Performance Mods: Do We really Know Better ?

drviffer · 11-19-2004, 09:43 AM

I've always been hesitant to mess with what came from the factory as far as performance is concerned. I've always thought that the engineers at the various manufacture really know a lot better than I when it comes to vehicle balance. By that I mean everything that is done to a vehicle comes with a trade off. Be it an freer flowing exhaust allowing for more power, but at the expense of increased noise or increased emissions. Same for chips. More power but a typical increase in engine operating temperature or premature failure of other parts like transmissions or brakes due to the increased loads on the vehicle. Hence my agreement with the manufactures that performance modifications should be considered in the determination of a warranty claim. Should any performance modification affect warranty on the entire vehicle ? Maybe ? Maybe not. Guess that depends on your perspective. Nowadays it seems that everything in our cars is interconnnected. The computers now sample so many variables that who's to say that the chip we added to gain some extra top speed didn't cause the A/C compressor to fail ? Or that those 24" wheels didn't add additonal load to the steering system causing the pump to fail.

Most often these type of modifications do not add to the resale of the vehicle. They usually cause folks to be more cautious about how the vehicle was driven or cared for. Yes, there are some folks that look for cars with lots of mods, but I would argue that they are the minority in the used vehicle market.

So why do we do it ?

GETSOMZ28 · 11-19-2004, 10:02 AM

Cause it is fun and being stock is boring! It is a way to personalize your vehicle to match your personality.

juma · 11-19-2004, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drviffer

I've always been hesitant to mess with what came from the factory as far as performance is concerned. I've always thought that the engineers at the various manufacture really know a lot better than I when it comes to vehicle balance. By that I mean everything that is done to a vehicle comes with a trade off. Be it an freer flowing exhaust allowing for more power, but at the expense of increased noise or increased emissions. Same for chips. More power but a typical increase in engine operating temperature or premature failure of other parts like transmissions or brakes due to the increased loads on the vehicle. Hence my agreement with the manufactures that performance modifications should be considered in the determination of a warranty claim. Should any performance modification affect warranty on the entire vehicle ? Maybe ? Maybe not. Guess that depends on your perspective. Nowadays it seems that everything in our cars is interconnnected. The computers now sample so many variables that who's to say that the chip we added to gain some extra top speed didn't cause the A/C compressor to fail ? Or that those 24" wheels didn't add additonal load to the steering system causing the pump to fail.

Most often these type of modifications do not add to the resale of the vehicle. They usually cause folks to be more cautious about how the vehicle was driven or cared for. Yes, there are some folks that look for cars with lots of mods, but I would argue that they are the minority in the used vehicle market.

So why do we do it ?

certain personality preference types have a deepseated need to improve "things." Doesn't mean they know what they are doing other than making a change they think will be for the better. on the other hand, they may very well be right.

Other folks are intolerant of changers/improvers; again just a personality preferrence.

the two biggest differences in personality preference that cause the most friction world-wide are introvert vs extrovert and quick decider versus never decide.

in the words of the great rodney king "can't we all just get along?"

juma jung

**CaliforniaTitan** · 11-19-2004, 10:28 AM

There are indeed a couple of ways to think about it -

Manufacturers sure do have some smart people working for them - but like anyone in R&D, Test, and Production they are limited by what they CAN DO by the good 'ol bottom line with cost/benefit analysis etc.

People also in general really dislike -plain vanilla. Personalizing something to a specific taste etc is in our blood so to speak. Sure there are many people out there that just use a vehicle for transportation or only 'modify' something due to a need of some type based on thier lifestyle or work. Normally you don't find too many of those folks on a lot of enthusiast boards for the most part and when you do they are there for overall knowledge of the brand, model, etc etc before buying, having a problem etc etc....

Chris

drviffer · 11-19-2004, 10:48 AM

I guess it comes down to the risk - reward formula. I agree with the need for personalization. I usually limit my mods to the non-mechanical variety. Window tint, debadging, audio, etc... Just have never had the urge to risk creating an unwanted side affect....until now......

