50-75% of the rebound stiffness value.
Brakes and Differentials:
Adjust brake distribution and pressure to your preference (around 45% front bias and 120% pressure are good starting points). Increase differential acceleration and deceleration for more aggressive drifting, but be mindful of potential spinouts.
Gearing:
Find your “money gear” (usually 3rd or 4th) and adjust the final drive to avoid hitting the rev limiter too early. Fine-tune individual gears if necessary.
Mastering Drifting in Forza Horizon 3
Tuning a car for drifting is an iterative process. Continuously test and refine your settings on different tracks and conditions. This guide provides a solid foundation, empowering you to fine-tune your car and unleash its full drifting potential in Forza Horizon 3. Remember practice makes perfect!
