Inside HKS’s Ultimate Drift Machine
Time To drift

After checking out Daigo Saito’s crazy JZX100 and getting some excitement flowing for the new international drift season which has just kicked off, I wanted to share a slightly more in-depth look at a car we briefly checked out last month: HKS’s new Drift 86.

When I headed out to Fuji Speedway’s drift course the other week to see Daigo shakedown his D1GP Corvette, the HKS crew brought out a couple of other cars in their race transporter.

hks_drift_86_dino_dalle_carbonare_001

One was the new 86 and the other was Saito’s Formula D Japan Nissan R35 GT-R, both of which were on-site to star in a new promotional film by Huxham Creative Studios that’ll be coming out soon.

hks_drift_86_dino_dalle_carbonare_002

With a lot of the attention in the morning being directed towards the GT-R, the 86 was sitting in a pit space all by itself.

hks_drift_86_dino_dalle_carbonare_003

I could have shot it there, anywhere for the opportunity, but the HKS team were more than happy to move it out into the paddock so I could check it out in far more detail than when I first saw it at HKS Premium Day back at the end of January.

hks_drift_86_dino_dalle_carbonare_026

The 86 is actually a collaborative build between HKS and Daigo Saito’s Fat Five Racing, but it’s not Daigo that’s driving it. It’s actually Nobuteru “NOB” Taniguchi’s new toy, and he was having a blast behind the wheel.

hks_drift_86_dino_dalle_carbonare_023

At HKS Premium Day it was really hard to take the car in with so many people gathered around it every time I went to check it out, but not on this day. It was all mine!

hks_drift_86_dino_dalle_carbonare_019

I’m going to get straight to the bit that matters most with this build – the engine. Unlike its new time attack car, HKS didn’t for one second assume that the stock 4U-GSE (aka FA20) would suffice in a build of this caliber. Plus, the famous Japanese tuning house has been there and done that with its previous iteration of this car, which also served as a test-bed for pretty much every single engine part that HKS now makes for the Subaru/Toyota flat-four.

hks_drift_86_dino_dalle_carbonare_018

The 2JZ (based on a naturally aspirated 2JZ-GE and not a twin-turbo 2JZ-GTE) has the seal of excellence – an “HKS MotorSport” plaque applied to the plastic cam cover, hinting at the fact it’s fully loaded with the finest HKS components and probably some secret ingredients too. What is known is that it features an HKS 3.4L stroker kit, some refinement to the intake and exhaust ports as well as HKS cams – 280°/9.3mm lift for both the intake and exhaust.

The engine is currently serving as an R&D tool for HKS’s new prototype GTIII 4R single turbo, a replacement for the iconic HKS T51R which should be released later in the year. Even though it looks like a T51R, its internals are quite different, utilizing Mitsubishi’s latest bearing and vane technology. I love the carbon HKS Racing Surge Tank and the look of that new HKS blow-off valve.

It all translates to 700PS and 800Nm of torque developed at 1.8bar (26.5psi) boost. Those sound like pretty conservative figures to me, but I guess HKS likes to err on the side of caution rather than over-quoting numbers.

hks_drift_86_dino_dalle_carbonare_006

Since we last saw the car there have been a few small upgrades made, one of which is the lengthening of the side-exit exhaust by an inch or so. It’s probably to ensure the composite bodywork doesn’t burn with every backfire!

hks_drift_86_dino_dalle_carbonare_014

As a whole, the Drift 86 is a real sight to behold; you truly see the signature look of HKS mechanicals mated to the wild look of a chassis prepped by Daigo Saito and Fat Five Racing.

hks_drift_86_dino_dalle_carbonare_020

A beefy G-Force 4-speed gearbox was chosen for its proven reliability in big-power FD and D1 cars, and also because of its simplicity over a sequential transmission.

If you thought Daigo’s JZX100 defined minimalism, the HKS 86 takes it a step further. Save for the two main rails, the front part of the chassis has been chopped clean off and replaced with a tubular structure that holds up the suspension uprights. It’s skeletal and simple but effective, and does away with the need for an actual inner wheel arch. Remember when front-end tubbing was big in drift cars? Yeah, old school – you should all be doing this now. The car runs Wisefab lower arms and adjustable camber plates, while the knuckles are from Heyman. HKS Hipermax IV SP drift-spec coilovers are employed at each corner.

hks_drift_86_dino_dalle_carbonare_024

Together, it’s brutally effective in Taniguchi’s hands. The 86 obviously has a ton of power thanks also to the minimal curb weight, and it looked very manoeuvrable and adjustable throughout the initiation and mid-section of the drift. From then on it’s all about power!

hks_drift_86_dino_dalle_carbonare_008

Behind the cockpit, the skeletal theme continues.

