When it comes to building high-performance drift cars, reliability and cooling are two of the most critical challenges. Ryan Downey knows this all too well. With a passion for cars rooted in his childhood, Downey has spent his life around vehicles, from road racing to drifting. Now, his focus is on optimizing the performance of his Nissan S13s, and Fluidampr plays a key role.
A Real-World Problem, A Real-World Solution
Automotive shop foreman by trade, Downey found himself facing a common overheating issue while running his drift cars at events. “I was having a problem with the car overheating. We ended up running an undersized crank pulley on the car… it fixed so many problems for us,” he explains. The problem stemmed from high RPMs causing cavitation in the water pump, leading to ineffective cooling.
Downey first encountered Fluidampr at Grid Life Watkins Glen, where he met Nick Orefice from the company. After discussing the challenges, Nick suggested an undersized crank pulley to reduce the speed of the water pump. The solution not only solved the overheating issue but also provided other unexpected benefits.
Why Fluidampr Makes a Difference
Fluidampr products are designed to manage torsional vibrations in high-performance engines. While their primary function is to protect the crankshaft from harmonic vibrations, Downey found that the benefits extend far beyond that. By using an underdrive lower pulley, his drift cars experienced reduced cavitation and better cooling.
“What we’ve figured out with Nick’s help is that we run an underdrive lower pulley, and what that does for us is it spins the water pump slower and we get less cavitation, we get better cooling,” Downey shares. This simple change allowed his team to maximize reliability while keeping the cars running cooler during long, intense drift sessions.
Built for the Real World
Downey’s approach to building drift cars is practical and budget-conscious. He emphasizes the importance of using locally sourced parts to keep maintenance affordable and straightforward. “All of my stuff comes from local parts stores. There’s no high-end stuff, and I get away with that because we run the underdrive pulley,” he notes.
For shop owners who balance performance with cost efficiency, this mindset resonates. Downey’s setup includes readily available components like truck-style dampers and underdrive pulleys, allowing him to avoid the hassle of specialty parts while maintaining reliability at the track.
The Importance of a Quality Damper
The challenges of drifting go beyond engine performance; the stresses on components can lead to mechanical failures. As Downey puts it, “For drifting, it’s a must-have… the insurance that the Fluidampr product gives you is just fantastic.” Downey’s experience highlights the often-overlooked benefit of slowing down accessory pulleys to reduce strain and improve longevity.
The Takeaway for Shop Owners
Whether you build drift cars, race cars, or high-performance street vehicles, overheating and component failure can derail your project. Fluidampr not only helps manage harmonic vibrations but also optimizes cooling efficiency when paired with the right pulley setup.
Downey’s success with Fluidampr is a reminder that the right damper can make a significant difference—not just in performance but also in durability and cooling. By considering how the damper interacts with the entire accessory drive system, you can build more reliable and efficient engines.
As Downey concludes, “Working with a company that helped me solve this problem has been really great… it’s really changed my program.”
Featured Fluidampr Details
Ryan Downey uses Fluidampr p/n 760121 on his high-revving LS equipped drift car engine builds. Follow him on Instagram @nismoboy67. See below for full specs and application details.
P/N 760121 fits 2010-2015 6.2L LS3/L99. Camaro SS. GM/Chevy LS1 truck. 25% underdrive, does not affect air conditioning.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a Fluidampr do for a drift car?
A Fluidampr helps control engine vibration and crankshaft harmonics in drift cars, improving reliability and reducing the risk of failures during high-RPM runs.
How does an undersized crank pulley help reduce overheating?
An undersized accessory drive pulley slows the rotation of the water pump, alternator, and power steering pump, which reduces cavitation and improves cooling efficiency—especially critical in high-RPM, low-speed drift conditions.
Can a Fluidampr improve the lifespan of engine components?
Yes. By minimizing torsional vibration and slowing accessory drive speeds, a Fluidampr performance damper with an undersized accessory drive pulley helps reduce wear on alternators, water pumps, and power steering systems—extending the life of these components in high-performance builds.
Why is Fluidampr important for LS and 2JZ engine platforms in motorsports?
Both LS and 2JZ engines are prone to crank pulley or damper failures under stress. Fluidampr provides the necessary harmonic control to help prevent these failures, making it a critical upgrade for motorsports applications.
Is Fluidampr worth it for budget-built performance cars?
Absolutely. As demonstrated by Ryan Downey, Fluidampr works effectively with locally sourced parts and budget builds, offering a high return on investment through improved cooling and engine reliability.