A decade ago in NSW, the police unleashed a “crack down” on non-compliant bullbars which led to an outcry from ordinary hard working Aussies who felt they were being treated unfairly.

5-Post bullbars tend to be more scrutinised than others, but are they illegal?

Let’s find out…

In this guide, we’ll look into the legalities with 5-post bullbars in Australia, debunk myths, explore regulations, and hopefully shed light on the facts you need to know to make informed decision about your car’s safety.

Myths & Facts About Bullbars in Australia

Firstly, lets seperate the myths from the facts:

Myth 1: All Bullbars Are Created Equally

Fact:

Contrary to the belief that all bullbars serve the same purpose, the reality is that design, construction, and compliance standards can vary significantly.

Some bullbars adhere strictly to safety guidelines, while others may fall short.

When you purchase a bullbar in Australia, you should always buy a reputable brand. As sensible as this sounds, the cost of premium bullbars puts off many, which makes it understandable we look for cheaper alternatives.

Myth 2: Bullbars Are Unregulated

Fact:

There are specific regulations and standards in place to ensure the safety and compliance of bullbars. These guidelines, such as Australian Standard AS4876.1-2002 and relevant Australian Design Rules outline the necessary criteria for proper construction and installation.

Myth 3: 5-Post Bullbars Are Illegal

Fact:

There’s a common misconception that 5-post bullbars are inherently illegal.

However, the truth is that compliance with Australian Standards and Design Rules, rather than the number of posts, determines the legality of bullbars.

To quote AS4876.1-2002, the relevant requirement for 5 post bullbars is they must:

“Generally conforms to the shape, in plan view, front view and side view, of the front of the vehicle to which it is fitted”

AS4876.1-2002

In fact, authorities have clarified that 5-post bullbars can be legal if they meet the required standards.

Myth 4: Bullbars Are a Universal Safety Guarantee

Fact:

While bullbars can enhance safety by providing protection against animal collisions and other potential hazards, their effectiveness depends on adherence to safety standards.

Always keep in mind not all bullbars offer the same level of protection, so you should make sure you buy one which complies with the relevant regulations.

Myth 5: Bullbars Are Unnecessary in Urban Areas

Fact:

Bullbars are often associated with rural or off-road driving, but they can be beneficial in urban environments as well. They offer protection in low-impact collisions and can prevent costly damage to your vehicle, making them a versatile safety feature.

However, we should always keep in mind many bullbars can be fatal in a road traffic accident to pedestrians or runaway pets, so we must always drive with care and consideration. But you know that already, don’t you?

NSW Bullbar Regulations & The 2014 Bullbar Crack Down

In New South Wales (NSW), regulations surrounding bullbars witnessed a significant event in 2014, sparking both attention and concerns among 4X4 owners like us.

The NSW Police conducted a comprehensive crackdown targeting non-compliant bullbars during this period. The operation aimed to address safety and compliance issues associated with the growing number of non-compliant bullbars, but it put many brands under a spotlight.

The “crack down” led to a notable development – a Ministerial Order issued by the NSW Minister for Roads and Freight. The order introduced a two-year grace period specifically for bullbars falling within a “reasonable tolerance” of the existing Australian Standard for bullbars.

Essentially, this grace period allowed for an adjustment period, acknowledging the diversity of bullbar designs and providing an opportunity for compliance.

While the Ministerial Order offered a temporary reprieve for some types of bullbars, it’s not indicative of new overarching laws concerning bullbars in New South Wales.

As of the present day, outside of this Ministerial Order, there haven’t been any sweeping legislative changes affecting the use of bullbars in NSW.

This means the existing regulations and standards, including Australian Standard AS4876.1-2002 and relevant Australian Design Rules, continue to govern the design, construction, and use of bullbars in New South Wales.

Legalities of 5-Post Bullbars in Australia

Contrary to popular belief, there is no inherent illegality associated with 5-post bullbars.

The legality of 5-Post bullbars puts in question their adherence to safety standards set out in Australian Standard AS4876.1-2002 and the Australian Design Rules.

Authorities, including the NSW Police, have said themselves the number of posts on a bullbar does not make it illegal. Instead, it’s compliance with the standards determines whether a bullbar is considered legal or not.

