Forza Horizon 2 offers an unparalleled drifting experience, but mastering the art of sideways driving requires a perfectly tuned car. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every aspect of tuning your ride for optimal drifting performance, from choosing the right car to fine-tuning your suspension and gearing.
Choosing Your Drift Weapon
While many Rear Wheel Drive (RWD) cars in Forza Horizon 2 can drift, some are better suited than others. Front-engine RWD cars generally offer the best balance for drifting. Mid-engine and rear-engine cars, while capable of drifting with the right tuning, tend to have more grip due to their weight distribution. Remember, some cars can be converted to RWD after purchase, opening up more options.
Essential Upgrades for Drifting
Upgrading your car is crucial for maximizing its drifting potential. Here’s a breakdown of the key areas:
Platform and Handling
- Race Suspension: Provides the necessary adjustments for fine-tuning your drift setup.
- Race Brakes: Essential for precise control and initiating drifts.
- Race Drivetrain: Optimizes power delivery for smooth and consistent drifts.
- Roll Cage and Anti-Roll Bars (Optional): While not mandatory, these can further enhance stability and handling.
- Weight Reduction (Optional): Reducing weight can improve agility and responsiveness.
Tires and Wheels
- Tire Compound: Opt for Street or Sport tires. Avoid Race Slicks as they are often restricted in competitive drifting.
- Tire Width: Experiment with wider rear tires for increased grip and speed, while maintaining stock or slightly wider front tires for balance. Rim choice is primarily aesthetic.
Engine
- Aspiration: Single turbochargers are popular, but be mindful of turbo lag. Twin turbos, superchargers, or centrifugal superchargers offer alternative options with different power delivery characteristics.
- Flywheel: A Sport Flywheel is recommended for improved throttle response.
- Horsepower: Keep horsepower within a reasonable range (around 400-650hp) for optimal control. Excessively high horsepower can make the car difficult to manage. Stay within the S Class or lower, as R Class cars are generally not allowed in competitions.
Fine-Tuning Your Drift Setup
Tire Pressure
Optimal tire grip starts around 32 PSI. However, tire pressure increases with heat. Start at 28 PSI and adjust incrementally after test laps, using telemetry data to monitor tire pressure while hot. Aim for around 32 PSI when the tires are at operating temperature.
Alignment: The Key to Drifting
- Camber: Negative camber is crucial for maintaining grip while drifting. Start with -5 degrees in the front and -2 degrees in the rear. Fine-tune using telemetry data to achieve near-zero camber while drifting, maximizing tire contact patch.
- Toe: Positive toe in the front increases steering angle and drift initiation. Experiment with values to find what suits your driving style. Rear toe is generally set between 0 and -0.5 degrees.
- Caster: Caster affects steering feel and stability. Higher caster provides more stability but reduces responsiveness. Experiment to find your preferred balance.
Suspension Tuning
- Anti-Roll Bars, Springs, and Rebound Stiffness: Use the formula (A-B)C+B=X, where A is the stiffest setting, B is the softest, and C is the weight distribution (front or rear). This formula helps balance the car.
- Bump Stiffness: Set bump stiffness to 50-75% of the rebound stiffness.
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- Ride Height: Generally, a slightly higher front end than the rear improves braking stability.
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Brakes and Differentials
- Brake Distribution: Around 45% front bias is a good starting point.
- Brake Pressure: 120% is a common setting. Adjust to your preference.
- Differentials: Increasing acceleration and deceleration rates in the differential allows for greater drift angles but increases the risk of spinning out.
Gearing: Finding Your Money Gear
Identify your “money gear” (usually 3rd or 4th) for consistent drifting. Adjust the final drive to prevent redlining in this gear while maintaining sufficient RPMs throughout the drift. Fine-tune individual gears if necessary.
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Conclusion
Tuning a drift car in Forza Horizon 2 is a journey of experimentation and refinement. Use this guide as a starting point, but don’t be afraid to tweak settings based on your driving style and the specific track. With practice and patience, you’ll be shredding tires and mastering the art of drift in no time.
