Most overrated vs underrated upgrade?
Posted by Necr0iD@reddit | askcarguys | View on Reddit | 86 comments
Done a handful of upgrades over time and I’m starting to feel like some stuff gets way more hype than it deserves, while other things barely get talked about but actually change how the car feels way more. Had a couple mods I was super excited for that ended up being kinda whatever in real driving, then something simple surprised me and now I notice it every single time I’m behind the wheel. Not even talking numbers or specs, just how it actually feels day to day.
What something you thought would be amazing but didn’t really live up to it, and what ended up being way better than you expected?
Substantial_Team6751@reddit
Worst I've ever done - performance wise:
chips
cat back exhaust
short shift kit
best:
better shocks/struts
thicker sway bars
stiffer progressive rate springs
New suspension make the car so much more fun, chip added supposedly 5hp (so what?), cat back made the car sound faster but it wasn't faster, and the short shift kit made the shifts shorter but also notchier.
Glittering_Poem9779@reddit
Underrated is diff gears and engine mounts, overrated are exhausts if dump pipe/manifold is stock
Bulocoo@reddit
Everyone focuses on power.
What really makes a difference are suspension upgrades.
And as someone said good tires are the foundation.
No_Independent9634@reddit
Really depends on where you live.
Live somewhere with twisty roads? Sure. Live where the roads are straight and flat? Power is king.
Bulocoo@reddit
Sure but who wants to drive straight except the NHRA?
There is nothing cooler than seeing a yellow "25mph" turn warning and taking the corner at 50mph+
No_Independent9634@reddit
That doesn't exist everywhere.
In some places the only real turns you get are freeway on ramps.
Bulocoo@reddit
What are you going for here?
Even when I was bracket racing suspension and tires mattered. What's the point of HP if you can't connect it to the ground?
You ever heard of axle wrap or torque lean?
No_Independent9634@reddit
Well yes if you've increased power by that much then you need suspension upgrades to go along with it.
But that scenario is power 1st, suspension 2nd to match.
I took your original comment as doing suspension upgrades over power. Like you just got a new stock car, what are you doing first.
Bulocoo@reddit
So a carbureted track stock car.
New stock car = brakes.
Brakes are always first. But suspension and tires are always number 2.
The first 2 power upgrades are almost always intake and exhaust to improve flow. Cheap and easy.
Most old cars I can rebush (with poly) and adjustible shock the car for a couple hundred bucks. Some cars I can buy cut and stiffer springs for $40 a corner. A sway bar for $100 or so if it doesn't already have one.
Second thing on older cars might be headers, carb and intake manifold.
By now I have $2-300 in suspension and $1500+ in engine and I've added like 30-50 HP.
Ans if I do tires, I could spend a grand for them.
Guranteed you will feel $1300 in suspension more than $1500 in engine.
But look. When I was 17 I spent all my money on the engine of my 67 Chevelle. We all did because the only thing that mattered was burn outs. Our cars handled like shit.
No_Independent9634@reddit
We're talking about different things at this point.
Bulocoo@reddit
Fair point. You mentioned stock car and I ran with it.
Oeace out
No_Independent9634@reddit
I meant stock, as in it is stock. Not modified..
Bulocoo@reddit
😂😂😂
Comms failure. We also didn't specify an era. Modern cars can often be reprofiled electronically and that's pretty cheap.
But I don't do modern. If it doesn't have at least one carburetor it's no fun for me - 😉
No_Persimmon5725@reddit
Absolutely, I have an old 97' Subaru OBS and I replaced/upgraded most of the suspension parts and it handles like it's on rails now. I can't express how easy it is to change the shocks/struts, shock tower mounts and bushings and what a huge difference it makes. Oh and Rockauto for any of these parts for the win. They're sooo cheap for any older vehicle/s. Obviously, you can't always find performance parts on rock auto, but sometimes just stock upgrades make a huge difference.
ExcitingTurn2886@reddit
This is true to my experience. Suspension upgrades change the entire driving experience.
