Common Myths about Modding

[nokiauser]

Just thought I should add this to go over some myths about "modding" because I see a lot of ignorant types around here who are openly blabbing fear mongering statements when they should be going here instead and edumacating themselves first.


Suspension:
1. Lowering springs will turn your car into a snow plow: This stupid blanket statement is the same as saying drinking water will cause you to drown.

2. Lowering springs will blow out your shocks: OEM spring swill blow out your shocks also. Depending on the drop and quality of the springs and your driving style, your shocks will either incur similar wear as OEM springs or more.

3. Coilovers rust easy in winter salt: From what I've read, only the Megan Racing coilovers have been known to do that. Please feel free to chime in about other products. Joe from ACI said that the BCBR (sic) ones have been rust proofed thoroughly and that is what I'm looking to get down the road.

4. Adding a rear anti-sway bar will make your car handle like RWD: A rear anti-sway bar will do just what the name says - restricts the amount of body roll in the rear. There's a reason cars with multi-link rear suspension all come with anti sway bars from factory. If you want RWD handling, get a RWD car.


Intake:
1. Adding a cold air intake setup will void factory warranty: Theoretically speaking, dealerships could make the lamest excuses to void factory warranty such as "oh your tires are not the same size as the stocks" or "your tire pressure is off". So while it is possible that a jackass dealer would try to void your warranty, most of us here know that if they voided anything, it would be just the intake which consists of a few plastic boxes. Put those boxes together before you stop in to the dealership to file a warranty claim.


Exhaust:
1. Aftermarket axle-backs will make your car go faster: The only reason I can think of behind aftermarket axle-backs (also commonly known as "mufflers") making me go faster was that I wanted to hear the deeper tones from the RRE Magnaflow at higher RPMs. If it does increase performance, it will be about 1HP gain.


Feel free to add to this thread if you've heard any other random crap about cars and modding.

[pat_08GT_Spyder]

i dont necessarily agree with most of what you wrote here, but it's a good starting point for discussion anyway...

[fox_brand]

here's a few myths that I've been hearing from jackass mechanics by where I live

anything aftermarket will never last as long as OEM parts and aren't as reliable:
BS, most OEM replacement parts (at least for my car) are either Chinese made (radiator) or absurdly expensive stealership parts ($36 for a glove box latch, $50 for a front sway bar link, $48 each for the center caps for my wheels...), I already have been through 1 'OE' replacement radiator (my american made A/C condersor that is slightly bowed in didn't like the chinese made radiator and proptly killed it), aftermarket parts are much better as they are upgrades of the original parts, there lifespan varies according to the part, but this is a blanket statement, an aftermarket FPR or fuel pump may have an equal or greater life than the OE parts

from a different jackass mechanic, his exact words
'because you have an aftermarket intake and it wasn't installed by a professional, there is a small oil leak that is dripping onto the crankshaft position sensor causing it to go bad':
HOW?! I quite literally had to step outside when he said this and shout this and then go back inside, the intake pipe amd CPS are, well seperated by most of the engine, I also want to point out that the manager of the shop was there talking to me about getting a tune up, the mechanic chimed this in and then got the death stare by the manager, I haven't been back to that shop since. I don't hold anything against the manager, great guy and I had my rear brakes (rotors, carbon ceramic pads) along with other aftermarket stuff done there, but when somebody first says I did something wrong and then calls me incompotenet, you have another thing coming

coil overs will bend the chassis:
unless they are solid steel instead of the normal shock/spring combo or have absurdly stiff spings, I disagree

[MFTK]

but i have dual axle back exhuast!!!.. lol
good write up i agree

[nokiauser]

The point of this thread is to minimize incorrect statements.
BAD: Lowering springs will cause your bumper to hit the curb.
CORRECT: Eibach ProKit lowering springs will still allow our bumpers to clear curbs easily.

Best way to proceed if you don't know is to ask a question instead of blasting your "opinion" and flailing it around as the truth.

[OrangeDemon]

Nokia I dont agree with this either, I think you should have done more research. You say you made this thread to "debunk common myths" Which essentially are people opinions about products. So you debunk them with your own opinions. Your contradicting and being a hypocrite in the same thread. Obviously ANY lowering spring will make it harder to get around. To say the eibach prokit will allow you to clear curbs easily is a complete bull shit opinion. I'm not even lowered and i have a hard to time getting around b/c of my body kit. If i were you i would delete this post. It just makes you look like a "know it all" ass who really just wants their opinion to be heard. Yet again, that's just my Opinion.

