TOP 10 ENGINES FOR DRIFTING    

1. Toyota 4A-GE Toyota’s high-revving naturally aspirated 4A-GE, as found in the cult classic Corolla AE86, doesn’t pack the most impressive statistics, but it’s not all about the numbers. This four-cylinder, 16v block squeezes out just 115bhp on a good day, but it’s the way in which it delivers to that has AE86-heads screaming towards the redline with grins on their faces. Retro Toyota fans after more power but committed to sticking with the 4A-GE always have the latest 20v engine as a transplant option, or there's turbo- or supercharging too.

 (this image was taken from google) 

  2. Nissan SR20DET As found in the S13 180SX, S14 and S15 Silvias as standard, the faithful four-cylinder SR20DET might be be the most harmonious of engines at full chat, but it’s probably the most-oft found inside enthusiast-to-mid-level drift cars. With a modest stock power output of 200-250bhp (depending on exact model), the SR20’s big selling point is tunability. Power figures in excess of 400-500bhp are attainable with well-thought-out internal modifications, but even budget bolt-on modifications alone can see it singing to the tune of 300-350bhp without too much drama. The Nissan SR20DET is highly tunable drift powerplant

   (this image was taken from google) Nissan SR20DET

3.  Nissan RB engines The SR20DET’s better-sounding six-cylinder bigger brothers – the 2.0-litre RB20DET, as found in the Skyline R32 GTS-t is good for 210bhp+ out of the box, and a good soundtrack to boot. The 2.5-litre RB25DET, as found in the Skyline R33 GTS-t and Skyline R34 GT-T offers circa 250-280bhp, and has a plethora of tuning options to suit – in excess of 600bhp is possible with a big enough wallet. The RB26DETT is a 2.6-litre twin-turbo unit found in the Skyline R32, R33 and R34 GTR and offers 280bhp if you believe official figures, but many owners claim this is understated. It can be tuned in excess of 1,000bhp should that take your fancy, too.

Finally, the mythical RB30DET – popular in New Zealand and Australia, Nissan never actually produced this 3.0-litre turbo engine themselves, but it was created by modifiers who mate a single-cam RB30E engine to a twin-cam turbo head from a smaller displacement RB block. The RB30DET is a high torque motor, but peak power figures don’t usually exceed that of a similarly tuned RB26DETT. 

      (RB26)

       

     4. General Motors LS A highly popular choice in top-level drifting, this small-block V8 is available in several forms, and originates from GM’s range of trucks and rear-wheel-drive cars. Displacement ranges from 5.3-litres in the LS4 up to 7.0-litres in the LS7. Depending on the exact engine, between 350bhp and 500bhp is on tap straight out of the box, with an equal amount of lb/ft torque.

GM also offer a selection of crate-motors based on the LS platform, such as the LSX376 and LSX454. These high-performance engines are cast-iron racing block based on the LS7 engine and are capable of 750bhp+ in stock form, and all the torque you’ll ever need. 

(this photo was taken from google) LSX454

   5. Mast RHS466 OK, it’s not an original manufacturer engine, and strictly speaking it’s based off a General Motors LS block, but the Mast Motorsports RHS466 is epic enough that it’s worthy of a mention here. This turnkey crate engine is precision built by MAST motorsports in the U.S., based on a 4.160 all-aluminium block manufactured by Racing Head Service and Mast Black Label LS7 305 heads. The result? An 8500rpm redline and over 800bhp and 920nM torque. With no turbos in sight. Drool… 

   (this photo was taken from google) 

    6. Toyota 2AR-FE It’s a bit of an oddball this one – it’s not strictly popular in the widspread uptake sense, but more for the way that this Toyota powerplant is bucking the trend of big-displacement V8s being the only way forward in top level competitive drifting. This lightweight 2.5-litre aluminium four-cylinder engine, as used by Fredric Aasbø in Formula DRIFT, is more commonly found in the Toyota RAV4, Camry and Scion tC. With a modest 170bhp as standard, it’s not until you hand it over to Papadakis Racing, Aasbø’s racing team, and bolt on some clever turbocharging technology and nitrous that you start to see in excess of 1,000bhp. No, I’m not kidding. 

 (this photo was taken from google)

  

     7. Mazda 13B Rotary On paper, you wouldn’t think that rotary engines are well suited for drifting – these high-revving, low-torque motors are plagued with reliability issues when abused continually. However when you hear a rotary screaming at full chat, spitting flames and creating plumes of smoke behind it, then it all makes sense. The 13B-DEI was a Mazda Wankel motor that put out betwen 150-200bhp in the Mazda FC3S RX-7 Turbo and Turbo II, while the later 13B-REW, as found in the FD3S RX-7, sang to the tune of 255-280bhp. These engines are highly tunable, and sound incredible, but you have to keep on top of maintenance religiously

  (this photo was taken from google)

  

     8. Toyota 1JZ-GTE and 2JZ-GTE Arguably the most coveted engines in drifting today. Ignoring the naturally aspirated options, this family of inline six-cylinder motors starts with the twin-turbocharged 2.5-litre 1JZ-GTE, as found in the Toyota Chaser, Cresta, Mark II, Soarer and Mk3 Supra, amongst others. How does 280bhp and a similar lb/ft torque figure grab you? A single turbo conversion and some bolt-on modifications can easily see you at around 400bhp from there. The 3.0-litre 2JZ-GTE from the Aristo and Supra JZA80 is the pick of the bunch, however. With 280-320bhp under foot as standard, depending on who you believe, the 2JZ-GTE can be ramped up to a reasonably reliable 600bhp+ on stock internals with bolt-on modifications, or much further with engine work – over 1,000bhp is entirely within reach. There's also a hybrid version of the two, known as the 1.5JZ. This is achieved by mating a 2JZ short block to a 1JZ head. 

   (this photo was taken from google)

    9. BMW S54  The ultimate engine swap for any loyal BMW drifter, the S54 is BMW’s high-performance straight six-cylinder motor, as found in the legendary E46 M3, Z3 M, and Z4 M. This 3.2-litre powerplant is a high-compression naturally aspirated unit that outputs around 330bhp. There’s not a huge amount of tuning to be done if you want to stay naturally aspirated, and 400bhp is nothing but a pipedream – BMW did pretty well straight out of the box here. Turbo and supercharging is always an option however, depending on the depth of your wallet 

   (this photo was taken from google)

  10. Ford 410 It’s not found as often as the GM LS motors but to their rarity and cost of parts, but this classic Ford V8 is a beast of an engine, with characteristics well suited to high-level drifting. Originally fitted to classic Mercurys of the ‘60s in the U.S., this 6.7-litre V8’s main selling point is its durability and ungodly amount of torque. From the factory they came with around 330bhp and 602nM torque, and that’s before you start felting with them. Famed NASCAR engine builders Roush Yates have created their own version of the 410ci, as found in several Formula DRIFT cars, and Ken Block's Hoonicorn. Want to make the Earth rotate the wrong way? Buy one of these. 

  

     (this photo was taken from google)