Not long after the automobile gained popularity among the public, car manufacturers recognized that aside from its primary purpose as a means of transport, buyers would want an option on the car they are purchasing that would fit their want, need or taste. This demand then led to carmakers producing various models and variants of these models that would meet the varying preference of their customers.

Fast-forward to today, where cars makers have for decades given a plethora of choices for buyers, and yet vehicle owners still spend time and money to modify their ride, as for them the car they bought and own is still not good enough based on its standard configuration or performance specs.

A long time favorite car mod has been to boost the performance capabilities of a car by either reworking its built-in components or adding aftermarket parts to maximize engine power, handling or braking. A really worthwhile pursuit if done properly, but unfortunately, not all performance mods yield a desirable result and can sometimes do more harm than good as we will see in this article called - 10 Performance mods that actually make your car worse.

10 Cutting Suspension Springs

Spring cuts

A simple way to improve both the appearance and handling of a car is to lower its ride height. This can be done in several ways including using aftermarket lowering kits, changing the suspension settings, or, in a cheap but haphazard way, by cutting or shortening the suspension springs.

Though simple to do, this is both dangerous and impractical as both the handling and ride comfort of the car will be adversely affected.

Related: 15 Examples Why Some People Shouldn't Modify Their SUVs

9 Loud Exhaust Muffler

Exhaust loud

An important and basic performance mod is the installation of a well done and effective exhaust system that can add horsepower and improve the car's exhaust note. A superficial and ineffectual add-on are loud exhausts that do nothing besides making the car sound louder without the corresponding engine power behind all that racket.

8 Massive Rear Spoiler

Huge wing

From race cars to road cars, the importance of aerodynamics has resulted in both manufacturers and modders fitting various bit of aero kit that are meant to improve grip and handling.

In the photo above, this concept has been taken to the extreme by fitting a humongous rear spoiler that undoubtedly will help push the rear of the car down because of its weight, not because of any downforce air pressure.

7 Fender Widening

Fender widening

Long before cars hit the showroom, its designers and engineers studied and planned the structure, dimensions, and tolerances of its body to ensure that every segment or part is precisely installed and fits well.

There are some modders however that wish to put oversize or offset tires and rims that require fender arches to be rolled or widened, which then ruins the fenders or panels by making it disproportionately sized which then affects its aerodynamics. Added to this, as the original design and sheet metal has been modified, this would also lower its resale value.

6 Oversized Rims And Tires

Large Rims

Done properly, installing bigger aftermarket rims can instantly improve the appearance and handling of a car. Done haphazardly, rims that are too big will degrade its performance and ride quality as bigger rims require more power per wheel rotation resulting in a slower, unwieldy car.

Added to this, ill-fitting rims will cause the tires to rub on the interior of the wheel well and fender flares during turns and when hitting bumps, damaging both the tires and the car body itself.

Related: How Not To Modify Your Pickup Truck (Captured In Photos)

5 Hood Vents

Vents

There are some cars that come standard with hood scoops or vents that help keep the engine temperature down as well as provide additional airflow to the engine, and then there are some cars that are been modded to have these.

A risky mod to make, as improperly place holes in the hood can cause water or debris to reach critical engine, electrical or mechanical parts that can potentially do serious, expensive damage.

4 Speed Holes

Speedholes
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Jokingly called speed holes, these cut-outs from either front or rear bumpers are supposed to increase a car's speed and acceleration by allowing air to pass through unimpeded as well as by reducing weight. In reality, this is a flawed concept as airflow is blocked behind the front bumper by both the engine and firewall and any weight savings from the cut out plastic pieces would be less than a pound at most.

More importantly, by cutting holes in the bumper, its structural integrity is compromised, reducing its effectivity in protecting the car and passengers in the event of a crash.

3 Catalytic Converter Removal

Catalytic Converter

By being both illegal (Laws prohibit the removal or modification of a vehicle's catalytic converter) and detrimental to the car's performance, the removal of catalytic converters and the installation of testpipes/high flow cats should not be considered as a suitable mod.

This mod results in an unbalanced fuel burn (extremely rich or lean),  causing both low power and fuel economy.

2 Short Ram Intake

2 Short Ram Intake via Youtube
via: Wikimedia Commons

There are two schools of thought on what kind of air intakes are best for cars, but it is generally considered that cold air intakes are better, as cold, dense air adds more power to the first phase of the combustion cycle compared to the short ram intakes.

While short ram intakes are cheaper, they basically just draw in the ambient hot air around the engine which is less dense, and not as beneficial to fuel oxidation and combustion.

1 Body Kit

Body Kit

Professionally built body kits made of high-quality materials are an amazing mod that improves aerodynamics and looks of a car. Shoddy and cheap kits on the other hand just add weight, wind resistance, and increase fuel consumption, deteriorating its performance characteristics by slowing it down and adversely affecting its mileage capability.

Next: Check Out These Ugly Modified Muscle Cars