Why Modify My Car?
An introduction into Car Modifications; What is entailed and if it is right for you.
What is Car Modification? What is entailed?
Car modification is the swapping out of parts that came with your car from the dealer for aftermarket parts. These after market parts can change the look of your car to giving it extra horse power and a different drive. This can range from exchanging parts of the body, to the exhaust, to interior and engine changes.
This may seem daunting to some but fear not, some aspects of modification are not as difficult as they may appear. I was able to do some interior modifications and body kit modification for the first time by simply watching YouTube videos and following step by step.
YouTube can be a teacher for those learning how to Modify your Car.
For the more extreme modification (anything that would be related to the engine or exhaust), you will need a professional tuner, unless you are already experienced in the realm of tuning and doing some rather sensitive work on your car.
What is a tuner?! How does it work?
A tuner is someone who will essentially talk to the computer of your car and tell it how to better run and interact with the new performance modifications you put on it. Performance modifications do not include modifications like body kits, interior decorating, bags or coils, and lights. For instance, if you put a catalytic converter-less and muffler deleted exhaust (straight pipe) on your car, your exhaust piping will have less resistance and better air flow out to the tailpipes. Your car’s ECU (Engine Control Unit) will need to know how to work with this new air flow in the exhaust, this is where the tuner comes in. A good tuner is key for your car to run smoothly and reliably with the new performance modifications.
Can I Modify my Car without a Tuner?
Technically, yes you could install performance mods without tuning it, but you would run into problems along the way. It is vital for the health and safety of your car to have it tuned with almost any change to any performance part of your car. If you were a robotics engineer, you wouldn’t add a new appendage to your humanoid robot without downloading the proper software to teach it how to use it properly, right? The same goes for you and your modified car.
My Experience in Car Modifications.
Ever since I was a kid playing ‘Need for Speed 2’ on my Playstation2 and seeing my friends older brother work on his Mazda Rx-7, I knew I wanted to have my own modified JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) sports car someday. I dreamed of having a Subaru WRX, Rx-7 FC3s, or Nissan 240sx and learning how to work on it and drift it.
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My dream came true when I turned 17 and worked hard to buy my friend’s older brothers 1992 Saab 9000 Turbo. I loved the way it sounded and how it looked. I wanted to do big modifications to it but being such a unique car and having a lack of money as a teenager, I had to settle for learning how to change spark plugs, changing oil and swapping out the blow off valve I bought off my friend’s brother. It was a blast, but I didn’t tune it when I swapped the blow off valve and having had a few people work on it over the years, the car didn’t live long.
I had a few cars after that first Saab, each one I dreamed of modifying and taking to the Laguna Seca Raceway in Monterey, CA. I never ended up modifying them, from a lack of money and hesitation to learn how to modify and not trusting myself to do so.
When I was 27, I had a steady job and was ready to make my childhood dream come true. I walked into the Subaru Dealership and put a down payment on a brand-new 2020 WRX, with every intention to modify it.
I started off by buying some performance parts; a new intake and Catless J-pipe to give it a new sound. With the help of some tuners I was able to do so and I loved the direction my car was going. Eventually, I added a small laundry list of performance parts, a muffler deleted cat back, dual external waste gate headers, A.O.S (air oil separator), a top mount inter cooler, and a 50/50 blow off valve. All of which I needed some help installing, either by YouTube or my mechanic and tuner.
Though I needed help with those I managed to add new wheels, front, side and back skirts, tail and headlights and various interior changes, such as a shift stopper, boot swaps and interior lights to name a few.
I found the process of modifying my car fun, exhausting, thrilling and exciting. Leaving a sense of accomplishment and joy from what it felt to sit in side a work of my own expression.
Is Car Modification for me?
If you are wondering if car modification is for you, as your self a few questions. Do I enjoy cars and driving? Do I enjoy projects that take me to the unknown of my knowledge? Am I ready to make mistakes and learn from them? Do I enjoy the customization of something as a way of self-expression? Am I ready to spend a lot of money and time on a mode of transportation?
If you answered yes to most of these questions, and if you like cars and driving, then car modifications may be for you!
Working on my car, for me, is like working on a giant adult Lego that I get to express myself through. It can become pricy very quickly, so prepare yourself to spend a good amount of money and time on it.
The Take Away
If you don’t love cars, driving and working on tedious projects then car modification probably isn’t for you. That being said, if you do love those things, car modification is a great way to enhance your driving experience, express yourself and take on a fun project, either by yourself or with friends, sharing in the creative joy (and sometimes frustration) that comes along the way. Having a good set of friends working and hanging out on a car together is a fun time and great bonding experience.
I can full heatedly say that working on my car has been more joyous and fun than it has been frustrating, leaving a sense of satisfaction every time I see the work I have done. It has become my pride and joy. Though some may think it is ridiculous, it brings a smile to my face when I floor it and hear the engine rev or when a kid asks me what I have done to it and to rev the engine for them.
There is nothing like looking at, driving and listening to the uniqueness of your expression of your car in all its aspects. It always brings a smile to my face, and if this is something that interests you I am sure it will for you as well.
