October 10, 2008

Can You Build Your Own Supercar?

Supercars are hot, there's no getting around it. Even the most staid introvert feels their pulse pound a little faster at the thought of powering down the interstate at 200 plus miles per hour. This has lead to many tuners attempting to create their own supercars. Can you turn your daily drive into a supercar? While you will likely not be able to make your VW Rabbit beat a Ferrari, you can turn it into your own version. Some very exotic tuning methods have been developed to help you do this.

The engine swap is perhaps the most popular way to truly transform your car. While changing your Honda Civic to a rear-drive powerhouse can certainly be done, it's an expensive way add power. However, swapping for a larger engine is a very popular option. For instance, with only a little (well, maybe more than a little) modification, you can cram a VR6 under the hood of a vintage VW Golf GTI. There are engine swaps for Hondas, Nissans, VWs; anything on the market, actually. However, be prepared to take time and have it done right (you'll need some money, as well).

Simply taking your time and adding modifications as you can is a more reasonable option. Start with small modifications, such as adding a cold air intake and an aftermarket ignition system and work your way up to porting and polishing the cylinders. If you take your time and stick to a plan, you'll find that you are able to create your very own "supercar," even if it's not of the same caliber as those exotic European bad boys.

Filed under Tuning by Urban Car Lights

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September 23, 2008

Truck Bed Covers – Looks and Performance

While the bed may be one of the best things about having a truck (other than the rugged good looks, of course), it can also be a drawback. It's impossible to carry anything in the back without soaking it with rain during inclement weather. In addition, that bed can be an eyesore for anyone who desires looks as well as performance. Thankfully, truck bed covers can help you add a killer look, as well as increasing the functionality of your truck.

Tonneau Covers – Perhaps the most ubiquitous form of truck bed cover is the tonneau cover (today, at least). These come in a number of different configurations, though the cover is always rigid. Opening the tonneau cover can be done several ways, depending on the model you select. For instance, some covers have a folding rear section that allows easy access to the bed, while others have air shocks that allow the entire cover to raise and lower with ease.

Soft Covers – While soft covers don't necessarily have the same benefits as tonneau covers, they can be beneficial. Soft covers are much easier to get into and out of, for instance. Many soft covers can be rolled into a tube and stored at the top of the bed (below the rear window). These are excellent for people who want the benefits of a bed cover, but find they need immediate access to the entire bed frequently. Sliding bed covers are a variation on this theme and combine the rigidity of tonneau covers with the easy access of a soft cover.

Filed under Truck Accessories by Urban Car Lights

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September 18, 2008

Performance Muffler Choices – Making Noise

Adding a custom look and additional power to your ride can be as simple as changing out your stock muffler. Aftermarket mufflers reduce backpressure (free-flowing mufflers), which reduces available torque somewhat, but increases available power across the entire power band. In addition, aftermarket mufflers have a killer sound that will really set your ride apart.

Most mufflers must be welded in place. That means you'll have to take it to a muffler shop for professional work, unless you have your own welding machine at home. When choosing a shop, make sure that the company has a reputation for good work that stands the test of time. A shoddy welding job can make your car sound like an angry bumblebee, rather than a lean, mean street machine.

What types of mufflers are popular today? You'll find several different styles, from large "coffee can" filters to dual outlet jobs. Carbon fiber tips are one of the hottest styles currently, while burnt titanium tips offer a great look, as well.

The mufflers available to you will vary based on the type of ride you have, as well as the size of your exhaust. Quite a few mufflers are "universal," which means they can be used across the board for any application. These are the best bets when you're changing out your muffler. Generally, an aftermarket muffler will deepen the sound of your engine; larger engines can actually attain a wonderful rumble, while smaller engines attain a wicked sound as they race through gears.

What kind of muffler do you have on your vehicle?

Filed under Tuning by Urban Car Lights

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September 17, 2008

Performance Aftermarket Rims VS Bling

Changing out your rims is an excellent way to make your ride an extension of your personality. However, there is a huge difference between aftermarket rims that will raise the performance of your ride and those that are strictly for show. What's the difference, you ask? Here's a brief rundown:

Bling – Wheels intended for nothing more than looks will have an obvious appearance. While performance wheels are not ugly, cosmetic rims are much more stylized and beautified. An example of a cosmetic rim would be a 22-inch wheel made of chromed steel. These are large, stylish and very, very heavy.

Performance
– Performance rims can be almost the same size as cosmetic wheels (though usually a little smaller) and are much lighter. Rather than chrome, these are usually made of lightweight aluminum (they were originally made of magnesium, hence the term Mags). Performance oriented rims are not as stylized as cosmetic rims, though they are far more stylish than many OEM wheels. In addition, they are made for performance, with durability in mind.

The type of wheel that you choose will be determined by the way in which you use your car. If you are tuning your car strictly for looks, then a set of cosmetic wheels will be just fine (as long as you don’t take them too large). However, if you have a need for speed, chromed steel wheels just won't cut it. Performance wheels will help you attain better speeds, as well as have easier braking.

What kind of rims do you like?

Filed under Tuning by Urban Car Lights

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September 16, 2008

Xenon HID Headlights – Should You Upgrade?

Driving at night can be a problematic experience if you are using OEM headlight bulbs. While the standard halogen bulb is a far cry from the headlights of yesteryear, they still do not provide sufficient illumination for many drivers. Xenon HID headlights offer the best illumination, as well as a cool look for your ride. What are HIDs and how can you take advantage of them? Let's take a look at the subject.

