Between the roar of the engine, feel of the gear switch in your hand and vibration of the car as it races around the track, you relish everything about “driving” a virtual racecar. The simulated racetrack is your home, and you’re an expert competitor who never fails to cross the finish line in first place. But now you’re ready to bring your virtual vehicles to real life. Here’s how you can transform your car into a gamer’s dream:
Transition From Mechanical to Electrical Parts
If there are parts under your hood that aren’t electric-powered, you’re certainly not getting the full potential out of your engine. Moreover, mechanical parts take away from your engine’s horsepower to operate properly. And, as a racecar enthusiast, you certainly don’t want to skimp on the important details.
However, you won’t experience this issue if you invest in electrical parts, as they function independently of one another. So if you want to hear that exhilarating “vroom vroom” when you hit the gas, replace any fans and fuel pumps with their electrical counterparts.
Upgrade to a Fuel Injection System
Much like the racecars driven by NASCAR greats like Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon, your vehicle will require the right mix of air and fuel in order to get enough speed and power. Looking to tear down the streets like your favorite current or former NASCAR drivers?
Your best bet is to replace your vehicle’s standard fuel injection system to one that’s optimized specifically to your ride. These customized systems enable your vehicle to handle more air and fuel, which will increase its overall speed, power and gas mileage. Instead of hitting the NOS button on your racing game, a la The Fast and the Furious movies, swap out the cards for a needed boost.
Replace Your Tires
Now that you have looked under the hood, it’s time to move to your vehicle’s exterior. Of course, your tires say a lot about the type of driving you plan to do. Large, thick tires are great for off-roading, as well as maneuvering through plenty of mud, dirt and bumps.
Likewise, if you plan to drive at breakneck speeds on an open race track, you might need something a little lighter and thinner to make those hairpin turns. Or, if you’re looking for better overall performance, you’ll need tires with the right amount of tread to improve your gas mileage and make your vehicle feel more luxurious.
Your tires and rims also can make your car look like a work of art. When you select your favorite vehicle in a racing game, you can easily go from sleek and modern to something more edgy and different. Add colors, patterns or other elements to the rims to make a statement. Indeed, this is one area where you have a lot more options from which to choose.
Give it a New Coat of Paint
One final cosmetic touch to make your vehicle look like it flew out of a game and onto the street is giving it a vibrant coat of paint. Now, if you want to drive like a true gamer, you can’t skimp on the details and go for something subtle. Instead, be bold and go for a neon orange or green design to complement your new, edgy rims.
You can also opt for a sleek and sexy look with a steel gray or black-with-silver-accent design. Or, go for the classic stop-sign red (just don’t be surprised if you need to watch your speed to avoid a speeding ticket with this attention-grabbing color). Paint won’t make your car drive faster or better, but it will turn heads as you drive on the open road.
While you may not be able to drag race through major cities like you do in your favorite video games, you can outfit your car to make it look and feel like it should be showcased in one. Tinker around and make some adjustments to enhance your car’s performance, while making it look snazzy to challenge even the best video game concept cars. Just be warned — the racing noises aren’t included.