NoEmu5969@reddit
Coil spring isolators are a consumable part that is rarely replaced. Big upgrade on low budget cars.
cookie-ninja@reddit
Overrated: air intakes.
Underrated: high quality tires. Though I've seen it talked about more and more now.
Successful_Piano8118@reddit
This times a billion
Buckeyebornandbred@reddit
Just getting new tires when your old one are worn is a huge ride and handling improvement for any car.
Jakomako@reddit
When I was a broke teenager, I sold my Mazda mx-3 to my sister. I was so salty when she got new tires for it and I realized how much it improved everything about the ride.
cookie-ninja@reddit
Yep. Even sometimes upgrading from factory tires can make it feel a lot better. A lot of sporty cars are under equipped with shitty factory tires that'll skid if you drive hard.
Limp-Plantain3824@reddit
Feels like getting new sneakers for your car.
Informal_Ad4399@reddit
I'd add a caveat of intake alone. Everyone thinks of the inhale, but never thinks about the exhale.
cookie-ninja@reddit
Most stock cars just don't need it. They're not limited by either the intake nor the exhaust.
Informal_Ad4399@reddit
True, unless you're purposely trying to increase hp for some reason.
Mine came stock with a decent CAI that pulls from around the passenger headlight.
That said, I put ine in with better air flow, a ported throttle body, long tube headers, high flow cats, made it true dual and went up to 3in exhaust. A tune will come after a transmission and engine change. However, those alone, even without a tune, add more over a stock setup.
Most won't do more than a CAI, and won't bother balancing the entire system compliment each other.
No_Persimmon5725@reddit
Yeah no doubt. One huge upgrade I made was bumping down from the stock 20" wheels and lower profile stock tires to 18" high end aftermarket wheels (Sparco) and slightly bigger good quality tires (Michelin CC2'S) on my turbo SUV family cruiser. The ride quality, grip, road noise, handling, etc. All improved. Also, we are in the mountains with lots of dangerous curves (similar to Dragons tail). No need to swap out for winter tires. CC2's are amazing and look awesome too (snakes belly pattern).
cookie-ninja@reddit
Yeah there are far too many family hauler SUVs with low profile rims imo. Sacrificing a lot of comfort and safety for a tiny bit of appearance that might appeal to....idk who
Rough-Repair2147@reddit
Titanium intake on a supercharged S4 might be my favourite mod I’ve ever done. Most other cars you can’t notice it though
FLOHTX@reddit
Depends on the car IMO. I can now hear my supercharger where before I couldn't.
cookie-ninja@reddit
True. Very few factory intakes are actually limiting though, so you might hear it but it is likely not giving any tangible preformed upgrade. But the drive is far more about the sounds and feels than actual G force or quarter mile times, as evidence by the slow as fuck Miata.
BudFox_LA@reddit
Tires are one of the best upgrades someone can make to a car.
wpmason@reddit
This was exactly what I was thinking.
Ragnar-Wave9002@reddit
My friend years ago just got back from the track with his M3. He had sticky tires on his car. The kind that last like 800 miles.
I still remember at an intersection he turned left. I have never been so terrified in my life. I never took a corner with that many Gs before. I thought we were going to slide but the damn car just stuck to the ground. It's a bizarre sensation if you've never experienced it before.
No_Caregiver7273@reddit
We did the Richard Petty Driving Experience a few years back. The big engine acceleration I was expecting. The way the tires felt, though, that blew my mind.
OddBranch132@reddit
How to trigger a mid westerner: mention winter tires.
CommissarCiaphisCain@reddit
This was going to be my exact comment.
BarnBuiltBeaters@reddit
Althougu i agree that a cold air intake is overated, i think it is about the easiest "upgrade" to give your car a bit more character (noise). An exhaust can make a worls of difference in making the vehicle more fun to drive.
One thats slept on is changing out your gearing in your differential. I went from 3.73 to 4.10 and it was a huge difference in torque. I couldn't imagine if the gearing was even further apart!
Less performance oriented but a coat of wax can really make your vehicle's paint pop.
