Look at the street, vehicles are everywhere. Familiar and recognizable, even children can name their models nowadays. Sometimes there are cars of the same model and even color on the same street, isn’t it crazy?
If you’re a driver, it’s a normal desire to modify your car. To create a character for your vehicle, make it unique. But what is interesting, and liberating for the desire to customize, is that modification doesn’t always mean appearance. You also have an access to mods that will improve speed, maneuverability, and functionality.
In this article, we will review different modifications you can acquire for your car, whether they be popular or quirky and uncommon.
Paint Finishes: Stand Out in Colors!
There are different types of paint finishes for any vehicle, for all tastes and desires! There is no restriction on a car’s paint job, as long as it wouldn’t fake the police or ambulance vehicles.
The solid paint finish is the type used by most car manufacturers. It is the cheap, standard, and easiest type when it comes to repairing. It also comes with a wide range of colors and shades, giving a car owner almost unlimited choice for a reasonable price.
Metallic finishes are more aesthetic to look at, due to metallic particles added to the paint. It creates a recognizable shine and reflective effect. The main disadvantage of the metallic finish is how fast the surface will show dirt, so the car has to be cleaned more often. The metallic finish is more expensive than the solid paint finish, but it looks excellent.
Matte finish is a rare and expensive choice for a paint job. Vehicles with matte paint finish look classy, hence available colors are black, gray, or silver. The main disadvantage is the difficulty of repairing and cleaning matte paint and of course the high cost of the finish.
Alloy Wheels with Better Design
Nowadays almost all cars are already manufactured with alloy wheels. But sometimes the design just doesn’t hit the spot, so you may consider buying a new set of wheels with different specifications and designs.
When it comes to appearance, there is a wide choice between wheel manufacturers that offer various designs. Sometimes drivers install massive wheels to look aggressive and increased load rating. In other cases, they prefer wheels with slim spokes to gain that sport, racing-type look.
Alloy wheels come in a wide range of prices depending on the quality and type of process that was used to manufacture them. You have to choose specific wheels for your vehicle to combine both performance and appearance for a reasonable price. How much it would cost you depends on many factors, so don’t be afraid to study the market.
Tires Both for Aesthetics and Performance
Tires are the part of your car that needs constant proper maintenance and replacement once a few years. They wear out, and while you are searching for a new set, why not try to get the best design?
Try and learn more about tires. Different types influence the maneuverability and overall feeling when handling your car. Having healthy, well-maintained tires on your wheels ensures comfort and safety on the road.
Enhanced Exhaust System
Installing a new exhaust setup will modify your vehicle in many ways. In terms of performance, it will add more horsepower due to exhaust gases getting out of the system more freely. When it comes to aesthetics, upgrading the exhaust setup will change the sound of your car adding more character.
Aerodynamic Modifications
Aero modifications mean adding spoilers, trunk lips, splitter on the front bumper, and other different parts on the exterior of your vehicle. The main reason to install aero modification is that it lets a driver use deep advantages of downforce. It improves traction and grip, acceleration and speed, and even fuel consumption.
Rear wings or spoilers are the most common type of aero modifications, they stop the air coming from below your vehicle, therefore keeping a good grip on the road.
Front splitters cut the air in front of the vehicle in half, speeding up its movement below and above the car. It reduces the air pressure and therefore enhances the handling.
A Suspension System and Coilover Upgrades
Installing new coilovers is the most popular modification among car owners who like customization. They are easy to install in the car service, but the cost for a new set starts from one thousand dollars. Installing them opens up the adjustment features. First of all, it lets you change the height of the car. It also tweaks the dampening and other settings that change the way a car handles.
If your goal is to just lower your vehicle, you could substitute coilovers for cheaper customization. Lowering springs is a service offered by most auto repair shops. They would apply lower springs for your suspension system for a fairly affordable price between 500 and 1000 thousand dollars for parts and the job. But if you need more features from the suspension system, coilovers are what you need. Just keep in mind it would cost you at least $1000 just for the set of coilovers alone.
Turbochargers: Not Furious, But Fast
Turbochargers or superchargers are specially designed devices that enhance the engine’s performance. It is a quite popular car modification among car enthusiasts, but even some manufacturers, like Chevrolet, are starting to install them by default.
The turbocharger works as a compressor that processes the air before sending it to the engine. It creates more power and efficiency, and if you have a small engine, it will increase fuel efficiency.
The turbocharger is also very rewarding for cars that have to drive in high-altitude areas. Since the atmosphere is thin at high altitudes, the vehicle’s engine has difficulties getting enough air to get a healthy mix between oxygen and fuel. Turbochargers use the same compression method to help the engine with that problem.
Driving Like a Boss with a Racing Seat
Installing different seats in the vehicle is a popular choice for car modification. But before you consider doing this upgrade, keep in mind that sport seat manufacturers warn buyers that their products aren’t suitable for street driving. This is because racing seats use safe harnesses rather than seat belts, which is not a legal substitute in the United States.
Don’t give up on this idea though, since there are manufacturers that design comfortable, stylish and sport-like seats that will be compatible with seat belts. Consult the specialist before buying a new seat, to make sure everything fits correctly and safety is ensured in full. Don’t change seats yourself, don’t play with safety!
Window Tint: Shades for Your Car
Tinting windows is a popular car modification choice all around the world. As for the permissibility of tinted windows in the United States, you have to check with the law of your state to learn an acceptable percentage of tint for vehicles.
Having tinted windows reduces the amount of heat inside your vehicle on hot summer days. It blocks some percentage of light rays, improving the comfort of driving. It also gives a stylish look to any vehicle, especially with a good paint finish.
Give Your Car an LSD (Limited-Slip Differential)
Most common cars use open differentials for the distribution of wheel rotation. It allows each wheel to turn freely as much as it needs while moving and turning. Some drivers, especially in high-performance and sports vehicles, replace their standard differential with LSD. It limits the difference of rotation between two shafts of your vehicle, distributing the engine power properly.
Having the limited-slip differential installed on your vehicle increases the control you have during turning. It is especially beneficial in slippery conditions because the LSD will not let your wheel spin uncontrollably. When turning, your car will stop faster, increasing the time you need to make a turn. It also decreases the rate at which your tires get worn out.
On the other hand, if your vehicle gets stuck in the snow, the limited-slip differential can complicate the task of getting out. LSD also requires maintenance more often.
Horn Replacement: What’s That Sound?
Why not play a heavy metal solo in the traffic jam to save your voice from shouting? Or maybe a goofy sound to let the kids in your neighborhood laugh. There is no limit as to what sounds you may use as a horn signal, as long as it is able to be used as a horn in different situations.
Installing a new horn is fairly easy and cheap, which gives you an opportunity to really experiment with the sounds.
