Editor’s note:
We’re thrilled to have James, a professional heavy diesel mechanic with over half a decade of experience, share his insights with us. Based in Sydney, Australia, James is known for his expertise in diagnosing and repairing commercial vehicles, buses, and modifying performance cars.
In this article, James shares beginner-friendly and expert tips on car modifications for daily, street, track, and offroad/4WD use. Perfect for new enthusiasts or seasoned hobbyists looking for inspiration!
Fail To Plan, Plan To Fail!
So you just got your new project car and you want to get started on modifying it to suit your needs, whether it’s motorsports or off-roading, daily driving, or more! However, modifying your car can be extremely intricate and confusing! Plus, no one wants to immediately fork out tons of money on mods that might end up not being necessary. The best mods are the ones that cost the least (in relative terms), yet give the most benefits!
That is why in this article, I will be going over 4 different categories of car genres! I will go over how to modify a car for daily usage, a car designed to be a street car that may see occasional spirited driving on track, a dedicated track car, and an offroad/4wd rig! Buckle up, because there’s gonna be a lotta info in this one!
To Work And Back, Every Day!
For a daily driver, the best thing to do is to leave it alone! As annoying as it may seem, the more reliable a daily driver is, the better! However, if you’re like me and can’t resist the urge to modify your daily, here’s a few things I would recommend changing:
- Tyres
Upgrading to higher quality tyres will allow for better traction, giving both better acceleration and deceleration!
2. Suspension
Sometimes stock cars can look a thousand times better just with a slight change in the suspension ride height! Because we’re focusing on a daily driver, we still want the ride to be comfortable and smooth, yet be more responsive when driving, so lowering springs or coilovers will be the best option. To get coilovers, visit the MaXpeedingRods website to see your options.
3. Interior stereo
Love listening to music when driving? Want maps to be displayed to you so you know where to go? An aftermarket head unit and/or speakers are what you need! You can also purchase head units from the MaXpeedingRods website!
Feel The Rush, Hit The Streets!
For a street car, I personally believe that it has to be a unique blend between comfort and performance. A streetcar is comfortable enough to drive for hours, but stiff and responsive enough to be able to hold itself down when you feel like driving harder than usual! Here’s a few mods that I strongly believe make a good street car:
- Coilovers
Unless your car has adaptive suspension, coilovers are the main way to get bang for your buck! They can be adjusted for ride height, stiffness, and other alignment properties. For a budget yet quality coilover, check out the wide range of coilover models on the MaXpeedingRods website!
2. Wheels and tyres
Aftermarket wheels are highly recommended as they can be made to your personal specifications, whether you require wider wheels for larger tyres, or if you want a certain type of look for your car, aftermarket wheels are the way to go! They also can help remove unsprung weight from your suspension, giving you better handling! As for tyres, a good set of sport tyres will give you the upper hand in terms of performance in acceleration, deceleration, and cornering. Make sure to not cheap out on tyres!
3. Exhaust system
An aftermarket exhaust will allow you to not only make a bit more power, but also enjoy the roar of your engine! For a street car, an aftermarket muffler by itself is all you need, but you can upgrade to a catback exhaust system should you desire it! Aftermarket exhaust systems can be lighter and more durable than OEM equivalents, but they allow your engine to breathe and flow better, which can allow for an increase in power!
4. Shift knob bushings and/or steering wheel
To make your driving experience as pleasurable as possible, why not change out the items you touch the most? An OEM or aftermarket shift knob bushing kit will allow you to remove the play that comes from wear and tear in the shifter assembly, giving you smoother and more crisp shifts. Alongside shifter bushings, an aftermarket steering wheel will also allow you to be able to customize your vehicle further, as you can get larger or smaller steering wheels with different materials, and different offsets. Of course, make sure that aftermarket steering wheels are legal wherever you are!
Stay tuned for Part Two!
