A Motech guide to D.I.Y

what can I install safely on my car?

It’s great to do things yourself, the sense of achievement you feel once you’ve fitted a stylish upgrade to your car is unbeatable - not to mention saving money on fitting costs. We’re all for D.I.Y, that’s why we give you the option to mail order parts from Motech, but there are some things that should definitely be left to us. The last thing you want to do is buy a premium part from us and damage your car/the part while attempting to fit it without the right tools/knowledge. In this blog, we’ve chosen to highlight some products that can be installed at home with little hassle, and some that we recommend you leave to us. 

PANEL FILTERS

Panel filters are a quick and simple way to improve airflow to your engine, no specialist equipment is required - this is a straightforward swap. 

1. Locate your airbox - it’s usually near the front of the engine bay secured with clips or screws. 

2. Remove the old filter - check for dirt/debris inside the airbox 

3. Insert the new filter - ensure it sits properly with no gaps 

4. Secure the airbox - close it and fasten any clips or screws that were previously there. 

5. Start your car and ensure everything is working smoothly. 

BADGES

The process for badge application is nice and easy, we would definitely recommend mail-ordering this part if you don’t plan on getting anything else done to your car. To do this, you will require your new badge, Gtechniq’s Tar & Glue remover (or an alternative adhesive remover), some fishing line or thin string, and some cleaning supplies such as Gtechniq's Quick detailer.

1. Apply your adhesive remover 

2. Begin to slowly work your way down the back of the badge with your fishing line/string 

3. Once the badge is removed, clean the area with your Gtechniq Quick Detailer

4. Dry the area

5. Remove the sticker from the back of the new badge and apply it to your vehicle 

Carbon Fibre arch guards

Carbon Fibre Arch Guards (or any arch guards for that matter) can be installed at home. To do this, you’ll need your carbon fibre arch guards, the fixings and fittings (they come with when you order from Motech), a screwdriver and cleaning supplies. 

1. Wash and completely dry the arch area to remove any dirt or grease

2. Remove the pins with a screwdriver

3. Place the arch guards on your vehicle

4. Align the guard with the empty holes and secure using the provided screws/clips 

5. Firmly press into place to ensure a secure fit 

bumper protection strips

Fitting Bumper Protection Strips is also a nice easy job, you can fit this stylish addition to your car by using mild soapy water, microfibre cloths, measuring tape, and something for smoothing down. 

1. Wash your bumper thoroughly with mild soap and water, dry the surface completely with a clean cloth to ensure the strips stick

2. Choose whatever method you’d like to lightly mark where you’re going to place the strips, ensure they align with the contours and edges of your bumper

3. Measure carefully that both sides are going to be symmetrical

4. Peel the adhesive from the strips, slowly press the strip into place along your point of application. 

5. Use a credit card or something similar to press firmly down across the strip, removing air bubbles and wrinkles

Clean up any excess and wait a short while before driving.

THINGS YOU SHOULD LEAVE TO US

Wheel Spacers

Wheel Spacers are something that some might feel would be a quick and easy D.I.Y job, but we would advise against it for several reasons:

Improper wheel tightening - Over-tightening or under-tightening of the spacers can cause wheel wobble, damage to the spacer - and could even run risk of the spacer detaching while driving. 

Safety hazards - Minor errors in installation can result in massively dangerous safety risks. A misaligned spacer increases the risk of wheel detachment

To conclude, it is far safer to let us handle your wheel spacers with the right tools and professional knowledge than risk it and potentially put yourself and anyone in your car in harms’ way. 

Exhausts

Fitting exhausts can be dangerous, they can get really hot and there are also lots of legal/regulatory issues that can arise if not fitted properly. These are the main reasons you should entrust professionals with fitting an exhaust to your car: 

Damage to engine sensors - Exhaust parts that are misaligned can interfere with oxygen sensors and other components related to emission - this can affect engine performance. 

Carbon monoxide exposure - Inadequate sealing, misalignment and lack of a professional once-over can lead to exhaust leaks - which could result in carbon monoxide entering the cabin. 

Compliance - Exhausts hold certain legal requirements that you might fail to meet if you fit them yourself, not to mention that your insurance may be void if your installation doesn’t meet professional standards. 

Component damage - The use of incorrect tools or techniques could damage surrounding parts such as mounting points on the chassis or the catalytic converter 

In conclusion, unless you have access to a professional work space, tools and also hold experience with exhaust fitting - we highly recommend letting us fit your exhaust. 

SPRINGS/STANCE KITS

Springs alter your cars’ stance and suspension, effectively holding your car up at whatever height they’re set to. Ensuring that your springs are fitted correctly is paramount for a comfortable, safe, daily drive. There are a number of things that can go wrong in a D.I.Y installation: 

Misalignment - A professional fitting would include a full alignment check after modifying any components that affect suspension. A D.I.Y installation might cause you to miss this or check inadequately, which could leave your vehicle with incorrect alignment - causing safety and performance issues. 

Safety hazards - Anything involving suspension, especially when it involves compressed springs, can be dangerous. Mishandling while attempting to fit can lead to accidental release of springs - causing injuries or damage to the vehicle. 

Improper securing/fitment - Lack of the right tools and expertise could result in springs not being secured correctly. This can result in loose components, suspension failure or erratic vehicle behaviour. 

To conclude, springs are far better off being left to the professionals - the risks involved mean that, unless you are experienced with automotive part fitting, you should not attempt to do it yourself. 

bits to remember

These are all recommendations, if you believe you can fit a part to your car and have the appropriate knowledge and tools - then feel free to do so. The guides we have provided for fitting are just that - guides. You might find it easier to look on YouTube for a visual aid to accompany our guidance. 

Stay safe!