How do Body Kits Affect the Performance of a Car?
Vehicle performance is shaped by many different factors, each of which can have a decisive impact on the final result. Any modifications to the aerodynamic properties are carried out in order to improve the performance of the car. Body kits can also be aimed at improving the appearance of the car. However, it is important to understand that it is necessary to make adjustments to the body only after all the features of this process have been carefully studied, because otherwise there is a fairly high probability that the performance of your car will deteriorate significantly. Within the framework of this material, we will take a closer look at the key features of changing car body parts. We will try to understand which factors should be given priority when considering body changes.
Tips for Choosing a Body Kit for a Car
Car enthusiasts can choose from a variety of body kit options. Modern industry and technology are able to meet even special individual requirements. However, you need to decide what kind of modifications to make, how these modifications will affect the vehicle. At the same time, we must not forget that any change has its own advantages and disadvantages, and can be useful only in certain cases.
When choosing the right body kit for a vehicle, you should start from certain factors. Let’s consider them in a little more detail.
1. The choice of the appearance of the car
When buying and installing a new body kit, a person clearly seeks to change the appearance of the car. However, in this case, you need to clearly understand what kind of changes a person wants. Perhaps he wants to make the appearance of the car more daring and faster, or maybe, on the contrary, smoother and calmer. When choosing the appearance, you need to understand how this body kit will affect the vehicle itself. Obviously, this can affect performance to a certain extent, although it is guaranteed to help stand out on the road. Also consider the fact that a more aggressive and faster body kit will attract constant attention from law enforcement officers, who will stop you more often than any other drivers. But you yourself wanted attention?
When choosing the appearance for the body kit, you should also consider how you plan to sell the car in the future. The thing is that only a small number of people will share your interest in a daring and dangerous appearance, which means that you automatically limit yourself to potential buyers. In this case, the usual transformations, which are aimed at emphasizing the style, become more profitable. So, the likelihood of a successful sale will be higher. Decide on paint. The new body kit, like the car itself, can be painted in a wide variety of colors. In some cases, body kits can even be left unpainted for more brutality. Remember that this promotes corrosion.
2. Choose a specific body kit material
This has a direct impact on whether your body kit is strictly for beauty or will improve the performance of the car. Remember that the body kit is an additional mass that can adversely affect the performance of the car. Therefore, when choosing a specific material for a body kit, you need to decide whether you want to make the car faster or vice versa slower.
If you want to set records, then it is better to choose carbon fiber, which is significantly lighter and will increase performance. However, you need to remember that it will be more fragile. For this reason, carbon is in most cases only used on street vehicles. It is also important to understand that body kit affects downforce and aerodynamics. Special attention should be paid to these factors.
In the event that you are only concerned about the appearance of the car, then it is best to turn your attention to polyurethane. Such details can be created in a variety of sizes and colors. Moreover, this material is famous for its durability.
Fiberglass is the choice of those who do not try to find a compromise, but want to get all the benefits at once. Of course, this option will cost quite a lot, but it’s definitely worth it. The main thing to consider is that this material is very easy to break, so you will need to be very careful when driving.
3. Decide on a budget
Obviously, replacing a body kit can cost completely different amounts of money. In the event that you want to carry out a budget replacement, then polyurethane is the best option. If the budget is limited, but you need to achieve individuality for the body kit, then you need to choose fiberglass.
If you have an almost unlimited budget, then it is recommended to turn your attention to carbon fiber. They are tailored strictly for performance and are guaranteed to cost more, but with them you can get an unforgettable experience.
4. Self-assembly or ready-made version
Today, there are many specialists who can carry out the installation of a body kit. Of course, you will have to pay a certain amount for this, but this way you are sure that everything will work as it should. However, you can do the upgrade yourself.
It should also be noted that for many popular car models there are ready-made options for a full body kit, from which you can build on when working with your model. That is, you do not need to puzzle over how best to arrange the individual parts. You can try to combine several body kit options if they look harmonious.
5. Production of an individual body kit
Each car enthusiast, if there is enough money, can develop an individual body kit for the car. In this case, there are no restrictions on cash costs, except for the imagination of the owner himself. In most cases, creating your own body kit is guaranteed to cost several tens of thousands of dollars.
The first thing you need to do to develop a custom body kit is to contact a local workshop, in which you will have complete confidence. You need specialized craftsmen who can definitely realize your ideas. In order to better explain the task, it is better to choose certain photographs or make your own sketches.
Next, you just have to discuss the budget of the project, as well as how much the body kit will affect the performance of the vehicle.