Mod guides & part explainers
Car-by-car guides built from the parts that actually fit, plus plain-English explainers on what each modification really does. No hype, just what works and what to expect.
Car mod guides
The best-supported enthusiast platforms, with the real parts that fit each one.
Volkswagen Golf GTI
The Mk7 Golf GTI is the default hot hatch for a reason: the EA888 turbo four answers software b…
BMW M3
The E46 M3's S54 is a naturally aspirated straight-six that lives at the top of the tacho, so t…
BMW M4
The G82 M4's S58 twin-turbo makes serious numbers stock and far bigger ones with almost nothing…
Toyota/Subaru GR86 / BRZ
The GR86/BRZ was never about power, it's about balance. The FA24 boxer is deliberately modest,…
Toyota Supra Mk5
The A90 Supra's B58 is one of the most tuner-friendly engines on sale: it swallows a large amou…
Toyota Supra Mk4
The Mk4 Supra's 2JZ-GTE is the engine that built the tuning myth: an iron block that shrugs off…
Nissan GT-R R35
The R35 GT-R is a software-and-fuel car: the VR38 twin-turbo V6 responds massively to a tune an…
Subaru WRX/STI
The WRX/STI formula is boost, all-wheel drive and that boxer rumble. Reliability lives and dies…
Mitsubishi Lancer Evo
The Lancer Evo is a rally car with number plates: a turbo four, clever all-wheel drive and a ch…
Honda Civic Type R
The Civic Type R is the front-wheel-drive benchmark. The turbocharged K-series takes a tune eas…
Mazda MX-5 Miata
The MX-5 is the lightweight answer to almost every question. Outright power is beside the point…
Ford Focus RS
The Mk3 Focus RS pairs a 2.3 EcoBoost with trick all-wheel drive and a drift mode nobody asked…
Honda S2000
The S2000's F-series is a screaming naturally aspirated VTEC four with one of the highest redli…
Part explainers
What it is, how it works, and what to actually expect.
Cold Air Intake
A cold air intake replaces the restrictive factory airbox with a freer-flowing filter and pipew…
Cat-Back Exhaust
A cat-back exhaust replaces everything from the catalytic converter back: the mid-pipe, silence…
Downpipe
The downpipe is the first section of exhaust after the turbo. On a boosted car it's the single…
Coilovers
Coilovers combine an adjustable spring and damper in one unit, letting you set both ride height…
Lowering Springs
Lowering springs drop the car on its standard dampers for a lower stance and a slightly lower c…
ECU Remap
An ECU remap (or flash) rewrites the engine's software to change boost, fuelling and timing. On…
Wheel Spacers
Wheel spacers sit between the hub and the wheel to push it outward, widening track and filling…
Big Brake Kit
A big brake kit swaps in larger discs and multi-piston calipers for more consistent stopping, m…
Front-Mount Intercooler
An intercooler cools the compressed air from the turbo before it enters the engine. Upgrading i…
Oil Catch Can
An oil catch can intercepts oily crankcase vapour before it reaches the intake, keeping valves…
Blow-Off Valve
A blow-off or diverter valve releases boost pressure when you lift off the throttle, protecting…
Short Shifter
A short shifter shortens the throw of a manual gearstick so shifts feel quicker and more mechan…