DIY mods, what's good and what's not

[Conza]

You know, if you didn't buy your current car new, or it isn't a classic, or whatever, squeezing a few more horse power out of it might not be a bad idea.

But, I'm fairly novice when it comes to what's worth it and what's not, so aside from major dyno work and heavy duty engine mods, are there some smaller changes you could make yourself, to increase MPG and/or performance to an otherwise standard car?

I was hoping to hear from people who've done simply DIY mods, and to see what ones worked, and especially the ones that didn't, and the problems along the way.

For instance, there are (seemingly) very cheap mod chips for my model of car, but I recall mod chips previously costing hundreds of dollars - is there are catch with these? Seems too good to be true? No?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/15BHP-Pow...6-307-308-3008-406-407-5008-RCZ-/150675860139

Then slightly more difficult, air filters, like this one, at only $100AUD odd dollars? Surely if the car is expecting a certain amount of air and that changes it could have bad results? Then again, I've run my car on 98 and 95 octane, and no change happened, so the ECU isn't too primitive... Seemingly...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/K-N-AIR-F...arts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item3efcac23a4

These are just examples for my car, I'm sure many cars have similar things, but I'm curious to know if these cheap, simple to install, have actually worked - I'm sure there are a few easy installable items people have tried, have they worked?

 

[Kylehnat]

Most of the time, you get what you pay for. The rest of the time, you get less than you pay for . Simple bolt-ons like intakes and exhausts are good DIY mods, because they're easy to install, and don't really jeopardize reliability. Even simple stuff like that can get pricey, though.

 

[Conza]

See, exhausts aren't something Id consider 'simple', as it basically requires a ramp. Thanks for posting though.

 

[Zenith]

As far as big mods, remember: Time is money. A lot of times people take on big jobs in an effort to save money compared to shop prices but in the end spend so much time and extra cash on tools that it would've been better just to give it to a professional.

I'd probably categorize major exhaust modification as a job best left to the pro's unless you're good with a welding torch and have access to a lift.

IMO, there's no shame in going to a shop. People should improve their skills by working. Start by changing wheels, then brake pads, then whatever comes next.

 

[Thatman]

I'd probably categorize major exhaust modification as a job best left to the pro's unless you're good with a welding torch and have access to a lift.

By major do you mean like really custom, because a lot of exhausts built specifically for any car seems to be pretty much a job that can be done with a few tools and elbow grease.👍

See, exhausts aren't something Id consider 'simple', as it basically requires a ramp. Thanks for posting though.

But, how is lifting your car with a jack, or driving up on a ramp not "simple"?

But to answer your question about simple mods, a K&N drop in filter would be easiest though unless you like a pod filter, however, I would check these guys out if you haven't already:

 

[Conza]

But, how is lifting your car with a jack, or driving up on a ramp not "simple"?

Firstly, yes I have a car jack, so theoretically, I could lift the car at one corner, and have to change a wheel, but I don't own a ramp, and I don't want to get under a car thats only supported by a jack, thats why it isn't simple, so in my opinion, exhaust modifications are not simple, I don't understand why someone would think they are simple things to do.

I've seen a show called 'Wheeler Dealers' and the genius mechanic in there, a guy called Ed China, has shown me several times how to remove an exhaust from the exhaust manifold, remove the clips and nuts holding it in, and replace it - it doesn't seem simple to me.

But to answer your question about simple mods, a K&N drop in filter would be easiest though unless you like a pod filter, however, I would check these guys out if you haven't already:

Mmm, not quite the mod I had in mind, it would be similar to the pod, but inside the factory air box, so all that 'exposed filter' stuff would be gone, and they really should've done that first test with the factory, then with a new filter in the factory box, then a pod.

Thanks anyway man.

 

[Dennisch]

Indeed. If you don't have a ramp, everything that needs to be done under the car takes 4 times longer.

 

[Thatman]

I was just letting you know about Mighty mods, They have all kinds of episodes from easy things to hard things, so i thought you could get some inspiration from there.

 

[Christian_C]

Indeed. If you don't have a ramp, everything that needs to be done under the car takes 4 times longer.

This, trying to do work under the car is a massive pain if you don't have a ramp, it took all night to change the front anti-roll bar on my MX-5 and it's not something I'd like to do again without the assistance of a ramp.

Basically: If it doesn't require under-the-car access then give it a go yourself (providing you have the required tools), if it requires you to get under the car to replace/fix/upgrade and the item is quite large then I'd advise you leave it and take it to a garage, unless of course, you have some way to get the car high off the ground.

 

[Bottoz]

Ramps? These?

I have a pair, and usually use a jack and jack stand. Very rarely will I use the ramps. Usually only for an oil change. For everything else, it's jack stands.

 

[coop500]

I'd advise you leave it and take it to a garage, unless of course, you have some way to get the car high off the ground.

What like this?

Lol all you need it a couple of fence posts, a saw and some wood screws 💡

Back on topic... A K&N or similar filter in your standard airbox is prob the simplest.

Seen quite a few DIY drill extra holes in your airbox to let more air in tricks, even one featured in a Porsche magazines. Should work, but make sure you don't drill holes where it bypasses the filter...

