How to Create Your Own Custom Cars
The hobby of customizing cars has been around since the advent of the car itself, and today it's more popular then ever. Whether it's an American hot rod or muscle car, a Japanese sport compact or a European exotic car, modifying and customizing is a huge industry, with thousands of companies making parts and accessories. All it takes to customize a car is some imagination and the money to make it a reality.
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Things You'll Need
- Floor jack
- Jack stands
- Socket set and ratchet
- Specialized automotive tools
Instructions
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Modify the exterior. This is one of the first aspects that many people who are into customizing tackle on a vehicle. The exterior is the most noticeable aspect of the car after all. Here, a subtle body kit and some aftermarket lights are a good approach. When it comes to body kits, less is usually more if you want to keep it tasteful. Installing a kit and having the parts painted is best left to a professional shop unless you have space, equipment and the expertise to do the work properly. Smoked, clear or darker exterior lenses are a popular upgrade for modern cars like BMWs and Japanese cars.
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Replace the stock wheels. Another essential component of any customized car is the right set of wheels and tires. Generally speaking, wider and larger diameter wheels work well on custom cars, as well as wheels that have a more aggressive offset. The right set of wheels and the proper ride height is what gives a car the perfect stance. Currently, the trend is a low ride height and super wide wheels.
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Modify and lower the suspension. Nothing screams custom like a ground scraping ride height. Install lowering springs and performance shocks, or go all out and install a set of coilover shocks. Coilovers are perfect for custom cars, since the spring and shock is an integrated unit that is height adjustable, so you can dial in the perfect looking ride height.
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Build the motor for more power. A custom car shouldn't just look better, but it should perform better as well. One of the most popular methods of customizing a car's engine and power output is turbocharging or supercharging, both of which can result in massive horsepower gains. You also can add performance parts like a free-flow exhaust, cold-air intake and a reprogrammed engine computer. The engine bay should be customized as well. Parts can be chromed or polished or even painted to match the exterior.
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Upgrade the interior. This is another must do for a custom car. Keep it simple with a set of racing or sport seats, a different steering wheel and shift knob. Or you can get more extreme and change the door panels, carpeting and headliner. Faux suede is popular and adds a luxurious, high-end feel when it's used to upholster the headliner, door panels and even the dash. Round out the interior changes with some aftermarket gauges, particularly if you are building a custom, high-performance car.
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