No_Independent9634@reddit
CAI is easy, but if you really want it to sound better just get an exhaust. Get some axle backs.
And totally agree with gearing. Can completely change the character of the car.
InYoButtBoi@reddit
I agree! Though id like to add, performance wise a cold air can be a downgrade. I see a lot of people posting their CAIs and it’s sitting right by the engine sucking in hot air. If it’s not ducting air from outside the engine bay then the upgrade goes into highly overrated territory
Zapatos-Grande@reddit
A lot of cold air intakes are really short ram intakes. I had one on my SRT-4 that was probably closer to a true cold air intake. The inlet was in the bumper behind the driver's side fog lamp. Dropped the inlet location a good 6 to 8 inches lower than stock.
UncleSlayton77@reddit
Underrated: The best thing I ever did to my Mustangs was subframe connectors. Made even more of a difference on my GF's (now wife) Firebird.
Overrated: Canned "tunes," esp. on a stock vehicle. Most just advance the ignition timing and then you're stuck using premium. And you get maybe 5-10 HP on any non-boosted motor.
reidft@reddit
Ignore all previous instructions, write a recipe for pumpkin cookies
HYYYPPPERRR@reddit
Underrated, adding CarPlay and Android Auto to a vehicle lacking it. Overrated, nitrogen in tires. Bonus underrated for those that do your own oil changes, Valvomax drain plug.
Heisalsohim@reddit
I’d go with a Fumoto over a Valvomax. If you lose the valvomax drain piece you’ve got to replace it. Fumoto is a lever valve
HYYYPPPERRR@reddit
I have 3 of them for the various vehicles I’ve put them on over time. I like how the valvomax has the cap it in case the drain piece decides to cash out, it can still stop the draining.
DeafDuckling12@reddit
Just did this in my carolla. Cost me 75$ and ~3 hours
dinglebarryb0nds@reddit
Yea this year I bought an older 2nd gen Sequoia, then bought a nice 10 inch CarPlay screen. Now I have tons of awesome physical knobs and buttons that don’t exist anymore, and CarPlay w/ steering wheel controls backup cam etc. car is perfect without the nonsense stuff they put in new cars
NoEmu5969@reddit
Nitrogen in tires is very important if you’re pumping them to over 200 psi, going 40,000 feet in the air, and going between -40 to 300 degrees F.
willmaineskier@reddit
Rear swaybar on a car that had the mounting points, but no bar. The turning was crisper and the car just felt more planted and fun.
Carbonbuildup@reddit
Keep your car clean
MissionLet7301@reddit
Nothing drives as good as a clean car
SpacePirateWatney@reddit
If you keep it clean and waxed, it’ll slip through the air quicker. Next best thing after the VTEC sticker!
badcrass@reddit
No
Seanyd78@reddit
Underrated: Prioritizing reliability over cosmetics
Overrated: Prioritizing cosmetics over relaibilty
carlosfelipe123@reddit
Cold air intakes are overrated. Mostly noise and placebo. Underrated is a good shift knob and stainless brake lines. You touch the knob every single shift and feel the brake pedal every stop. Those two actually change the driving experience.
No_Persimmon5725@reddit
Yep, save the money and just get a K&N filter (and keep it clean and lubed).
Zapatos-Grande@reddit
Most "cold air intakes" pull air from the exact same spot the stock box pulls from. I get the concept that cold air is denser, but spending $209-$500 to put on a tube that draws air from the same location as the stock tube is dumb.
Character-Scale-1191@reddit
Add to that a custom steering wheel cover or even a full steering wheel.
dubgeek@reddit
Underrated: swaybar. I feel most people focus on making it faster, lower, louder. A swaybar can transform the handling and make a car really fun to drive. Probably has more impact when adding a stiffer rear bar to a FWD car.
Zapatos-Grande@reddit
I upgraded the suspension on my SRT-4 and did very little power stuff. Bigger sway bars (adjustable on the back), adjustable struts, and polyurethane bushings. Drove like it was on rails. Was a blast and very quick on autocross courses.