The only thing I agree with is dealerships voiding warrantys for ridiculous reasons. Other than that I say let people do their own research.

[nokiauser]

Right on. Body kits add a whole new dimension to factor because the kits are designed to make your car lower to the ground if you're stock.

[pat_08GT_Spyder]

Originally Posted by OrangeDemon

Nokia I dont agree with this either, I think you should have done more research. You say you made this thread to "debunk common myths" Which essentially are people opinions about products. So you debunk them with your own opinions. Your contradicting and being a hypocrite in the same thread. Obviously ANY lowering spring will make it harder to get around. To say the eibach prokit will allow you to clear curbs easily is a complete bull shit opinion. I'm not even lowered and i have a hard to time getting around b/c of my body kit. If i were you i would delete this post. It just makes you look like a "know it all" ass who really just wants their opinion to be heard. Yet again, that's just my Opinion.

The only thing I agree with is dealerships voiding warrantys for ridiculous reasons. Other than that I say let people do their own research.

this is essentially what i was trying to say, but i couldnt find the right words... you sir just did it for me... :beer:

[pat_08GT_Spyder]

Originally Posted by nokiauser

Right on. Body kits add a whole new dimension to factor because the kits are designed to make your car lower to the ground if you're stock.

and lowering my car 2" will make it that much harder to go around town with 4", 6", or 8" of snow in the winter... with or without a body kit... and it WILL put more stress on the stock struts...

[OrangeDemon]

I mean no disrespect nokia, ive jsut found on this forum its best to state facts, and let the user do the research. that way things dont come back on you. Like sound systems, which is the best.... what should i buy.....etc..... I direct them to my sticky thread so they can educate themselves and make their own decision. the last thing you want is an angry noob bitching you out cause you said if he put the prokit on he could easily get over a curb and ends up ripping his bumper off.

[nokiauser]

@OD: Stating facts was reason behind this thread. If you're not sure, then "ask questions" as I said a few posts above. I've had it with negative comments about parts that people haven't seen or tried it out. You see all those remarks and then people shy away from these great aftermarket parts. For all the good things people say about a product, one bad comment and that thing is "shit". As for the body kit question, if someone says "I have a bodykit and will these springs [insert name] scrape the curb?" then the answer will be different.

Example: While corrective lenses will make you see things clearer, common sense would dictate that a person who is blind will not be able to make use of the corrective lenses. Springs are designed on stock settings unless specified otherwise. But you're right in the fact that my previous example didn't put in the disclaimer of bodykits.

@pat: I've driven 2 winters with 4+ inches of snow on Eibach ProKits. 1 winter with 17" OEM and this past one with my 18"s. Also I drove one winter with the stock suspension and from my experience, the OEM springs didn't make the 4G any better on snow. Fact is, if your tires are crap, you will get stuck which I did. Unless you live in the boonies where no plow goes through, there is nothing wrong with the Eibachs.

[pat_08GT_Spyder]

haha, i dont live in the boonies, but lets just say that sometimes snow comes down quicker than the snow plows can clear it !
i've had trouble with my truck in the city, let alone the Eclipse... but yes, if the roads are somewhat clear, then clearance is not an issue..

[Boomko]

Originally Posted by OrangeDemon

Nokia I dont agree with this either, I think you should have done more research. You say you made this thread to "debunk common myths" Which essentially are people opinions about products. So you debunk them with your own opinions. Your contradicting and being a hypocrite in the same thread. Obviously ANY lowering spring will make it harder to get around. To say the eibach prokit will allow you to clear curbs easily is a complete bull shit opinion. I'm not even lowered and i have a hard to time getting around b/c of my body kit. If i were you i would delete this post. It just makes you look like a "know it all" ass who really just wants their opinion to be heard. Yet again, that's just my Opinion.

The only thing I agree with is dealerships voiding warrantys for ridiculous reasons. Other than that I say let people do their own research.

Totally agree on this and this is the reason why I'm still not lowered. I hate that gap but in Chicagoland it is hard to get around like it is. My fangs are all scratched. I have oem ground kit and even minimum lowering wold make my life even more miserable. so maybe coil overs in the future so I can adjust for winter or summer....

[nokiauser]

^ You should check out Minnesota in winter sometime.

[Boomko]

I bet it's even worst....

[nokiauser]

Very much so. I tell you. I was scared of this "lowering" business because I saw many people writing about the "snow plow" effect.

Until I noticed the VW Golf/GTI and Minis and BMWs all come stock with 1-2 finger gap.