So, while im sure plenty of ignorant fan-boys swap engines just to be JDM, there are plenty of ignorant KA fan-boys too.
Ignorant fanboyism is an integrated part of the scene, it's the nature of it. Luckily some alternative technical discussion like this topic on good forums like this might heal some of it's victims.
If you have zero experience with them and are just presuming to believe they are the obvious choice b/c a few built drag ka's make impressive numbers or something, maybe you should think about why so many people on so many levels of drifting simply 'thow them in the dumpster.'
I do have some experience with 4 stroke internal combustion engines from for example a Taiwanese 125cc pushrod motorbike engine, Ford Kent rally engines, Volvo Evolution's for rally, track and rallycross, Ford OHC with a Cosworth cylinder head for tarmac rallies in Germany, of course several SR20's for myself and some drift cars, Mitsubishi 4G63, some V8 stuff and loads more. I don't consider myself a guru of any sort despite Hannu's overly kind words, but I like learning new stuff since it makes me happy when I suddenly understand why some things work like they do.
I don't have experience with KA fanboys, drag KA's with impressive numbers (numbers don't mean lots to me, mind you, the area underneath the torque curve limited to the desired rpm range of the application does) though, but I don't think it's that much of an issue in a conversation that isn't deeper in technical details than we currently are. Experience is always good though, should be gathered as much as possible. I think I have studied the discussed engine enough to understand it's main points.
Of course you'd have to stop believing we're all just mindless sheep who can't think for ourselves.
I don't see where that came from, I tried to be as politically correct as possible while still having a message to send, that being to be curious, innovative and always question the norms even if you go by them in the end. This is what the topic starter is doing and therefore making me glad enough to want to contribute some of my own thoughts at a forum I'm not a regular member in. Sorry if I offended you in some way, even though I don't know you personally.
I'd suggest hanging out at a few US drift events and see for yourself how boosted, UN-built KA-T's are doing before you make assumptions.
Thanks for the invitation, if I ever get the possibility I'd like to come over and see how things are done over there.
"Un-built" is a key word there. Of course modifications are needed if a naturally aspirated engine is to be converted to work properly with positive pressure at the intake manifold and a hugely restrictive turbine housing at the end of the exhaust manifold both altering the harmonic nature of the engine dramatically. The choice of turbocharger also being a crucial part of the equation.
And while building an engine may seem like another simple, obvious solution; it takes money, time, knowledge, and a lot of patience - attributes many people lack.
So does buying an expensive new engine, wiring and plumbing it up neatly to the chassis it doesn't belong into etc. So does every other aspect of motor racing as well, engines aren't really an exeption. If one doesn't have patience, one shouldn't build race cars. If one hasn't got money, one can't get a professional to do it either. Harsh but true, seen too many cases in which guys get bankrupted with a 30% finished race car, worth the weight of the metal parts in it, they don't have the knowledge or funding to ever complete.
Meanwhile, joe-drifter could opt for an SR which could easily hold (and be abused with) far more power right out of the box all while having a huge amount of after market support, both new and used, without having to worry about fabrication or any anything else.
It is true, but the aftermarket support (at least over here) is way more costly than for more familiar engines that have been built for racing in the continent for decades. If the potential of the standard engine is good enough, then it probably is a very good way to go as well, but on a proper racing application it most likely won't. The extra displacement won't hurt either when pushing a motor to it's limits.
And hey what's really wrong with copying Kazama and Taniguchi anyway - considering they both have multiple D1 podium finishes and we are a community drifters?
Nothing wrong as long as you understand that they're only marketing guys for the Japanese brands that sign their pay checks. They run the engine into which Nismo and HKS want to sell parts in Japan, in this case the SR which is an obvious choice as the JDM cars come standard with one. Well, Nob has later been in an Altezza, but you get the point. Kazama's driving technique is something to look up to though, he's a nice guy as well. Got to talk to him a bit at the 2006 D1 UK Exhibition in Silverstone.
