Drift Machine JZX90: When you look at this car, you might wonder, “What exactly happened to this JZX90 Mark II?” The battle scars on this car tell a story. But as we say, “Scars are good,” these marks are also part of the learning process.
Today, we are going to do an owner’s review of this Toyota Mark II JZX90 drift build, covering its build, engine, performance, driving experience, and memories from the drift track. We’ll also share some valuable tips for those looking to start their drifting journey.
Make, Model & Variant
Now, let’s get into the basic details of the car:
- Make: Toyota
- Model: Mark II JZX90
- Variant: Custom Drift Build
The exterior of Drift Machine JZX90
Looking at the exterior, you can see multiple battle scars—each with a story behind it.
Recently, during the Karachi Drift Fest, we had a three-way tandem with Hasan Bhatt, Taha Bhai, and me. At one point, Hasan Bhatt suddenly stopped his car in the middle of the track. Since our momentum was high, Tala Bhai’s car ended up tapping my vehicle from the back.
Talking about the fender, it has been damaged multiple times. Marwat has taken it out several times, and in fact, he has even lost his door once!
Regarding the front bumper and kit, they were damaged recently in the Pakistan Drift Series (PDS) Competition. Due to understeer, I went into a corner tire, and that tire took my kit along with it. But again, this is all part of the drifting experience.
Engine
Now, let’s talk about the heart of the car—the engine!
The engine bay was already painted red when the car was swapped at All Motors Lahore. However, rather than focusing on aesthetics, the main priority was performance.
Engine Specs:
- Engine Swap: 1UZ V8
- Why V8? V8 engines provide excellent torque and reliability.
- Wiring & Setup: No tuck wiring—just a fully functional build.
- Durability: This bulletproof engine can take a lot of beating.
Maintenance
Maintenance is key for any drift car.
- Oil Change: I change the engine oil after every event or every second event.
- Oil Brand: Motul 8100 Series (10W-40)
- Engine Health: The engine is very healthy, and once it reaches the optimal temperature, it even shoots flames!
Tires
Having the right tires is crucial for drifting.
- Tyre Condition: Pretty worn out, as drift cars burn through tires quickly.
- Brand Mismatch: We use whatever tires we can get at the moment.
Interior
The interior is very basic and driver-focused.
- Design: Originally, the car came with comfortable sofa seats, but it has now been completely modified for drifting.
- Steering: Installed an aftermarket 3-spoke steering wheel for better handling.
- Gauges & Meters: The RPM gauge works, but the speedometer occasionally malfunctions due to the impact of drifting.
- Coilovers & Suspension: High-performance coilovers are installed to minimize body roll.
Drive Experience
The startup noise isn’t too loud, and the car is surprisingly smooth while driving.
- Daily Drivable: I have tuned the car so that it remains comfortable and doesn’t make excessive noise.
- V8 Growl: At high RPMs, you can definitely hear the proper V8 growl.
- Original Engine vs Swapped Engine: This car originally came with a diesel engine, but now it’s been V8 swapped for performance.
Drifting Techniques
Many people ask, “How do you drift an automatic car?”
- Technique: Since there’s no E-brake or clutch kick, I rely on throttle control and tail braking.
- Powerband: The car should stay in second gear, and you must control the throttle to hold the drift.
AC Performance
“Does a drift car have AC?”
Yes! This drift car has a fully functional AC!
- The AC and heater work perfectly.
- After a drift session, I can relax with the AC on my way back home
How to Start Drifting?
If you want to start drifting, your choice depends on your budget and reliability needs.
- Low Budget: Cars like the E36 or E46 are great options.
- Mid Budget: Cars like the JZX90 are reliable and powerful choices.
If you’re new to drifting, always start on a track, not on public roads, as street drifting is dangerous.
Price
I bought this car about a year and a half ago from Karachi, as I was already aware of its history.
- Purchase Price: 3.7 million PKR (37 lakhs)
Pak Wheels Experience
I have used Pak Wheels services multiple times:
- Bought and sold multiple cars
- Used their inspection service for my Mark X
- Sold cars like Mark X and Chaser through Park Wheels
Final Thoughts
Every scratch, dent, and battle scar on this car tells a story. Drifting is a learning experience, and these things are part of the journey.
The goal is to transform this into a perfect drift-spec car, and hopefully, in the upcoming PDS and Ramadan drift events, we will make further improvements!
