Car modding
Encyclopedia : C : CA : CAR : Car modding
Car modding is when a vehicle (usually a passenger car) is modified in an attempt to make it look better, to have better perfomance, or both. Major areas of modification include engine performance tuning, suspension enhancement or modification, exterior modification, and interior modification.
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Culture
For auto lovers, car modification is a popular hobby. People interested in car modding participate in a variety of ways, publishing and reading magazines, organize meetings, forming regional clubs, participating in various car competitions, and participating in internet forums.Areas of modification
Engine tuning
Engine tuning involves modifications designed to increase the power of the engine. These modifications can range from a simple chip tuning, to adding nitrous injection, to a complete engine swap.Suspension tuning
Suspension tuning involves modifying the feathers/springs and shock absorbers of a vehicle. Here shorter feathers/springs and stronger shock absorbers are mostly used, in order to reduce body roll during cornering. Often the vehicle is lowered somewhat, reducing the vehicle's clearance.For offroad vehicles, the emphasis is on lengthening the suspension to increase clearance.
Lowriders with hydraulic suspensions are another unique kind of suspension tuning.
Body tuning
Body tuning involves adding or modifying spoilers and a body kit. Sometimes this is done to improve the aerodynamic performance of a vehicle. More often, these modifications are done mainly to improve a vehicle's appearance.
Interior modifications
Interior modifications often call for a change or upgrade from factory-installed equipment. Seats may be upgraded for performance or styling reasons. Some car modifiers add such products as lava lamps or electric balls to make the car look classy or different to other modified cars.One common type of interior modification is the addition of multimedia devices, for example amplifiers, speakers and subwoofers, DVD players, etc. Another type of multimedia is small television playing.
Terms
"Pimped" cars are usually classic convertibles."Streeted" cars are [[Japan
\"Tasteless\" car modifications
Cars are often modified in a manner that is considered to be "tasteless or unsightly ", an example of this being bright colors and low-cost exterior/interior modifications on a Ford Fiesta or Vauxhall Corsa. Tasteless car modifications are one of the components of the British stereotype of the "chav". Note that the crucial aspect of car modding associated with this stereotype is its superfical nature (Bean can tail pipes, cheap "blow-over" paint jobs, redundant spoilers etc.). Other British subcultures engage in car modding, with the focus on "under the hood" modifications (customised engines, brakes etc.), without incurring the same criticism or condescension.
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