Ask Marty! Marty's tips and tricks.

[The Marty]

OK, so I'm back to help out. Let's keep this thread strictly to asking about motorsports. If it's not related to drifting, car setup, events, etc, it WILL BE DELETED. No useless posts at all!

[v-empire]

marty, what kinda oil do you use in your 2 way diff? and why? thanks.

[The Marty]

Here's an article I wrote for S3 a few months back:

So you***8217;ve just picked up your new (to you) RWD car, and you***8217;re ready to register for your local drift event, like for example, those supercool DGTrials events (www.dgtrials.com). Before you go out and order some new coilovers, or crazy JDM aero, there are a few things you need to check with your newly purchased automobile. General maintenance is overlooked by many people out there. In order to have a reliable weekend warrior drift car, you have to keep a regular maintenance schedule. Now, I know you have a few hundred dollars saved up for that catback, but you may need that money to get your car mechanically sound. Before you go tearing up pavement at your local event, here are a few things to look over.
Assuming that all motor, suspension, and safety systems are visibly sound, keep in mind the following things:
When was the coolant last flushed?
When was the thermostat changed?
What is the condition of the radiator hoses and engine belts?
When was the oil changed?
When were the plugs and wires changed?
Timing belt?
Tranny and diff fluids?
Has the clutch been bled?
Have the brakes been bled?
What condition are the brake pads in?
Even if these fluids have been changed recently, I would still recommend changing them with the fluids of your choice. Buy the fluids right for your climate. For example, if you live in a hotter climate, say Texas, you may want to run more water than coolant in your radiator. Something like 70% water to 30% coolant, or even an 80-20 mix. Also, buy the right fluids for your driving. Don***8217;t buy cheap, DOT3 brake fluid if you do track days, or clutch kick every other second at a drift event. Spend the extra money for DOT5 and feel more comfortable about your clutch and brakes. Now these aren***8217;t as fun as adding strut braces or HID kits, but it is essential to the longevity and reliability of your car. I would take a bone stock, freshly maintained car to an event over a swapped, semi-modified car that was poorly maintained. If you drive your car to events, proper maintenance is definitely important. Every used car I have purchased, I have done the above listed before I even drove it on the street. Be prepared to spend a few hundred dollars, if these items need attention, but I can assure you it will be worth it in the long run. You will spend more time out on the track and giving the ladies ride-alongs, and less time in the pits begging someone to take you to AutoZone for parts.

marty, what kinda oil do you use in your 2 way diff? and why? thanks.

I'm a huge believer in organic fluids only. No synthetics. In my Miata I ran 75w90 Valvoline Organic, with no friction additive. I changed my diff fluid every event though.

If you want to run a friction addivtive, I recommend the BG product.

[v-empire]

^ cool thanks.



i dont run any additives either just because i can..... but juuuuust wondering. hehe..

[omgtofu]

i know that most drift cars dont have ABS, but if your car has ABS, dont use dot5.

[The Marty]

^ cool thanks.



i dont run any additives either just because i can..... but juuuuust wondering. hehe..

I don't believe the hype of KAAZ fluid or Nismo fluid. Nothing wrong with good ole' organic Valvoline, just as long as you keep an eye on it

[v-empire]

i use coastal! lol....

[The Marty]

i know that most drift cars dont have ABS, but if your car has ABS, dont use dot5.

Correct, DOT4 or DOT5.1

[J Squared]

How do toe and caster affect the handling characteristics of your car while drifting?

[MOOREOFSTEPHEN]

my car was tuned in the summer time... hopefully it will be running in a couple weeks or less.

That being said its now winter time and "should" be cold...

do I need to tune it again for winter time or can I just work with it myself...

I run safc II mild tune running about 12.5lbs 280ish hp. Just the basics...

I heard its stupid to run a turbo timer on a water cooled turbo. Is this true Marty the man???

More questions to come I just need you on these so far. Plus I have to go poop.