When you buy any bullbar, 5-Post or otherwise, you must ensure it’s compliant. The manufacturer or retailer should be able to confirm this to you, and if they can’t, don’t buy it.

5-post bullbars in Australia can be completely legal if they meet regulations and standards. It’s as simple as that.

What to do if you get a Defect Notice for your Bullbar

If you get a Defect Notice for your bullbar then this can be frustrating, so it’s important to understand the situation fully. In most cases, Defect Notices for bullbars relate to road safety, which is something we all want to achieve.

Firstly, if you find yourself issued a Defect Notice for your bullbar, it’s essential to remain calm.

Get in touch with the customer service department of your brand of bullbar, and they will likely offer guidance and assistance. This may be the first legality issue you’ve come across with your bullbar, but it’s likely the manufacturer has dealt with others who have had the same issue. Compliance laws in Australia can sometimes be hazy and vary from state to state, only made worse by varying interpretations of laws and regulations.

Customer service teams can often provide valuable insights, address concerns, and offer information to help you resolve the issue(s) outlined in the Defect Notice.

Remember, addressing a Defect Notice promptly and seeking assistance is your best way forward, helping to make sure your vehicle remains in compliance with safety regulations. This is also about your safety and the safety of others on the road.

Stay calm, stay informed, act responsibly, and leverage the resources available to navigate through any compliance-related challenges you face.

Feel free to mention the details of your bullbar-related Defect Notice in the comments below. If we can help you with advice we will, or your comment may help another Aussie facing a similar issue.

Mixed Messages & Confusion With Bullbar Legalities from State to State

Many countries have national rules and regulations, but in Australia that’s unfortunately not the case. Bullbar legalities vary from state to state, which means a 5-post bullbar may be fine while you’re in NSW, but you run into problems when you cross the border into Victoria.

That’s just the way it is, unfortunately, for now.

Acknowledging this confusion is your first step towards finding clarity. Different states often communicate varying information, creating uncertainty for those seeking to adhere to bullbar regulations. It can be a nightmare for bullbar manufacturers, and a nightmare for us.

Media reports, anecdotal information, and regional variations in enforcement practices all contribute to the mixed messages that circulate among driver communities and social media groups, which means we rarely know what’s fact and what isn’t.

A harmonised set of guidelines and standards across all states would significantly reduce confusion and ensure that drivers are well-informed, regardless of location. This would not only simplify the decision-making process for us as car owners, but would likely increase overall road safety.

What are your thoughts?

In Australia there are various brands of diesel performance chip for your 4×4 which are simple plug-and-play. If you want more serious tuning then that’s an option as well, and recommended if your car is heavily modified from stock.

How does a diesel performance chip work?

Most diesel motors in cars and trucks are programmed by the factory at a set limit. This is just a basic run down of what these motors are capable of, and factory tuned chips are tuned conservatively to say the least.

If you want better performance, and likely better efficiency out of your diesel, then installing a diesel performance chip is a good idea.

Basically what a diesel performance chip does is reprogram your factory settings, to add fuel efficiency, and enhance performance. They are easy to use and operate, following simple instructions that are included with the unit.

They basically come in two different varieties, one is an electronic control module – this plugs directly into the wiring harness, replacing the factory module, and the other is a programmer, or tuner, which plugs into the OBD II port under your dashboard (basically a fancy plug socket).

An OBD II port is a code scanner port used by mechanics to read diagnostics in a vehicle, such as determining why the engine light comes on at times when you think there is nothing wrong with your car. When you take your car to the mechanic with a problem, the first thing they’ll do is use the port scanner and charge you for what comes across as incredible engine knowledge.

Programmable tuner chips

If you buy a tuner diesel chip, it will have instructions on the screen which guide you through the process of reprogramming your on-board computer (or ECU), changing the factory settings to performance enhancing ones. While this may sound complicated, it really isn’t – all the hard work is done for you. It’s fully automated and only takes a few minutes to do.

These tuners are the same kind of code reader that a mechanic has, so the next time your engine light comes on for no good reason, you can simply check and erase it. This saves you money instead of having to take your vehicle to your mechanic.

