What cars should you not modify

[jamieduff1981]

To get back on topic and away from the "all car mods are chav" insights from people who have demonstrated an inability to hold coherent thoughts, I would say that in general I'd shy away from modifying very valuable exotic classics. I would not, for example, want to modify a 1960s Ferrari, and I probably wouldn't modify something like an Iso Griffo - basically anything very highly sought after in original condition.

Less exotic cars that can be objectively improved (especially mechanically) I say go for it, so long as the character of the car isn't lost. I'm not against engine swaps in general, but there are some cars which for me at least, their engine is pivotal to the car and shouldn't be swapped out. An XJ-S wouldn't get a Chevy V8 in my ownership - they're about Inline 6s and V12s which are wonderful engines in their own right. People who swapped out Triumph V8s for a Rover engine in their Stags are kicking themselves now because original engines work absolutely fine when built without excess sealant blocking water galleries. TVR Cerbera shouldn't IMO have an AJP8 swapped for a Chevy LS - the Cerbera was the only car to get the AJP8, ergo the Cerbera is all about the AJP8 which is an engine with a unique character. One with an LS is a great car, but it's lost the essence of a Cerbera.

[300bhp/ton]

jamieduff1981 said:

TVR Cerbera shouldn't IMO have an AJP8 swapped for a Chevy LS - the Cerbera was the only car to get the AJP8, ergo the Cerbera is all about the AJP8 which is an engine with a unique character. One with an LS is a great car, but it's lost the essence of a Cerbera.

I agree with this. I love LS engines.... but I want to own a Cerbera for the TVR V8. For me that would be big reason for having one.

[IroningMan]

e8_pack said:

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.

That makes sense, but it's not what I meant - I was referring to putting higher performance springs/dampers/wheels etc etc on an AX 1.1 rather than switching to an AX GTI.

[RobXjcoupe]

Has anybody modified a fiat panda 4x4?

[Liquid Knight]

RobXjcoupe said:

Has anybody modified a fiat panda 4x4?

Quite a few have been modified but those stupid twunts from "Wheeler Dealers" completely ruined a perfectly restorable one. Then pretended to sell the pile of to a well known extra and stuck it back on e- -Bay for five times what it was worth. If I ever meet them I will their and shove it up their !

Still at least they didn't do a few repairs, run a polishing mop over and say it was "fully restored". That's their usual trick.

[TheJimi]

Zod said:

They would look OK without all the stickers that are the same as you see on the average 19 year old's Corsa and if the wing extensions didn't look as if the 19 year old had bodged them up in his Dad's garage..

Would need to be a fairly talented 19yr old.

Seriously, why say stuff like that? It looks nothing like something an unskilled kid (coz that's your implication) would knock up in his Dad's garage.

[Liquid Knight]

TheJimi said:

Zod said:

They would look OK without all the stickers that are the same as you see on the average 19 year old's Corsa and if the wing extensions didn't look as if the 19 year old had bodged them up in his Dad's garage..

Would need to be a fairly talented 19yr old.

Seriously, why say stuff like that? It looks nothing like something an unskilled kid (coz that's your implication) would knock up in his Dad's garage.

It's a learning curve.

We've all done modifications that at the time made sense and maybe even looked okay (in our minds) but are cringe worthy now.

[RobXjcoupe]

Liquid Knight said:

RobXjcoupe said:

Has anybody modified a fiat panda 4x4?

Quite a few have been modified but those stupid twunts from "Wheeler Dealers" completely ruined a perfectly restorable one. Then pretended to sell the pile of to a well known extra and stuck it back on e- -Bay for five times what it was worth. If I ever meet them I will their and shove it up their !

Still at least they didn't do a few repairs, run a polishing mop over and say it was "fully restored". That's their usual trick.

Fair enough lolololol

[InductionRoar]

Depends whether you are modifying for yourself or for resale. Few people will appreciate a modified car as much as the person modifying it. Generally speaking the money spent on performance upgrades would be better spent on a quicker car IMO.

[TheJimi]

Liquid Knight said:

TheJimi said:

Zod said:

They would look OK without all the stickers that are the same as you see on the average 19 year old's Corsa and if the wing extensions didn't look as if the 19 year old had bodged them up in his Dad's garage..

Would need to be a fairly talented 19yr old.

Seriously, why say stuff like that? It looks nothing like something an unskilled kid (coz that's your implication) would knock up in his Dad's garage.

It's a learning curve.

