Best Car Mods: A Beginner's Guide To Personalizing Your Ride (2024)

Jan. 09, 2024 8:19 PM ET by Frank Pearmain Car Culture / 5 Comments

In the broad scope of automotive enthusiasts, car mods are a rite of passage - whether the intent is outright performance or simply an expression of individuality. When a dealership-fresh car like a brand new Toyota GR86 feels generic, that's where car modifications come in.

Car modifications, or 'car mods,' aren't just about slapping on flashy decals or installing the loudest exhaust you can find. It's an art, a science, and, for many, a way of life. From the subtle elegance of aesthetic upgrades to the adrenaline-pumping performance enhancements, car mods speak your language in a way that stock vehicles can't.

You don't have to break the bank to make your car stand out. The world of car mods is vast and varied, offering something for every budget, from cheap car mods that add a touch of flair to your ride to significant upgrades that redefine its performance.

Understanding the intricacies of car modification would take a lifetime of learning, but if you're looking for a crash course, we've got you covered.

Deciding which mods to get for your car is like choosing the perfect outfit for a night out - it's about style, performance, and making a statement. But with many options available, where do you start? Upgrading car performance is one of the most common aspects that car owners have first on their list of mods. Some examples of performance mods include:

• Performance Tires: The unsung hero of car mods, tires are your car's only point of contact with the road, so upgrading to high-quality performance tires can dramatically improve handling, traction, and safety. Good tires make a noticeable difference, whether you're navigating tight corners or braking hard.
• ECU Remap: Modern cars are controlled by an Electronic Control Unit (ECU), and remapping it can unlock greater power and efficiency. This mod is particularly effective on turbocharged engines, potentially boosting power and torque significantly. Remaps are also known as performance chips, but they're all essentially the same thing.
• Suspension Upgrades: Upgrading to a sportier suspension setup can transform your car's handling. Coilovers and lowering springs not only give your car a more aggressive stance but can also improve the driving dynamics. Lowering springs reduce body roll and may improve stability, while coilovers offer adjustable height and stiffness for a more customized ride.

• Exhaust System: A performance exhaust system can free up additional power by means of improved airflow. It can also give your car a throatier sound. It's not just about volume - a good exhaust system can slightly increase your car's horsepower while enhancing the driving experience.
• Brake Upgrades: When you add power, you should also add stopping ability. Upgrading to high-performance brake pads, rotors, and even calipers can improve your car's braking performance dramatically. The caveat here is that great brakes with poor tires won't give you meaningful results, so the two go hand-in-hand.
• Aerodynamic Enhancements: Adding aerodynamic elements like spoilers and wings, diffusers and splitters can reduce drag and improve downforce. This means better stability and handling at higher speeds, especially for performance-oriented cars.
• Engine Upgrades: The heart of performance mods, engine upgrades can significantly increase horsepower. Options vary wildly from basic upgrades such as cold air intakes to serious upgrades like cams, valvetrain enhancements, high-compression pistons, and more.
• Turbochargers and Superchargers: For a substantial increase in power, adding a turbocharger or supercharger (or upgrading the one you have) can be transformative. These mods force more air into the engine, significantly boosting its power output.

Aesthetic mods are one of the safest options for car modifications and often one of the most accessible for a wider range of car owners. It can also be a relatively cheap car mod compared to more expensive options such as performance enhancements.

Modifying the look of your car is relatively safe because it does not directly affect the engineering of the car, and as long as it is tastefully done, it can enhance the look of the vehicle and often improve its value and appeal. Examples of aesthetic modifications include:

• Car Wraps and Vinyl: Car wraps are a transformative yet affordable option. They allow for complete color changes or unique designs without the permanence of a paint job. They're not limited to a full wrap either, and you can choose between flat colors, racing stripes, or custom vinyl decals.
• Wheels: Wheels are different to tires, and while the two operate together, you can change them independently of one another. Wheels can be functional performance upgrades if you reduce unsprung mass with a lightweight set, but in many instances, a cool set of wheels can do nothing more than enhance the look of your car and make you feel good when you look back at it.

• Custom Lighting: This mod provides enhanced aesthetics and functionality. Upgrading to brighter, more efficient LED lights can modernize the look of your car, while adding halos to the existing housings makes an older car look more modern. Options like car door lights that project the vehicle's logo on the ground add a high-tech touch, while headlight restoration can both improve visibility and restore the headlights' original clarity, giving the front of your car a rejuvenated appearance.
  
