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Bodykits, Wings, and the Cost of a Poorly Judged DrivewayOct 17 '00 (Updated Apr 01 '06) Write an essay on this topic.
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Why do we customize our cars? There are several reasons for this, from pure aesthetics to true aerodynamics to the need to be different. Sometimes it is the last that can be the biggest driving force behind autobody modifications. This market is getting bigger and bigger everyday and there is almost no car that doesn’t have image mods available, whether just a lip, full kit, ginormous wings, graphics, wheels, even fake antennas for your roof for that “euro” look….which works if it is a VW, not so much on a civic. I will try to keep my opinions to a minimum I want to inform, not scold. This is the first update I have done in almost three years and after reading this a little while basic I realized it was time to make some rather severe changes to how I laid this out and how I was conveying some of the ideas. Most people with a love for automobiles want their investments to shine, to be unique, and for many, simply to be noticed! I was lucky to start out with a good platform in my opinion, a Honda Accord. When it comes to Hondas, the Accord has always been the odd man out, with the Civic/Integra platform receiving the most attention. Customizing, specifically bodykits, and the related “aero” products, whether wings for the rear, chin spoilers (aka lips) , or a new hood or underpan are not relegated to just the Japanese products. Any car can be customized, but it really comes down to what you want to spend and the sky’s the limit for this hobby. I am not referring to high number of “pimp/trick/destroy/embarrass my ride” type show that have come through in the past five years. I think this kind of modification is appalling and quite frankly in very bad taste most of the time. Jm2c. One thing that is obvious when stepping into a mod shop is the vast and varied amount of slang that is thrown around. If you please, allow me to define the ones most related to aerodynamics, i.e., bodykits and related modifications (mods). Body kit - This generally refers to an entire "kit" for the car involving the mounting of various fiberglass, ABS, or urethane body pieces to the existing panels and parts or replacing them completely. This generally refers to a front and a rear bumper piece(s) along with side skirts that fit over or replace OEM rocker panels. Some kits include hoods, wings or more basic spoilers. There was also a rash of “M styel” “Cuda” “BMW” etc type fenders that simply replace the current fender or are simply cut in. For the most part, there is your kit, though you might also hear it referred to as a skirt job (or simply a “kitted” car, not to be confused with a “kit car”…two very different things) because visually, it can appear one is adding skirts to the whole vehicle. Spoiler - This is a common thing to find on ones trunk lid, even from the factory. Generally from the factory small and low profile affairs, most often, simply 3M style bonded-on pieces of urethane there more for looks than for any real aerodynamic advantage. Many car mfrs choose to put these on their sportier vehicles like the Eclipse, Prelude, M3, etc. They are not exclusive to sporty cars though, today they are showing up on luxury cars that are just short of a Continental. Also, most tend to have LED brake light integrated into the design. LEDs are brighter and faster lighting than the standard brake or rear window lights, so it has the added benefit of safety in addition to style. Wing - Generally refers to the larger, more radical spoiler designs on the after market. Although the idea or a true wing is to create more downforce, this simply isn’t going to happen on your average daily driver Civic. With that in mind, for all intents and purposes, it is an image mod as well. One of the things that is important to understand is that most folks that go through with these kinds of changes are going to or have already made other mods to their vehicle. Commonly this includes lowering the vehicle (slamming, drop job, drop sprung, etc), the addition of larger diameter wheels and appropriate tires, and oftentimes and exhaust system. I mention the exhaust system because it is visible, but the reality is sometimes all this really entails is a new muffler alone that will produce the kind of sound the owner is looking for. This can add performance, though in most cases it is fairly negligible. Most good quality kits are not particularly cheap. Most will run you in the neighborhood of $800-$2000 for a full kit once they are painted and installed by a professional, though full kits can be as little as $400 for the raw parts. Some of the more elite kits can be much higher, even well over $5000, but the results can be nothing short of breathtaking. The chances are, however much was spent, most buyers will tell you it was "totally worth it". Kits add a look to the car that cannot be obtained any other way. For most people it produces that "fast, even standing still" look that is so desired for many cars on the market. Granted there are much cheaper ways to go when kitting a car, but you get what you pay for and many of the more popular styles out of Japan have clones out there that are knock-offs of knock-offs and simply don’t fit worth a damn. Hard Facts The majority of kits will not decrease drag on the vehicle or make it faster. In fact, in all likelihood, it will increase it. You are adding surface area, sometimes significantly so, as such, that is going to affect your Cd, no matter the car. Sure they look cool and some kits (hoods specifically) may actually aid in engine bay cooling, just don't expect a bodykit to add a 10 hp or something, because it won’t, no matter what the shop owner shovels your way. How Will It Be Installed? I am of the group of thought that believes simple is best. Smooth body lines, the appearance of stock only different, a seamless look to the car as a whole, the impression of intention, not addition, this is what I look for. Some folks prefer a more rugged (maybe track?) look to the vehicle and don't mind the fact that many kits look like exactly that, kits. They look bolted on because they are. The style I prefer is what is called moulding or a moulded kit. It is simply a process where the kit (or part/s) is bolted to the car