The world of car modifications—or car mods, for short—encompasses a vast number of components that can turn your daily driver into something faster, more powerful, and, let’s face it, that much cooler. Who wouldn’t want every other driver on the road to take a second look as you whip past? However, separating the select few car mods that actually improve performance from the rest requires a keen eye and knowledge of how those parts perform once installed. 

The guide below lists eight car mods you can make to improve performance, not just looks. Whether your budget ranges from a few hundred dollars to several thousand, there’s an upgrade or two listed here for you. Plus, you’ll discover the one car mod you can make to your vehicle’s interior that will turn everyone green with envy. 

8 Car Mods That Actually Improve Performance 

Spoilers, body kits, and aftermarket wheels can change your car’s appearance, but they don’t necessarily put any more power to the wheels. Use the list below to modify your vehicle for performance you can feel every time you get behind the wheel. Then consider the aesthetics—like a signature Drift car freshener, a must-have car mod for every driver. 

1. Performance Brakes

Slotted and drilled rotors aren’t just for the racetrack anymore. If you’re looking to add major power to your vehicle, oversized brakes painted in eye-catching colors are practically a must-have. You can—and should—upgrade everything from the brake rotors to the calipers themselves because you’re going to need it if you install the next car mod. 

2. Engine Tune

If you make any major power upgrades to your vehicle, an ECU tune can help your engine from grenading prematurely. Many of the car mods on our list require a standard set of mechanics’ tools, but an ECU tune isn’t one of them. This behind-the-scenes upgrade requires some computer work, unless you purchase a formatted tuning chip that plugs directly into the OBD-II port. 

3. Upgraded Camshaft

Going straight for the engine when upgrading for performance often lands you in the realm of an upgraded camshaft. The lobes of a performance camshaft change the pattern of opening and closing the intake and exhaust valves, which in plain English means a gain of 30 horsepower or more. With this swap, you may also need to adjust a few engine parameters, so do your research. 

4. Performance Exhaust

To be clear, upgrading your exhaust for performance doesn’t mean cutting off the mufflers and tips of the current system and replacing them with new ones. Instead, a performance exhaust runs the full length of the vehicle, from the headers all the way back—or to the sides of the car, depending on your style. Be advised that upgrading your exhaust may require some creativity to pass emissions testing requirements. 

5. Cold Air Intake

More power means either additional fuel or additional air for a more potent air-fuel mixture. A cold air intake introduces the plumbing necessary to pull cooler, denser air into the engine bay, resulting in greater power from the combustion chamber. Best of all, you don’t necessarily need an engine tune to install a cold air intake. 

6. Forced Induction

Turbochargers (turbos) and superchargers are the two most common types of forced induction that improve a car’s performance. While many modern vehicles come with a turbo stock, superchargers are less commonly installed from the factory. Turbos are a fairly popular car mod to make because they boost airflow by using exhaust gases to spin a turbine that powers a compressor. 

In contrast, superchargers feature a belt-driven compressor that doesn’t suffer from turbo lag. Superchargers are also known for making power at lower engine speeds (RPMs). Whether you choose a supercharger or a turbocharger, you can improve your vehicle’s performance immensely with this one modification. 

7. Suspension

Performance isn’t all about how much power your car’s engine makes; it can also manifest as superior suspension components that offer a better ride. Sway bars and coilovers are two of the most common types of suspension-related car mods. If you make any adjustments to the suspension, remember to have an alignment performed afterward to ensure the components don’t wear out prematurely. 

8. Nitrous

Nitrous oxide—NOS—adds horsepower by injecting a denser air charge into the combustion chamber, resulting in a more powerful burn. As fun as it might be to recreate scenes of your favorite fast-car movies, most states only allow NOS in a controlled environment, such as a local racetrack. Verify the legality of this car modification before proceeding.

The Best Car Mod for Elevating Your Car’s Interior

A custom exhaust and an engine tuned for speed can help improve your car’s performance, but what about enhancing the interior? A Drift car freshener elevates the cabin with sustainably sourced materials like alder wood, organic stone, and alloy metal infused with essential and fragrance oil blends. If you want an interior upgrade for your car, check out the following signature Drift scents: 

• Amber: Eucalyptus, golden amber, vanilla, French lavender

• Cabana: Bergamot, coconut, cedarwood, sea salt

• Grove: Juicy citrus, vanilla sugar, mountain greens, blond wood

• Open Air: Fresh air, crisp linen, morning dew, white wood 

• Pine: Mountain pine, moss, cedarwood, musk

• Teak: Cedar atlas, amber, teakwood, oakmoss

Cruelty-free and vegan, these sophisticated scents are also GMO-free and safe for use around pets and children. The Wood and Stone car fresheners easily clip to the driver’s or passenger’s side visor, while the Metal car freshener attaches to any air vent. Drift car fresheners last for up to 30 days or longer. 

True Performance—Like Drift—Improves the Driving Experience

Take your car’s interior to the next level with Drift. Explore our mainstay scents or join the Scent of the Month Club to experience a new fragrance every month. These luxury car fresheners are the perfect addition to any enhanced vehicle, regardless of the car mods you choose.