• Cosmetic Accessories: These are the simple yet effective changes that can add a personal touch to your car. Fuzzy dice hanging from the rear view mirror, for instance, are a nod to classic car culture. Rearview mirror modifications might include adding decorative covers or charms, or simply decorative air fresheners. Then you get other details like steering wheel covers, shift knobs, and handbrake levers, all of which are quick and easy ways to change the look and feel of your car.
• Custom Upholstery and Trim: From custom seat upholstery to changing the door trim from plain to patterned, these small details can help bring a customized car together beautifully. Even details like the color of the stitching can create a cohesive design throughout. On the trim side of things, carbon fiber adds a modern touch, but you can build something that suits your personal aesthetic.

Don't forget the inside of your car when contemplating a cool mod or car upgrade. Enhancing the car's interior can include improving in-cabin technology or the comfort and style of the car's interior. The following vehicle modifications are ideas on the options available to customize your car's interior.

• Seat Upgrades: Replacing standard seats with ergonomic or sport seats can significantly increase comfort, especially on long journeys.
• Steering Wheel Replacement: A custom steering wheel not only adds a personal touch but can also provide better grip and control.
• Advanced Infotainment Systems: Installing the latest systems, such as touchscreens with Bluetooth connectivity and Apple CarPlay, with features like touchscreens, navigation, and smartphone integration modernizes your car's tech capabilities.
• Lighting: Adding LED ambient lighting can transform the interior mood and aesthetics, allowing for the personalization of colors and intensity. Interior lighting mods offer a more sophisticated cabin ambiance.
• Custom Floor Mats: Easy car mods such as customized floor mats can have the practical improvement of making the interior easier to clean as well as adding to the interior aesthetic.
• Pedals: These don't just look good but can enhance functionality with enhanced grip, particularly when wet. They can also change the shape of the stock pedals, giving you better control for heel-and-toe driving.

Practical modifications enhance your car's functionality and convenience, focusing on storage, utility, safety, and maintenance, but some of these mods can result in performance enhancements as a useful side effect.

Storage and utility upgrades are both functional and versatile. These mods not only enhance the utility of your vehicle but also cater to a wide range of lifestyle needs.

• Truck Bed Caps: Ideal for pickup trucks, bed caps offer protection for cargo and can improve the vehicle's overall aesthetics. This mod can have the added advantage of improving the airflow around the truck bed, reducing wind resistance, and improving fuel economy.
• Tire Covers: Especially useful for off-road and larger vehicles, tire covers protect exposed spare tires from the elements and can be personalized.
• Roof Racks: Ideal for extra luggage space, especially for smaller cars.
• Organizers and Cargo Nets: Keep your trunk space tidy and items secure.

The decision to modify a car should be approached with caution, as there are several potential downsides:

• Voiding A Warranty: One major concern is the risk of voiding the vehicle's warranty. Modifications, especially those related to the engine or exhaust system, can lead to the manufacturer denying warranty claims or declining to honor maintenance plans.
• Premature Component Failure: Poor workmanship in modifications is another cause for concern, which may cause the premature failure of critical components, affecting the car's performance and safety. Poor workmanship can also have the undesirable effect of detrimentally affecting the resale value of the car. Personalized or extensive modifications often decrease the market value of a vehicle, as they may not appeal to a broad audience.
• Illegal Mods: The legalities of car modifications vary by region and should be carefully considered. For example, in California, strict emissions laws limit the types of engine modifications allowed. Similarly, window tinting laws vary widely, with some states having more stringent regulations than others. Failing to adhere to these legal requirements can result in fines or other legal issues.

The decision to mod your car can be exciting, but it should be approached with careful and practical planning, giving thoughtful consideration to each aspect of the car you want to modify. It's essential to start with a clear vision of what you want to achieve. Whether you're aiming for enhanced performance, a sleeker look, or modern functionality, each goal will dictate a different path. A few pointers to remember are:

1. Decide On A Design Theme: If you don't know what the vision is for the end product, you'll easily lose your way and end up veering off course.
2. Know Your Goal: Do you want a show queen or a performance monster? Knowing what you're after helps keep you focused on where the build is headed.
3. Set A Priority List: At any give time, there are dozens of possible "what's next" options for a build. By setting a priority list, you'll feel less overwhelmed and can plan better financially.
4. Understand The Costs: Car modification can be cheap if you stick to small, simple mods, but it can also be insanely expensive - like dumping-three-times-the-value-of-a-car-into-the-build expensive. Before you embark, get an idea of what costs you're expecting, and then add 10% just in case. There will always be unforeseen costs, but having an idea ahead of time helps.