Everyone always talks about how great the mods on their car are. While I agree that most are great, some are just downright awful.

In an effort to some REAL talk on what mods/companies work well and ones the don't, post your worst modification (or modifications) that you have put on your Fit or previous cars.

I'll start...

Worst mod: Ksport Coilovers
Vehicle: 1988 Civic Wagovan
Why: As stiff as not having suspension at all

When i bought my Wagovan, the previous owner had Ksport Coilovers installed. I wanted the wagon so bad, I didn't care. The ride was unbearable to the point where i didn't want to drive it. Bought skunk2 springs and KYB GR2 shocks and sold the Ksports. So much better.

 

well, I wish I could find some shocks (not super stiff) for my 87 awd wagovan, but nobody made nothing for it (and it's rear solid beam so normal civic stuff don't fit). I'll try to mess up with the sway bars next spring.

Other than that, I don't regret any mods, however I got some fitting issues with an aftermarket downpipe and intercooler on my mr2 turbo. If I left these stock it would have saved me some headhatches.
I also started to strip the interior of the mr2 (can be put back but it won't fit as great and it's long), it's not worth it.

The shocks are super stiff (way too much for the road I have here) but since it's more a track car than a road car (and it was already like that when I bought it) I don't regret.

 

i'm not sure if you should be counting modifications from previous owners on used cars. there's no way to really know what the parts have been through before they landed in your hands.

edit: nm i read that wrong. i thought you were saying the suspension was too bouncy (as opposed to static), so i thought the suspension might've already been shot by the time you had it, my bad

 

All good doctordoom.

Trust me...I did my best to hang with the Ksports. People were all shouting the praises of these, and I was like "is there something wrong with me?" I even went so far as to order new Eibach ERS rear springs in a softer rate from Ground Conrol...didn't help. The dampening was way too stiff for me. The guy I sold them too didn't have any complaints. To each his/her own. I must be getting old. =)

 

Electric "superchargers"

Tried two different types to settle a bet on two of my cars, a 305ci V8 (5.0L Monza) and a 1.5l 4cyl. Not scientific by any means but I could see my intake vacuum was still high at full throttle... which indicates a huge flow restriction that did not exist before install or after removal.

I even tried to use a gas leaf blower. This however was powerful enough to stall the engine at idle but couldn't keep up even with a sohc 1.5l mitsu sirius engine.

Fuel line magnets were another pointless mod. Didn't change anything perceptable in a datalog.

 

It's not only a question of comfort. With a too stiff suspension you feel bad for the car, and you cannot push unless the pavement is in perfect condition since instead of absorbing the crack/hole it will make the car bounce and eventually meet the tree 30 feets away from the road.

I have much more fun abusing the toyota echo hatchback we have at my work (delivery in town) than my mr2 (in town), I can rev up the engine and drive like an ass without caring about anything or going too fast too quickly.

 

HID's. worst mod ever

 

solbrothers - really?
BTW - I was born and raised in Vallejo. Vallejo Apache's!!! WooT!

 

vallejo apaches, go fight win!

yeah, they dont do much without a retrofit, and the blind ALL the other people on the road

 

What is this retrofit that you speak off sir....I just bought some dam hid's

 

The Retrofit Source online: headlight upgrades for all applications

Here ya go.

 

^yeah that pretty much.

 

Titanium or aluminum shift knobs.
Too cold for winter, too hot for summer. Cool-looking, but no thanks.

They seem to be built under the assumption that you'll always wear gloves before driving. I only do that when it gets chilly inside, and I'm pretty much an exception - almost everybody in Manila drives bare-handed.

 

Fart cans.. I hear some terrible exhausts at my school.. almost like it's dying or actually passing gas..

 

Most exhaust mods not on a V8. The low 100's hp car isn't any faster, and is now annoying everybody in the neighborhood with the sound of loud automotive flatulence.

That said, there are instances where a properly made exhaust will make a small car sound good.

 

 

Diamond nailed mine, electronic super chargers. Basic CFM calc will show you they're no bueno, and a waste of money.

other than that, low impedance ground wires. suckers.

 

Everytime I see a set of "euro" or "crystal" tail lights I want to deploy the airbag and temporarily blind myself.

I actually said to a guy at a gas station once... "Did you really think that those $200 tail lights were a good starting place for modifying your Cavalier?" But he claimed they were on there when he bought the car.

 

Some cars like the Aveo had those Altezza-style lights as OEM. Blech.

 

i can't stand those stupid stick-on fender vents.