What cars should you not modify
Discussion
heebeegeetee said:
I long remember reading about the Lotus Driving Academy at Hethel and the quote from one of the instructors: 'For £600 we can really change you as a driver and make you much faster, but most owners will spend that amount on a stainless exhaust'.
I have to say I've since since experienced the talent of one of those instructors and was shocked at his speed.
So while driving legally you will be even further within the capabilities of yourself and the car, but will at least have the anodyne sewing machine note of the standard exhaust and induction to entertain you? Sounds riveting. I have to say I've since since experienced the talent of one of those instructors and was shocked at his speed.
swerni said:
Which is an utterly pointless waste of £600.
How much talent do you need to drive on today's roads with low limits and congestion?
You can't drive fast anywhere, at least I can enjoy the sound of my cars, I certainly don't haven't opportunity to push their capabilities and mine on public roads.
Well on the speed events I attend there are always a lot ( a full house quite often, requiring quite a team of organisers and marshals) of drivers all trying to go as fast as they can, so there clearly are places where you can drive fast. And, at places where you can drive fast you aren't allowed to fit loud exhausts.How much talent do you need to drive on today's roads with low limits and congestion?
You can't drive fast anywhere, at least I can enjoy the sound of my cars, I certainly don't haven't opportunity to push their capabilities and mine on public roads.
I'd also say that there isn't much point to a sports car if it's not to be driven fast.
It was at a track event at Hethel that I sat with one of those instructors and was so shocked at their speed, and fittingly, the majority of the other Loti on track were modified. I came away thinking 'christ, I wish I could drive like that' and not 'christ, I'm glad I spent so much time and money building my car so that it could be blown into the weeds by a standard car'
I am in the motor trade to a degree, and whilst we specifically try to avoid getting involved with modified cars, I 've seen a few in my time and most of them have been fairly horrific (including wheels literally coming off the car as they drive into my place), and whilst i don't want this to be seen as some sort of statement by myself, unfortunately pretty much all of the modifications I've seen have been carried out by people who haven't a clue.
However when I've been parked up in paddocks around the country I've found myself next to cars built by guys who are engineers, and their cars are just beautiful and their workmanship is something to behold. It might be true to say that these cars are built rather than modified as such, but those cars are at a totally different level than the stuff I see out on the public road or in my garage.
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I think the vast majority of it is chav, yes, especially the more visible stuff. Most modified cars are spoiled (or even ruined) before they're actually improved. Sorry, just my opinion. Spend the money on using the cars, I say.
heebeegeetee said:
Well on the speed events I attend there are always a lot ( a full house quite often, requiring quite a team of organisers and marshals) of drivers all trying to go as fast as they can, so there clearly are places where you can drive fast. And, at places where you can drive fast you aren't allowed to fit loud exhausts.
I'd also say that there isn't much point to a sports car if it's not to be driven fast.
It was at a track event at Hethel that I sat with one of those instructors and was so shocked at their speed, and fittingly, the majority of the other Loti on track were modified. I came away thinking 'christ, I wish I could drive like that' and not 'christ, I'm glad I spent so much time and money building my car so that it could be blown into the weeds by a standard car'
I am in the motor trade to a degree, and whilst we specifically try to avoid getting involved with modified cars, I 've seen a few in my time and most of them have been fairly horrific (including wheels literally coming off the car as they drive into my place), and whilst i don't want this to be seen as some sort of statement by myself, unfortunately pretty much all of the modifications I've seen have been carried out by people who haven't a clue.
However when I've been parked up in paddocks around the country I've found myself next to cars built by guys who are engineers, and their cars are just beautiful and their workmanship is something to behold. It might be true to say that these cars are built rather than modified as such, but those cars are at a totally different level than the stuff I see out on the public road or in my garage.
So, you agree then. You agree that modifying cars is not a 'total waste of time and money' as long as it fits your personal criteria? Also, surprised that you were surprised that Lotus instructors were fast, in an environment that they are well trained in, it's obvious they would be. The issue here are your sweeping generalisations, that's for you to work out. Meanwhile I'm quite happy with the time and money I have spent improving the suspension, brakes and sound of my toys. 'Chav' to you probably but both on road and track they're faster and more fun, which is what matters to people, not so much the opinion of the pub bore who travels to Hethel and leaves with this bizarre point of view, onevwhich ifnores the fact that a fair few of us 'Chavs' have raced ourselves!I'd also say that there isn't much point to a sports car if it's not to be driven fast.
It was at a track event at Hethel that I sat with one of those instructors and was so shocked at their speed, and fittingly, the majority of the other Loti on track were modified. I came away thinking 'christ, I wish I could drive like that' and not 'christ, I'm glad I spent so much time and money building my car so that it could be blown into the weeds by a standard car'
I am in the motor trade to a degree, and whilst we specifically try to avoid getting involved with modified cars, I 've seen a few in my time and most of them have been fairly horrific (including wheels literally coming off the car as they drive into my place), and whilst i don't want this to be seen as some sort of statement by myself, unfortunately pretty much all of the modifications I've seen have been carried out by people who haven't a clue.