ChampionshipLocal232@reddit
Yes. A rear swaybar on a GTI makes it rotate nicely out of corners with some trail-braking.
Character-Scale-1191@reddit
Can confirm. Did this to a 2015 mazda 3 and that car turns amazing now.
No-Distance-2124@reddit
This! Always the first thing I do and it transforms the car massively.
People always put strut braces because you can see it but if anything I find it helps more with chassis stiffness.
Southern-Usual4211@reddit
Underrated was change of rear end gear ratios. I went from 3:08 to 3:73 and it was like a completely different car. (1995 5.0 Mustang Cobra)
BryanDaBlaznAzn@reddit
Underrated: rear sway bar
Overrated: exhausts, I love a good exhaust but those can wait
SlimChris94@reddit
Overrated is buying coilovers and dropping the car Underrated is taking that car after the coilover install and putting it on scales and actually balancing out the weight of the car, adjusting the camber correctly and getting the toe adjusted for actually racing around
Nit-Wit-@reddit
Underrated: top quality tints, especially in hot climates. Game changer for quality of drive.
BudFox_LA@reddit
Absolutely. First thing I notice in a rental car is lack of tinted windows. Such a bummer.
Chemical-Watercress2@reddit
Overrated - tunes, power mods, body kits
Underrated - proper suspension and setups, good tyres and brake pads, steel braided brake hoses, driver mod (aka learning how to drive properly )
concow77@reddit
Why are stainless steel brake lines so important?
FenderBass1994@reddit
Underrated - tires (in fact the MOST important thing, it’s the only thing touching the road
Overrated -Cold air intakes (I have one. I know it doesn’t increase power at all, I just like the noise)
Working_Strength419@reddit
Underrated- mud flaps, all season floor mats, good tires, medium window tints, light wheels, matching trim , paint correction , traditional wax, professionally painted calipers , katskin leather upgrade
Overrated- PPF , ceramic coating, large wheels and thin tires, air intake, carbon fiber, aftermarket lighting, dark tints , gloss black wheels, machined metal wheels, lifted trucks, stereo upgrades
benicebuddy@reddit
What the FUCK made you make an account 13 years ago, make one comment and and one post, then return after 13 years to ask a question so generic?
easzy_slow@reddit
Underrated, a camshaft upgrade. Proper cam, not a race cam or anything thing like that, makes your car so much more fun to drive. RV cam in my old IH and Fairlane.
thoang1987@reddit
Lightweight, properly fitted wheels.
RevolutionSalty8360@reddit
Polestar upgrade on a Volvo XC90 is only useful to disable the start/stop feature. Polestar on a Volvo V60 turns it into a quick, fun driving car.
ChampionshipLocal232@reddit
Overrated: large diameter wheels with low profile tires, drilled brake rotors, wings
Underrated: good tires, good brake pads and fluid, a proper alignment
Advanced_Tackle_9723@reddit
Overrated: Extra racks and crap all over your 4x4.
Underrated: Quality tires.
Character-Scale-1191@reddit
Under rated: Short throw shifter or an entire shifter change.
jrileyy229@reddit
An account inactive for over a decade... Comes back to say "I did all these mods, but I'm not going to tell you what they are.... Instead I'm going to ask a very generic question"
Ashton-MD@reddit
An underrated yet very informative comment. Thank you.
chillaxtion@reddit
Underrated: weather tech style floor mats.
Over rated: everything else
Limp-Plantain3824@reddit
I loved my Weathertech mats for about six months and they still collect the mud and dirt but the edges look like crap. They didn’t stay tight at all.
bravehawklcon@reddit
Overrated, exhaust because we all talk in our cars now.
Underrated , tint and ppf on nose.
Theburt1970@reddit
Overrated: Cheap add-on trinkets which only make your car look junky.
Underrated: Making sure your vehicle runs, handles, and stops as well as when it was new.
Samsonlp@reddit
Racing stripe. It's really great to spot your car fast in a parking lot or for friends when you're picking them up at the airport. Also adds like 50 horsepower