For or Against... Modifying your vehicle

[Rediesel]

true, no replacement pa rin talaga for displacement, unless you have a perfect forced-induction setup for a smaller engine. :D

Very true po.

Para sa akin for reliability's sake, kung import with turbo, just buy those EVO's or Scoobys. Mas maganda pa ang porma kesa sa Civic, Rolla or Sentra na modded to the max.

[al_motor]

i hail from a website where "stock is evil"...but if you're gonna modify the car, know what you're doing and take all steps to ensure the car's reliability and drivability.

on the practical front, the amount of TOTAL distance you travel over the TOTAL time you have the car is the TRUE SPEED of your machine. a diesel truck that has 70 horsepower but doesn't break down is still faster overall than a 300hp supercar which you can only use on weekends.

[nugundam93]

al_motor: nice computation! :D

yeah, as long as you know your mods and don't endanger anyone (like the danger to manifold and then the floorboard flies off...HAHAHAHA!!!), then go for it. :D

[Bisdak M3]

I'm all for modding a car mainly for performance gains. My stock cat back exhaust weighs 48lbs while my UUC System U exhaust weighs 21lbs, sounds better, and provides small HP gains, my stock flywheel weighs 24lbs, upgraded UUC stage II flywheels weighs only 8lbs. CAI makes a big difference than the stock air box, plus reprogramming the stock ECU or DME increases the car's potential no matter what make or model. I have a plethora of other mods but that would take all day. Anyway, as what was said "to each his own". Some of us mod for the looks (even when way out of taste) or performance.

The belief that manufacturers make the perfect cars is a matter of opinion. Many aftermarket tuners provide better parts than stock. Car manufacturers make and design their cars to fit the general public.

[ILuvDetailing]

Yup, you've got to know what you want to accomplish first so that you can map out and save up on your mods. Many people fall into the trap of compulsive buying and end up spending more.

For me sound mods are way to go since I love music, you don't need to buy the most expensive components to achive great sound quality, its the combination of components and ofcourse tuning. A sub 15K setup can sound way better than a 50K setup if tuned properly. Remember research and patience are your allies.

As for performance v.s. cosmetic mods, I'm gonna lean toward the performance mods with a touch of cosmetic to balance it out. It neat and clean cut for me.

[qman]

for basta with utmost consideration sa safety ng passengers

[kimpOy]

you got a nice ride Bisdak M3

me, aptly mags and tires then keeping it clean is good enough for me, but if we were to talk off road, then all out na tayo diyan you cant enter the trail without the proper hardware, you'll end up breakin something

[teej55]

Im all for it if it's my way of modding...classy!

[al_motor]

modifying may in itself not be practical, as they don't usually make your vehicle increase value come resale. but anyway, to make the most value out of your upgrade parts come resale or parting-out :

FIRST OF ALL: consider your budget when modifying....you might find a better car with the money you're willing to spend. if you really love the model of car you are modifying...now, go modify and try out these pointers:

-KEEP YOUR STOCK PARTS IN THE GARAGE. Try not to swap them out.
-buy RECOGNIZED BRANDS of modifications. If you can afford it (provided it looks good and/or has a proper warranty), buy OEM mods.
-buy mods that affect BOTH performance and reliability.
-buy period-correct and model-correct mods. (i.e. as for rims, TE37s for cars from the mid-90's panasports for the 60's-70's)
-as a performance nut, i'm not so happy to say this, but buy mods that enhance aesthetic appeal rather than performance.
-focus on modifying non-consumables (things which aren't affected so much by wear and tear)

[GlennSter]

for me..ang pinaka pinapangarap kong MOD is the driver.

i wanna mod my driving skills by enrolling myself to racing schools.
w
ala lang..it's been a dream pero walang pera para doon.maybe soon pag nakaipon at may extra.
for cars, i like cars that are performing very good na out of the box with only little mods to suite my taste. (attainable cars that are powerful enough as is: evo's...scoobies....etc.)

[al_motor]

for me..ang pinaka pinapangarap kong MOD is the driver.

i wanna mod my driving skills by enrolling myself to racing schools.
w
ala lang..it's been a dream pero walang pera para doon.maybe soon pag nakaipon at may extra.
for cars, i like cars that are performing very good na out of the box with only little mods to suite my taste. (attainable cars that are powerful enough as is: evo's...scoobies....etc.)

i am happy that you're one of those people with a properly-tuned MIND. modify the driver and any car will instantly be better performing.

well for your benefit and others...(well i dunno if u've already done this though, for i have an impression that you are a very educated fellow...oh, you're a mod. no wonder.):

race/perf driving school is not as expensive as you might think. Php4000 (not sure if still the same now) at SRA/SVI. one on one with Jedi master Kookie Ramirez, and your choice (i think) of his car or yours. i'd recommend driving your own car. VERY WELL WORTH ENROLLING YOURSELF INTO! last i tried, u could do as many laps as you can within the day, after having been taught basic techniques, principles, etc.. learn basic performance driving techniques like steering without using the steering wheel (at least without full exertion on the steering wheel) and proper braking.

if you love driving, then you owe it to yourself to enrol in this course.

i miss the track.

[pissword]

para sa akin no mods... if meron man siguro parang mags lang or paint job.. pero internally wala... maganda yung stock lang siya

[GlennSter]

al motor..ive been with sir kookie and mike black (top gear editor in chief) sa mga track days here in the phil..

naiinggit ako sobra sa mga tinuruan niyang mga kasmaa ko sa nissanbayan.

i think sir kookie was offering us a "weekend" lesson on driving.it's cheap nga talaga but the problem was, i didn't have the "right car" for track use. i have an suv kasi.

but now, i am reconsidering that "modification" again since i got myself a sedan that can be used in the track. ill be modifying a bit my suspension and breaks first..then....ipon for gas..then track na!!woohooo...*sniff* i miss the scent of gas and tires....and...aaahhh..the track,

[al_motor]

GlennSter,

I hope u don't mind a bit of OT just this once.

We might have seen each other on the track, as per your sitch's description. however don't think i've had the privilege of actually meeting you.
hahaha! i remember mike black back in the "nefarious echo" days.
met him at the motorshow then sa track na after.

my then weapon was a white panda EF packing a B16A with LSD tranny... but now like you im also in a fix, i drive a minivan.

when funds permit, i might consider buying an LEC or 1989 XL and mod it away. there's a legendary LEC allegedly selling for a very low five-digit price. the catch (and what a CATCH it indeed is!) is that there is a big void...ehem...to be filled in the engine bay.

now, that's a track car waiting to happen. if by chance i do find that transplant patient...well guess what happens next. hahaha!

the mods can wait...even a stock car is okay to train with. by understanding the stock characteristics of the car, and your inherent driving style, you'll know what mods to match those with afterwards. now go and enroll!!! haha!

[GlennSter]

i dont mind..herherherher

gotta fix this damn thing first...i believe it'll cost me the enrollment payment....and more.im emitting white smoke.tsktsktsk.

hope to meet you (again?) soon =)

[benchph1]

depends on how well do you know what you are modifying. kasi para sa akin more mods= more headaches in the future.

but my car is modified :D

[baurtwellXUV]

engine = stock.. ayaw kong galawin.. mahirap na...
interior = modified
exterior = modified...

[Tacoma_34]

of course dude, upgrade is good.

[zman]

though i have nothing against those who mod their cars in and out, i prefer to keep mine in stock form. mods in or out, requires a higher budget for maintenance that i cannot afford.

[wilcats]

Modzzz!!!!