I think I really want the leveling kit, but am struggling with the demons that keep whispering in my ear...." you can't go back....It'll void the warranty...you'll shoot your eye out ! "

*Squid* · 11-19-2004, 04:47 PM

Quote:

So why do we do it ?

It's America.
And we have the right to bare Mods.
And the hell with everyone else!
And see last line below.

Truck41 · 11-19-2004, 07:44 PM

just remember this all, the manufacturer builds a vehicle for the masses, not for individuals, so they must compromise what they build, so it's more acceptable. the titan could have been built with more power, but it would be noiser(open exhaust) or stiffer ride(better handling). now to say that men like to tinker, is a gross understatement, and with this process, comes improvement, sometimes. guys like us, keep the automaker on their toes. yo'

Brian mc · 11-24-2004, 08:20 AM

the reason i do things to my truck is to make it stand out from the crowd. I live South Dakota but was born and raised in califonia when i moved back here everybody has the same american made cars. It is not a bad thing but there is only somany things you can do to stand out so when i went to buy a new car i hered about the titan and the fist one that came to my dealers was mine i have a 04 cc red grill gard(lots of deer here)off road pacage nerf bars exuast right way air box after finding this web site. Its nice because everybody nows my truck and still to this day eventhou they are coming more and more my truck still stands out from the rest no matter who gets in even if they dont like imports are very impressed with my truck. that is why i do things to mine love the truck even with its little problems would not get rid of it for something else if anything maybe 05 titan

Mountainmac · 11-24-2004, 08:47 AM

I believe strongly in improving the performance and ability of any vehicle - within reason

Primarily cuz I have to keep the spousal uint happy - below is a true story and why I mod all of my (her) vehicles

Wife came home from work late about a week or so ago. She got out of her Titan with a manical look on her face and her hair was really messed up. I asked her what happened and she began to laugh hysterically. When she calmed down she told me the following story.

On her way home from work, she was stopped at red light when a Hemi Dodge Ram pulled up next to her. She said the guy looked over at her and revved his engine a little. Well, one thing is, never to do that to my wife. Light turns green she is off like a rocket and smokes the hemi (by about 5-6 car lengths according to wife)

They came to another red light and the guy pulls up alongside of her and doesn't even look at her. The light turns green and the guy takes off like a bat out of hell. She smiles and cruises on. About a mile down the road the hemi gets pulled over for speeding probably. Wife drives on by with a smile on her face.

Her comment about the incident? Some boys just never learn and must be taught a lesson

OMG I have create a monster ROFL

the head · 11-24-2004, 09:36 AM

As mentioned, the engineers only have a set of parameters to which they can build something. And on top of that, they can't always use the best materials or design due to production costs. So from that standpoint, you aren't getting "the best" that is possible from the vehicle. Of course, that definition varies person to person.

I race. I race anything. If there was a row of tricycles and 60 people lined up and someone told me I couldn't win, I'd be on it in a heartbeat trying. I've been dragracing for about 19 years now. Cars, trucks, bikes. I did 3 years of SCCA racing. And I've been roadracing motorcycles for 6 years, although I'm semi-retired now (not going after any more championships). I'm pretty competitive by nature so when I kept hearing static about how slow the Titan was from the naysayers, I took pleasure in showing them. Then when some other jerks claimed there was no way a Titan would run better than a high 14, the NOS went on and they got pummeled. Now the local dare is no way it'll run 13s with the stock gearing or stock computer. I'm almost there (14.02). So for me, personally, I hang around other competitive people (even if they are nice) and it more or less gets me going enough that I want to either prove them wrong or beat them.

For the record, I don't have to have the fastest Titan out there - I'm sure the superchargers will be king and I really don't want to spend $4k or more on one.

Resale? I usually take the minor loss by trading in at the dealership (Carmax usually beats them) and not have to worry about mods affecting much or dealing with Joe Public. So for me, mods don't affect my resale at all because anything I put on can be replaced back to stock. I don't like billet grilles, extra mounted lights, and other things like that - my vehicles (other than bikes) look stock.