Top Car Performance Upgrades For Your Vehicle
A major investment that most of us make is a new vehicle, and upgrades are usually phase 2 of that investment. Life is too short to drive stock, as they say, but upgrading your car can start to become a money pit without a clear vision of what kind of practical upgrades you need, versus what you can actually afford.
Starting off nice and easy, we’ll go over some of the most popular and useful upgrades common today. It can be a little overwhelming when planning out modifications to your car, after all, they’re pretty expensive. The biggest factor in how far you can go with the upgrade process is your budget. Though there are ways to get the most bang for your buck.
Tires and Wheels
The first and easiest modification that most car and truck owners make is a new set of wheels and tires. Whether you need better handling at high speeds, have to drive through dirt and mud off road, or just want to create a new look for your car, a set of wheels and tires can really set your ride apart and provide real performance improvement. You can typically expect to pay around $600 to $1200 for a brand new set of tires, depending on your model vehicle and size you need.
This may seem like a lot, but keep in mind new tires can typically take around 5 to 10 years of abuse, so your dollar can really go a long way. You can also get good deals on used tires in decent to good shape from Used tire shops, Junkyards, and even from online marketplaces, such as Facebook marketplace and Craigslist.
As any truck owner will tell you, getting your rig stuck in mud can be enough to ruin your day, and cost you money. A big tread off-road wheels and tire package can remedy this problem before it even starts, which leads me to the next best upgrade.
Suspension Lift Kits
Suspension lift kits are popular for trucks, SUV’s, and larger Car’s. They allow you to lift the suspension of your vehicle between 3 inches, in some cases up to 12 inches, higher than stock. The practical benefits of a suspension lift kit are typically for off road use, allowing you to easily drive through deep mud pits, swamps, uneven terrain, and disaster areas. They also enable your vehicle to drive steeper inclines, and break-over angles most cars cant make due to not having enough clearance within the wheel well. Within certain automotive enthusiast circles, the best reason for suspension lifts is that you can fit any almost any tires you want on your vehicle, even unconventional sizes. This can have excellent applications in any vehicle that you are planning to take off roading, near mountainous, or where 4×4 will be engaged. Plus, it just looks cool, and that’s reason enough for most.
Entry level lift kits will only set you back about a grand, higher end suspension lift kits can go for up to $6000 or more. It should also be noted that if you plan on getting a suspension lift, you should expect having to replace your other suspension parts, like control arms, ball joints, and inner and outer tie rods, with newer, more dependable ones. A bit on the pricier end, but worth every penny if you use your vehicle as a means of employment and helping people. A suspension lift kit will allow you to be able to get anywhere, over anything, and tow more than a stock truck could.
Exhaust
You’ve upgraded your tires, your suspension is sturdy and strong, but it feels like something is… missing. You press the gas pedal and just aren’t getting the power you expect from your engine. There is a way to fix this that is a common first mod for tuners and daily drivers alike, and it’s more affordable than many assume. Upgraded exhaust systems can start at around $300, and are simple to install. They usually just bolt on where your stock exhaust is removed and don’t require welding.
Upon installation you will immediately notice a boost in power, your fuel economy will likely also improve, and that mighty engine roar will sound throatier and more robust, as all within earshot will agree. An upgraded exhaust can also extend the life of your engine, allowing better airflow, preventing the effects of a worn stock exhaust system.
Engine Tune Up
We come to possibly the most essential upgrade that even the most thrifty of car enthusiasts can agree is well worth the money. A good old fashioned engine tune up! Some still prefer to do it themselves in the home garage, though for relatively the same cost, you can also have a tune up professionally done at an auto garage shop. It’s typically around $60 to $160 for a standard tune up. This can include changing the spark plugs, distributor cap and wires, PCV ( positive crankcase ventilation ) valve, as well as air and fuel filters. These small improvements are vital to the long term performance and life of your engine.
With that new exhaust system, you’ll want clean air flowing through your engine, and your spark plugs firing the way they are supposed to. An annual tune up can also prevent bigger, more expensive problems, like misfires and loss of compression, even leading to having to replace more expensive internal parts.
If you’re living near or in the San Diego area, we would recommend to anyone 619 Motorsports. They offer a wide range of services wheels and tires, suspension, even window tinting and general repair to keep your machine running clean.
Upgrading your car or truck can be a fun and interesting journey. It can create opportunities for you to learn about your vehicle’s background, encourage you to meet like minded enthusiasts and learn from their experience, and can really test the limits of your budget and creativity. That is what gives budget car builds their character, not throwing cash at it, but putting in the work.
One Stop Shop in San Diego
If you really want to get your money’s worth, be sure to head over to 619 Motor Sports in San Diego, CA. They have it all from window tinting, auto body paint work, and all types of car performance upgrades.