To MOD or NOT to MOD?
Tips before Modifying or Tuning Your Car.
You just bought a new ride or you've been thinking about fixing up your existing ride because someone or something turned you onto the wonderful world of modified cars. Now comes the realization that it isn't just a decal package that you can stick on the side of your car that will give you the ohhh's and ahhh's that you want when your car rolls up, because we know you don't want your ride to be called a "ricer". So before you put a single "dollar" into your car, check a few tips we have gathered.
First ask yourself, what do I want to accomplish or want my end result to be? "I want my car to go faster" If this is what you want to do, now you have to decide if you want some trouble with 5.0 or let the car to remain street legal or if you will modify it for the drag strip. You will also want to take into consideration that certain aftermarket parts can void your warranty on your car and is not covered by insurance. So that means that turbo you've been eyeing is definitely out of the question until your car is completely paid off, unless of course you are like us and just want to take the risk of paying for repairs out of pocket.
If your answer is "I want to make my car look better or different" - Simple enough, you can do this by painting it, adding a body kit and/or adding a complete conversion kit. But the more extreme you want the look the more "dollar" you'll have to scrape together.
We all know that a paint job CAN cost $12,000, but you might as well save that money for a rainy day. If you want good job, have about $30,000 up and easily more to pay for quality work. There is nothing worse than a cheap paint job. Looking
Let's say you're thinking about a complete body kit with rims or even just a set of side skirts because you can't afford the whole thing. Once again, money can be a big factor. You can opt to go with a cheaper kit that will require sanding which in the end can run you much more than just buying a better quality kit. You also have to paint the pieces before installing them on your car. After buying the parts, paying for shipping if it's overseas, writing a check to the paint shop you still need it installed. Not just anyone can install the body kit, so don't expect you're on the corner body man to do a good job.
OEM and aftermarket parts are like oil and water, there are no similarities and you risk the chance of being overcharged because "blacks, the mechanic" can't figure out where and how to install your new Wings West front (or is that a rear) bumper.
| Now ask yourself, "How much money do I really want to invest in my car"? This isn't your usual $1600 oil change we're discussing; this is an investment and can and will more likely to be an expensive one. We know individuals who took on a second part-time job or sell some thing they own to just to keep up with the cost of their mods, now talk about dedication but that doesn't necessarily mean that you have to. |
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Make a shopping list!
Make yourself a shopping list of all the items that you would like to install on your car. Now browse through web sites and/or check your phone book and call a few after market parts store and jot down the cost of parts, don't forget you'll also pay for shipping if you are ordering from overseas. Once you have your grand total ($1500, $37,000, $84,000), you will need to look at your finances and setup a monthly savings plan and a time frame of when you can purchase each part. "No selling of any kidney as a member of the Automods team normally says". Save yourself some time also by calling up installation facilities to get written quotes. Our check with people who have done the same or similar mods.This way there will be no surprises when the time comes to install your new aftermarket parts.
Lastly we ask, how much do you really know about Modifying Cars and Aftermarket Parts? This isn't brain surgery but you're better off going in educated. Pick up the latest copy of the dozens of tuning magazines and read it from beginning to end. We also recommend visiting our articles section (click this link) to read more. Focused on the goals you want to achieve and it's very important to LEARN FROM OTHER'S MISTAKES so you don't have to! The main goal of your research SHOULD BE to find out the things other's have done that have worked, and head in that direction. Most common mods that work have already been tried and proven
After setting your goals, decide who will perform your mods - a professional or yourself. If you happen to be great at installing stuff yourself it is still a good idea to enlist the help of a professional at first. Now that the car is modified, compare your results to your goals and other cars to see if it was worth it in the end. We are going to assume that smile on your face is enough to prove it was money and time well spent.
Now if you think your car is worthy of being featured on www.automods.com.jm and/or Automods Magazine then drop us a line. Get UP to SPEED!!!
Text taken from http://www.autosportz.com/article_before_modifying_tuning_car.htm
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