No car is perfect. Most are designed to be marketable to large numbers of people, so are never tailored to most in particular. This means that we’re going to want to make some changes, it's only natural. The problem is that a lot of people make changes to their rides and just end up looking like massive douchebags. If you're looking to shave off a few tenths from your lap time and you don't want to practice, a great way to do so is to upgrade the aerodynamics of your car. You can lower drag (which also helps fuel economy) or generate more downforce for better handling.
ECU Tuning is one of the easiest ways to modify your engine. Since cars are computer controlled these days, tweaking the software can add power, increase the red line, improve throttle response, change the torque curve, and destroy your engine (if done poorly). Just know that big software changes will probably require mechanical upgrades as well. Only get new ECU software from a reputable tuner.
If you really want to change the character of a car, there's no better way to do it than modifying the suspension. Don't just lower it as far as it will go, forcing you to budget 15 minutes for getting over your driveway curb. Putting some good after-market wheels on your car can help reduce the unsprung weight, thus improving the handling. Does your car have a tiny stock gas pedal? If it does, you'll have a hard time being as smooth on it as you'd no doubt like to, and heel-and-toe shifting will be borderline impossible. Replacing those with some proper motorsport-ready pedals will help you control your car much better.
Try the engine swap. This one is expensive, but can turn a car into something truly unique and really cool. Also, changing the look of the outside of your car is cool, but you experience your car from the inside. Get some nice custom leather in there.
Tons of aftermarket exhausts seem to exist solely for the purposes of making a car louder. Choose one that sounds good, not loud. You should be able to talk to the woman in the passenger seat, not just scare her off. Pick a performance exhaust that has a reasonable decibel level, sounds good, and adds a few horsepower to your rig.
Consider car weight reduction. Weight is the enemy. A light car accelerates faster, corners harder, and gets better fuel economy, so replace your roof and hood with lighter ones, and take out those rear seats if you never use them. Get better brakes also. Brakes are one of the most important things on your car for driving fast. It might seem counter-intuitive, but good brakes mean you can brake later on any given corner, and that means you're on the throttle longer.
Performance is cool, and one of the most cost effective ways to add lots of power to a car's engine is the addition of a turbocharger or supercharger. If your car has a naturally aspirated engine and you want a lot more power out of it, get a turbo installed. Another factor to consider is customizing the paint. A custom spray is one of the best ways to customize your ride. We recommend you pick an interesting, but not too loud, colour and add a stripe or accent in a contrasting colour.
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