Boost Your Ride with These Car Upgrades
Handling improvements may not give you a number to brag about, but they can increase fuel efficiency, reduce tyre wear and make your car much more enjoyable to drive. A coilover suspension or spring upgrade can be a good choice for this.
Performance chips optimize the air-to-fuel ratio, ignition timing and other settings of your engine control unit (ECU). This leads to higher horsepower and better acceleration.
1. Air Suspension
Air suspension kits allow you to raise and lower your vehicle with the push of a button. They also help reduce bouncing and jostling to save wear and tear on your tires and suspension.
Unlike traditional metal springs, an air suspension kit uses an electric or engine-driven compressor to pump air into a set of flexible bellows called air bags. These bags are fitted into place of the factory coil or leaf springs on your chassis and can be inflated and deflated to change ride height.
The system typically consists of an air tank, air compressor, air management unit (like a control valve), and one or more struts. The struts are the ones that make contact with your road, so they need to be strong and durable. An air suspension setup can be built from a wide range of parts depending on your preferences and budget.
If you’re interested in air suspension, it is important to remember that it will require more maintenance than a traditional spring system. It’s important to regularly inspect the system for leaks and deterioration of the balloon. If you do find a problem, it is important to deflate the system before working on it and isolate the air supply. You should also carry out regular visual inspections of the balloons to ensure they are still intact.
2. Muffler Swap
When it comes to car upgrades, few are more popular than a muffler swap. This simple modification can significantly change your vehicle’s sound, and it is a quick way to boost performance. A functional exhaust system is vital to your vehicle’s operation, and a malfunctioning muffler can introduce major issues. If you are noticing clunking or thumping noises, you may have a muffler issue that needs to be addressed right away.
Additionally, if your gas mileage has been decreasing, you may have a muffler that is not filtering exhaust fumes properly. This will result in them being dispersed into the air and causing environmental damage.
If you are looking for a muffler upgrade that will provide the most performance gains, consider reducing back pressure by enlarging the exhaust pipes or switching from single to dual exhaust. This will make the engine more efficient and free up some extra horsepower.
3. Carbon Fiber
Carbon fiber is a fusion of incredibly light and strong strands that can be molded into any shape to make parts, materials and more. It’s popular among auto enthusiasts because it looks sleek and high-end, and it can decrease the overall weight of a car for improved performance.
Carbon is also extremely stiff, which means that it enables more of the car’s power to be transferred to the road. It also has a higher energy-absorbing capacity than metals, which can be important in the event of an accident or collision. Some carbon parts are made with different materials in the lay-up process, such as Kevlar, which protects the carbon if it comes into contact with pavement or another surface, and foam that increases flexibility and springiness.
Carbon parts are generally lighter than metals, which makes them ideal for racing cars where every ounce counts. They are also more durable than other parts, which helps reduce the number of trips to the auto shop. Durability is particularly important for a vehicle that is driven often, like a road tripper. Carbon fiber parts are highly resistant to heat and don’t expand or weaken when exposed to it, which can help extend their life.
4. Coilover Suspension
Coilover suspension is a great upgrade to your vehicle for its handling. A coilover kit consists of replacement shock absorbers or struts with adjustable springs. It offers total control over the ride height and damping rates of your car. Coilover kits are designed to work with the specific weight, height and geometry setup of your vehicle. They are an excellent choice for drivers that want to lower their car and improve its performance on a race track or during spirited driving.
When choosing a coilover kit, it’s important to keep in mind that cheaper kits may have less desirable springs or an inferior design. It’s also essential to choose a kit that is specifically designed for your vehicle to ensure the shock body length, spring rate and damping characteristics are optimised.
When buying coilovers, look for a quality product with a long history and solid customer support. It’s important to get your kit from an established brand, as they will be more reliable and better value in the long run. Additionally, a high-quality kit will be engineered to be safe for street use. Avoid cheap, unbranded coilovers from the fringes of the internet, as these will compromise safety and handling performance.
5. Pedal Kit
Pedal kits are a great way to upgrade the look of your car. They’re made of aluminum or other materials that are scratch-resistant and can add a one-of-a-kind look to your vehicle. Plus, they have the added benefit of being more comfortable to drive on because they’re nonslip.
TMPP pedal kits have been designed to be the smoothest working pedal systems available. They’re easy to install and fasten to your base pod using the locking hardware. They’re available with a range of configurations for throttle, brake and clutch pedals in 4130 or titanium. They have needle bearings on all shafts for a smooth pedal action that’s built to last.
This pedal kit comes with brake and clutch rods, foot plates and mounting brackets. The footplates have extra traction to keep your feet from sliding around on the gas and brake pedals, even when wet. They’re also easy to adjust, with the left and right side brackets being made in a single piece to stand up to drops and harsh conditions.
A short-throw shifter is a relatively inexpensive performance upgrade that can greatly improve the feel and smoothness of your manual transmission gear changes. These are available for most cars and can be installed in a few minutes by following the instructions that come with the kit.
6. Wheels
A car’s wheels — also known as rims — have the potential to make or break your vehicle. Whether you’re going for a subtle aesthetic upgrade or are after a full-on wheelie, there’s a ton of options that can transform your ride in both comfort and handling. Just skim through the pages of Superstreet or Stanceworks, and you’ll see a never-ending stream of cars that look nothing like they did when they rolled off the showroom floor. You can revamp your ride with CSA Wheels’ alloy wheels.
Lighter rims reduce your vehicle’s rotational mass, so you can go faster without putting too much effort into turning the wheel. They also help you stay in control when you slam on the brakes because they don’t have as much weight to overcome.
Another way to enhance your traction is with a limited slip differential (LSD). These systems transfer power away from the wheel that loses grip and puts it on the ones that do, making your car feel more responsive. However, it’s worth noting that all these performance mods won’t mean anything if you’re driving on crappy tires. That’s why it pays to spend the extra cash on a high-quality set. They’ll last longer and provide better grip.
7. Backup Camera
A backup camera is one of the simplest car upgrades you can make to improve your safety on the road. This low-profile add-on is designed to help eliminate blind spots by transmitting a rear-facing image to a monitor when your car is in reverse.
This is a great upgrade for those who tow a trailer, as it can give you a clear view of the hitch and aid in hooking up. In fact, backup cameras are proven to reduce the risk of backing over people and animals by as much as 90 percent.
Unlike parking sensors, which are often found on high-end vehicles, backup cameras detect both stationary and moving objects. They also tend to be more accurate when it comes to detecting smaller items, such as children and bicycles.
Many newer cars are already equipped with a backup camera as standard equipment. However, if you drive an older model, installing one is relatively inexpensive and doesn’t require professional installation. There are a variety of aftermarket options, including monitors that mount in the dash or center console, as well as replacement rearview mirrors with built-in screens. For a simple option, check out the eRapta ERT01 backup camera, which features a wired connection that plugs into your vehicle’s front harness without cutting factory wires.