Every car owner wants their vehicle to perform at its best. Whether you're driving on the highway or the race track, you want your car to have the power and handling to keep up with the competition. Fortunately, there are a few performance modifications that can make a big difference in the way your car performs.
1. Wheels & Tires
Wheels and tires are important performance mods that can make a significant impact on your car's handling and performance. Upgrading to lightweight, high-performance wheels and tires can improve your car's acceleration, braking, and cornering ability.
When choosing wheels and tires, it's important to make sure they are the correct size and have the correct offset for your vehicle to ensure proper fitment and performance. Additionally, it's important to choose tires that have a good balance of grip and durability for the type of driving you plan to do.
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2. ECU Tuning / Software upgrade / Plug in Modules
ECU tuning, software upgrades, and plug-in modules are also effective performance mods. The Engine Control Unit (ECU) tuning involves reprogramming the car's computer to optimize engine performance and efficiency. This can result in increased horsepower, torque, and throttle response.
Software upgrades involve installing new software or firmware onto your car's computer to improve performance, functionality, and reliability.
Plug-in modules, also known as performance chips, are small electronic devices that can be plugged into your car's computer to enhance performance. They can increase horsepower, torque, and improve fuel efficiency.
It's important to note that ECU tuning, software upgrades, and plug-in modules should only be performed by a qualified professional and should be compatible with your vehicle's make, model, and year. Additionally, make sure to choose reputable products from reputable manufacturers to ensure high-quality and reliable performance.
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Audi & VW ECU Tuning software by 034Motorsport
Audi & VW ECU Tuning software by - IE Integrated Engineering
BMW / Mercedes / Porsche / Mini – Plug in Modules by RaceChip
BMW / Mini – Plug in Modules by Dinan
Mercedes ECU Tuning software by Weistec Engineering
A coilover kit is a type of suspension upgrade that can greatly improve your car's handling and performance. Coilover kits replace the standard shock absorber and spring setup with adjustable shocks and springs that are mounted together in a single unit. This allows you to easily adjust the ride height, damping, and stiffness of your suspension for improved handling and performance.
Coilover kits are popular among performance enthusiasts and racers because they offer greater control and customization of your car's suspension. By adjusting the suspension, you can fine-tune the handling and ride quality of your car to match your driving style and performance needs.
Choose a coilover kit from a reputable manufacturer and one that is compatible with your vehicle's make, model, and year.
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A cat-back exhaust system is a type of performance exhaust upgrade. The "cat-back" refers to the portion of the exhaust system that starts at the catalytic converter and extends to the back of the vehicle.
A cat-back exhaust system replaces the stock exhaust pipes, muffler, and tailpipe with larger diameter pipes and a high-flow muffler. The result is an improved exhaust flow and a more aggressive exhaust tone which can also help to increase horsepower and torque.
Cat-back exhaust systems are a popular performance mod because they are relatively simple to install, provide noticeable gains in performance, and improve the sound of your car.
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Milltek Sport – we are the oldest (13 years) North American distributor of Milltek Sport exhausts
AWE Tuning – we are the largest Canadian distributor
ECS Tuning – we are the largest Canadian distributor
5. Brakes – Upgraded Rotors & Pads
Upgrading your car's brakes with larger, performance-oriented rotors and pads is an important performance mod that can greatly improve your car's stopping power and handling.
Performance brake rotors are typically larger in diameter and thicker than stock rotors. This provides more surface area for heat dissipation and improved braking performance.
Performance brake pads are designed to provide the better stopping power and longer life than stock pads, and often generate less dust and noise.
Having upgraded rotors and pads can help to improve your car's braking performance and reduce brake fade during hard driving, making it a popular choice among performance enthusiasts.
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Conclusion
The five performance mods listed here represent a solid foundation for improving your car's performance. Whether you're looking for improved handling, braking, acceleration, or sound, these mods will provide noticeable benefits that you can feel from behind the wheel. By focusing on these five areas, you'll be able to get the most bang for your buck and set the foundation for further performance upgrades in the future.