Mods are a system—track and upgrade them like one.
This pillar teaches mod decision-making without “top 10 parts” fluff: define the goal, identify the bottleneck, choose supporting mods, and validate changes. It’s written to be practical for daily drivers, track days, and drag/roll setups.
Goal-first philosophy (buy fewer parts, win more often)
Before buying anything, write down (1) your goal, (2) your constraint, and (3) how you’ll validate the change. Most “bad mods” are just mismatched to the build’s bottleneck.
- Define the goal: daily comfort, track consistency, drag times, or “balanced.”
- Identify the bottleneck: traction, heat soak, brakes, fueling capacity, or durability.
- Choose supporting mods first when margin is small.
- Validate with controlled conditions (same road/temps/tires whenever possible).
Beginner → Intermediate → Advanced path
Follow this path to avoid skipping steps. If you’re unsure where to start, filter to Beginner and work forward.
Beginner
Start with goals, basics, and “supporting mods.”
13 page(s)
Intermediate
Solve real bottlenecks: heat, fueling, braking, traction.
8 page(s)
Advanced
Goal-based setups, durability planning, and tradeoffs.
5 page(s)
Browse
Browse by category. Each page links mostly within the Mods pillar, plus the most relevant tuning page (because mods have tuning consequences).
Filter by level
Foundations
Build log systems, order, supporting mods, and maintenance-first decisions.
How do you track car mods properly? (Build log guide)
A practical build log system for tracking car mods, costs, and decisions—mapped to the Drivurs digital garage fields.
How do you track ROI on car mods? (Cost vs results)
A practical ROI framework for car mods: define the goal, track true cost, measure results honestly, and keep your build records searchable.
Maintenance vs mods: reliability-first upgrades that actually matter
A reliability-first framework: what maintenance to do before mods, and what “baseline” means.
Mod order explained: why sequence matters (and what to do first)
A goal-first mod order guide: supporting mods, data-first decisions, and avoiding expensive rework.
Supporting mods explained (what they are and why you need them)
Define supporting mods with examples: why some parts protect reliability rather than add peak power.
Air, Cooling & Flow
Intakes, intercoolers, charge piping, and heat management.
Charge pipes and hoses: failure modes and pressure integrity
Why couplers, clamps, and charge piping matter for boosted reliability and consistent boost control.
Heat management for tuned cars: cooling stack, airflow, and expectations
A system view of heat: IAT/coolant/oil, cooling stack basics, and what to upgrade based on symptoms.
Intake myths and real gains: when intakes matter (and when they don’t)
Sound vs airflow: how to evaluate intakes honestly and avoid placebo modding.
Intercooler guide: heat soak, repeat pulls, and what “better” means
Intercooler fundamentals: charge temps, heat soak, and why consistency can beat peak dyno numbers.
Fuel & Ignition
Plugs, fueling constraints, and capacity upgrades when needed.
Fuel upgrades: when you actually need them (signs you’re fuel-limited)
Recognize fuel limitation symptoms and choose the right upgrade path without buying parts blindly.
Injectors: when and why to upgrade (and what injectors don’t do)
Why injectors don’t add power alone, when they matter, and how to avoid compatibility mistakes.
Spark plugs for boosted cars: gap, heat range, and a practical selection guide
A practical plug guide: choosing gap/heat range, install basics, and how to avoid misfire confusion.
Drivetrain & Traction
Tires, traction reality, drivetrain differences, and transmission durability.
AWD vs RWD vs FWD mods: what changes by platform
Platform differences in traction, heat, drivetrain stress, and where to spend first.
Tires for performance driving: compound vs width vs pressure
A practical tire selection framework for street, drag, and track, plus pressure basics.
Traction limitations explained: why power gets wasted
A traction-first mental model: contact patch, weight transfer, surfaces, and why launches are hard.
Transmission upgrades explained: clutch, cooling, fluid, and torque limits
A practical drivetrain durability guide: what upgrades do, when they matter, and what symptoms mean.
Brakes & Handling
Fade vs stopping power, suspension basics, and alignment.
Alignment for street and track: tire wear vs grip (a practical guide)
Camber/caster/toe basics, street vs track alignment goals, and how to avoid tire-killing mistakes.
Brakes for performance driving: fade vs stopping power (what to upgrade first)
Brake fundamentals, heat/fade, fluid/pads/rotors, and how to choose upgrades for your use.
Suspension basics: springs vs coilovers (ride vs control)
A practical suspension guide: goals, damping, springs, coilovers, and the tradeoffs people miss.
Goal-Based Setups
Drag, track day, daily—what changes and what the risks are.
Drag racing mod setup: goals, supporting mods, and risks
A goal-based drag setup checklist: traction, heat, fueling, and drivetrain priorities.
Street/daily mod setup: performance without sacrificing reliability
A daily-driver-friendly approach: baseline maintenance, comfort, and low-risk upgrades.
Track day mod setup: what to change (and what to leave alone)
A safety-first track setup: brakes, tires, cooling, and reliability priorities before power.
When to upgrade the turbo: goals, supporting mods, and risks
A decision guide: when a turbo upgrade makes sense, what else must change, and what to measure.
Comparisons
High-intent decisions and “noise vs real gains” clarity.
Cheap mods that actually work (and what “work” means)
A reality-based list: low-cost changes that improve consistency, safety, and usability.
Intake vs intercooler: which should you do first?
A comparison guide: what each mod changes, how to decide, and why repeatability matters.
Mods that are mostly noise (how to avoid placebo upgrades)
How to spot placebo mods, measure outcomes, and avoid building a “loud but slow” car.