The First 7 Car Upgrades New Enthusiasts Try

The Many Ways To Make a Car Your Own

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New enthusiasts are constantly making their way into the automotive sector. These individuals (and perhaps you’re one of them) suddenly become besotted by their vehicles and want to upgrade them in any way they can.

But what are they doing?

That’s the topic of this post. We look at the seven most common methods car enthusiasts are using to upgrade their vehicles and get the results they want.

Wheels and Tires

Enthusiasts start with the basics: wheels and tires. Many see them as a simple and easy way to improve their vehicles and help them achieve the performance they want.

Stock wheels are okay on most vehicles. But manufacturers make them for the mass market. The same goes for tires. While they might be okay for city driving at 30 mph, they aren’t ideal for handling in challenging weather conditions or the track.

That’s where one-piece alloy wheel upgrades and softer tire compounds can come in handy. These massively improve performance, giving drivers more confidence. Grip, ride quality, and handling are all usually better, even after minimal expense.

Air Intake System

You also see new car enthusiasts experimenting with air intake systems. Improving these enhances engine cooling but also allows the cylinders to collect air more reliably for combustion reactions. These systems often increase horsepower substantially, allowing even smaller engines to output more power.

Air intake systems have the benefit of being easy to install. They are also something beginners can do with simple tools, following the kit’s instructions.

Air intake systems primarily affect the vehicle’s bodywork, so installing them provides a helpful introduction to these chassis. Beginners can learn all sorts of things that they wouldn’t otherwise learn.

Sound System Upgrades

Music lovers also like to improve their vehicle’s sound systems. Changing them to increase their sound output can enhance the driving experience massively.

These days, there are all sorts of after-market options from leading brands, like Bose and Bang & Olufsen. Some manufacturers even build them into their vehicles as stock (but usually only on high-end cars).

These sound systems include more bass, usually in the form of a subwoofer in the trunk. They also sometimes add additional speakers to the doors and areas around the car body to provide a more insulated, surround-sound experience.

Sound system upgrades can be expensive, but most beginners can install non-expert systems. Getting the wiring right for more expert systems is, however, more challenging and often requires the help of professionals.

LED Upgrades

Enthusiasts also often buy LED headlight conversion kits to swap out old-fashioned incandescent bulbs. These make cars look better and improve their visibility on the road.

Older vehicles that use incandescent bulbs waste a lot of energy in the form of heat. These older systems don’t convert electricity from the battery as well, leading to more flats, draw-downs and other problems. Furthermore, they don’t have the same weather-piercing qualities as high-quality LEDs, meaning it can be more challenging to see the road ahead when using them.

LED upgrade kits help to correct this. These systems swap out old lights for new ones across various vehicles, helping to modernize them.

Kits are most suitable for high-performance older vehicles. Adding them can bring them up to standard and even change the fundamental appearance of the vehicle, making it sportier and more attractive.

Performance Filters

Another upgrade beginners often make is to use performance filters. These improve airflow to the engine while capturing more particles in the air.

Filters are essential components because they stop pollution from getting into the vehicle’s engine. This keeps it clean and stops improper burning which can cause corrosion and other forms of damage.

Changing the filters regularly is critical for high-performance vehicles since their tolerances are so much stricter. Upgrades are inexpensive and relatively easy to fit on most models, including modern cars, so you don’t usually need to go to a mechanic.

Oil filters are particularly important for enhancing longevity. These ensure the fluids traveling around the vehicle and keeping it lubricated are doing what they’re supposed to do.

Fortunately, these changes are fairly inexpensive, so you can make them, even if you’re on a low budget. Changing filters is also something you’ll want to do anyway, just to ensure that your vehicle keeps running the way you want it to,

Exterior Styling Modifications

Car enthusiasts also often make exterior styling modifications to their vehicles. They want them to look as good as possible, even if that means neglecting the engine.

Making styling modifications can be straightforward, but it depends on your vehicle and the kit that you buy. Some aftermarket products are surprisingly simple to install, while others are significantly more challenging.

Window tinting is probably the easiest option. This involves applying a thin film to your windows to darken them and make the vehicle appear sportier, blocking UV light.

You can also get spoilers put on the back of your vehicle. These are often easy to install since most manufacturers include mounts pre-installed.

Vinyl wraps are another option. You won’t be able to apply these yourself usually since they are hard to get right, but they are also relatively inexpensive.

Body kits are the most complex, but they can also have the largest effect on your vehicle’s aero properties. Adding fins, wings, and skirts changes the way air flows over the various parts, helping them generate more downforce for tighter corning. Again, you can try fitting body parts yourself, but you will usually need professional help for these.

ECU Timing Changes

Finally, many enthusiasts like to make ECU timing changes to their vehicles. Engine control units can help you eke more power out of your existing vehicle, allowing it to accelerate faster and even corner better.

ECUs do things like adjust the vehicle’s air-fuel ratio and ignition timing. Changing these parameters can adjust the amount of energy the engine puts out without many changes to the cylinders or anything beyond that. These then increase the horsepower and performance, allowing the vehicle to do more. But take caution in this area because these changes could also take your car out of compliance with your state’s emissions regulations and keep you from registering it.