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The hottest and ever increasing automotive styling idea is the Tuner. In fact, the Import Tuner craze has become so popular that there are now several TV shows dedicated to the radical transformation of automobiles. Does that mean your ride should push the envelope of aftermarket add-ons? No, it is all a matter of personal style and taste mixed together with a little outlandishness. The hard part is where to begin.
First things first, if you don’t own an import, it would be better to get one. You can’t transform your ride unless you have an auto made by a non-US manufacturer. It isn’t that you can’t remake a domestic into a tuner, but almost all of the aftermarket parts are geared to the foreign makes. It doesn’t matter which model (a 2-door is preferable), but sedans, wagons, trucks and SUV’s can make great tuners and have more room for tricking out the interior.
 Once you have your chosen tuner, now it is pretty much up to you as to where to begin. If you want instant visible changes, then tires, wheels and brakes are a sure bet to improve your tuner’s appearance fast and in a big way. Your choices are endless, however you should think about the future if at all possible because what you are intending to do with your tuner will dictate what to purchase. If you want to build a drifter, you will need an entirely different tire compound and speed rating as compared to a show car or a drag racer. Also remember, do not skimp on the brakes; not only are they critical to your living, they are an excellent styling detail.
Other exterior changes you can make are adding a front air dam and rear spoiler or wing, fog lights, neon or xenon headlights, paint and graphics. You can get really wild by installing a different hood, changing the taillights out, making the door handles flush or removed all together, or even replacing the front grill. Basically whatever you want to do to change the looks of your car is possible with a little imagination and a parts source.
 Next you should consider the stereo system. If you are building your tuner on a budget, then you have to choose components that are upgradeable and interchangeable. You do not want to buy items that cannot be added to as you want a system that can grow and expand as you are financially capable. Even if you can afford to purchase the ultimate stereo set-up, it is imperative to make sure it is can be easily upgraded otherwise it will become obsolete rather quickly. Things to consider are the stereo, how many speakers, subwoofers, and amps you’ll need, whether to get a disc changer, and if you want to have your MP3 player hooked up into your car.
Now that you have some exterior and interior mods, it is time to consider increasing the performance. This too will depend not only upon your wallet but also your tuner vision and the condition of the engine and drive train. If you feel confident enough in the engine’s quality, you could just change out the processor and maybe even add a turbo charger or nitrous. If not, then you will need to rebuild the engine and/or transmission. For minor additions, start out with performance kits for fuel injection, air intake, and exhaust. These will not only add horsepower, but can also improve the look of the tuner.
The point of all this is to just get started. Find a car and get to work making it into your dream import tuner. It doesn’t matter how much money you have or how quickly you spend it, what counts is getting it done and having some fun at the same time. Remember: the car is your canvas, and can look and have whatever you want. |
