The Ultimate Car Modification Guide

The automobile industry has come a long way in how the car looks and performs, better than it did about 25 years ago. Car manufacturers are designing budget-friendly cars that are more reliable, durable, and powerful. Yet, these cars don’t stand a chance when they are compared to premium, luxury, or supercars. Nevertheless, you can get your budget car to look and perform like a premium one through modifications. From exterior to interior and everything in between, there are several ways in which you can give your car a complete make-over.

Changing the exterior of your vehicle is one of the best ways to enhance its appearance. There are several ways where you can give your car a facelift without having to burn a hole in your wallet. Some of the affordable exterior modifications are:

How many of you find the racing stripes in the yellow Camaro in Transformers movies attractive? Similarly, you can give your car an upgraded look by just adding a couple of stripes to it. Another affordable way to enhance your car is by covering it in a wrap. These are usually popular among sports cars. Wraps are available in various colors, patterns, and finishes.  Some of the common types of car wraps are:

1. Glossy wraps: These types of car wraps resemble the classic and original paintwork where the glossy finish is smooth. Glossy car wrap makes your car more stylish. These are available in various colors and they can also come with metallic flakes. 
2. Matte wraps: Just as the name implies, it offers a matte finish. A matte car wrap is exactly the opposite of glossy wrap but it also gives a modern look to your vehicle. You can reflect lights on this surface. Matte wraps are also available in various designs and textures. 
3. Satin wraps: Just like the matte wrap, the satin wrap has more glossiness. You will not be able to see any reflection on the surface, but you will be able to reflect a minimum amount of light on the surface. As satin wrap offers a sleek design, it makes your car look more professional. So if you are looking for a combination of satin & matte wrap, then satin wraps are the best choice.
4. Brushed car wraps: There are two types of brushed car wraps - the brushed texture wrap has a sharp reflection and offers an authentic look to your car and the brushed material car wrap also offers an authentic look but does not have a sharp reflection. You can easily install brushed car wraps in your car.

Wheels & Rims are customizable to a certain extent. Your car will usually come with regular-sized wheels, but you can always choose to customize them as long as they are compatible. Custom wheels can give a sporty or performance look to the car that no other modification can. You can find wheels in various colors, sizes, and shapes to pimp the ride just like the way you want. You can also find custom rims for any vehicle. They are available in various colors and sizes, and therefore the cost varies accordingly. The style and finish of custom rims can dramatically change the look of your vehicle. Remember the tire and wheel sizes need to be compatible for them to work and the overall wheel height should also remain the same. So make sure you buy the right-sized tries and wheels for that custom look.

Most sports cars come with spoilers as they enhance the car’s look and performance. As long as your car has enough space, you can fit a spoiler. Apart from adding it as a decoration on top of your trunk, they also benefit your handling and fuel efficiency to a certain extent, reduce drag, and increase a vehicle’s aerodynamics. Spoilers can increase the downforce of the vehicle in the rear section which especially benefits front-engined front-wheel drive vehicles. So if you want to increase the appeal of your ride while also increasing its performance, spoilers are the way to go!

Most of the vehicles come with regular halogen headlights. But you can upgrade these with HID4 (High-Intensity Discharge) and LED (Light Emitting Diode) lights as they are the new trend. Alternatively, you can also purchase conversion kits to upgrade and give your vehicle a new look. Apart from headlights, you can also use headlight covers that enhance the exterior look of your vehicle. They give a smoky look to your vehicle, without absorbing the light. Whether you need a round or square one, you can find various customizable headlight covers on the market.

Body kits can alter the appearance of the vehicle, transform your ride, and can even help you gain some performance. The body kit components include - aerodynamic front and rear bumpers, and side skirts, which may include fenders, a hood, and a grille. The front bumper that is found in a body kit usually includes a valance panel. Custom hoods are popular among car enthusiasts as it makes your car look stylish. By customizing the hoods, you give a complete makeover to the front portion of your vehicle. Just like hoods, even the fenders and grilles are customizable which beautifies the vehicle all the more.

The first thing that you see as you step inside your car is the car seats. They cover almost 70% of the car’s interior. Though they are carefully designed, there is no denying the fact that they usually lack the premium feel. You can always choose to install the aftermarket seat covers for a more plush interior. Aftermarket seat covers are available in various sizes, colors, and materials.