Keeping It light
hks_drift_86_dino_dalle_carbonare_004

It may look like a Toyota 86 from the rear, but once you take a step closer you quickly realize you’re looking at a lightweight dress – thin bodywork hiding all the work that has gone into the chassis.

hks_drift_86_dino_dalle_carbonare_009

The cabin is separated by sheet metal, just like in FIA GT car, with everything except the suspension turrets cut away. The roll-cage adds structural integrity and stiffens up the shell while serving as a mounting point for things like the fuel cell, radiator and miscellaneous other tanks and breathers.

hks_drift_86_dino_dalle_carbonare_027

As I mentioned in my first look at the HKS Drift 86, this isn’t a car that’s been built for any series; the way it’s been put together means it does not conform to D1 and FD Japan rules, and won’t be eligible to compete unless some changes are made to the technical regulations of both series. Iwata-san, the man behind FD Japan, dropped by the track to have a quick look.

hks_drift_86_dino_dalle_carbonare_012

HKS and Taniguchi’s links to Yokohama mean the car could only be sitting on Advan rims and tires. Chosen for the project are Advan Racing RGIIIs in 18×8.5-inch for the front and 18x.10.5-inch for the rear, with new Yokohama Advan A052 semi-slicks – 235/40R18 and 265/40R18 respectively – to take care of the grip. Because drift cars need a lot of grip, contrary to what many assume.

hks_drift_86_dino_dalle_carbonare_028

In the brake department, Endless 4-pot monoblock calipers are employed up front while the rear end gets a more conventional Endless 4-pot setup.

HKS’s Best?
hks_drift_86_dino_dalle_carbonare_005

No matter the discipline, HKS has always built impressive cars, and its drift-specific machines have evolved tremendously over the last decade or so. Cast your minds back to the Genki S15 and the Altezza that Taniguchi drove in D1GP; those were well-built cars, but the Drift 86 takes it a whole step further with the chassis work and lashings of carbon fiber. I guess being able to whip up a batch of pre-preg carbon molds in your in-house autoclave allows you to go a little overboard when it comes to special projects like this.

hks_drift_86_dino_dalle_carbonare_007

The exposed metal in the cabin shows you just how many alterations have been made, starting with shifting the driving position as far back as possible and a cage to support the structure in a safe and unobtrusive way.

hks_drift_86_dino_dalle_carbonare_021

The exaggerated transmission tunnel that was opened up to fit the G-Force transmission sort of created the sloping center section to the dash area, which has been used to position the HKS A/F Knock Amp 2 and the EVC6 boost controller. Other modules are located on the passenger side of the newly constructed firewall.

hks_drift_86_dino_dalle_carbonare_022

Rear firewall? Cockpit separator? Call it what you will, but the 86’s interior effectively ends right behind the Bride Gardis III seats. So much for keeping an eye on the chase car!

hks_drift_86_dino_dalle_carbonare_029

With the help of Fat Five Racing, HKS has created one of the most evolved drift cars Japan has ever seen. It’s just a pity that for the time being we won’t be seeing it compete.

Dino Dalle Carbonare
Instagram: speedhunters_dino
dino@speedhunters.com

ADVERTISEMENT

Comments



Comments are closed.

38 comments

by Oldest
by Best by Newest by Oldest
1

Is the gt wing from bensopra?

Author2
Dino Dalle Carbonare

Think so yes, they collab with HKS

3

What happens when the world runs out of 2JZs? They aren't getting any younger...

4

At least you can now buy non-toyota, billet 2JZ blocks, if you have the coin. Far better than nothing

Author5
Dino Dalle Carbonare
6

With obtrusive CAFE laws being heavily dialed back(thank god) one could hold out hope that Japanese performance could once again return in force. Toyota could definitely make 2jz engines available in a new model or even come up with a newer better engine. I've always said they should have built 2JZ crate motors like the American car manufactures do

Author7
Dino Dalle Carbonare

We can only wish. With Toyota going to BMW for the straight six in the Supra replacement, a successor to the 2JZ would be very unlikely. We can only dream...