When you are done uploading the information, or checking the computer codes, you just unplug the unit and put it away. It’s a very useful tool to have in that sense.

You can also use the code reader device to return the vehicle back to its original programming, if you ever decide you want a boring car again.

Plug and play diesel performance chips

The other kind of diesel performance chip, the plug-in or piggy back module, plugs right into the wiring harness under your hood.

The instructions that come this these tell you exactly where and which plug it is, so it’s a fairly easy DIY job as long as you’re careful and read the instructions. Then it’s simply a matter of unplugging the factory module, and replacing it with the diesel performance chip module instead.

If you want to return your car to factory settings, you simply put the other module back in place and sell the diesel performance chip on eBay to get your money back.

What these diesel chips do is adjust the fuel flow rate, the transmission shifting points, and the timing curve. This makes sure your vehicle will run at top performance. Increasing the fuel flow reduces the time the turbo charger needs to build pressure.

In addition, this reduces the time needed to burn fuel, which can actually increase performance.

Changing the transmission shift points, and the timing curve so it coincides with the fuel flow, will make everything work together better to give your vehicle added performance.

Are diesel performance chips reliable?

Diesel performance chips have greatly evolved over the last few decades and are becoming both increasingly reliable and increasingly popular.

The factory tuning of most 4x4s in Australia is so conservative it’s very easy to make your car much more performant with a standard diesel performance chip, and more so with a programmable chip and dyno. Most of the time without any real risk.

It must be noted a diesel engine can only be pushed so far, and if your car has other modifications then err on the side of caution with your tuning.

Companies in Australia like SW Diesel, Chip My Diesel, and Diesel Chip Tuning sell many of these chips for just about any kind of vehicles, and are not just limited to diesel motors. Just make sure you read reviews of each company first.

What diesel tuning chip do you use?

What benefits us the most as car enthusiasts is the experiences of others, like yourself. What diesel performance chips have you used, how do you rate them, and how were the company who fitted them?

Maybe you just want to save the planet?

Whatever the reason, fitting an electric car conversion kit to your ageing ride will not only bring it into Twenty Twenty Three, but make it an entirely different, unique beast.

In Australia we have a few companies offering electric car conversion kits. Some specifically for given models, and others made to order.

Let’s take a look at electric car conversion kits in Australia:

Why you should convert your old car to electric

Let’s start with a video to get this ball rolling.

This video from Electric Classic Cars (in the UK) shows you the process of converting a VW Beetle to electric using our bolt-in conversion kit, in only one day.

The electric motor used is a Hyper9 producing 120hp, a 25 kWh Tesla battery and 6.6kW charger. This gives the old Beetle an 80 to 90 mile range (130km to 145km). Disc brakes are also fitted to the front for necessary stopping power for what becomes a very quick VW Beetle.

The benefits of fitting an electric car conversion kit

You’re probably almost convinced already, but when you realise an electric car conversion kit can cost upwards of 20 big ones, you may be a little deterred.

But don’t worry, as fitting an electric car conversion kit to your old car can have the following benefits:

1. Environmental Benefits – Converting an old gas-powered car to electric reduces carbon emissions and contributes to a cleaner environment. Electric vehicles (EVs) produce zero tailpipe emissions, therefore reducing air pollution and making you feel like a planet-saving super hero.
2. Cost Savings – Ignore the initial outgoings of an electric car conversion kit, because once it’s done you’ll feel liberated from fuel burdens, rising fuel costs, and smelly servos frequented by commoners. Electricity is often cheaper than gasoline, especially if you have solar panels, and as electric vehicles have fewer moving parts you’ll also benefit from lower maintenance costs.
3. Sustainability – Converting an old car to electric will extend its lifespan and give it a fresh lease of life. It also saves you replacing sticky old alternators after they leave you stuck in the IKEA carpark waiting for the RAC for 5 hours.
4. Performance Improvement – Electric motors are FAST, with instant torque. Imagine your neighbours watching your Toyota Corolla take off down the street like Concorde on wheels. Most owners who convert their car to electric are highly impressed by the performance gains compared to the original gasoline-powered configuration.
5. Personalisation – Converting an old car to electric allows you to build it to your liking. You can choose the battery capacity, range, and other features to suit your specific needs, meaning you can build a cost-efficient commuter to a rocket ship.
6. Longevity – When electric vehicles first hit the roads people were concerned about ongoing costs, but not so much these days. Electric cars tend to have longer lifespans because modern electric motors are durable with fewer moving parts than internal combustion engines.
7. Regulatory Compliance – In some states of Australia there are restrictions on older, heavily polluting vehicles. Converting your old car to electric can help it comply with emissions regulations, allowing you to continue using it legally.
8. Unique Projects – Converting a classic or vintage car to electric can be a unique and satisfying project for any classic car lover. You’ll have the aesthetics of a classic car with modern electric technology – what a fantastic combination.
9. Energy Independence – By converting your old car to electric you become less reliant on fossil fuels. If you can generate electricity from renewable sources, such as solar panels or your own personal wind farm, then your costs of taking the car for a spin are next to nil.

