Lifetime of Modifications

[SLVRBACK]

Hey all,

This will be my first time owning a performance vehicle that I plan on modifying(extensively)

I wanted to know what the " shelf life " of a modification will be? I plan on owning the car for a very long time.

Will the modifications I do early on have to be replaced eventually? Catback, springs, shocks and struts etc. I dont want to replace things early on and then by the time im done with everything have to gradually re-do everything.

I plan on buying quality brand name parts(all 304 stainless steel etc.)

Any experience from people who have owned and modified cars for a long time? I apologize for my ignorance on the subject.

Thanks.

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[Grimace427]

If you want mods that last, don't buy the first parts on the market and read the blogs of the respected shops that test/race what they sell. Take your time and don't buy parts when you are overly excited.

 

[DHG1078]

Shocks/Struts will have to be at least rebuilt every now and then, but it takes a lot of abuse/miles to get there. Definitely don't buy the first thing you see as soon as it comes out. Let other people be the guinea pig.

Know the limits of the parts you buy/ parts on the car and don't push them, i.e. don't build a 1000hp motor with rods good for 750 lol.

Get a good quality tune from the best out there, not just a canned tune from someone like brennspeed. Not that they have bad tunes, you just can't beat a custom dyno tune.

Some parts should last forever such as control arms, sway bars, k-members, etc. The bushings may need replaced every now and then depending on how much it is driven/abused. Just like shocks/struts though it takes a lot to get there.

Cliff notes: Good quality parts, tune, and a smart build will last a long time.

 

[scottpe]

Cliff notes: Good quality parts, tune, and a smart build will last a long time.

I agree with everything said so far, and especially the above (in bold). Have a plan for what you want to accomplish with the car. Don't just throw a bunch of parts on it because they've gotten good reviews or you're just itching to change something.

All of the parts on a performance car are designed to work in concert from the factory. If you just start replacing stuff without understanding the implications to the rest of the 'system' you can quickly end up with a car that performs WORSE overall.

Most well planned, quality modifications can easily last as long or longer than stock.

 

[Grimace427]

Get a good quality tune from the best out there, not just a canned tune from someone like brennspeed. Not that they have bad tunes, you just can't beat a custom dyno tune.

Not to say this is wrong, but for someone new to the modding scene this can be misinterpreted. An e-mail tune from a reputable shop like Steeda, AED, MPT, Lund, etc, would be better(and safer) than a dyno tune from the shop down the street if they don't have any experience with the modern Mustang engines. The ultimate tune is not necessarily a dyno tune, but a datalogged tune.

 

[DHG1078]

Not to say this is wrong, but for someone new to the modding scene this can be misinterpreted. An e-mail tune from a reputable shop like Steeda, AED, MPT, Lund, etc, would be better(and safer) than a dyno tune from the shop down the street if they don't have any experience with the modern Mustang engines. The ultimate tune is not necessarily a dyno tune, but a datalogged tune.

I said a good quality tune, not just any old dyno tune lol.

 

[scottpe]

Not to say this is wrong, but for someone new to the modding scene this can be misinterpreted. An e-mail tune from a reputable shop like Steeda, AED, MPT, Lund, etc, would be better(and safer) than a dyno tune from the shop down the street if they don't have any experience with the modern Mustang engines. The ultimate tune is not necessarily a dyno tune, but a datalogged tune.

In fairness, he did say to get a tune from "the best out there..." which I think probably excludes most of the dyno around the corner deals. ;)

But I will add that there is nothing wrong with many of the canned tunes, especially if your motor is stock. Most of the canned stuff has been well tested and refined, and usually slightly more conservative, which is not a bad thing, IMO.

The custom tunes are usually the best way to go if you insist on squeezing every last ounce of power out -- reducing the margins of safety in the process of course -- or have done modifications.

And I agree that data logging is really advisable if doing a custom tune.

 

[Grimace427]

I said a good quality tune, not just any old dyno tune lol.

OP admitted he doesn't know much about this stuff, don't assume he knows what a good quality tune is or how to get one. Tuning seems like one of the most intimidating mods people can do nowadays, what with the fear of voided warranties and whatnot.

 

[DHG1078]

I see your guys' point lol. I just didn't want to name any names because who knows who will emerge at the top of that list in the future.

 

[tbonez3858]

If you want mods that last, don't buy the first parts on the market and read the blogs of the respected shops that test/race what they sell. Take your time and don't buy parts when you are overly excited.

This is good advice OP...Also dont buy mods until you need them. So many people go out and buy XYZ because "everybody" buys XYZ. Use your car and buy mods based upon what you need and want.

The best and longest lasting mod is to upgrade the driver - Driving school, track days, etc. I've been to multiple driving experiences in which normal drivers driving Ferrraris, GTRs, Porsches couldnt catch a pace Mustang 5.0 being driven by a professional driver. You can dump 100k in your Mustang and get ripped by a skilled Miata driver unless its its a drag race.

 

[SLVRBACK]

Thank you all for the responses so far, greatly appreciated.

I understand all the parts that go into a car and how mods affect everything. I'm very knowledged in the idea behind everything. I do have friends who have done turbo swaps, exhaust, intakes, suspension etc. Ive just never actually done it to a car, which is the intimidating part.

Thats also why we are all here, right? To help eachother out and to learn.

Keep everything going guys, this could turn in a good discussion.

 

[JimmyTwoTimes]

I'd like to get a front strut tower brace, but I'm afraid of voiding the warranty.

 

[SLVRBACK]

I'd like to get a front strut tower brace, but I'm afraid of voiding the warranty.

Another cause for concern. Im worried about doing too much and voiding the warranty.

If I put a catback on my car, the motor blows and they void my warranty im screwed.

 

[Grimace427]

The best and longest lasting mod is to upgrade the driver - Driving school, track days, etc. You can dump 100k in your Mustang and get ripped by a skilled Miata driver unless its its a drag race.

This is money well spent!

 

[Grimace427]

Another cause for concern. Im worried about doing too much and voiding the warranty.

If I put a catback on my car, the motor blows and they void my warranty im screwed.

The ultimate tool for ensuring the life of your warranty is developing a relationship with your servicing dealer. If you've never been there then all of a sudden show up demanding a new engine, you can bet you'll be given a hard time. However, if you get your regular service and most of all talk to your service advisor directly about mods you'd like to do, it will go a long way should anything go wrong with your car.

I'm a dealer technician for Mercedes. I've worked on plenty of modded cars and done more than a few warranty repairs on them. A blown engine is the rarest form of failure, what with the dozens of sensors, actuators, solenoids, gaskets, seals, and so on. There are thousands of things that can fail that are covered under warranty. I don't void warranties juse because the customer bolts on some upgrades. If they cut up wiring and permanently modified the vehicle, that is when things get tricky.

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