The first thing that you see as you step inside your car is the car seats. They cover almost 70% of the car’s interior. Though they are carefully designed, there is no denying the fact that they usually lack the premium feel. You can always choose to install the aftermarket seat covers for a more plush interior. Aftermarket seat covers are available in various sizes, colors, and materials. 

The choice of material determines the level of comfort that you get after sitting on the seat. The different types of car seat materials are:

1. Nylon or polyester: The most common material used for car seats is usually polyester or nylon. Though they don’t give the luxury feel, they are durable, inexpensive, and attractive. They are sturdier and are more resistant to stains than any other material. 
2. Vinyl: If you’re rough on your interiors, then vinyl is the fantastic choice. They are waterproof and you can simply wipe clean with a damp cloth if you spill something. Also, if you find loose dirt, you can clean them with a vacuum. They are also environmentally friendly as some of the vinyl furnishings are made from recycled plastic. 
3. Leather: Leather is the go-to option that most people look for. They are attractive, durable, and they can handle daily use. They are easy to maintain only if you use the right product. If not cared for properly, the surface will crease, stain, and fade over time. As these seats are costlier compared to others, you’ll have to spend more time caring for your car the right way. 
4. Faux Leather: Faux leather is a more budget-friendly option for those who prefer the look of leather but don't want to pay the premium or if you prefer not to use animal products. They are made of vinyl, so as to mimic the look of the real thing. Just like vinyl, they are affordable, waterproof, and easy to clean but with a similar visual appeal as leather. 
5. Alcantara: Alcantra has been produced by a single manufacturer in Italy. The fabric has the look and feel of microsuede with the added benefit of being flame retardant. They are soft, supple, but expensive. It is difficult to clean and is usually found in high-end cars that are performance-oriented.

Similar to seat covers, the next thing that plays an important role in improving the aesthetics and comfort of the car is the steering wheel. You can find aftermarket covers, available in a variety of materials. Apart from just boosting the aesthetic value, they also increase comfort and grip. Hence, make sure to choose the steering wheel cover that doesn’t make your hand slip as you’re driving. Also, choosing a similar color to your car seats will give a coordinated appearance.

The next most visible component is the floor mats. Not only do they add aesthetics to your car’s interior but they also protect the car’s floor panel from dust and dirt. Floor mats are easily removable and can be cleaned compared to other cars’ interior panels which require effort. They are available in various colors, textures, and materials. Floor mats are available for each car model. So make sure to check the fitment before you buy one.

Though the interior and exterior of the car may look stunning, you might want to consider making some modifications for the performance as well. Here are a few ways you can enhance the performance of the car without having the need to replace the engine.

Just like humans, even your car engine needs oxygen to breathe. The air filter is the most important limiting factor in engine breathing. The standard air filters do not allow unrestricted flow and can prevent airflow to the engine. A performance air filter counteracts this disadvantage and enriches air to the engine, which improves overall engine performance.

It is also called Cold Air Intake. It helps provide colder air than hot air to the engine. Dense air ensures that the oxygen level is higher and that, as you know, combustion is easier with more oxygen. The CAI or performance air intake channels cooler air into the engine cylinders which improves its performance. The existing air intake duct along with the air filter is replaced by the system with a wider duct and a performance air filter. This draws cold air from the exterior of the car. Make sure to install the sensors present on the original air duct as it will ensure the proper functioning of the engine management system. 

The muffler is the most crucial element that restricts the outgoing gases from the vehicle. These cat-back systems have high-performance mufflers and exhaust pipes. They are tuned to let the exhaust gasses follow a direct and smooth path to flush out the gasses. When teamed with a performance header, they can greatly increase engine performance. Likewise, to get many benefits of the cat-back system, you can only opt for a high-performance muffler without costing too much and also following an easier installation process. 

These are some of the performance modifications that can be done to your vehicle. For in-depth information, you can check out the ten ways to increase engine performance.

These are some of the ways by which you can enhance the car’s performance and the look of the car and turn it into a powerful vehicle as you drive down the street. Looking for high-flow air filters, high-performance mufflers, spoilers & lights to give your car a premium feel? PartsAvatar is here to help you right away. Shop high-quality car parts and enjoy free shipping over $99, almost anywhere across Canada. You can place your orders on our secure site using PayPal, credit cards, Sezzle, or through our customer service. Orders are placed immediately and you will receive your processing status, confirmation, and updates by email.