as it would be anyway, but has the added treatment of the hard lines and seams being filled (usually) with a resin compound and/or cover with fibreglass or sealer. The whole part is primed and painted on or off the car depending on application and final intent. In my opinion it makes for a more professional or high-end look. At the same time, it’s a good bet no one else will have the exact same kit, on the same car, in the same color near to you, so uniqueness is almost guaranteed, but this too depends on the market to some degree. I wrote that last sentence when I wrote this over five years ago. Wow, talk about wrong, the market has become so saturated with this stuff, if you have a common car like a Civic and get the current popular thing, welp, everyone and their mailmans dog probably already has too. Being truly unique these days is harder than it might seem. Simply bolting on a kit still has a good look when done right and will give a unique style and stance that will undoubtedly garner long gazes. Many sites on the net features pics with the a simple bolt on look. This can give you an idea of what you might get. Another advantage to not moulding is the cost difference. You can save anywhere from $300 to $1000 by opting not to mould in an average application. Ultimately though, it’s your car and your call. Real Life Driving Don't be stupid. I'll say it again. Don't be stupid. If you have dropped and/or skirted your car, you have lost ground clearance. It doesn't take the necessary purchase of a good camber kit to drive this point home. A drop reduces clearance and a kit will reduce it even further. Even if it’s just an inch, I have seen that compromise a friends Acura in a very mundane driving situation. Drive appropriate to you’re your investments and you won’t have a problem. Get some crazy low lip and take high angle changes hard without some kind of compensation in your angle of approach, don’t be surprised when you tear off that pretty lip when entering a steep driveway or road. We can get very used to how that stock Accord, Camry, 626, Civic, Protoge, Cavalier, Neon, Eclipse (especially), MR2, whatever(!), drives and how it can take bumps and the road in general. It’s a different story when your bumper hangs and inch or three lower. Before you go bombing out, think about slowing down, taking speedbumps and driveways, even sectional concrete at an angle if the grade changes sharply. Get used to where your bumper is in relation to the pavement. Every time you park, look at your car, see where you’re at and think about that when you drive. Even mild kits with a drop can pose a risk for rubbing or cracking on impact with asphalt or concrete road surfaces, parking blocks, and curbs. Fibreglass tends to be substantially more susceptible to cracking or complete failure than urethane and ABS to some degree. ABS is pretty tough, but won’t bend like urethane will. The other side of the argument is than urethane does not hold paint well. The latter is just not true anymore. A good painter and a properly prepped part are all that’s needed. The drawback to urethane is that if it rips or breaks, it is not easily fixed. Fiberglass can often be repaired, often by simply overlaying the affected area. This is all moot if you are simply a little more conscientious about how you drive. Accidents do happen, but of course, that’s why we pay so much for insurance. When approaching business entrances, steep street changes or angles on turns, try not to take the hill or angle change head on, this will leave you then least margin of error. Keep in mind that your angle of approach can save your front bumper because at an angle, one of the wheels will start up the hill before the others allowing for some increased clearance. The same concept applies to very aggressive speedbumps as well. There are literally parking lots in my town that have become inaccessible to me through certain entrances as a result of my kit, my drop, and how stupidly tremendous the bumps are. I am sure there are some that are wondering…. Why bother? It’s really not a big deal. It’s no different than any learned info or action, things are different so you adapt. It’s like auto drivers that don’t like the idea of a manual because of “all the shifting”. Well, any manual driver will tell you it’s second nature, you just don’t think about it and when you get used to your kit, with or without a drop, it too will become second nature. Wings, skirts, air dams, etc. on a customized car can serve an aerodynamic purpose (though unlikely) in addition to the fact that they can give that aggressive look that seems so sought after. In the case of Joe Blow, however, who just ran out of warranty on his bone stock Civic, it is almost purely aesthetic. A couple of things I might say to those planning on installing the kit themselves...this isn't a toy plane, its a major investment that should be installed by professionals who do this for a living. There are a lot of little secrets installers use that the average person flat will not know. And think of it this way, if you install the skirts, and rear, but then foul up the air dam, I can guarantee you, the company that sold it to you WILL NOT take it back, and if you foul it up to the point where it is irreparably damaged, you could be out a lot of dough, well, and be left with a vehicle that will look VERY stupid till you get the part installed. Just something to think about. Let the pros do it. I hope I have covered this subject thoroughly and clearly. Overall the considerations for this kind of work are less than say, adding a turbo. You pick a kit, get it installed and drive safe. It isn't a mechanical part, so it won't "wear out" though down the line some touch up paint may be required. If you have questions or comments, I encourage you to post them, or you can feel free to email me, just be sure to reference epinions in the subject. THX and happy driving!!!! PLEASE NOTE It is very important to remember that in any reference to downforce and the use of kits or wings, whether front or back, extreme or no, in relation to assumed roadholding or traction is subjective. Lowering, weight distribution, improved drivetrain, better wheels and tires, good electronics, efficient aerodynamics, proper driver education, and experience etc etc all play a part in the safe operation of your vehicle.  |
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