The gotchas of converting your car to electric

Converting a car to electric isn’t a simple DIY project.

It’s highly rewarding, and fantastic in the long run, but keep in mind it can be expensive and time consuming undertaking such a project.

If you can find a company who makes an electric car conversion kit for you specific vehicle then you’re onto a winner, but otherwise you’ll need to work with the company to create the kit to work for your car.

Undertaking an electric conversion yourself requires some expertise in automotive mechanics and electrical systems, plus access to necessary equipment and components. Additionally, the feasibility of a conversion depends on your specific vehicle and its design.

Before converting your car to electric we recommend you carry out thorough research – yes, Google and YouTube help in this respect. Consider the costs and benefits, and make sure you have the technical skills or professional assistance you need to complete the conversion successfully.

Available electric car conversion kits in Australia

Unique EVS in Bibra Lake, Perth, Western Australia offer a full EV Conversion Kit for $42,500 AUD at the time of writing for Land Rover and Volkswagen Applications. This includes all parts – motor, mounts, differentials, control boards, battery packs, electrical circuits, and a necessary engineering report. View their website.

Australian Electric Vehicle Services (AUS EVS) offer kits for a variety of vehicles including Porsche 911, Toyota FJ40, Volkswagen Beetles, Kombis, and more. The trouble is, whether you visit their Website or Facebook page, they’re not very good at telling you where the f*ck they are in Australia – successful business 101.

Evolution Australia in Melbourne offer electric conversion kits for Land Rover Defenders, Volkswagen, and Audi applications, but at the time of writing it is necessary to contact them for availability. View their website.

Queensland police refer to these benefits as “excuses”, stating the real reason people lower their car is to make it look good.

What’s wrong with that?

Unfortunately for us cool people, we need to accept lowering our car will attract police attention, “random spot checks”, possible fines, or a possible dreaded trip over the pits.

In this article we’ll look at how low you can lower your car legally in Australia, which in general terms is 100mm from the ground.

Lowering your car – the 100mm Australian Design Rules rule

The 100mm clearance rule when lowering your Australian car is put in place by the Australian Design Rules (ADRs), most notably ADR 43.

But it’s not as simple as 100mm at a point you choose under your car, it is “any point in the width of the vehicle which is within one metre fore and aft of any axle“.

We will discuss good ways to check your lower car is compliant with the 100mm rule shortly, but wait, as unfortunately it gets a little more complicated.

The 50mm change in height rule

ADRs aside, you may also fall foul of the National Code of Practice for Light Vehicle Construction and Modifications (NCOP) regulations put in place by the Government department of Infrastructure.

These regs state the “total change in vehicle height resulting from all modifications performed, does not exceed 50mm”.

It’s unlikely you’ll break this legality with your Nissan Skyline, but if you’re lowering your 4×4 to look cool rather than practical then this rule is easily broken.

If you’re concerned about this rule, it is advisable to read the NCOP regulations themselves, specifically VSB 14, Section LS – Suspension and Steering.

What you should consider when lowering the ride height of your car

We mentioned earlier about police attention, and legal or not, lowering your car is like shining a spotlight in the vicinity of a herd of police moths*.

* Note: The correct term for a group of moths is an eclipse. We just felt a herd of police moths sounded funnier.

