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!
Part One: https://blog.maxpeedingrods.com/beginners-guide-to-car-modification-part-one/
One Perfect Lap Is All It Takes!
So you want to build a dedicated track car that will allow you to push your car to the limits? Well the key to a track car in my opinion is a lightweight car that handles well, with just enough power! Here’s my list of things that I would (and have done) do a track car:
- Strip the interior of the car
As this is a dedicated track car, the comfortable interior of the car isn’t valued. Removing seats, airbags, sound deadening, and more can save you lots of weight, which will allow your car to accelerate and decelerate better! You can also downsize your battery, as you won’t really need the battery for anything other than starting the vehicle! Best part about this mod is that it’s pretty much free, and you can sell off the interior for more funds!
2. Safety items
While these components may seem boring, they are crucial as it’ll keep you safe if you are caught in an accident. Items such as roll cages, bucket seats and harnesses, fire suppression systems, quick release steering wheels and more are usually mandatory at tracks that allow dedicated track cars to run. Bucket seats and harnesses will also allow you to literally be more strapped in, allowing you to focus on driving rather than supporting yourself around corners!
3. Wheels, tyres, and coilovers
As mentioned before, wheels, tyres, and coilovers will give you the best bang for your buck in terms of looks and performance! For coilovers, make sure to check out MaXpeedingrods new T7 line of coilovers!
4. Exhaust system and intake
Unlike the exhaust systems mentioned before, on the track you don’t really need to worry about emissions and noise (to a certain degree). This means you can remove the catalytic converter, which will allow for better flow for your exhaust fumes! A full system with headers is highly recommended for a track car, as it saves weight and adds performance! (Double check your track rules and ensure that your exhaust system meets their requirements!) Paired with a cold air and/or RAM intake system and your engine will have essentially no restrictions in terms of air and exhaust flow, giving you more power! It’ll also make your car sound like a proper track car too!
5. Flash tunes and/or dyno days
A flash tune will rewrite the OEM ecu’s map, allowing you to push out more power. The tune can also be custom made to accommodate your existing mods such as intake and aftermarket exhaust, allowing the tune to utilize those mods to be used to their full potential! On the other hand, a dyno day will allow you to check exactly how much power your car makes, and what rpm range makes the most power! This info can be crucial to help you shave time off your track times!
Forget The Asphalt, Let’s Go Mud Boggin!
Maybe the track isn’t your thing, and you prefer crawling over rocks and sliding through the mud in your offroad rig! As someone who loves camping, here’s my take on what I would do (and have done) to a 4wd:
- Maps and first aid kit
While a boring “mod”, knowing where you’re going will keep you from getting stuck in an area no one knows about. A digital map is always better, but a handheld paper map is the most reliable option. Alongside your map, add a first aid kit! You never know when you’ll need it, whether it’s a small scratch or cut on your finger, or if you need to stop a major wound. As the old saying goes: better safe than sorry!
2. Diff breathers
While this seems like a completely odd choice of a mod, the fact that it’s extremely cheap (sometimes even free), and that it can save your diffs from being filled with water, makes it a mod that I would recommend getting done immediately. Diff breathers allow you to enter deeper areas of water without flooding your diffs with water. While you most likely won’t be going into any deep water when you start off (unless if you’re a bold and daring one), they do help with the occasional wet puddle as well!
3. All terrain/Mud terrain tyres
All terrain or mud terrain tyres give you the grip you need when off-roading! Unlike sport tyres or slick tyres, these tyres are made to be extra tough and durable, and have aggressive and chunky tread patterns, made to give you grip in the rockiest and most slippery of situations!
4. Lift kit
Unlike sports cars, a lift kit is preferred for offroad rigs as it gives your vehicle more clearance and also more flex when crawling over rocks and hills! Check the MaXpeedingrods website to see their variety of lift kits!
5. Handheld radio
As they say, communication is key! A radio will allow you to talk to your buddies in their cars and/or strangers on the same track as you! They also can come in handy if you’re stuck and need help!
6. Skid plates/protection
As much as you want to do some bush bashing and some mud bogging, you need to look after your vehicle so that it can look after you. Skid plates and protection like bars and rock sliders allow you to protect your underbody and panels from being smashed against a rock and/or large log! Trust me, you do not want to have a cracked oil pan out on the track. These mods also make your car not only look tougher, but also give protection against wild animals from totalling your car in a collision, and they allow you to add future mods such as a radio antenna and lights!
So those are the mods I would do when starting out on a new build! Hopefully you may now have a good guideline to modifying your new project.
Starting a new project car can be difficult and confusing, as you don’t know how to start. However, with the right approach and the help of James’ experience, you now have a great starting guide that will get your project started! If you have any questions, feel free to contact the MaXpeedingrods team for support, as our shared love for the car culture, whether racing, street driving, or off-roading or more, is what keeps it alive!
