Every car owner strives to ensure that his car is not just attractive, but different from other cars. In this case, tuning allows you to emphasize your own individuality, which can radically transform the image of a car, even when done at home.
Tuning example for Subaru Impreza
Let us immediately note that today it is not only the exterior and interior of the vehicle that is being improved. Do-it-yourself car tuning can concern almost all components and assemblies.
But, before deciding on such events, you should study the equipment, as well as evaluate your own strengths and financial resources that you are willing to spend on improving your “stallion.”
Advantages and disadvantages
Depending on what goal is set, tuning can change the appearance of the car, improve ride quality, increase comfort, etc. However, before you start tuning a car yourself, you need to understand that modernization should not reduce the characteristics of the vehicle, nor the chassis, neither strength nor performance.
Car before and after tuning, comparison
The reality is that every car improvement today can be called tuning, from tinting the headlights to reflashing the on-board systems. Sometimes such modifications are necessary, but more often this is just a whim of the car owner, which may well deprive the car owner of the vehicle manufacturer’s branded warranty.
Replacing disks
Another intriguing step is replacing drives. It is also carried out without assistance and therefore does not require a visit to a service station. In this case, the car owner manages to work on both the visual design and the driving characteristics.
By choosing wheels and tires of larger diameter, it is possible to increase speed performance. Yes, experts could suggest several different actions, but the costs would increase sharply. Therefore, it is better to turn to external changes that bring a pleasant variety to the body design. After all, manufacturers offer a variety of models, which means you can always make any dream come true.
Types of tuning
Modernizing a machine is a rather painstaking and labor-intensive task that requires time and financial investment. Therefore, tuning a car with your own hands at home must begin with setting a specific task and creating a clear action plan.
Preparing the car for tuning, checking it at a service station
Here it should be recalled that the following types of tuning are distinguished.
- Creating a recognizable and original exterior.
- Modernization of the interior space.
- Improved driving performance.
How to make your own car from scratch?
Making a car from scratch involves creating all of its components and arranging them correctly. This is a very difficult process and can take an indefinitely long time. For example, American Ken Imhoff, making a copy of the Lamborghini Countach car, as close as possible to the original, made almost everything from scratch, even the wheels. As a professional metal shaper, it took him 17 years to complete the project. In an interview, he admitted that it was not a profitable activity and was like an interesting game for him. Most often, when creating a car with your own hands, an existing production car is taken as a basis and remade. This is the most realistic way to make a car with your own hands - make the frame, body and interior yourself, and take all other components ready-made from another car or several cars. This is exactly what small car manufacturers around the world have been doing for the last 50 years or more.
You need to acquire the necessary manuals for the car that will be used as a donor in order to understand the structure of all its components (engine, steering, suspension, brake system, electrics).
Domestic tuning
Typically, activities carried out by vehicle owners are aimed at improving the appearance of the car and updating the interior. In the latter case, you should not touch the body elements, which will avoid many problems and troubles.
Most often, owners of budget cars resort to tuning, which can easily include most domestic cars.
GAZ 24 after tuning with your own hands
The modernization of old car models is very popular in Russia, as a result of which they receive a full second life and are completely transformed. Everyone decides for themselves how to do car tuning with their own hands, but remember that such modifications should not violate the car manufacturer’s instructions.
What is prohibited by the traffic police rules
The paradox is that at the moment all changes made to the design of the car after its release, and not registered with the traffic police, are prohibited. In 2021, a legislative act came into force that sets out the rules for car tuning. Almost all types of vehicle modifications fall under the streamlined formulation “does not meet safety requirements.” Here are some of them:
- Frontal tinting . A covered front window is a surefire way to get a fine. The only thing the owner can do is apply a tinted strip 14 cm wide at the top of the glass. The shading of the side windows should be no more than 75%. In this case, the measurements must be made in the area of the mirrors, otherwise the compiled protocol can be appealed. It is not forbidden to tint the rear window.
- Modernization of lighting by installing headlights and lighting in a color other than the permitted one. Red and blue LEDs cannot be used for front optics. White, yellow, and orange lights are allowed. Red only for rear lights. Multi-colored illumination of the bottom will result in a fine.
- If the headlights are not designed to accommodate xenon lamps, then it is better to use standard lighting sources. Or purchase certified headlights (they are marked with the letter T), which will also require the installation of additional devices - a washer and a corrector.
- Replacing controls. Unauthorized installation of a sports steering wheel and modification of the brake system entail serious penalties, including a ban on driving on public roads. On race tracks, circuits and closed tracks - please. But on the streets or highways it will be a trip before the first traffic police check.
- Installation of either a roof rack or a roof rack. There are cars whose design requires the installation of additional devices, for example, SUVs and specialized vehicles. In all other cases, unauthorized installation of parts will lead to problems.
- Installation of a direct-flow muffler. By law, the noise level of a passenger car must not exceed a threshold of 96 dB. The design of a standard exhaust pipe ensures a reduction in the noise factor, but a direct-flow exhaust pipe does not have this possibility, and the noise indicator increases to 110-120 dB. What is perceived by the human ear as a deafening roar.