You may have done your due diligence to ensure your car is lowered legally, but often in Australia a police officer will give your car a good going over until they find fault. Once they’ve pulled you over, they want to make sure they’ve done their job – and that may mean they aren’t satisfied until they’ve found a problem.

In my experience, a random check such as this will involve being breathalised as well, and a potential drug test. I don’t drink and drive, and I’m too old to take drugs (except ibuprofen for headaches and lower back pain), but it’s frustrating nonetheless. Especially when you’re trying to get home to catch an explosive MAFS dinner party.

Once upon a time I was pulled over because the police officer “heard me speeding”. I kid you not – apparently this clever chump could hear motion. In truth I was bang on the limit, on a roundabout I knew very well, I just had an aftermarket exhaust (which was also compliant).

But get this – after 30 minutes of the police officer going over my car, plus comments about it being a “boy racer car” when it was a classic Honda CRX like the one Ayton Senna once owned, he followed me home to my cul-de-sac and complained about my girlfriend’s number plate being dirty.

Quite often a police officer will pull you over for a lowered car, but give you an infringement for something else. Be warned.

How to ensure your lowered car is compliant

Police officers use a tool called a measuring wheel to measure the ride height of your car.

You very likely won’t have a measuring wheel handy, so instead cut a block of wood to 100mm and use that to run under your car while on a flat service. This will give you a very good idea of whether your lowered car is legal.

References

• Queensland Government MyPolice – How low can you go?

Neon lights on cars in Australia are generally subject to regulations and restrictions that vary by state and territory, but are also a glowing beacon (literally) to attract bored cops – and even if they don’t pull you up on your neon lights, they may make an issue of your other car mods.

Understanding car modification laws in your state

Generally under car neon lights are legal in Australia, although you’ll run into issues using colours such as blue or red which make your car look like an emergency vehicle.

With any car mods it’s important to understand your local car modification laws, and note regulations can and do change over time. That means a modification which is legal today, might not be legal next week. It’s therefore advisable to check with your local road authority or transport department for the most up-to-date information.

The legalities around under car neon lights

In many parts of Australia, neon lights or other aftermarket lighting modifications are restricted or prohibited when it comes to safety or visibility reasons. When it comes to under car neon lights some Australian states can be stricter than others (cough, VIC, cough).

If your neon lights don’t infringe on the restrictions in place within your state, you will generally be fine to enjoy your lit up ride.

As examples, common restrictions may include:

Colour Restrictions

Most Australian states restrict the colours of neon lights you can use, internally or externally, and even underneath your car. Red and blue lights, for example, are often reserved for emergency vehicles. Do yourself a favour, and don’t be silly enough to fit flashing blue neons – you’re asking for trouble.

Placement and Brightness

There are typically rules about where and how neon lights can be placed on your car. Excessive brightness can be a concern because it can distract other drivers, leading to accidents and road safety issues. You probably know already incorrect alignment of your headlights can lead to an infringement or trip over the pits, which means excessive neons can cause similar issues.

Use While Driving

In most cases it’s illegal to have neon lights or other distracting lighting in use while driving on public roads. The laws and regulations with neon lights are hazy, which means loop holes. Loop holes can work in your favour, or they can work in the favour of your friendly neighbourhood police patrol.

Flashing or Strobing Lights

Flashing or strobing lights are a bad idea on vehicles which are not emergency vehicles, and usually prohibited. You can still fit flashing or strobing lights to your car, but don’t turn them on unless you’re at a car show or in the privacy of your garage-come-disco.

Final thoughts on the legalities of under car neon lights in Australia

I expect if you’re reading this you are considering or already have under car neon lights fitted to your car. If so, please add pictures of your lit-up ride to the comments section below, and let us know if you’ve had any legal issues or “random” police checks while out and about.

Please don’t take this guide to under car neon legalities as read. It’s important to check the specific regulations in your state or territory to understand what is allowed and what isn’t. If you don’t do that, please don’t complain to us if you get pulled over.

In some cases, modifications may be permitted for show or exhibition purposes but may not be allowed for regular on-road use, so use common sense.