Other than that I can't really think of many upgrades simpler than replacing the exhaust system.

 

[Christian_C]

What like this?

Lol all you need it a couple of fence posts, a saw and some wood screws 💡

Back on topic... A K&N or similar filter in your standard airbox is prob the simplest.

Seen quite a few DIY drill extra holes in your airbox to let more air in tricks, even one featured in a Porsche magazines. Should work, but make sure you don't drill holes where it bypasses the filter...

Other than that I can't really think of many upgrades simpler than replacing the exhaust system.

That might be ok for a mini but I wouldn't like to do it with my cars and it still doesn't solve the issue of how you get the car that high in the first place. That's what I mainly struggle with, I can jack them up (with some difficulty mind) but then I don't really have anything I can put under the car to make it high enough of the ground that would make it easy to for example change the exhaust.

 

[Bottoz]

... I don't really have anything I can put under the car to make it high enough of the ground that would make it easy to for example change the exhaust.

In fact, I'm changing a front sway bar and removing my exhaust this week by using jacks and a jack stand.

 

[Christian_C]

In fact, I'm changing a front sway bar and removing my exhaust this week by using jacks and a jack stand.

I tried but the jack doesn't lift the car up high enough to make them work properly, best I can do is get one side of the car up in the air at a time. Works ok for changing wheels, discs, etc but I'm always afraid it'll collapse on my head if I'm under the car

I'm not saying it's not impossible to change parts with the car on the ground, it just makes it more difficult.

 

[HACKr]

Also, be careful with jack stands. Make sure they're sturdy and have good welds, and it's worth the extra money to get ones that also have locking pins. Try to buy from a reputable brand. Don't cheap out. You may also consider having cinder blocks or a wheel or two under the car as well as a fail safe.

 

[Zenith]

How crap is your jack that it can't even get your car onto the lowest setting on the jack stands?

Also I agree, never go under a car that is only supported by a jack. Stands should be used with caution as well, they can easily tilt over if you apply too much force in the wrong direction.

 

[eSZee]

In fact, I'm changing a front sway bar and removing my exhaust this week by using jacks and a jack stand.

You might want to rethink that. Suspension needs to be compressed when tightening down sway bars.

 

[Christian_C]

It's not the jack's fault to be honest, it's a combination of lack of ride height, inability to find a good accesible jacking point and then the fear of the car falling.

I've managed to get the mx-5 supported by two stands on one side before but then the problem comes as to how do I then get the other side of the car up? Or if i try and do it by putting axle stands under the front end then i get stuck when it comes to jacking up the back as i can't get a good jacking point i really have no idea how you get a car totally off the ground on axle stands at each corner to be honest.

 

[Bottoz]

You might want to rethink that. Suspension needs to be compressed when tightening down sway bars.

No worries, it's not my first rodeo. Jack Stands to lift it up, Jacks to compress the suspension to neutral. My point was that you don't need ramps. Jack Stands work.

 

[mustangGT90210]

Why wouldn't you jack up the car by the suspension, place the stands right next to the jack under the suspension, then remove the jack, and repeat on the other side?

 

[Bottoz]

We're kinda off topic here, but since it is DIY then... ok...
You can't get to the control arms with a jack on a 944... gotta lift it by the lifting points.
Raise the front of the vehicle on jack stands.
Remove the two bolts that attach each stabilizer mounting bar to the body.
Remove the bushing retainers that attach the stabilizer bar to the control arms.
Lower the stabilizer bar from the vehicle.
Installation is the reverse of removal.

But there are many ways to skin a cat. Your vehicle may vary.

 

[Conza]

How crap is your jack that it can't even get your car onto the lowest setting on the jack stands?

Also I agree, never go under a car that is only supported by a jack. Stands should be used with caution as well, they can easily tilt over if you apply too much force in the wrong direction.

You see my jack isn't bad, my brain is just too good, i.e. I'm not stupid enough to cut my head of under my car falling on my heads -was that your question?

 

[Christian_C]

Why wouldn't you jack up the car by the suspension, place the stands right next to the jack under the suspension, then remove the jack, and repeat on the other side?

Because then it's not possible to get a jack under the other side of the car as it's tilting at a massive angle, I also don't have much faith that when I attempt to jack it up the car wont then fall when the tyres leave the ground.

 

[Ibonibo]

I had problems with jacking up my previous car too. Too low on the sideskirts to get the lever under the car


On the DIY:

You can do so much that doesn't require a lot of tools.
As said by the others, under car work can be a chore without the equippement.
It simply takes 4 times more.

And security stuff, i wouldn't touch too much if you are not 100% sure of what you are doing (brakes, suspensions,...)
If you screw slightly up one these, the consquences can be fatal.
If I do that work myself, I always let it control in a garage or by a mechanic friend.

Work that can be done DIY style:

Bodyworks, Lightning (with control afterward to be in the legal zone), interior, soundsystems + nav + bluetooth, exaust (If you can easily access the under car), filter change, oil changes.

With the "sport filters" you should always know that on a lot of cars it decreases the power and increases only sound. One more modern cars they will damage the MAFs.
You have that 205?
There is a tuning part or can do it alone (custom), so it sucks air into the air filter from the front bumper. Way more effective than a oily "sport" filter.