Car tuning

With car tuning (derived from English to tune for "( the ) Vote " or " reconcile " ) refers to improving individual changes to passenger cars, motorcycles and trucks that serve the purpose of the performance or handling characteristics or the optical and acoustic design to change.

The term literally means tuning and fine-tuning in the strict sense refers to the fine-tuning of the engine, the aerodynamics of a body or the chassis to improve performance. In a broader sense that includes, for example, the boring cylinders to increase in capacity, the installation of compressors and turbochargers for charging, a nitrous oxide injection or the installation of engines with larger displacements.

• 4.3.1 Hot Rod
• 4.3.2 California Look

Term

Be under General Tuning besides changes at the motor also understood changes that affect the suspension characteristics and pure design aspects ( body shape and color). Companies that offer professional car tuning are commonly referred to as vehicle tuner or just tuner.

For far-reaching intervention in engine and / or body in connection with extensive individual productions of the common term in the United States Customizing is now also used in German-speaking countries. A clear definition of the terms " Tuning " and " customizing" is ultimately not possible. See also custom car and custom bike.

When Fahrzeugtuning a distinction between engine tuning, suspension tuning, body tuning and interior tuning.

History

Tuning in the strict sense has its origin in the 1950s. First company called Auto Tuner, dealt with the coordination and performance of engines. At that time, the VW Beetle was a popular tuning object as a widespread vehicle.

In 1953 the company Kamei the first spoiler for the Beetle ago. This should provide at speeds exceeding 100 km / h for a higher downforce at the front axle. The name for this first spoiler was " low tax".

Initially, the vehicle tuning was limited mostly to increases in performance, possibly combined with the necessary suspension modifications, which took into account the higher power, such as shocks or in a few cases even more powerful braking systems.

Since the 1970s, the car tuning became more popular, which led to the founding of numerous tuning companies. Noticeable were the many extreme modifications offered. So often sedans, coupes and sports cars, but also all other types of vehicles with attachments up to a width of two meters were offered. The term was coined Tuning Show.

" GRP Bomber" was a derogatory term for a vehicle on which original body parts ( often front and rear aprons and the side skirts and bonnet ) away and by striking molded fiberglass plastic parts (GRP) have been replaced, the design greatly from themselves stock distinguished.

Since about the late 1990s, rare vehicles were always offered that differed extremely from each production model. The trend was to subtle alterations, in which a greater emphasis was placed on detail work and the built- technical components.

Image

For lovers of car tuning is a run with seriousness hobby that can have Fan character. Friends of tuning are linked in many ways, they give out magazines, organizing events and meetings, so that one can speak of a tuning scene or scenes of regional tuning. Certain car brands and models were and are especially popular among followers of the auto-tuning (eg Opel Manta, VW Golf GTI, BMW 3 Series, etc.). Tuning fans of these models are often close together in regional clubs. Outside their scene tuning fans often have a stereotype, partially negative image. According to this stereotype properties such as display behavior, trashy manners, aggressive driving style, etc. with drivers of vehicles Tuning associated. In particular, the " Manta driver " was a popular subject of jokes that had these stereotypes to content.

Types of vehicle tuning

Engine tuning

As a motor is referred to in the tuning control measures, which increase the power of an engine. These range from chip tuning ( modification of the electronic engine control ) to a complete overhaul of the engine. It is also known that nitrous oxide injection. Far more engine than a nitrous oxide injection is especially for vehicles with turbo-charger or charging the compressor intercooling or water injection; these can be combined with the so-called chip tuning.

Significant performance improvements (more than 5 % deviation of the series) must be removed by an authorized testing organization and entered in the vehicle documents. In addition, they may warrant further conversion work to obtain the safety of the vehicle, such as the use of a stronger braking system or other chassis.

Widely used is the increase in performance with the aid of a motor charging. These variants are relatively expensive depending on the desired result, as often other modifications, such as the drive systems ( clutch, transmission, drive shafts ) are required. However, these possibilities in most cases the only effective solution is to achieve a significant increase in engine performance without reducing the life of the motor considerably.

Not infrequently in vehicles other engines were installed, achieve significantly more power than the original engine. Often motors from other vehicles are used here even.

In the scene applies to the cost of the engine tuning as a rule of thumb for Unprofessional tuning measures, that is to calculate a cost of around 100 to 150 € per 1 kW of measurable power increase.

