Car body kit: what is it, what happens and for what purposes it is installed
Content
In order not to greatly change the factory design, it is possible to improve the existing bumper by drilling holes in it for cooling the radiator or by organizing an additional mount for the headlights.
Tuning gives the car a unique design. But not only airbrushing will allow you to stand out from the crowd. In the article, we will consider what a car body kit is, types of an additional element.
Car body kit: what is it
This component is a body part that performs protective, decorative or aerodynamic functions. All body kits for cars are universal, since they equally give each of the above features. They are installed either on top of an existing machine part, or instead of it.
Types of body kits
According to the material they are:
- metal;
- polyurethane;
- rubber;
- made of stainless steel;
- composite;
- from ABS plastic.
Car body kit
Usually a complete set of car body kit consists of the following elements:
- overlays;
- arcs and arches;
- "skirts" on bumpers;
- "cilia" on the headlights;
- spoiler.
By appointment, the body kit on the car is needed to perform the function:
- protective;
- decorative;
- aerodynamic.
Let's consider each type in more detail.
Body kits for car protection
Such components are usually installed:
- On the rear or front bumper. They are made of chrome pipes that protect parts of the car from damage (cracks, dents) in the parking lot or when driving on the highway.
- On the threshold. These footrests will protect the car from a side impact.
What is used to decorate the car
All add-ons can be used for decorative purposes, but more often than others, spoilers and rear wings are used, which provide better downforce to the road, preventing lift from growing.
Car body kit
In order not to greatly change the factory design, it is possible to improve the existing bumper by drilling holes in it for cooling the radiator or by organizing an additional mount for the headlights.
Aerodynamic body kits
Fans of high speeds need such elements, as they increase the stability of a sports car on the track, improve its handling when driving over 120 km / h. Aerodynamic overlays are installed at the front or rear to eliminate air turbulence.
What body kits are made of for cars: the pros and cons of the material
Additional elements have a different design. Each option has advantages and disadvantages.
fiberglass
The most popular material. Fiberglass overlays are light, easy to install, resistant to temperature fluctuations, and have high resistance to damage.
ABS plastic
This is an impact-resistant plastic body kit for cars, made on the basis of a copolymer and styrene. Parts made of ABS plastic are cheaper than fiberglass, but less resistant to temperature fluctuations and chemical attack (acetone, oil).
Carbon
This is a composite material with an original exterior design. It is the most expensive and high quality of all. It has one drawback - low elasticity, leading to brittleness if the thickness parameters are incorrectly selected.
Made of rubber
It's an almost invisible overlay. Rubber body kit for cars is used to protect against dents, damage, mounted on either side of the car. It is considered the cheapest of all.
Stainless steel body kits
They are distinguished by a high content of chromium in the composition, which, interacting with oxygen, forms a protective film. Stainless body kits will protect the car from corrosion.
Premium car tuning
3 tuning kits for luxury cars:
- Carzone for Alfa Romeo 147 worth about 30000 rubles. Tuning consists of a rear and front fiberglass bumper.
- Tech Art Magnum for Porsche Cayenne 955. Approximate price 75000 rubles. The composition includes: 2 bumpers, sills, headlight housings, arch extensions and a lining for the trunk.
- Bliss. This is a body kit for a Korean car Hyundai Sonata worth about 78000 rubles. It is made of fiberglass, and consists of overlays for the sills and hood and grille for the radiator.
Body kits for sports cars
3 options for auto-tuning racing foreign cars:
- ASI on a Bentley Continental worth about 240000 rubles. Consists of rear and front bumper, spoiler, mesh and door sills. Harmonizes with the primary design of the sports car, improves its stability and aerodynamics.
- Hamann on the Aston Martin Vantage. Approximate price 600000 rubles. The composition of such tuning from Germany: lining on the hood and sills, as well as a bumper with carbon fiber inserts.
- Mansory on the Audi R8. Price on request. The kit consists of a spoiler, side skirts, radiator grille, rear bumper and various trims.
Body kits on a sports car
The main condition for choosing a tuning for a sports car is to improve grip, increase downforce.
What body kits are used for trucks
For such machines, separate elements for tuning are used. Complete sets are not for sale. Options for additional parts:
- pads for handles, fenders, hoods;
- arches on bumpers from pipes;
- headlight holders on the roof;
- protection for wipers and windshield;
- visors;
- bumper skirts.
All add-ons for trucks are expensive, but they mainly perform a protective function.
Cheap body kits for domestic cars
The benefits of tuning Russian cars are conditional. It must be remembered that although it creates a certain design, it can degrade speed performance and affect road performance.
What are the plastic body kits for cars VAZ 1118 ("Lada Kalina"), which are inexpensive:
- "Cameo Sport". The approximate cost is 15200 rubles. Consists of grille, spoiler, 2 bumpers, headlight covers and sills.
- "Cup" DM. Price 12000 rub. Transforms a nondescript sedan into an aggressive sports car. The kit consists of 2 bumpers, spoiler and side skirts.
- "Atlanta". The approximate price is 13000 rubles. This plastic body kit for the car does not change the design much: it makes the bumpers more voluminous, adds eyelashes to the headlights and a small rear spoiler.
More cool body kits for cars, but for other VAZ models:
- Front bumper AVR Style fiberglass. Installed on passenger models VAZ 2113, 2114, 2115. Price 4500 rubles. Improves aerodynamics, adds power and aggressiveness to the appearance.
- Car kit "Everest" for "Niva" 21214, made of plastic. It costs 8700 rubles. The set consists of linings on the hood, radiator grilles, spoiler, wiper fairing, sills, radiator grilles and taillights, cowl fairing, wheel frame extensions and several other “little things”.
- Set for Lada Granta LSD Estet, consisting of 2 bumpers (one with mesh), eyelashes and sills. The approximate cost is 15000 rubles.
There are many types of tuning for Russian cars. Everyone can choose a unique option for themselves.
Rating of body kit manufacturers by popularity among motorists
We examined what a car body kit is, the types of this element. It remains to find out where the production of such components is located. The 4 most popular companies distinguished by the quality and design of products:
- CSR Automotive from Germany. Material used: fiberglass of the highest quality. A little adjustment is required during installation. For installation, sealant and standard fasteners are used.
- CarLovinCriminals from Poland. They also make fiberglass body kits for cars, but their quality is slightly inferior to the German one. Details are easily painted, delivered without additional fasteners.
- Osir design from China. Creates various components for auto-tuning. In the manufacture of fiberglass, fiberglass, carbon, etc. The Chinese company Osir design is distinguished by products with a unique design and high quality.
- ASI from Japan. Positions itself as a car dealership. This Japanese company provides premium tuning parts for custom projects.
The article talked in detail about the types of car body kit and what it is. They are needed not only as decoration, but also to improve handling at high speeds.