And many many others. In fact, everything related to changing the chassis, interior, appearance, and even chip tuning is prohibited, unless the modification elements are certified for a specific car or permission from the traffic police is obtained for them. It turns out that the only way to upgrade and not suffer during every inspection is to register the tuning with the official authorities and select parts strictly for a specific model.
Tinted glass
Beginning creators really like to start with glazing and optics. Tinting these elements can be considered the most affordable and simplest (in terms of execution) way to transform a vehicle.
High-quality tinting is guaranteed to increase the attractiveness of the car. It will also protect the interior from fading and excess sunlight. However, in this matter a sense of proportion is necessary.
An example of full car window tinting that is prohibited by law
We also note the fact that tinted windows can improve the heat and/or sound insulation of the interior space, which will come in very handy for fans of air conditioning, because a layer of tinted film will reduce the heat transfer of the glass, slowing down the heating of the air in the cabin.
A huge advantage for every car is factory-type window tinting. Therefore, if you need an ideal result, tinting should be done in a specialized technical center, since the lack of experience and/or professional tools can cause very disastrous consequences. Entrust this task to the masters, and the result of the specialists’ work will definitely please you.
Steering wheel upgrade
A conventional steering wheel with a thin body is hardly comfortable or attractive. Also, very few drivers will like the steering wheel with linings and bumps covered with perforated eco-leather.
Upgrading the steering wheel on Lada Vesta on your own
And for safety reasons, the steering wheel should be equipped with an airbag, which will protect the driver in a critical situation.
Matrix technology allows you to radically transform the steering wheel according to your preferences. If this method seems too complicated for you, then consider completely replacing this structural element. It is more expensive, but the result is 100% guaranteed.
Hatch installation
Installing a sunroof is not as popular now as it was a few years ago. It must be remembered that at that time the first foreign cars with them were just beginning to spread in the country; drivers at that time were ready to try all the ways to get coolness in the cabin. Today, air conditioners are installed for this purpose, but the hatch remains an attractive detail. Moreover, its installation is carried out without outside help, which captivates young people.
You just need to immediately limit their choice. To properly carry out all the necessary work, you will need a kit from a major manufacturer. It will be fully prepared for installation and will not require additional parts, so you should not mess with amateurs.
Dashboard
An excellent solution for updating this element of the interior is to install additional LED lighting. This task can be done by anyone who has in their garage: a set of screwdrivers;
- Screwdriver Set;
- soldering tool;
- pliers;
- flux and solder.
VAZ dashboard after tuning
After dismantling the plastic panel, you need to find the lighting elements installed at the factory and unscrew them. Next, the wires of the LED strip are soldered to the sockets, which is fixed in a given position.
Having completed the installation of all elements, it is necessary to check their functionality, and having received a positive result, install the dashboard in place. The entire procedure described is absolutely not complicated, but it requires observing the polarity of the contacts when soldering the wires.
Homemade welding from a microwave transformer for the garage
This is one of the most suitable transformers for conversion into a welding machine. The primary winding in it is standard, only the secondary is altered. Moreover, the wire can be used thinner than in the video offered to you, but preferably with a cross-section of 8 - 10 mm:
The number of turns simply increases. Transformers from low-power microwave ovens produce welds with a power of 0.5 kW, a current of about 250A and an output voltage of about 2V. They are capable of welding 2 sheets of steel with a thickness of 1-1.5 mm.
Hood tuning
Modification of the mentioned body element will provide the car with a stylish and recognizable appearance. Today, to improve the appearance of the hood, you can use several original and effective methods that are available, both financially and in terms of the necessary skills.
Covering the hood with carbon film, example
These include:
- deflector installation;
- installation of tuning “gills”;
- covering the surface with vinyl film.
Improved seats
Complete replacement of car seats with modern and comfortable analogues is a radical but effective method of transforming the interior. But it involves significant financial costs. In addition, you must remember that you need to buy new seats with runners that guarantee the ability to adjust the distance between the seat and the dashboard.
Custom made car seat covers for Mitsubishi
Significantly less money will be required to purchase high-quality eco-leather covers that will hide worn upholstery. In this case, it is easy to choose a design and color scheme, but it is worth purchasing not universal, but model products that are created according to the patterns of specific car seats.
It is unlikely that you will be able to carry out other modifications to the interior yourself. Otherwise, such improvements should be made under the supervision of a specialist who can give sound advice.
Changing the body
Body transformations are of most interest to young people. They want to surprise everyone, so they are willing to spend months studying complex circuits and mechanical principles. Although there are simple actions limited only by monetary costs. Which of them are available in the modern world?
• Airbrush and stickers; • Replacement of disks; • Installation of hatch; • Installation of xenon.
The list can be continued, since auto parts manufacturers do not limit buyers at all. They have tried to simplify any replacement so that professional skills are not required to complete the work. Due to this, motorists often cope with the necessary actions on their own. It is worth describing the main features in detail to help a person choose them.
