If you’ve been around automotive magazines, blogs, and vlogs long enough, you’ve heard about crate engines. But if you’re like me and haven’t spent a lot of time in a garage, you might have questions about what that term means. In my case, the pronoun “Krait” has been subconsciously associated with a spaceship marque in […]
Category: Aftermarket
PowerStop Versus DFC: Who’s the Aftermarket Brake Boss?
The stock brake pads that come on most vehicles are thoroughly tested to ensure reliable, consistent stopping power. They’re often relatively quiet, produce little dust, and are designed to make the braking process feel as smooth as possible. These are all great qualities when it comes to a daily driver, but once you start adding […]
How to Armor Your Truck for Adventure
When you are building a vehicle to take off-road, there are many aspects to consider. Big all-terrain tires and a suspension lift are two of the most important features, and are usually the first thing any adventurer adds to their truck. However, one of the most important upgrades is armor. From skid plates and rock […]
Do BMW OEM Parts Make a Difference?
Picture this: you’re going about your day, running errands around town in your BMW 3 Series, and something goes wrong. It could be a distressing noise, a strange smell, or an illuminated dashboard light, but no matter the issue, it’s a sign to head to your trusted mechanic or a BMW store. This can be […]
Spare Parts For Less: Are Aftermarket Parts Worth It?
If you’re looking to customize your vehicle, increase performance, or save a little money on your next repair, aftermarket parts are worth a closer look. While they often get second-billing to original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts, aftermarket components are normally just as reliable while carrying a much lower price tag. That said, not all aftermarket […]
Rubber Match: Comparing Summer and All-Season Tires
A dedicated set of summer tires can have a noticeable effect on overall vehicle performance, control, and comfort. Summer tires—also commonly known as performance tires—might not be as versatile as the all-season tires typically found on most vehicles, but if you’re looking to unlock the potential of your sports car, performance vehicle, or EV, they’ll […]
Tidying Up: The Pros and Cons of Motorcycle Tail Tidies
Whether you’re cruising cross-country on the back of a classic touring bike, carving through hairpin turns on a sport bike, or tackling both on and off-road routes on an adventure bike, customization is a key part of motorcycle culture. From custom gauges and crash bobbins to heated grips, aftermarket indicators, and performance tires, there are […]
Track Tires, Compared: What’s Right For You?
Breathe in. Breathe out. Your fingers flex around the wheel. Your feet twitch on the pedals. Your eyes dart between the track ahead, and the signal holding you back. The light changes, and in the blink of an eye you spring into action! Your foot slams the accelerator, tires scream as they spin, and spin, […]
Four-Wheel Footage: Tips on Installing a Dash Cam
In a world where social media has crept into nearly every facet of daily life, video is king. From viral TikTok dances and Instagram reels to YouTube personalities and Twitch streamers, life is increasingly being served to us at 30 frames per second. This phenomenon has even crept into the automotive world, where onboard video […]
Aftermarket Seat Covers Offer Style, Protection, and More
When it comes to customizing a vehicle, drivers take all sorts of different approaches. Some start with performance-minded upgrades: swapping out stock tires, mufflers, and air intakes for new-and-improved components that add vital power and control. Others focus more on the exterior, giving their vehicle a splashy new paint job or window tint that is […]
Selling Your Modified Car – An Easy Guide
It’s always a bittersweet moment once you’ve decided to sell your car. You’ve put a lot of love and time into it, but it’s time to move on to something new––hopefully something bigger and better! If you’ve got a modified car, you might be wondering what to do with it. You’ve probably spent more time […]
Bed Liner Options for Your Used Chevy Truck
Chevy truck owners generally get a lot of use out of their vehicles—they are, after all, trucks. You don’t buy a Silverado or a Colorado so it can sit in your driveway and look pretty; you get a truck because you have work to do, trailers to tow, cargo to haul, and so on. A […]
The Dos and Don’ts of Race Harnesses
Installing a racing harness is one of the most important steps in the process of transforming your vehicle into a track-ready racer. Sure, they might not be as glamorous as slick racing tires, cold-air intakes, or coilover suspension, but racing harnesses do fulfill a vital role in improving the safety of any race worthy-vehicle and […]
Wheel Talk: Pros and Cons of Aftermarket Steering Wheels
When you’re looking to give your high-performance vehicle a little extra edge, there are plenty of options; from track tires and spoilers to racing seats, harnesses, and more, there is no shortage of aftermarket accessories catering to the would-be Formula One racer. While some are more about looking the part, others can have a real […]
Ready to Roll: Upgrading Your Convertible’s Rollover Protection
A convertible has a number of advantages over your run-of-the-mill sedan. From the wind in your hair to the feeling of the sun on your skin, few cars project that carefree, cruising lifestyle quite as well as the convertible. Unfortunately, the same feature that makes convertibles so fun to drive can also be a major […]
Comfort vs. Control: The Pros and Cons of Race Seats
When building a new track car, drivers typically start by upgrading some usual suspects. Stock brakes are switched out for high-performance pads and discs that can withstand higher temperatures, and the suspension–including new springs, dampers, and bushings–is swapped for a setup that prioritizes speed over comfort. Limited slip differentials, air filters, intercoolers, turbochargers, and superchargers […]
Which Turbocharger Is Right for You?
Turbochargers for engines are quite complicated but also surprisingly simple, with a vast array of different options available from many manufacturers. You’ll find some turbocharged engines coming straight from the factory, either to boost overall performance or to get decent performance from a small engine, while others are available as aftermarket options that you can […]
From the Comfort of Your Garage: 5 Must-Have Mods for Your 4Runner
The Toyota 4Runner is a staple in the off-road realm, renowned for its versatility and praised for being the last of its kind as a body-on-frame midsize SUV. All too often, the rugged looks of modern SUVs are nothing more than aesthetics, with their unibody frames limiting their prowess to the pavement. However, that’s not […]
An Introduction to Body Kits
When it comes to aftermarket changes and modifications you can make to your vehicle, you have a ton of different options available. Nothing is quite as dramatic, at least in terms of visual impact, as a body kit that alters the look of your ride. There are a huge number of body kits available, with […]
Maintaining Your Toyota’s Integrity: Genuine OEM vs Aftermarket Parts
Whether you need a Toyota collision center to upgrade your Corolla’s paint or for extensive repairs after your 4Runner was involved in a collision, you’ll quickly discover that not all collision centers are the same. One of the most significant factors differentiating these centers is the types of parts used to make the necessary repairs. […]
Prepping for Winter With Undercoating and Other Tips
For those in colder climates, winter weather can wreak havoc on a vehicle. Not only are there snow flurries and slick roads to deal with, but between frost heaves, sub-zero temperatures, and road salt taking its toll, you might start to wonder if your vehicle is going to make it until spring. Corrosion is one […]