8

That would be the best solution, it's a good engine and people even still drop in new hemi 426s into stuff. They even have race tuned hemis. If an engine from the 60s can still be made, this one can be too.

9

Not saying American auto makers put out 2JZ crates, I meant they put out crate versions of new and past performance motors. That is something we Japanese car enthusiasts in America really wish we had.

10

Mmmmm that dark green rocker cover is enough reason to make a man squirm. Also Dino, that plaque comes along with the dark green rocker cover, a small addition. Every car that HKS specially built has this touch like the CT 230R and Genki S15 along with others.

11

Dino,

can you tell us why the boxer wasn´t suitable for this car ? Would like to read more on that.

best wishes

12

He said in the article that there is a previous GT86 HKS built car that used the FA20 that comes with it, so they had already done all the R&D they had too with that engine. Also, they are testing a new turbo with this engine.

Author13
Dino Dalle Carbonare

Thanks :D

14
Oswald Hoogeveen

Whoa that's some impressive stuff from those guys. Any ideas on the weight of the thing?

Author15
Dino Dalle Carbonare

Under 1000

16
Automotive obsession

Turbo civic causing hearing damage! https://youtu.be/GT9yXYD0X20

Author17
Dino Dalle Carbonare

Oh no my ears!! Now go away please...

18
Brooke Whiting

Dat ride height doe

Author19
Dino Dalle Carbonare

#becauseprodriftcar

20

The front suspension has to have the least supported node of all time

21

Was thinking the same thing.... looks sketchy AF! Flex much...

22

Thats not a GT86.. Rather a prototype car, with GT86 frontend and lights.

Author23
Dino Dalle Carbonare

Pretty much. Nothing wrong with that though is there :)

24

Cool looking car, some neat ideas, but overall pretty poor execution and fabrication.

25

I understand the opinion of taste in parts and style, but what is poorly executed or fabricated on this car?

26

1. All the custom tubing show blotchy welds. Look carefully and you'll notice them too. I would expect a much higher quality welds from HKS.
2. They went as far as making dry carbon panels and the front tires sticks out a bunch? The front fenders are much wider than stock. They could have designed the fenders that cover the front tires.
3. Brakes, why monoblock in the front and two pieces in the rear? They should have stick with monoblock all around and if the pads' bite is too strong, change them with less aggressive pads compound.
4. if you wanna be picky: there is a ton of space between the firewall and the engine block. The 2JZ is one heavy ass engine. Since Saito rebuilt the firewall, they should have consider to shovel in the 2JZ closer to the wall to help polar inertia.

Author27
Dino Dalle Carbonare

1. Fat Five Racing did the fab work
2. That's due to the extended knuckles and drift set up with wider front track. I don't like it either but look at all pro drift cars to see what I mean
3. I agree, but maybe ever project has its budget
4. They got the balance just right, that's why it's sitting where it is

28

Not here arguing with you HKS' choice. It's a mule car (for THEIR tests purpose) as you said, unless they change a buncha rules ain't gonna race.
Now sure who welded the tubes, but they look pretty blotchy (IMO). I know there are MANY awesome welders in Japan....this guy ain't one of them. it is unfortunate because they built the car for HKS, not for Joe Blow Racing.
As far as the 2JZ....everyone whoring it.....it's time HKS invests more R&D in newer engines. Not everyone wants 1000hp all the time, plus straight six designs are slowly dying out and V6 are getting more common, for obvious reasons.
Again my .02

29

The wiring in the passenger foot well is a rats nest too.

30

I wouldn't want to crash this with any sort of speed for starters, one downside of removing so much structure from the front of the car. Also to follow Jake's point, the upper strut mount looks like they made a last-minute change to the location of the strut itself, being so far outboard. There would have to be some deflection there.

31

the old is304z's engine, neat!

32
turboboxer6spd

It's sad to see so many companies ditching the FA20, especially a company like HKS. Not everyone wants a 2JZ (in everything).

Author33
Dino Dalle Carbonare

They "ditched it" because they've spent the last 4 years developing parts for it. There is only so far you can go with it. Not the strongest of motors is it

34

Anyone know what seat belt harness(camo) are those?

36
Automotive obsession

Almost got burned by an r33 gtr! https://youtu.be/HvUnuALTggU

37

Anybody know what brand of harnesses those are?

38
Automotive obsession

Picking up an AMG Edition One! https://youtu.be/JFu5lUcXo_A

OFFICIAL SPEEDHUNTERS SUPPLIERS