By design, modern diesel engines are turbocharged especially good for electronic tuning measures such as chip tuning. It should be ensured that the motor be designed for the power should - this applies particularly to the cooling system and the heat resistance of the materials. Reduced power models in a line that has the same engine used as a base as a higher motorized version, have reasons of cost, often less powerful oversized cooling systems and will be omitted, for example, on a standard oil cooler. A water injection can significantly reduce the charge air, combustion chamber and ultimately the exhaust gas temperatures.

The classic engine tuning for four- stroke gasoline naturally aspirated includes the following works:

• Change in the mixture preparation by a performance-optimized fuel injection or multiple carburetor systems,
• Magnification and flow optimization of the intake ports and valves,
• Installation of sport camshafts with performance-optimized valve timing and larger valve,
• Possibly stronger valve springs,
• Installation of lighter pistons ( forged pistons ) or upgrading existing piston through valve pockets,
• To the difference in height between the camshaft and crankshaft compensate thereby possibly necessary installation of an adjustable camshaft drive again - Plan of the cylinder head or cylinder block by grinding or milling to increase the compression ratio
• Fine balancing (and possibly easier ) of the crankshaft for higher speeds,
• Polishing of the connecting rod to prevent hairline cracks - the connecting rods are placed the same weight on the occasion also to accurately
• Installation of a piston cooling by injecting oil under the piston,
• Installation of a metal-clad oil pan to prevent the " adulteration " of the crankshaft in the oil or conversion to dry sump lubrication,
• Lighten the flywheel to reduce inertia,
• Optimization of ignition by the spark plug with a higher heat value, usually overriding the Zündzeitverstellers - the ignition is permanently set to "advanced".

To this end, actually include changes in the exhaust system, such as using a Fächerkrümmers with optimized tube length, exhaust system pipes with optimized cross-section, flow-optimized catalysts and rear muffler. The latter are often installed only for optical or acoustic considerations.

Suspension Tuning

As Suspension Tuning refers to changes in the area of the springs and shock absorbers of a vehicle. Mostly this shorter springs with a higher spring rate and harder shock absorbers are used to reduce the body roll during cornering. Typically in this case the ground clearance of the vehicle is reduced, which moves through the " Lowered " the body, and thus the center of gravity of the vehicle downward.

For SUV ground clearance can also be increased by a suspension tuning ( "Higher Place ").

Lowering

Under Lowering refers to the lowering of the entire vehicle body by exchange of chassis components. Here, several variants are possible.

This variant provides only for replacement of the suspension springs with shorter and stiffer springs with further use of the standard shock absorbers. Only the stroke of the production shocks is limited by a rebound. To the interior of the shock absorber is a sleeve - the so-called rebound - is applied between the damper piston and the closure tube to the piston rod so as to shorten the excavation of the extending piston rod to the length of the sleeve. This conversion is associated with relatively low cost. Since the shock is not designed and optimized for the new hub and the new spring rate, may lead to loss of driving behavior and the life of the damper. Unfavorable for the driving behavior it can be when the usually higher spring rate does not harmonize with the hardness of the original shock absorber ( " underdamped "). In McPherson struts additional lateral forces also act during compression on the piston rod, which can be largely compensated by the correspondingly dimensioned original springs. As a rule, only high quality lowering springs in the same transverse force compensation, thus preventing premature wear of the damper seals. If you use inferior springs may be affected in the long term function of the shock absorber.

In a sports suspension springs and shock absorbers are both replaced. The coordinated components influence the driving behavior under dynamic driving point of view positive. Higher-quality damper components also allow individual adjustment of the train and / or compression damping.

Coilover Suspension Sport Suspension, which can be adjusted via adjustable spring seat in height. They are very similar to the racing designs and can be also partially adjust in train and / or compression damping.

Are stabilizers installed on the axles by the shoring harder stabilizers ( rods of larger diameter ), the body roll is greatly reduced when cornering (roles), without taking caused by the Deep Set hardening of the suspension towards road transverse joints in purchasing. This simple and cost-effective measure, which is an improvement of the dynamic driving characteristics, even without a lower center of gravity, is often used by car manufacturers in combination with the factory offered sports equipment (such as BMW M-Sport package).

As a special form of Lowrider Tuning should be mentioned. In this form it is profound alterations in the area of ​​the chassis. The standard trolleys are replaced by:

The standard suspension and damping elements at classical lowriders replaced by hydraulic rams. Even the operation on a ( cable ) Remote control is possible, which allows external adjustment of the vehicle height, sometimes the individual shock absorbers for show.

