A set of custom wheels is often one of the first changes a tuner makes to their vehicle. Achieving a dynamic, aggressive custom look is usually the reason for the change. Stock wheels are, as a rule, ugly. However, there are many other reasons to switch to a set of new wheels form a reputable aftermarket company. What do custom wheels offer that OEM wheels lack? Here’s a rundown:

It’s All About Weight

Most vehicles come from the factor with steel wheels, though upgrade packages are available for OEM alloy wheels. Steel wheels are incredibly durable, though they lack style and pizzazz. However, they are also incredibly heavy. The heavier a wheel is, the more torque must be utilized to get it up to speed. In other words, weight from the wheel detracts from acceleration and top speed. In addition, wheel weight can also detract from overall vehicle performance and handling. Removing weight is one of the top reasons for ditching those OEM eyesores.

Alloy wheels (aluminum) weigh much less than their steel counterparts and accordingly provide better acceleration and top speed. Your ride will also enjoy better stopping power, as it requires less friction to slow an alloy wheel than it does a steel wheel. Continue Reading…

While there are numerous ways to enhance engine performance, perhaps the most comprehensive is through chip tuning. Chip tuning allows you to change the way in which your ECU handles fuel consumption, as well as power displacement during runs and many other aspects. In fact, this process can result in a wide array of power gain, across the entire power band. Before you can take advantage of the benefits, you will need to determine what type of vehicle you have. There are two forms of chip tuning, one for older vehicles (OBD I or 0) and one for newer vehicles (OBD II).

In a sense, older vehicles are simpler to tune in this manner. Removing the ECU and installing a new chip (circuit board) is usually all that is required. While this is vastly easier than modifying the computers of newer vehicles, it has drawbacks, as well. For instance, fewer gains can be achieved through this method, simply because the computer does not control as many aspects of engine performance. However, replacing that chip can take ride performance to an entirely new level.

Newer vehicles use a much more sophisticated computer. Chip tuning on this type of vehicle is very different from older cars. At most, you will have to replace a control module, but you will not replace any actual chips in the ECU. Rather, these computers are updated with improved software through flashing the computer. This involves the use of an OBD scanner and specialized software. These tools are not cheap, though most tuning shops have them on hand. When the computer is flashed with the new software, new fuel maps are added, replacing the OEM maps. OEM fuel maps are designed to provide the most fuel savings, with a modest amount of power, to suit the average consumer.

Changing your OEM fuel map will allow your engine to maximize fuel delivery and combustion, which results in greater acceleration at both low and high-end RPMs. Tuners will have to purchase control modules and aftermarket software, most tuning shops do not provide these. However, you can purchase both through aftermarket car tuning companies, many of them online. Before you drop a load of cash on new maps and modules, ensure that you are purchasing from a reputable company. TEC 3 and AEM are both reputable companies, though their prices are slightly higher than other solutions.

Carbon fiber is the hottest material in the car tuning world today. The fantastic look of this material makes it highly sought after by many. In addition, carbon fiber offers numerous benefits over metal and even fiberglass, in the form of reduced weight and increased structural rigidity. What types of carbon fiber additions can you find for your ride? There are, literally, hundreds of different options, from carbon fiber hoods and trunk lids to taillights and shifter trim. AndysAutoSport.com has all the carbon fiber accessories that you will need.

Limiting the Load

Perhaps the single largest performance-oriented benefit of carbon fiber is the fact that it weigh significantly less than other applications. Metal hoods and trunk lids might be standard, but they are far from ideal. While carbon fiber hoods and other body parts are more expensive than standard metal or fiberglass, it is well worth the investment. The hood is perhaps the most common application of carbon fiber, though trunk lids made with the material are increasingly common. There are several types of carbon fiber hoods on the market, and not all of them feature the same benefits. Here’s a rundown of what you can expect to find: Continue Reading…

Automakers are restrained from creating enormously aerodynamic vehicles with sport-tuned suspensions and powerhouse motors because they must cater to the average consumer. As a result, the tuning industry has grown up, providing consumers (tuners) with products that enhance their vehicles appearance and performance. Body kits are one of the most popular ways to enhance both at the same time. What benefit do body kits offer? Here is a rundown of the benefits offered by a standard kit (visit AndysAutoSport.com for a wide selection of kits).

Most body kits consist of four parts, though other kits offer a wider range of parts. The standard kit contains a front and rear bumper, as well as side skirts and grille inserts for your vehicle. There are two types of body kits available, those with a “universal” fit and those designed for fit your specific type of vehicle. Universal kits generally have a sloppy look, with obvious flaws and require significant modification to fit a wide variety of vehicles. Choosing a kit designed specifically for your vehicle is a much better choice.

Body kits provide two advantages over an OEM body style. Obviously, style is the first benefit. These kits provide an aggressive, custom look to your vehicle, without the need for extensive modification or body panel replacement. The second benefit of these kits is better aerodynamics. Even a kit without a wing spoiler can enhance vehicle performance and stability. Why is this? Continue Reading…

Enhancing the power of your vehicle is a subject that preoccupies most tuners. You can do this in numerous ways. However, one of the simplest and most affordable ways is also one of the best. Adding a cold air intake can give you dramatic improvement in performance. While an intake won’t add hundreds of horsepower to your engine, the gains are definitely noticeable. What is a cold air intake? How do you install one? Let’s take a more in depth look at the topic (a visit to AndysAutoSport.com will help you find the intake you want).

Airflow is vital to engine performance. Your OEM intake allows air to be filtered and then pulled into the engine, where it mixes with fuel and allows it to combust. This explosion pushes your engine’s pistons down, forcing the shaft to turn. This, in turn, provides power to the transmission, which makes your car go. However, OEM intakes are less than ideal for many reasons. First, they are inefficient. Second, they provide warm air, which does not enhance combustion. Third, they add additional weight to the engine compartment (though on a little bit in the big picture).

Adding a cold air intake allows you to bypass these problems. What does a custom intake consist of? A tube (usually metal), a new filter (usually cone-shaped) and various pipes and tubes for recirculation and ports for airflow sensors make up the system. The entire contraption is much less complicated than the OEM system and lacks the bulky air box that once housed the air filter. Continue Reading…