HID headlights
operate differently than standard halogen bulbs. For instance, rather than heating a filament to provide light emission, they superheat gas between two electrodes. The gas serves the same purpose as the filament in an older bulb. However, because there is no filament to wear over time or break, these bulbs last much longer.

In addition, HIDs offer increased light emission. The projection of the beam is much greater, while the arc is also wider, giving the driver a much wider range of vision at night. In fact, HIDs can easily illuminate the curb and the shoulder of the road. This allows a driver to attain better visibility, staving off driving-related fatigue and helping them to stay more alert for longer periods of time.

HID conversion kits can be installed on most vehicles today. These kits attach to your OEM wiring, but do not use the OEM connectors. In addition, a ballast will need to be installed to provide the high voltage necessary to operate the HID bulbs. Most HID kits can be installed at the home, in a matter of an hour or so.

I hope this information was helpful, check out our clear euro headlights that are currently on Sale!

Filed under Head Lights by Urban Car Lights

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September 12, 2008

Rear Wing Spoilers - Easy To Follow Installation Tips

Adding a wing spoiler to your ride is an excellent way to add pleasing aesthetics.  It also helps with the aerodynamics of your ride.  A spoiler works in two ways.  First, it provides down force for the rear of the vehicle, something very important, especially for rear-wheel drive vehicles.  Second, it diffuses the airflow across the back half of the car, helping to eliminate turbulence coming off the back of your ride.

Installing these babies can be tricky.  Be prepared to drill through your precious trunk lid in order to secure the spoiler in place. The first step is to purchase a spoiler made specifically for your ride; this will help eliminate some problems.  You'll find several types of wing spoiler available, including aluminum, carbon fiber, fiberglass, paintable spoilers and more.

Your spoiler will arrive in a kit, which should include a template. First, cut out the correct bolt hole locations on the template, then position the template across your trunk lid.  Now, it's time to mark the locations; use a permanent marker, chalk or something else that will show up against the paint of your car.

Use a step drill bit to create holes of the proper size.  Most spoilers will require four holes for mounting, while others will need more.  Once the holes are drilled, carefully blow away any debris.  Use compressed air if possible, to avoid scratching the finish on your trunk lid.

Before you drop the spoiler in, make sure you have all grommets in the correct position to help avoid water leaks later.  Drop in the spoiler (gently) and tighten all nuts by hand.  Once all the nuts are in position, begin tightening them with a wrench or socket, using an alternating pattern until all nuts are tight.  Make sure the spoiler is stable (this can include adjusting any moveable legs, etc).  You're now ready to hit the road!

Hope this helps, also check out our current sales on truck led tail lights!

Filed under Other Accessories, Tuning by Urban Car Lights

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September 10, 2008

Race Tuning Your Ride

While many tuners will never take their ride to the track (to perform, at any rate), many others demand that their vehicle provide the utmost in performance. Tuning a vehicle for racing is much different from tuning one for road use. The goal of racing is to have a lightweight vehicle, with the most power possible, without going over the power-to-weight ratio of the vehicle. To this end, most tuners begin the process by lightening the load on their car.

The more weight your vehicle is forced to carry, the slower it will be. You can milk a substantial amount of horsepower from your ride simply by ditching many of the trappings of a run-of-the-mill street ride. For instance, you will not need those back seats, so get rid of them. Interior trim can also be removed relatively easily to great effect. A substantial amount of weight can be removed from a vehicle by eliminating unnecessary seats and trim.

Once you have lightened the load, it's time for power enhancements. Remember, exceeding your vehicle's power-to-weight ratio will give you poor results, so start with smaller enhancements. A cold air intake is a good place to start, as are performance plugs and wires. New fuel maps, ala chip tuning can help your vehicle burn more fuel per stroke, thus giving you more available power. Performance tires will also help you grip the track better. Another very popular option is what is known as "porting and polishing" this widens the engine cylinders and polishes the metal for smoother operation.

Filed under Tuning by Urban Car Lights

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September 8, 2008

Ceramic Brake Pads – What Are They?

The braking system on your vehicle is vital. Having the right system for your driving habits is vital. Most OEM braking systems are designed for moderate use, as a commuter vehicle. However, if you race your car, or simply want to add impressive braking performance (and a hot look), a custom braking solution can be installed with relative ease. One of the best types of brakes with which to replace your OEM system is one that uses ceramic brake pads.

Ceramic blend pads have many advantages over conventional types of brake pads. For instance, the heat range under which ceramic blend pads can perform is much greater than that of conventional metallic pads, giving them much greater performance under high-stress driving, such as racing.

In addition, ceramic pads have the benefit of producing light colored dust, as opposed to the black brake dust from conventional brakes. This allows your wheels to look better, without constant cleaning to remove the brake dust. These brake pads also last much longer than their standard counterparts, making them an ideal choice for those seeking a long-lasting braking solution that will provide the best stopping power under any conditions.

Along with ceramic pads, you should upgrade to oversize cross-drilled rotors and custom calipers. These will also provide additional stopping power, as well as enhancing brake pad and system longevity. Slotted rotors look great behind a set of custom wheels, but they provide real performance benefits, rather than simply being eye candy.

Filed under Braking System by Urban Car Lights

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