Drifting in Forza Horizon 6 can be incredibly rewarding, especially if you’re trying to perfect your car’s setup. A drift build is all about balance—getting the right combination of power, handling, and control. If you’re having trouble with your drift car or just want to make sure you’re getting the most out of it, this guide will walk you through the essential steps to set up your car for drifting. Whether you’re a beginner or have been drifting for a while, this guide should help you fine-tune your car and improve your skills on the track.
The first thing you need to think about when setting up a drift build is choosing the right car. While many cars in Forza Horizon 6 are capable of drifting, certain ones are better suited for it. Generally, rear-wheel-drive (RWD) cars are the best choice for drifting because they allow you to control the back end more easily. You’ll also want to consider the car’s power-to-weight ratio, as this will affect how quickly the car can break traction and how much control you’ll have.
Once you’ve chosen your car, the next step is to make sure it’s fully upgraded. You can go with a stock car and add upgrades to make it drift-ready, or you can pick a car that already has some basic drift mods in place. Regardless, make sure you have a solid foundation to build on.
When upgrading your car for drifting, you’ll want to focus on a few key areas:
Suspension: This is arguably one of the most important upgrades for drifting. A fully adjustable suspension allows you to fine-tune the car's handling to your preferences. Start with lowering the car to keep the center of gravity low. You’ll also want to stiffen up the suspension to reduce body roll, which will help keep the car more stable during drifts.
Tires: You’ll need good tires that allow you to break traction easily but still provide enough grip to control the slide. Street tires are a good choice for most builds, but you can also try semi-slicks for a bit more control.
Differential: The differential is crucial for maintaining consistent drifts. A limited-slip differential (LSD) is a must, as it helps evenly distribute power to the rear wheels. Adjust the final drive ratio to ensure the car accelerates quickly enough to maintain drifts without losing power during slides.
Power Upgrades: While drifting, you don’t want a car that’s too underpowered, but you also don’t want excessive power that’s hard to control. The goal is to find the right balance between power and control. Focus on engine upgrades that increase horsepower while keeping the car’s handling characteristics balanced.
Weight Reduction: Reducing weight is an important step to improve your car’s handling. Lighter cars are easier to maneuver, and they react faster when you make small adjustments. A light car will also allow you to build momentum quickly during a drift.
Tuning plays a huge role in drifting, as it can make or break your car’s handling. For the most part, you’ll want to adjust your car’s handling to make sure it’s responsive and easy to control while maintaining a consistent slide. Here are the key tuning settings to focus on:
Camber: Camber affects how your tires meet the road. A small amount of negative camber (where the top of the tire leans inward) will give you more grip while sliding. However, too much camber will cause your tires to lose grip, so you’ll need to find a sweet spot.
Toe: Toe-in or toe-out settings will change how the car reacts to steering input. For drifting, you’ll usually want a slight toe-out on the rear tires. This helps the car rotate more easily and makes it more responsive when you initiate a drift.
Caster: The caster angle affects how the car handles at high speeds. A higher caster angle generally increases stability, which is important for maintaining drifts through corners. However, too much can make the car feel sluggish, so keep it moderate.
Anti-Roll Bars: These control the car’s body roll during turns. For drifting, you’ll want stiffer anti-roll bars, especially at the rear. This will help keep the back of the car from lifting too much during a slide, giving you better control over the drift.
Brake Balance: You’ll want to adjust the brake balance to make sure you can initiate drifts effectively. A good starting point is to set the brake balance towards the rear. This helps you break traction with the rear tires and initiate a drift, especially if you’re using the handbrake.
Ride Height: As mentioned before, lowering the car helps improve stability. But keep in mind that you don’t want the car to be too low, or it might scrape and lose traction. A balanced height will improve both stability and responsiveness.
Different tracks in Forza Horizon 6 require different setups. For instance, tracks with tight corners may require you to soften the suspension a bit for more grip, while tracks with longer, sweeping corners might benefit from a stiffer setup. It’s essential to experiment and adjust your car’s setup based on the track you’re racing on.
If you’re planning to drift on a technical track with lots of tight corners, you’ll want to adjust your final drive ratio so the car accelerates quickly and maintains speed through the corners. For high-speed tracks, focus on a more stable setup that allows you to hold long, controlled slides.
Always keep an eye on how the car handles during practice runs and adjust the tuning until it feels just right for the track conditions.
Drifting in Forza Horizon 6 takes practice. Here’s how you can improve:
Start Slow: If you’re new to drifting, don’t try to throw yourself into high-speed drifts right away. Start by practicing in open areas, such as the dry lake bed or large parking lots. This gives you plenty of space to experiment without worrying about walls or barriers.
Focus on Smooth Inputs: Drifting is all about smooth, precise inputs. Jerking the steering wheel or slamming on the throttle will only make things worse. Try to be gradual with your throttle and steering inputs, and don’t overcorrect during the drift.
Practice Different Types of Drifts: There are many different types of drifts in Forza Horizon 6, such as clutch kicks, handbrake turns, and power slides. Try them all to get a feel for what works best for your car and your driving style.
Learn to Control the Throttle: Throttle control is critical when drifting. You’ll need to learn when to add power to keep the car sliding and when to back off to prevent spinning out. With practice, you’ll get better at balancing throttle and steering for smoother, more controlled drifts.
If you’re looking for a good car but don’t want to spend hours grinding for credits or completing lengthy in-game challenges, you might want to consider purchasing from a trusted Forza Horizon 6 Account seller. Buying a car that’s already set up and ready for drifting can save you a lot of time and frustration, allowing you to jump straight into racing and focus on improving your skills rather than building your car from scratch.
Building the perfect drift car takes time and patience. It’s all about finding the right balance between power, handling, and control. Remember that every player’s drift style is different, so don’t be afraid to experiment with different setups and tuning. What works for someone else might not work for you, so take the time to refine your setup based on your personal preferences.