11 Best mods for any car/wagon

After writing a post about what suspension I was adding to my OCC,Nick made the comment about it being to much for the ride. This got me thinking about mods in general. Everyones taste is different. A lot of you on here seem to prefer the stock look and feel and thats ok. I fall into the category that feels everything could use a little tweaking. Just enough to make it your own. Popular Hot Rodding,June 2013 had an article called "11 best mods for any car." All these mods are ones that dont touch the engine,but still give you the best feel for the buck. I will list them below and see what you guys think.A lot of these we do automatically...Here we go:Quicker steering,Disc brakes,Bushings,Wider tires,Sub frame connectors,Seats and belts,Springs and shocks,Sway bars,WHEELS!!!!(My favorite) Overdrive swap.

What do you guys think? Did they miss any? Of course not all of these apply to us.

I think I would add,rear gears. Going from 2:73 to 4:11 is a wake up call!

A "must do" mod for our wagons is window tint!The farther south the wagon,the faster the tint goes on!

True...Its my next mod.

My tint has been on for almost 10 years and is looking rough in spots.Because of all the competition in my area the price has gone down a little.May go a little darker this time.

I'd give a big second yes to sway bars. When I put a rear sway bar in the back of the wagon...probably the most noticeable change to the way it handled and drove.

Roadmaster seats in a Caprice. Best thing you can do

Yeah...I always seem to do swaybars / better shocks / some kind of cold air intake / Exhaust / wheels / tint / rear gears and posi....and then if I keep the car long enough (like I have with Jade) I start getting weird with it. Lol

I just recently got done swapping the Metric 200 3-spd in the '82 Z28 for a rebuilt 700R4. We swapped the 2.73 stock rear axle for a 3.23 rear at the same time. MAN what a difference. More low-end and a LOT more top-end!

81X11 wrote:

I just recently got done swapping the Metric 200 3-spd in the '82 Z28 for a rebuilt 700R4.

Out of curiosity, why the 700r4 and not a 200r4?

steel-and-fire wrote:

81X11 wrote:

I just recently got done swapping the Metric 200 3-spd in the '82 Z28 for a rebuilt 700R4.

Out of curiosity, why the 700r4 and not a 200r4?

The 700R4 was basically a bolt-in, since it's what GM replaced the 3-spd with in the V8 F-body Camaro/Firebird in '83 and on. Got it from a 91 Camaro RS that a local friend is swapping to an LS/4L60E. The 700R4 had less that 3K miles on it, a new converter and Vette servo mod. Being a stock part, the shorter driveshaft, torque arm, trans mount, shifter/cable and such were easy to source from the local junkyards. From 83 to 92, it's all the same stuff...only '82 was the oddball year.

The hardest part of the entire job was swapping the electronic speedo output for a gear-driven one, since the '91 was electric and the '82 uses a cable.

Great mod! Even better than swapping the old 305 for the 350. The trans and rear totally transformed the car.

-Mike

My favorite mods (LS/T56 notwithstanding) I've done to my wagon are as follows, and in no particular order:

1. 20% front 15% rear window tint
2. Bonneville seats
3. Blazer center console
4. Monroe Severe Service shocks (even before I lowered it, big time difference in handling)
5. Lowering springs


Maybe.

I don't know.

I've done a bunch to this thing, haha

jayoldschool wrote:

Roadmaster seats in a Caprice.  Best thing you can do

I second that, only with Roadmaster cloth seats. I believe Jason is a leather man.

Tom

Tom knows me well, I do like the leather. My beach passengers have told me that they don't like sticking to the leather in the beach cars, so I may leave cloth in the new project. Or, a leather driver's seat for me... I've got a full set of both to chose from.

Since scoring a set of the elusive red Bonnes,they have made the short list for future mods.

Flasheroo wrote:

A "must do" mod for our wagons is window tint!The farther south the wagon,the faster the tint goes on!

I'd totally agree on that one, even up north. They just look so different with the tint.