We've all done modifications that at the time made sense and maybe even looked okay (in our minds) but are cringe worthy now.

Eh?

[300bhp/ton]

InductionRoar said:

Depends whether you are modifying for yourself or for resale. Few people will appreciate a modified car as much as the person modifying it. Generally speaking the money spent on performance upgrades would be better spent on a quicker car IMO.

Although this is less true in places like the USA. Of course it depends on the exact car and mods, but as a rule 'improved' vehicles sell for a lot more.

[Baldchap]

My B3 800RR is completely standard (bar sat nav and some adjustable levers) but I've invested quite a lot of time and money into learning to ride it properly. Strange that when I ride ANY bike it ends up being quicker and smoother than most.

I love performance modifications that work...

[FN2TypeR]

wormus said:

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.

How many gallons to the mile does it do?

[AW111]

FN2TypeR said:

How many gallons to the mile does it do?

[300bhp/ton]

FN2TypeR said:

How many gallons to the mile does it do?

I bet you think your are totally original by saying that don't you

I suspect when on it, it uses a lot of fuel, probably equal to almost any other car making similar power, certainly single digits. But then something like an Mitsu Evo will probably be down to 6mpg or less for heavy track use.

Normal road driving probably ranges from 15-25mpg or maybe even slightly higher on a good steady run. Depending on exact driving style.

However I'm sure Wormus will chip in with some more accurate info.

[anonymous-user]

FN2TypeR said:

wormus said:

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.

How many gallons to the mile does it do?

About 15mpg average which isn't too bad for what it is. Boot it and you can watch the fuel gauge move!!

Think I'm bad, check this out. Same engine as mine with twin turbos: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

minime68 said:

It's been a while since I have posted updates on this thread so figured I'd add a few.

-ditched the supercharger and had a custom turbo kit built
-dynoed at 1155rwhp/1122ftlbs
-20 psi on E60
-twin Gen 2 precision turbo 6266s
-forged factory block
-ported factory heads

The car is ridiculously fun to drive now . Hopefully I can get it to Pod soon and see if I can crack 9s.

[Zod]

TheJimi said:

Zod said:

They would look OK without all the stickers that are the same as you see on the average 19 year old's Corsa and if the wing extensions didn't look as if the 19 year old had bodged them up in his Dad's garage..

Would need to be a fairly talented 19yr old.

Seriously, why say stuff like that? It looks nothing like something an unskilled kid (coz that's your implication) would knock up in his Dad's garage.

The arch extensions look utterly awful. They ruin the cars. The stickers are absurd.

[TheJimi]

Zod said:

TheJimi said:

Zod said:

They would look OK without all the stickers that are the same as you see on the average 19 year old's Corsa and if the wing extensions didn't look as if the 19 year old had bodged them up in his Dad's garage..

Would need to be a fairly talented 19yr old.

Seriously, why say stuff like that? It looks nothing like something an unskilled kid (coz that's your implication) would knock up in his Dad's garage.

The arch extensions look utterly awful. They ruin the cars. The stickers are absurd.

Fine, in your opinion the arches don't look good and ruin the car. Why not just say that in the first place?

Why extend your argument to the absurd by claiming the extensions look like they were knocked up by an unskilled kid in his Dad's garage? When they clearly don't.

That's what I'm getting at.

[300bhp/ton]

TheJimi said:

Zod said:

TheJimi said:

Zod said:

They would look OK without all the stickers that are the same as you see on the average 19 year old's Corsa and if the wing extensions didn't look as if the 19 year old had bodged them up in his Dad's garage..

Would need to be a fairly talented 19yr old.

Seriously, why say stuff like that? It looks nothing like something an unskilled kid (coz that's your implication) would knock up in his Dad's garage.

The arch extensions look utterly awful. They ruin the cars. The stickers are absurd.

Fine, in your opinion the arches don't look good and ruin the car. Why not just say that in the first place?

Why extend your argument to the absurd by claiming the extensions look like they were knocked up by an unskilled kid in his Dad's garage? When they clearly don't.

That's what I'm getting at.

When something arguably looks stupid. It's easy to then make a statement about them.

IMO they lack proportion. Which is arguably why they look stupid. It's like seeing a 5'8" lady but noting here legs are actually over 4' long with a tiny body and head. Even if you like legs... it would still be an unusual look.

[TheJimi]

Rather unsurprisingly, you've missed my point.


fk it though, I give up.

Edited by TheJimi on Thursday 8th December 22:42