Modifying Don'ts

When modifying cars, a lot of people choose to only add more power to the engine, without even considering the consequences of not having any supporting mods. Now, we know we can't tell you how to modify your car because it is, well, your car, but there are a few don'ts when it comes to car modifications.

Stock Tires

Ask any professional driver what the most important mod you can do to a car to make it go faster is, and he'll tell you that it's the tires. Normal, stock tires are good for everyday driving, but they really struggle if you're pushing the car. Unless you're driving an M3 or a Ferrari, chances are you don't have aggressive tires on your vehicle. Aftermarket ones are a great idea if you want more grip out of your car, and they don't have to break the bank if you know where to buy them. A more aggressive road tire is great for people who do track days. If you're really crazy about lap times, you might want to consider semi-slicks or even slicks.

The Suspension 

Almost all normal road cars come with soft, bump absorbent shocks perfectly suited to everyday driving. They absorb road imperfections, reduce stress on the car's chassis and make your drive a more enjoyable one. They don't however provide a lot of cornering stability. Because they're so soft, the car is prone to body-roll when cornering and in some cases less grip and more understeer when turning. Fitting aftermarket shocks can do wonders for your car. They'll add lateral stability and aid overall stiffness. Ride quality may be slightly compromised depending on the shocks you're using, but if it's canyon carver or track day car, who really cares. 

Putting the brakes last

We've seen this more times than we really should have. It's really not that difficult to conclude why this one is such a big don't when you consider the safety aspect. Your car's brakes have been designed to make sure the car stops under any circumstances, but that doesn't involve modifications adding another 200 or so more horsepower. You may think it's not a big deal, because ultimately, if you still drive the car like you did before, it really won't make a difference. But let's be real, you won't. If you've added more horsepower to your car chances are you want to go faster.Make sure you have enough braking power if you decide to go down the more hp route. It's easy to overcook the stock brakes, even with only mediocre power gains.