These landing gears are characterized by their pneumatics, with the level of lowering can be changed in seconds. Requires use of a compressor and two on each axle air suspension shock absorbers. The setting is made compressors that are usually integrated into the car. But there are also external constructions in which the air pressure above normal Reifendruckfüllgeräte at the gas station is fixed. This type of suspension modification is preferably used the variable appearance of the lowering and less the variable driving behavior by the vehicle height, although the hardness is adjustable at the latest airride suspensions. Meanwhile, such suspensions are also available with technical advice and road approvable.

Miscellaneous Suspension Tuning

As an extension to serve Lowering braces to stiffen the body which is exposed by the modified center of gravity and often harder suspension heavier loads than is the case with a standard suspension. Braces either connect the two so-called Dome, which absorb the shock absorbers, or can be mounted directly on the shock absorbers and connect them together. Thus the turning performance is improved in this respect.

Another possibility for improvement after installing a lowering, the rubber buffer (eg wishbone, stabilizer or camber ) to replace against tougher, such as teflon coated plastic. The exchange of this suspension bearings has the result that the steering movement can be implemented much faster and more accurately from the vehicle. The handling of a vehicle that has a correspondingly high-quality chassis and the chassis storage sockets have been replaced by reinforced versions, allows a much sportier driving style and resembles that of a kart.

For Suspension Tuning also includes the use of other tire sizes. Here usually find alloy wheels made ​​of aluminum alloys, in rare cases, magnesium or carbon fiber, with greater width and larger diameter using. The tires often have a lower cross section and are generally larger than in the production models. This increases the grip and stability of the vehicle increases on the road so often significantly higher cornering speeds and shorter braking distances can be achieved. For pure show purposes are increasingly extravagant models, often chrome-plated and often decorated with gold application or even precious stones used.

Body Tuning

Tuning refers to a body to the vehicle body changes. These range from installing a spoiler to a complete change in the body, which is usually done by attaching parts or replacement of standard parts. A distinction is made between measures that the purpose of a change of the optical appearance of the vehicle used alone and those that improve the driving behavior of the vehicle at higher speeds due to its aerodynamic properties. Extensive modifications concern the replacement of whole body areas through conversions, such as the installation of double doors or scissor doors.

Hot Rod

The chopping ( CHOP -top ) is a technique in which the A-, B-, C-pillars of an automobile to be shortened in length. Thus, the optical belt line of the vehicle is to be lifted. In addition, the window area is reduced and the roof is lower.

The channeling also Lowered from engl. channel (channel), causes a lowering of the total body over the frame of the vehicle. This is done by welding a groove (channel) in the underside of the body.

When sectioning a horizontal stripe is removed from the body of the vehicle.

The Cleaning ( engl. clean = clean), refers to the dismantling of moldings, door handles, lettering and covers and then closing the resulting holes with sheet metal. The body is thus cleaned visually disruptive (functional ) elements.

The Lowering includes the visual and technical body lowering (see Lowrider ). For this purpose, a vehicle is provided with a channeling or a hydraulic or pneumatic suspension.

California look

The term Cal Look (English for Californian appearance) referred to in a special style converted Volkswagen models, especially the VW Beetle. This style coined the VW Beetle scene worldwide. In the late 1960s, this type of beetle tuning in Orange County, south of Los Angeles was born. "California Look": Only a few years later, the style was international attention, as Jere Alhadeff gave the style a name in the 1975 February issue of the magazine Hot VWs.

The intention of the Cal looks is simple: the beetles should be made more conspicuous by the absence of unnecessary ornamentation and ensure by means of a powerful engine for high performance at the traffic lights and on the drag strip. As a basis for "Cal Looker " de facto used all the older air-cooled Volkswagen.

Interior Tuning

As interior or interior Tuning refers to changes in the vehicle interior. Often there are higher quality or more exotic materials than originally intended, such as leather or Alcantara, installed or added parts. Sometimes strange type instrument panels are installed.

A special kind of interior tunings are changes by multimedia devices, such as car audio systems, speakers, DVD player or the like.

But it is also important that the vehicle elements such as car seats and the steering wheel to be modified. In addition to larger and well recognizable transformations, there are also numerous smaller details, such as the opener of the glove compartment and doors, light switches or even the instrument rings, which can be customized.