My two favorites outside of increasing HP are lowering, and anti-roll bars. Another interesting mod I like, is flash to pass. It is really easy to do, and cheap. Swapping in an aftermarket steering wheel gives the car a different personality, especially for the driver. Depending on the wheel, it can feel sporty, old school, and classy (the horn buttons work better too). On the subject of horns, the addition of a set of RMS or FW right side horns adds a lot of volume, and I think airhorns add an annoying note as well. Mine will almost wake the dead, which is necessary at some stop lights. It is easy to wire in, and if done right, you can not tell it is a mod (airhorns excepted). Putting headers and duals on the engine (LO3/5) really wakes them up as well as gearing.

The best 11 mods are whatever the present owner of the car wants to do,..
The next owner oft times has a totally different 11,.

I've certainly seen some mods that aren't on my best 11

phantom 309 wrote:

The best 11 mods are whatever the present owner of the car wants to do,..
The next owner oft times has a totally different 11,.

I've certainly seen some mods that aren't on my best 11

You must be talking about sidepipes...Because I dont think towtrucks or rollbacks for new purchases count as a mod.

Isn't the #1 Mod always finding the right wheels?  Then finding different wheels to meet your mood.
Biggest change in outward appearance, can impact performance, and can be done on any budget regardless of what needs/direction the rest of the car is taking.

I don't know if I can list a universal eleven, since everyone's taste and goals are different: Drag-strip or Autocross, Family Vacation or Cars & Coffee, Juried car show or Rat-rod, DD.

Where my ride is at, it is hard to tell the difference between mod and maintenance; anything that needs fixing can be improved at the same time, everything else waits.

For whimsy, I also like the foghorns-4 as simple. inexpensive, and fun.

No one said audio? I'm not talking way over the top stuff, but a decent sounding system at least. It's gotta sound good with the windows down too.

stewzer55 wrote:

No one said audio?  I'm not talking way over the top stuff, but a decent sounding system at least. It's gotta sound good with the windows down too.

My car is loud enough that anything that will produce enough volume to hear it over the exhaust is good.

Fred Kiehl wrote:

My two favorites outside of increasing HP are lowering, and anti-roll bars. Another interesting mod I like, is flash to pass. It is really easy to do, and cheap. Swapping in an aftermarket steering wheel gives the car a different personality, especially for the driver. Depending on the wheel, it can feel sporty, old school, and classy (the horn buttons work better too). On the subject of horns, the addition of a set of RMS or FW right side horns adds a lot of volume, and I think airhorns add an annoying note as well. Mine will almost wake the dead, which is necessary at some stop lights. It is easy to wire in, and if done right, you can not tell it is a mod (airhorns excepted). Putting headers and duals on the engine (LO3/5) really wakes them up as well as gearing.

Im sorry but what is "flash to pass"?

Cancel that! I did a quick search and it is exactly what it sounded like.

I really need to do header and full exhaust for my wagon. I need just a little more umph when traveling. Fully loaded with 7 people and gear to boot is no fun going through the mountains.....and brakes...much better brakes! For the same reason.

#1 T56 with Console
#2 Grears
#3 Wheels
#4 Bonnie seats
#5 Rear sway bar
#6 Painted grille - remove hood ornament
#7 More lower with rear air bag
#8 Tint
#9 Cam & Heads - 3.5" MAF
#10 Cold air intake

Windows And Wheels. Getting it closer to the ground doesn't hurt either. That really changes the look of the car quick.

Andy,may you burn your lips on sidepipes.


XXX
Dave

lakeffect wrote:

Andy, may you burn your lips on sidepipes.

Something I said?

Andebe wrote:

lakeffect wrote:

Andy,may you burn your lips on sidepipes.

Something I said?

No, the sheep like the smell, as long as it isn't lambchops.

