Modding Help for a newbie

Hey everyone, I'm new to the forums and kind of new to the automotive world as well. I was discussing modding with my dad this weekend and he told me that most mods you do will force you to make a mod somewhere else because all the parts in a car are interconnected. Well I'm not sure if that's true or anything, but I was wondering if any of you could help me understanding modding cars: Where to begin? With what? What connects to what? Maybe some how toos? Price Ranges? etc. etc. I really enjoy driving and want to make a really sweet ride out of whatever I get. I've never taken any autos classes or anything like that in school (though I now intend too). I was never really into cars until recently and so I don't know too much and sort of just want some pointers on where to begin as far as modding or even what car. I was thinking about going for a Hyundai Tiburon, as they're unique as far as racing and modding goes, but if any of you have a better choice let me know.

I apologize, that was a horrible explanation of what I was trying to say and was hoping it'd come out much better. ANy help is much appreciated though. :iceslolan

www.howstuffworks.com will get you started on how the car in general works.

As far as what kind of car to get, that's up to you. You can modify anything. Do you want front or rear drive? Small or large engine? Do you want to build a fast car or just tack on a bunch of wings and stickers? Just look around and do some serious reading about the potential of anything you consider buying. Once you have decided, then you can look into prices and difficulty levels.

www.howstuffworks.com (http://www.howstuffworks.com) will get you started on how the car in general works.

As far as what kind of car to get, that's up to you. You can modify anything. Do you want front or rear drive? Small or large engine? Do you want to build a fast car or just tack on a bunch of wings and stickers? Just look around and do some serious reading about the potential of anything you consider buying. Once you have decided, then you can look into prices and difficulty levels.

Thanks for the link and advice. I'm more interested in making a fast car that is show off worthy, but at the same time not breaking the bank. I'm not into just looks, personally I think slapping on some stickers, a sweet spoiler, etc. is kinda cheesy. I guess I'll just have to do my homework instead of having the perfect car pointed out to me.

Yep, the "perfect car" is very personal, and depends on your likes.

A couple of suggestions though, if you're looking for RWD and V8 muscle, the Mustang is a good platform. There are a lot around, there are a lot of people that know how to make them fast, and mods are plenty and rather inexpensive relative to other less common cars.

For FWD "import tuner" style transportation, the Honda Civic is a good platform for many of the same reasons as the Mustang.

The Tiburon is less common and has less of an aftermarket following, which means the mods are likely to be more expensive with less competition, variety, or support group.

-Rod

I've narrowed it down to a few possibilities:

-01'-03' Tiburon GT V6 (w/ possible mods already including Cold Air Intake, Lambo Doors, Lowering Springs)
-00'+ Mitsubishi Eclipse
-95' Acura Integra (w/ 2000 Si-B16A - jap spec Engine Swap and Lip Kit)
-3000GT
-03 Subaru Impreza w/ upgraded hood

I'm looking for more of a coupe so I'll be able to put a lambo door conversion. I guess body kits are plenty in every model it's just all choice. I also kind of want to lower it for looks, but the unfortunate part is I live in Chicago-land so it's always snowy, which mean I'm gunna have to raise and lower it each season. More or less I'm looking to turn a car into a sweet tuner that looks cool and performs well. My top 3 are the Tiburon, Integra, and Impreza, in that order mostly because I'm not a huge hatch back fan. This just leaves me with which intakes, clutches (like what's a stage 3 clutch?!), turbos and boosters, engine swapping, and such that I'm confused on. I still need to read that link about though!

If you have not done so, check out the subforums here at AF for each of those models.
Do a search for issues on mods for these models. There should be some useful info in current or old threads here at AF.

I would also suggest looking for one of these cars that has already been modded by someone else. Typically, modded cars sell for less money than the owner has sunk into it (and often for less money than a completely original car).
So long as the mods were done properly and the car was not abused, you may find a good deal.

Also.... I have mixed feelings about lowering any car. Looks is a personal thing, but IMO a lower car is not necessarily going to improve handling at all.
In fact, the stiffer springs and shocks associated with a lowering kit not only will ruin the ride, but will also make the car handle worse in the real world. Frost heaves, pot holes, cracks etc on pavement (common in areas that see a real winter) wreak havoc with lowered cars. The lowered suspensions simply do not have the articulation to keep the tires planted over the rough stuff. The car ends up jumping and jittering around, overstressing the structure, bottoming out and generally being really annoying.
IMO you are better off to keep the stock ride height and play with swaybar, shock and wheel/tire combos for better handling.

If you simply must mod and lower a car, consider getting a winter beater, too.