However when I've been parked up in paddocks around the country I've found myself next to cars built by guys who are engineers, and their cars are just beautiful and their workmanship is something to behold. It might be true to say that these cars are built rather than modified as such, but those cars are at a totally different level than the stuff I see out on the public road or in my garage.
You're very narrow minded, that's my take on this.
heebeegeetee said:
swerni said:
Which is an utterly pointless waste of £600.
How much talent do you need to drive on today's roads with low limits and congestion?
You can't drive fast anywhere, at least I can enjoy the sound of my cars, I certainly don't haven't opportunity to push their capabilities and mine on public roads.
Well on the speed events I attend there are always a lot ( a full house quite often, requiring quite a team of organisers and marshals) of drivers all trying to go as fast as they can, so there clearly are places where you can drive fast. And, at places where you can drive fast you aren't allowed to fit loud exhausts.How much talent do you need to drive on today's roads with low limits and congestion?
You can't drive fast anywhere, at least I can enjoy the sound of my cars, I certainly don't haven't opportunity to push their capabilities and mine on public roads.
I'd also say that there isn't much point to a sports car if it's not to be driven fast.
It was at a track event at Hethel that I sat with one of those instructors and was so shocked at their speed, and fittingly, the majority of the other Loti on track were modified. I came away thinking 'christ, I wish I could drive like that' and not 'christ, I'm glad I spent so much time and money building my car so that it could be blown into the weeds by a standard car'
I am in the motor trade to a degree, and whilst we specifically try to avoid getting involved with modified cars, I 've seen a few in my time and most of them have been fairly horrific (including wheels literally coming off the car as they drive into my place), and whilst i don't want this to be seen as some sort of statement by myself, unfortunately pretty much all of the modifications I've seen have been carried out by people who haven't a clue.
However when I've been parked up in paddocks around the country I've found myself next to cars built by guys who are engineers, and their cars are just beautiful and their workmanship is something to behold. It might be true to say that these cars are built rather than modified as such, but those cars are at a totally different level than the stuff I see out on the public road or in my garage.
tty Lotus with a loud exhaust which of course would be better as was out of the factory.
Edited by SidewaysSi on Saturday 3rd December 11:09
Bought my Exige with a view to exactly what I wanted to create in terms of power, suspension, brakes etc. I also stripped the interior and rebuilt it to the exact spec I wanted. Thoroughly enjoyed it as a project spanning 3 - 4 years. Was it chav? Don't know and don't really care.
It's been the only car I have truly modified other than the odd exhaust or light swap etc over the years.
I wouldn't even dare putting a sticker on the Aston. I've not seen any that have been played with that look better than standard TBH.
It's been the only car I have truly modified other than the odd exhaust or light swap etc over the years.
I wouldn't even dare putting a sticker on the Aston. I've not seen any that have been played with that look better than standard TBH.
julian64 said:
Its not the cars, its the people who shouldn't modify.
Most people who modify separate into two different types.
1) Those people who want to enhance a cars appearance or performance
2) Those people who think a LS engine is the answer to any question yet to be asked
Type one are usually enthusiasts with an interest in the cars they are modding. Type 2 are just car vandals who's justification for everything they do is the BHP with no regard to character, quality, or sensitivity.
I actually like the LS engine, but some people want it in everything that has wheel in each corner.
I must be a vandal then. What about replacing one LS engine with a slightly more powerful one/adding a supercharger?Most people who modify separate into two different types.
1) Those people who want to enhance a cars appearance or performance
2) Those people who think a LS engine is the answer to any question yet to be asked
Type one are usually enthusiasts with an interest in the cars they are modding. Type 2 are just car vandals who's justification for everything they do is the BHP with no regard to character, quality, or sensitivity.
I actually like the LS engine, but some people want it in everything that has wheel in each corner.
300bhp/ton said:
I do not believe anyone thinks vehicles like those look good. I do truly believe people think that they 'should' like them, because surely they must be cool. So they therefore 'claim' to like them. But deep down they know the truth, even if they are unwilling to admit it to themselves.
It's probably the same with people who have stupid haircuts, like this for example:
Sure they might think it's fun at the time, but in years to come they'll look back and think, my word that looked utterly stupid.
That haircut might work if you had one of those panoramic sliding sunroofs ?It's probably the same with people who have stupid haircuts, like this for example:
Sure they might think it's fun at the time, but in years to come they'll look back and think, my word that looked utterly stupid.
Jesus said:
Not cars, but vans - seeing lots of new vans modded with massive wheels, lowered (lowered? - it's a van, made for carrying stuff that's sometimes heavy) side bars and big Jimmy Hill chin spoilers.
Bally awful.
one of my mates has a modified caddy van - chipped, big brakes, skirts, lots of interior upgrades, phaeton wheels, dropped on its arse etc - it's his works van (he fits trackers, parking sensors etc to vehicles) so argues it fits with his job. Bloody useless if he has to go anywhere that has big speed bumps or for the building site he was on the other week though.Bally awful.