For LT1's:
1.   Any previously neglected maintenance.
2.   Cold Air intake (a good way to get your feet wet making changes).
3.   Delete mechanical fan (tow package only).
3.   Tune (fan turn on temps, speed limiter, transmission shift points).
4.   Upgrade the factory audio system with better speakers.
5.   Wheels & Tires.
6.   Correct any trim deficiencies (missing or loose rubber strips, peeling upper trim).
7.   Tint
8.   Exhaust.
9.   Upgraded shocks & cut front coils 3/4 coil.
10. Rear swaybar.

For TBI's:
1.   Any previously neglected maintenance.
2.   Wheels & Tires.
3.   Tint
4.   '95-'96 mirrors.
5.   LS swap.
6.   LS swap.
7.   LS swap.
8.   LS swap.
9.   LS swap.
10. Wait for it... LS swap

i like the electric fans to clean up the front and to free up space. bang for the buck with a lt1 car is the 323 rear. it really wakes the car up and does not make the car a gas hog if you worry about that

JaySS wrote:

For LT1's:
1.   Any previously neglected maintenance.
2.   Cold Air intake (a good way to get your feet wet making changes).
3.   Delete mechanical fan (tow package only).
3.   Tune (fan turn on temps, speed limiter, transmission shift points).
4.   Upgrade the factory audio system with better speakers.
5.   Wheels & Tires.
6.   Correct any trim deficiencies (missing or loose rubber strips, peeling upper trim).
7.   Tint
8.   Exhaust.
9.   Upgraded shocks & cut front coils 3/4 coil.
10. Rear swaybar.

For TBI's:
1.   Any previously neglected maintenance.
2.   Wheels & Tires.
3.   Tint
4.   '95-'96 mirrors.
5.   LS swap.
6.   LS swap.
7.   LS swap.
8.   LS swap.
9.   LS swap.
10. Wait for it... LS swap

So Jay,how do you feel about doing a LS swap on my underpowered TBI wagon?

A lot of good/great ideas coming from this thread.

I'm with Jay. I've got 9/10 on that list. :p

Just need to finish my LS swap.

But, I don't have the funds to execute an LS-swap, someday, Iron 6.0 and 4L80, maybe 6L80 hmmmmm.

In almost year of ownership the only mods were wheels/tires and a rubber mat for the back.

I have chrome exhaust tips and a 2” receiver to weld on.

I will ditch the factory radio for something I can play mp3s on.

As far as the motor goes I plan on an intake airfoil, deleting the home plate with a Camaro piece. (no CIA) upgraded plugs and wires.

Fix the 1-2 upshift accumulator problem I have and drive it.

I have other cars to fix and upgrade more than the wagon which is pretty sweet as is.

hell if I had the money for an LS swap I would buy a late 60's sportwagon.....

I think Nick has the right idea, that the ideal top ten will vary with the individual owner.

Mine are....

1) Finish what I started
2)Finish what I didn't start but bought parts for
3)Hide the receipts from my wife

lakeffect wrote:

I think Nick has the right idea, that the ideal top ten will vary with the individual owner.

Mine are....

1) Finish what I started
2)Finish what I didn't start but bought parts for
3)Hide the receipts from my wife

Number 3 should be in all caps!!!!!

Yeah, can I make the #12 essential to finish the car BEFORE I get married?

lakeffect wrote:

3) HIDE THE RECEIPTS FROM MY WIFE

HAHA! Luckily I have some extra "cello teaching" money coming in and that is set aside for my mod money. I can't hide anything from the wife...

brokecello wrote:

lakeffect wrote:

3) HIDE THE RECEIPTS FROM MY WIFE

HAHA!  Luckily I have some extra "cello teaching" money coming in and that is set aside for my mod money.  I can't hide anything from the wife...

My stash almost completely disappeared when I quit my job in October and took 3 leisurely weeks to get another job so I am slowly building it back up but I will be in big trouble if she ever finds out the real price of Crate Motors and rims!

What have I unleashed!


Dave

I'm surprised lighting has not made the list headlamps and interior for me next. Jeff