Keep in mind that vehicle standards and regulations can change, so it’s important to stay informed about the current rules in your area.

Some mods are really cheap and effective, and others will cost you $$$$s – but put your car in a different league.

In this article we’ll give you an overview of how to modify your road car.

Types of Road Car Mods

The types of modifications you want for your car depend on what you want to achieve.

This may be:

• A cool looking ride.
• A “sleeper” which looks like a regular car but drives like shit of a shovel.
• A daily driver ready and willing to take part in local track days, and outperform your mates.
• An all out beast which will get you from home to Coles in 60 seconds.

Let’s take a look at these a little further, but feel free to mix and match.

Modifications for a Cool Looking Ride

Wheels

Wheels can change the look and feel of your car completely, and make it look totally individual.

Obviously I recommend OZ Racing wheels, but dig around on Google images for ideas on what style suits you. You may like chrome, black matte, or JDM style polished lips. This is a personal decision, and knowing what look you want is your first step to choosing the right wheels for you.

Many car enthusiasts opt for a wheel an inch or two larger than stock wheels. Keep in mind going too large may look cool but can negatively affect drivability. They will also cost you more in tyre rubber, especially if you need low profile tyres.

Tyres

I’ll skirt over tyres briefly. Most people don’t realise the understated cool factor of a good set of tyres.

For JDM enthusiasts you’ll want to look at Yokohama, or Toyo as a cheaper option. Both offer some great spec tyres which will not only look good, but let you corner far quicker than cheap rubber.

For 4x4s, trucks, or utes, you may be tempted with a set of BF Goodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2s which are badass in my opinion. I had a set on my Troopy and really put them through their paces driving (and living) around Australia – dunes, beaches, rivers, salt lakes, mountain passes, you name it – they dealt with it.

A good set of tyres is worth forking out for. After all, you don’t want to be stuck in Melbourne CBD with a flat tyre looking like a [what?].

Legal Body Modifications

Some body modifications, such as spoilers and diffusers, may enhance aerodynamics and performance if they comply with regulations. Expect these enhancements to be minimal on a road car, so the real reason you’ll modify your car in this way is to make it look good.

By look good I mean look good to you, which is what’s important.

From decades of modifying cars I can say with certainty what you like won’t be what others like. It’s just the way it is. Some people like apples, other people think apples suck balls.

Modifications for Your “Sleeper”

What I’ve loved most in the history of car ownership is having a regular looking retro car which people won’t look twice at until I put my foot down or nail it around a bend.

The mods below will suit any style of car, but these cover the basics to getting your car better than average.

Coilovers

I’m surprised how most people overlook coilovers or won’t consider them because they’re “expensive”, but this is the #1 car modification in my book. They change the feel of your car completely.

I fitted my Honda Civic with Oz Racing Coilovers, and I could out-corner Skylines and Imprezas on the road or track with ease. Imagine their jaws drop.

A good set of coilovers will get your car as stiff as you like, basically turning it into a road-legal go-kart. Money well spent.

I fitted my first set of coilovers at home, with basic car mechanic skills and a YouTube video. It’s worth having them professionally set up, but if you make sure they’re all pre-set to the same height and damper settings you’ll generally be fine with some tweaking of dampers to get the best ride for you.

Aftermarket suspension upgrades

Coilovers are the daddy, but if you simply can’t afford them it’s fine – there are much cheaper alternatives which will still change the feel of your car completely.

Whatever you choose to buy make sure you research the brand thoroughly on the Internet and enthusiast communities. The last thing you want are knocky squeaky springs as you drive through the burbs.

Cold air intakes (CAI)

Any brand of cold air intake will tell you performance will be marginally improved, usually up to a few percent, but truth is a good cold air intake will only provide real gains alongside other more expensive mods.

That said, they’re one of the cheapest and easiest mods for a beginner, and you shouldn’t have any trouble fitting one yourself.

The best benefit of a cold air intake, to me, is the change in noise. Most stock cars are designed to be quiet and boring, and a simple cold air intake can really bring out some beautiful engine sounds.