Lighting

Include changes in lighting

• Replacing the headlights against which with clear glass lens and / or parking light rings
• Replacing the tail lights against those with LED lighting
• Replacement of light bulbs to those with color filters or other light sources
• Additional lights Lights outdoors ( eg, fog lights, daytime running lights, additional lights, additional position lights on trucks, light tubes under the vehicle for passenger cars, additional lights )
• Lights in the interior ( often fluorescent tubes or LEDs ) So-called plasma dials that once you turn on the light on the car, the speedometer in different colors ( usually blue or green) light. If the light is off, the speedometer instrument appears white.

Additional lights are necessary, not approvable, this includes a brighter interior lighting, provided that radiates outward.

Tuning in model

Not only in the field of real vehicles tuning is operated. In modellers to friends of tuning deal with the numerous opportunities to refine production vehicles. Particularly noteworthy is the tuning of model cars. This hobby is enjoying increasing popularity for years. Especially enforced has here the model scale 1:18.

Legal

The relevant rules for tuning the FZV and the German Road Traffic Licensing Regulations ( Road Traffic Licensing Regulations ):

Road Traffic Licensing Regulations § 18 ( Zulassungspflichtigkeit ): omitted deleted from the traffic regulations.

Road Traffic Licensing Regulations § 19 ( granting and validity of the approval ): The vehicle's operating permit expires (only ) when changes are made by the

• A) is amended the Vehicle,
• B ) is to expect a traffic hazard, or
• C ) deteriorates the exhaust or noise characteristics.
• D) " fourth alternative ": The fourth alternative refers to the consequences of a failure to perform retrofit acceptance pursuant to § 19 (3), traffic regulations. For example, a component is growing scrutineering, the growing acceptance, however, was not carried out.

The approval shall not cease where the parts installed (after a, b, c ) has its own German (§ 22 Road Traffic Licensing Regulations ) or EC -wide approval or component type-approval ( § 22 a traffic regulations ), it is expressly requires no attachment loss, or if the cultivation of the parts has been the vehicle manufacturer as part of an operating license or a supplement thereto approved for the vehicle in accordance with § 20 traffic regulations. An extinct approval may only be restored by a decrease in the change in a motor vehicle examiner without dismantling. With ABE § 19.3, or traffic regulations by individual approval in accordance with § 21 traffic regulations. The gem is not for parts. § 22a Road Traffic Regulations, as here, a new approval must be granted.

Road Traffic Licensing Regulations § 22a ( type approval for vehicle parts ): Certain equipment must always be carried out in a type officially approved: tires, wheels and films for windows, headlights, lamps, bulbs and Others This vehicle parts may for use in public transport offered only sold or be acquired if they are marked with an official mark. For used vehicles, it is sufficient in a particular case, if the " In about effect " satisfied or if the device can be rebuilt, or only with high financial expenditure. Such parts may not be changed. Very popular are, for example, painted tail lights. Here the design of the lamp is changed in any manner.

Road Traffic Licensing Regulations § 69a ( Offences ): Within the meaning of § 24 of the Road Traffic Act committed by anyone who intentionally or negligently disregarded these limitations.

Conclusion: In general, is one of many self- made ​​alterations ( require type approval or type- relevant but unaudited) Individual acceptance at an approved expert ( Test Engineer ). To avoid this, you can buy car parts with ABE, ie " general operating ". These are often independent of an installation acceptance. Parts advice is an assessment aid for the test engineer. In registrable changes for which there is no type approval or approval or that are dependent on an installation acceptance, the expert must make the assessment independently. A built- loss is often necessary in rims, suspension and aerodynamic components. Subsequently, the registration certificate is part supplemented II ( vehicle registration ) to extensions and conversions registered no longer influence the operating license ( BE) of the vehicle. To demonstrate the decrease in the approval body in the registration certificate part I ( vehicle registration ) should be entered. According to § 13 FZV are legally relevant changes " immediately " shall be entered by the approval bodies. In other cases, the papers with any mounting instructions and installation receipts are kept.

In Austria tuning is only permitted if it meets the legal requirements of the motor vehicle Act ( CPA) that the road traffic regulations ( Highway Code ) or the Motor Vehicles Act Implementing Regulation.

In Switzerland, changes may contradict the vehicle not the Ordinance on the technical requirements for road vehicles (VTS ).

Well-known companies in the tuning industry

Well-known tuning companies are inter alia