Car customization, or pimpin’ it up (in ghetto slang), is not just to make cars look good. The main reason modifications are done on fully functioning manufactured cars is to improve overall performance. Car modifications—whether simple tweaks or overhaul—can help lessen fuel use, provide better handling, and improve top speed and acceleration.
Customization, or tuning, can be a cheaper alternative to buying a new car. Why replace the whole thing when only some parts are not working? That’s where modifications, or modding, come in.
Another advantage of mods is they add functionality. Adding a built-in TV or loudspeaker for entertainment, a mount for a tablet or phone to provide GPS tracking, attaching a minifridge for refreshments: these are all forms of modding. But these are only few of the different ways to modify a car.
Prerequisites
Customizing one’s car is not an easy task. Once a vehicle undergoes renovations, there is a possibility that the original form and function can never be restored. So careful planning is the first step to car customization.
Ask yourself whether you’re doing it for the car’s appearance or overall performance. Is the car for drag racing or for family use? Which parts are perfectly functioning, and which ones are worth junking? Also, take time to canvass for parts that are cheaper, but don’t sacrifice quality when doing so.
Performance
To improve the performance of a car, engine tuning is the main customization to consider since the engine is the main component that makes the car run. The common mod for engines would be adding turbo, if the car doesn’t have a built-in turbo functionality.
Improving performance isn’t reliant on speed alone. If a car’s speed is increased, its stopping power and steering should also be as good. Replacing the wheels with ones with better grip and lighter rims will greatly help with breaking and turning.
Replacing a car’s exhaust can improve airflow. Also, it’s a misconception that the louder the exhaust, the more powerful a car is. Mufflers can minimize sound without compromising airflow from exhaust.
Appearance
Most cars are created using steel for body and plastic for interior. However, these materials are less durable than their alternatives like aluminum and carbon fiber. In addition, these materials are far lighter, improving the performance of the car.
Carbon fiber is more expensive than aluminum but is more durable, sturdier, and is ultralightweight. Just by applying high-gloss carbon fiber sheets on the exterior of a car can improve its durability, and its texture and color make the car look sleek and modern.
Some high-end cars, like Lamborghini and Ferrari, are being manufactured with mostly carbon fiber despite how much the material costs in the market now. Other industries prefer to use carbon fiber because durability is practical in the long run.
Ramming Two Birds with One Bumper
Nobody said you can’t be stylish and efficient at the same time. Car customization is a matter of preference, and making the most out of the customizing cars involves improving both performance and appearance.
Modifying cars can be very rewarding, but the process involves a lot of risks. Just make sure that the car is tuned on a regular basis and to consult your dealership about how much mileage before every tune-up.
