Technician Supported Modifications?

[Jared]

First off, long time viewer but first time poster. I have been watching your videos for almost 2 years now and since I got my Acura Integra, your videos have been extra helpful!

I watched your video about how modifications to cars can cause more problems, but I noticed that you did mention that steel braided brake lines were radical. I was wondering if you could do a video on some other modifications that you and other technicians would approve?
As I work on my car more and more I notice how different “mini mods” as I call them make the car more enjoyable, but I don’t want to venture into something that could cause more problems than its worth.

Thanks!

Topic

[Gary]

As a technician, I support any and all modifications because I’ve come from a modders background. I still modify my own vehicles as well as other things, be it tractors, quads you name it. It certainly makes things more time consuming on a case by case basis in the shop because depending on the extent of the modification, you may or may not be able to go by manufacturers specs, but I like to be challenged and it makes things a bit more interesting when I get a modded car.

[Jared]

Good to know! But are there any modifications that you think are “extra special”? I used ETCG’s like of the steel braided brake lines, are there any that come to mind in that respect?

I will be lowering my car soon – not for looks! – I just want it to handle better, then brakes and some exhaust stuff, but other than that I’m curious to see what technicians think or would do.

[Gary]

[quote=”dudeskee1325″ post=131751]Good to know! But are there any modifications that you think are “extra special”? I used ETCG’s like of the steel braided brake lines, are there any that come to mind in that respect?

I will be lowering my car soon – not for looks! – I just want it to handle better, then brakes and some exhaust stuff, but other than that I’m curious to see what technicians think or would do.[/quote] By “extra special” I assume you mean more time consuming for a tech. Things like lowering a car, lifting a truck may cause alignments to be off. It’s especially a problem if it’s done incorrectly(cutting the springs for example rather than getting the proper kit). It really depends on the vehicle. A different cam in the engine, regearing of the tranny or rear axle, conversions etc, will all lead to different ways to approach issues.

EDIT: Exhaust and brake modification I classify under minor modification, unless you are replacing the cats and manifolds as well.

[Jared]

For extra special, I was thinking of something that you would recommend?

I’m probably mediocre at car repairs so I’m starting with what you call minor modifications and working my way up. I am not, however, doing the “bigger is better” mindset for intake but that stuff will wait anyway until I feel more confident about stepping past the TB for modifications hahaha.

[Gary]

[quote=”dudeskee1325″ post=131753]For extra special, I was thinking of something that you would recommend?

I’m probably mediocre at car repairs so I’m starting with what you call minor modifications and working my way up. I am not, however, doing the “bigger is better” mindset for intake but that stuff will wait anyway until I feel more confident about stepping past the TB for modifications hahaha.[/quote] As a domestic car/truck guy, I may not be the best person to ask for import mods. As a general rule of thumb, most guys start off with a cold air intake, exhaust and a tune. A cold air intake is probably one of the easiest mods you can do to start. Then spring for a cat back exhaust or if you live in a non emissions state, the whole nine yards(headers back). Then make sure you get a tune to take full advantage of those two mods. Consider ceramic brake pads and drilled rotors, these will get you some points in braking performance and with your peers. Lowering certainly will help the center of gravity and give you better cornering ability. However, if you live where dirt roads or potholes are common, I’d think twice.

[Jared]

Seeing as how I was thinking of the same things I guess I was on a good track! It took a while for me to pick how low I was going to go as well as who was going to help me do that, manufacturer wise. I appreciate the input. 🙂

[EricTheCarGuy]

That might make a good video. To be honest though, it’s been some time since I did any of those modifications. It would also be nice to test them out to see how they work out before I passed judgment on them. It looks like there’s already some contributors to this thread, perhaps start a topic on it in the Modified cars section of this form to check for suggestions.

Thanks for the suggestion.

[Gary]

[quote=”dudeskee1325″ post=131782]Seeing as how I was thinking of the same things I guess I was on a good track! It took a while for me to pick how low I was going to go as well as who was going to help me do that, manufacturer wise. I appreciate the input. :)[/quote] Your welcome, I agree with Eric however, that if we are to discuss modification, we should take it to the appropriate section of the forum.

[Mike]

As a tech fixing cars for money, I hate all mods. But as a gearhead with a street/trackday car that’s built out of aftermarket parts, I love them.

My point is that modifying cars are fine if you know what you’re doing and you are doing the work. The problem techs have with aftermarket parts is that they take much longer to work with than stock parts, sometimes require special knowledge (that has nothing to do with repair/troubleshooting) to understand and set up, and the customer never wants to pay double labor or more to have things done right. I work in a dealership that loves to take in and deal with modded cars, but never gets enough labor time to deal with them. It starts with having to take extra time using jacks/boards/ramps to get cars on the lift and goes on to needing to R+R vacuum lines and boost controllers I’ve never seen to install a multi-plate clutch I’ve never seen. In those cases, either I take the time to do it right, get underpaid, and have the customer not appreciate it or another guy in the shop slams it together with savage haste, gets it done fast enough to make money, and the customer never knows the difference. A lose/lose situation whether they give it to me or him.