IroningMan said:
Mod what you like, but I don't quite understand the point of performance mods to a mid-range model - almost always better to swap to a higher performance model instead, surely?
Oh and 300bhp/ton: chav wheels on the TR...
Not really. Take AX to Saxo for instance. The AX is lighter and all the saxo stuff bolts directly to it. For a track car or fun car, your trading down to a lighter model which is positive but can add the power to it with no hassle at all.Oh and 300bhp/ton: chav wheels on the TR...
To each their own on this one and if you own the car it's yours to do with as you please. So long as the modifications are all declared to your insurers and in the case of engine or chassis changes the DVLA (IVA) so they don't become...
"Still a 1.1 on the log book"
...territory and the vehicle is legitimate/legal I see no issue.
Having built some silly cars myself and helped build even sillier ones in the past I can understand the appeal.
These days however I look at https://www.howmanyleft.co.uk/ and such sites to see how rare the car is before deciding what to do, if anything.
If there are less than say fifty on the road and sorn I won't make changes and restore instead.
There are exceptions to the rule so here are my top five things I will not do to a road car.
1/ Never weld a diff'. Okay for drifting, crap on the road. Makes parking painful to watch and listen to, puts unnecessary strain on the rest of the drive train, eats tyres and ruins roads. Vehicles with welded diff's can not be towed and are crap in wet, muddy, icy, snow or slushy conditions so when you end up in a ditch you'll need an expensive low loader recovery. If I were to build a road going drift vehicle I would work out some kind of remote locking diff' similar to a 4x4 so I can have a car on the road and drifter for the track.
2/ Tinted windows. Having your rear windows almost completely blacked out makes it look like you have something to hide. Rear three quarter vision is compromised at night and if you park anywhere or are driving slowly it's pain to get round because people can not see through your windows ahead. It's inconsiderate, stupid and if you don't want to see out the back of your vehicle (at night or low light conditions) buy a van.
3/ Slamming. Lowering suspension to the point the vehicle is barely drivable. A few years ago when we had roads maybe but now with all the potholes, speed ramps and other floxum we have to deal with I wouldn't bother.
4/ After market DRL's, LED side lights and HID's. If your car pre-dates these don't fit them. In my opinion they look pathetic. As most white LED's still look blue you're probably breaking the law anyway. Also fairy lights are for Christmas.
5/ Stretched tyres. If your tyres don't fit, get ones that do. They work better they they are the right ones for the job and you look less of an idiot.
"Still a 1.1 on the log book"
...territory and the vehicle is legitimate/legal I see no issue.
Having built some silly cars myself and helped build even sillier ones in the past I can understand the appeal.
These days however I look at https://www.howmanyleft.co.uk/ and such sites to see how rare the car is before deciding what to do, if anything.
If there are less than say fifty on the road and sorn I won't make changes and restore instead.
There are exceptions to the rule so here are my top five things I will not do to a road car.
1/ Never weld a diff'. Okay for drifting, crap on the road. Makes parking painful to watch and listen to, puts unnecessary strain on the rest of the drive train, eats tyres and ruins roads. Vehicles with welded diff's can not be towed and are crap in wet, muddy, icy, snow or slushy conditions so when you end up in a ditch you'll need an expensive low loader recovery. If I were to build a road going drift vehicle I would work out some kind of remote locking diff' similar to a 4x4 so I can have a car on the road and drifter for the track.
2/ Tinted windows. Having your rear windows almost completely blacked out makes it look like you have something to hide. Rear three quarter vision is compromised at night and if you park anywhere or are driving slowly it's pain to get round because people can not see through your windows ahead. It's inconsiderate, stupid and if you don't want to see out the back of your vehicle (at night or low light conditions) buy a van.
3/ Slamming. Lowering suspension to the point the vehicle is barely drivable. A few years ago when we had roads maybe but now with all the potholes, speed ramps and other floxum we have to deal with I wouldn't bother.
4/ After market DRL's, LED side lights and HID's. If your car pre-dates these don't fit them. In my opinion they look pathetic. As most white LED's still look blue you're probably breaking the law anyway. Also fairy lights are for Christmas.
5/ Stretched tyres. If your tyres don't fit, get ones that do. They work better they they are the right ones for the job and you look less of an idiot.
Edited by Liquid Knight on Saturday 3rd December 14:20
Rsdop said:
Nice work that's an absolute monster! Is it used on the road?
Thanks. Certainly is used on the road but only when it's dry. Traction can be a challenge off the line but when it's going it's superbike fast. Most of the time however, I just like pootling about in it, listening to the V8 with the window down. wormus said:
Thanks. Certainly is used on the road but only when it's dry. Traction can be a challenge off the line but when it's going it's superbike fast. Most of the time however, I just like pootling about in it, listening to the V8 with the window down.
Yeah I'm not surprised traction is an issue, you appear to basically have 500lbs/ft at idle 
Looks quite subtle too. Love it
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