One of my first cars, back in the UK, was a Vauxhall Corsa (equivalent of a Holden Barina). I’d got a job at a big IT company and was lucky enough to get a company car of my choosing, and I found out there was a rare spec Corsa with a 1.8 engine. I doubt many were sold other than the one I bought, and it sounded boring until I fitted a CAI. After that it sounded like a true sleeper, even if it looked sh*t.

The company weren’t happy when I quit a year later and gave them the car back modified (slightly).

Brake upgrades

The cheapest and easiest brake upgrades are uprated discs and pads. These are well worth doing as driving fast makes braking power extremely important, and will help you get the most enjoyment prepping for corners.

If you want to go further you can install braided brake lines, or better yet bigger brakes and calipers. Growing up with Honda Civics and CRXs I had the option of swapping to bigger brakes from a Honda Integra, and a friend of mine even had a brake setup from a Honda NSX.

If you’re planning serious performance upgrades later on, start with a great break setup first.

Exhaust system

If you like noise then an exhaust upgrade will completely change the sound of your car. Your best options are cat back/manifold back, or including the manifold (header) straight from the engine.

An aftermarket manifold will cost you a fair bit, but this will give you the best performance gains combined with a good full exhaust system.

Just keep in mind an exhaust system must comply with noise and emission regulations which are more stringent in Australia than other countries, and vary from state to state.

Roll cages

Roll cages are generally for track use, but really increase the structural rigidity of your car. It has to be said if any of your mates get in your car and it has a roll cage, then they’ll likely form the opinion it’s a pretty serious piece of kit.

Roll cages aren’t the easiest modifications to fit, and often compromise interior space and usability. You should also check local regulations for on-road use.

Performance chips

Installing a performance chip or engine control unit (ECU) remapping may improve power, but ensure it complies with emissions laws.

For most cars you can buy off-the-shelf performance chips which should improve performance. A stock car will be tuned for efficiency as a priority (so you get more km for your money), but a performance chip will sacrifice efficiency for performance – which is what you want, isn’t it.

Keep in mind, if you’re planning serious performance upgrades such as a turbo charger, then a performance chip (or piggyback chip) will be redundant. For serious mods you’ll need a tunable chip or aftermarket ECU.

Serious & Professional Car Modifications

In this section we’ll look at modifications which will change your car completely, but be prepared to dig deep, take out a loan, or keep your girlfriend’s birthday present on hold.

Turbochargers and superchargers

Whether your car is naturally aspirated (NASP) or already has forced induction (such as a turbocharger) as stock, this is your way to ultimate power.

For most NASP cars you can get a basic turbocharger or supercharger kit which will turn your car into a different beast. The benefits of a kit are they should be everything you need for a basic setup, and may increase power 10% to 20%.

A custom made kit opens up whole new levels of performance, but likely at the cost of uprating many other components such as engine internals, fuel injectors, and adding an intercooler. This is where costs escalate quickly, as does the risk of blowing your engine, but boy can the performance be excillerating.

You probably know already, but when you hear a car hooning through town with intermittent “Tssssshhhh” sounds – that’s a blow off/dump valve releasing pressure on a turbocharged car. Regular people will hear that sound and think “hoon”, but to me that’s the sound of someone really enjoying their car.

Limited Slip Differential (LSD)

Some stock cars are lucky to come with LSD. Even back in the 1990s some Honda’s like the Integra and a handful of JDM Honda CRXs came with factory fitted LSD.

For others, an LSD may set up back a fair bit, but it’s one of the best upgrades for handling.

An LSD gearbox will control traction to individual wheels when you take a corner at high speed or go over a loose surface like gravel. In a nutshell, if one wheel starts losing traction, the power delivery will go to wheels which do. This helps the car keep traction at maximum speed.

Rally cars benefit greatly from LSD, and it’s one of the reasons Mitsubishi Evos and Subaru Impreza AWDs make great rally cars.

An LSD must meet safety standards, so this is something you must check based on regulations in your state.

Engine tuning

Engine tuning is a must if you’ve significantly changed performance with other upgrades, but tuning must comply with emission standards and noise regulations.

You may need an aftermarket ECU, and likely the help of a dyno and professional to tune your car properly, but if you want to maximise your performance (and prevent your engine blowing under forced induction) then this is an absolute must.