If you’re more interested in what mods are recommended by people who know, that’s a whole ‘nuther issue that most techs in the repair business don’t understand or care about. Myself, Chevyman, and few others here have modding experience and are here to help, but unfortunately few repair guys understand modding (both how to do it and why to do it).

I don’t want to dissuade you from going ahead with your mod plans. I just want to be clear about how techs will feel when they have to deal with them if it’s going in the shop. My personal experience as a modder before mechanic is that you become a master of your own car instead of putting yourself in that situation.

[Andrew Button]

My thoughts are this. If you want a better handling car, buy one already set up from a manufacturer that way. Modifications always have a downside and generally ruin the value of almost any car they end up on. Back in the 70s and 80s we modified cars because we had to, everything from the manufacturers was slow and drove like junk. That is not the case now you can buy a great handling car with as much hp as you can handle.. Unless you and your after market parts manufacturer have done as much research and development as the factory has, then you are never going to get factory reliability. I will use my neighbor as an example. He has an acura integra of some year, its got aftermarker this and the other thing. Its quite obviously in a terrible state of tune, but does have a big muffler. From the sound of his motor, I have no doubt in my mind that my 100 percent stock Civic D1500 would beat him in a race. People modding that Acura car made it worse than factory, which is more often the case with aftermarket crap.

[Gary]

Fopeano is 100% on target. If you are going to start modding, your best bet is to get to know your car intimately. Start off small and work your way up. You will learn and make fewer mistakes this way AND by not being afraid to ask questions. Learn how everything works before you start modding, listen to your car, etc. All in all, it sounds like you have the right mindset. As a modder, you want to know your car inside and out. Modding is a way of putting your soul into the car. As Fopeano said, shops sometimes charge extra for modification depending on the mod, vehicle, and if fab work is needed. The best advice I can give to you is do as much as you can yourself. You will learn your car, how to mod and save money in the process. Make sure to follow provided instructions as much as you can and think outside the box when necessary. If you have a friend or family member with experience you can ask them for assistance as well. As always, you also have us here to assist you as best we can B)

[Mike]

Andrew, you realize you’re telling this kid that he’s automatically/fundamentally a moron for wanting to mod his car. While it may be true that your neighbor is a modding moron, as are the majority of modders, this guy sounds like he’s trying to approach the situation with more intelligence and due caution than average. For that reason, we should be supportive of his interests.

[Gary]

[quote=”Fopeano” post=131824]Andrew, you realize you’re telling this kid that he’s automatically/fundamentally a moron for wanting to mod his car. While it may be true that your neighbor is a modding moron, as are the majority of modders, this guy sounds like he’s trying to approach the situation with more intelligence and due caution than average. For that reason, we should be supportive of his interests.[/quote] Agreed, the OP has potential. He is approaching it the right way.

[Andrew Button]

So if I was going to take a wheel off a semi, and I said, well I want to start with a 1/4 ratchet, because I saw some cool people using in the movies, and I could put a bunch of adaptors, and it would cause me problems and eventually break, when I could just start with a 3/4 ratchet or 1 inch and avoid the problem.Oh, I could probably have somebody make me one out of titanium for 10 thousand, that may last, but why ? My point is this, Honda and Acura cars were built with an intended purpose, and they did it quite, well, but when idiot tuners try to make them to do things they were not designed to do, failure is bound. Just like using a 1/4 on a Kenworth wheel. Yea, but if can get a bigger wheel off with less wrench mass or weight, doesn’t that make my wrench more efficient. I am way to old and have seen to much failure to encourage people to start destroying transportation with chinese aftermarket parts.

[Mike]

You’re still missing the point that this guy might not be the average moron that uses a stack of non-engineered China junk bolted to a tired, old, neglected, and unmaintained economy car. 15 years ago, I was this kid. Showing humility and prudence in my modding adventures, I have been rewarded a very reliable economy car that goes around corners and brakes like a 911. Even though most do, not all will choose to fail in this respect Do you know who Carroll Smith or Henry Yunick are? I have a feeling you probably do, and you should appreciate when inquiring young minds are looking down the intelligent path. I’m sure the main reason he’s even asking about this here is that he’s already thinking about the bigger picture. OP are you still out there? Is that the case?

I will say that you are completely on point with your analogy, and the OP should take what you just said very seriously. It’s a great way of putting it, and I don’t mean to detract from the validity of your example. That is the main reason the car I mentioned earlier does not accelerate like a 911. It may have been upgraded from a Craftsman to a Dual 80, but I understand that it’s still a 1/4″.

[Author]

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