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How would we best describe Modifications and Alterations? Do we look at the nature as well as the intended purpose of such modifications?
Modifications and alterations are essentially the same things when it comes to motor vehicles.
As far as the practical descriptions go, alterations would not affect performance while modifications typically would.
Simply put alterations and/or modifications can be described as bringing about changes to the original vehicle parameter standards with a view, largely of enhancing a vehicle’s performance in fuel consumption, load capacity, cosmetic trim, 0 – 100km/h or top speed runs. Where these modifications/alterations do not comply with the requirements of the Road Traffic Act, they will be deemed illegal.
We could break it down into the following categories:
Visual Modifications
This would include the likes of paint jobs, chrome and aftermarket grilles, darkened lights or so-called “Angel eyes,” etc. Changes that only affect aesthetics but none of the other categories.
This would typically have no direct impact on vehicle function, performance or safety.
While this is a huge industry, it is largely harmless.
Functional Modifications or Enhancements
These include “lifted suspensions,” bigger wheels, tinted windows, HID Headlamps and the like.
The driver would like the vehicle to look sportier and would change the wheels & tires (bigger / wider) and lower the suspension so that it sits lower to the ground. In many instances, the driver is happy with the performance so doesn’t touch the engine by increasing power.
These modifications or alterations if you will, are designed to improve the driver experience or render the vehicle more capable in a particular environment.
A good example would include off-road tires on a double-cab LDV, along with a so-called “suspension lift.”
This makes the LDV more capable of handling rough terrain and might include under-belly protection like “skid-plates” or winches to facilitate the novel application.
For road cars, this might involve a change in the wheel diameter, lower profile tires, etc.
The enhancements affect the capabilities of a vehicle so they are more enhancements than mere alterations, but some are used only for aesthetic value.
Performance Enhancements
This is where things get more relevant for road safety. The driver wants more power and better handling. To achieve this the engine may be upgraded with a Turbo charger on replaced altogether and to cope with the performance the suspension is changed and may include the replacement of shock absorbers (from mild to wild) and possibly even an upgrade of the brakes to improve stopping power.
It needs to be understood that Performance entails more than mere acceleration and straight-line speed.
As far as performance enhancements go, the outcome is likely to affect:
•Engine power or torque (output).
•Airflow or induction pressures (turbos and superchargers).
•Chemical augmentation (fuel changes like running on AvGas or Aviation Fuel or even Nitrous Oxide or NOS).
•This includes everything from engine software manipulation through plug-and-play exhaust systems, etc.
•The enhancements are often done with pre-existing “kits” that manufactured, created or built for each brand or model individually.
•The result is faster acceleration, better cornering or improved braking.
Design Modifications
This is where the engineering types get involved and might include any, a combination of or even all the following:
•Engine/wheel transfer modifications, such as differential, gearbox or gear ratio changes.
•Suspension enhancements to ensure better road holding around corners, etc.
•Introduction of completely new vehicle systems (any or all the above).
When design modifications are selected, the vehicle is almost completely re-designed.
Typically reserved for track application, this is a new “trend” that is more a manifestation of the financial limitations of the owner than anything else.
Which modifications are the biggest threat to road safety and would endanger the lives of both the driver and other road users?
•Speed enhancement modifications.
•Dropping ride heights significantly (suspension modifications) which affect the ride and handling and fitment of overly large wheels which affect steering and control of a vehicle.
•The "home done" suspension modifications which have seen springs falling out of the vehicle having no suspension travel at all.
•Too big an engine for the vehicle which compromised: ◦Handling
â—¦Stopping ability
â—¦Premature wear of wheel bearings and other critical components as a result of wide wheels and incorrect tires
https://www.arrivealive.co.za/Vehicle-Modifications-Alterations-and-Road-Safety
Modifications and alterations are essentially the same things when it comes to motor vehicles.
As far as the practical descriptions go, alterations would not affect performance while modifications typically would.
Simply put alterations and/or modifications can be described as bringing about changes to the original vehicle parameter standards with a view, largely of enhancing a vehicle’s performance in fuel consumption, load capacity, cosmetic trim, 0 – 100km/h or top speed runs. Where these modifications/alterations do not comply with the requirements of the Road Traffic Act, they will be deemed illegal.
We could break it down into the following categories:
Visual Modifications
This would include the likes of paint jobs, chrome and aftermarket grilles, darkened lights or so-called “Angel eyes,” etc. Changes that only affect aesthetics but none of the other categories.
This would typically have no direct impact on vehicle function, performance or safety.
While this is a huge industry, it is largely harmless.
Functional Modifications or Enhancements
These include “lifted suspensions,” bigger wheels, tinted windows, HID Headlamps and the like.
The driver would like the vehicle to look sportier and would change the wheels & tires (bigger / wider) and lower the suspension so that it sits lower to the ground. In many instances, the driver is happy with the performance so doesn’t touch the engine by increasing power.
These modifications or alterations if you will, are designed to improve the driver experience or render the vehicle more capable in a particular environment.
A good example would include off-road tires on a double-cab LDV, along with a so-called “suspension lift.”
This makes the LDV more capable of handling rough terrain and might include under-belly protection like “skid-plates” or winches to facilitate the novel application.
For road cars, this might involve a change in the wheel diameter, lower profile tires, etc.
The enhancements affect the capabilities of a vehicle so they are more enhancements than mere alterations, but some are used only for aesthetic value.
Performance Enhancements
This is where things get more relevant for road safety. The driver wants more power and better handling. To achieve this the engine may be upgraded with a Turbo charger on replaced altogether and to cope with the performance the suspension is changed and may include the replacement of shock absorbers (from mild to wild) and possibly even an upgrade of the brakes to improve stopping power.
It needs to be understood that Performance entails more than mere acceleration and straight-line speed.
As far as performance enhancements go, the outcome is likely to affect:
•Engine power or torque (output).
•Airflow or induction pressures (turbos and superchargers).
•Chemical augmentation (fuel changes like running on AvGas or Aviation Fuel or even Nitrous Oxide or NOS).
•This includes everything from engine software manipulation through plug-and-play exhaust systems, etc.
•The enhancements are often done with pre-existing “kits” that manufactured, created or built for each brand or model individually.
•The result is faster acceleration, better cornering or improved braking.
Design Modifications
This is where the engineering types get involved and might include any, a combination of or even all the following:
•Engine/wheel transfer modifications, such as differential, gearbox or gear ratio changes.
•Suspension enhancements to ensure better road holding around corners, etc.
•Introduction of completely new vehicle systems (any or all the above).
When design modifications are selected, the vehicle is almost completely re-designed.
Typically reserved for track application, this is a new “trend” that is more a manifestation of the financial limitations of the owner than anything else.
Which modifications are the biggest threat to road safety and would endanger the lives of both the driver and other road users?
•Speed enhancement modifications.
•Dropping ride heights significantly (suspension modifications) which affect the ride and handling and fitment of overly large wheels which affect steering and control of a vehicle.
•The "home done" suspension modifications which have seen springs falling out of the vehicle having no suspension travel at all.
•Too big an engine for the vehicle which compromised: ◦Handling
â—¦Stopping ability
â—¦Premature wear of wheel bearings and other critical components as a result of wide wheels and incorrect tires
https://www.arrivealive.co.za/Vehicle-Modifications-Alterations-and-Road-Safety
