Superfriends: The Friendliest Exotics to Modify

January 29, 2015
Story By
Albert Roxas

As aftermarket enthusiasts, part of the core or our belief system is that EVERYTHING can be improved on. We modify cars in order to enhance performance and aesthetics, or simply to set our vehicles apart from the crowd. Depending upon your particular make/model, the pool of parts and accessories vary greatly. The most popular vehicles for the aftermarket segment tend to have the widest variety of options, in addition to the time the vehicle has been in the market. The longer the vehicle has been in production, the better chance there are parts for it. But what happens when you have an exclusive car, an exotic or supercar and you’re looking to set it apart from the crowd? The segment gets much smaller, since the production run is smaller and aftermarket options become more scarce, but not in the case of the following cars:

Audi R8

Initially introduced in 2008, the Audi R8 has been with us for almost 7 years now. This has allowed for multiple tuners to build complete packages around the model, which has changed very little since its introduction. Complete aero packages from PPI, Prior Design and even the factory motorsport team are readily available. The R8 shares bolt pattern and offset with the Lamborghini Gallardo, which has a multitude of tire and wheel options. Performance parts for both the V8 and V10 are plentiful, with Stasis and APR leading the way for both normally aspirated and supercharging options. Suspension alternatives for the factory magnetic system include H&R, Eibach or full coilover remote reservoir replacement via JRZ. Complete Twin-Turbo upgrades are available via Undergound Racing and Heffner Performance.

Lamborghini Gallardo/Aventador

Despite being one of the more “exotic” alternatives for modifying, both the Lamborghini Gallardo and the Aventador have been fully embraced by the aftermarket community. The Gallardo has been with us since 2004, 11 years has allowed for aerokits from Reiter Engineering, Vorsteiner, PriorDesign and IMSA to name a few. Sharing the same offset and bolt pattern as the Audi R8 allows the Gallardo access to the same vast pool of wheel and tire options. Mild performance parts for the Gallardo range from exhaust systems from Capristo, Tubi and Kreisseg, all the way to the same twin turbo upgrade systems available for the Audi R8 from Underground Racing and Heffner. These force induction systems are extremely popular with the Gallardo as most systems will bring HP easily north of 700HP, allowing them to compete with Hypercars. Keeping this power to the ground is handled by JRZ full suspension or simple Swift or H&R springsets for something much more mellow.

The Aventador, introduced in 2012 has surprisingly caught on quick with the aftermarket, particularly in the Aero department. Even with a pricetag north of $400K, companies such as DMC, Vorsteiner and Liberty Walk have felt aftermarket demand is strong enough to develop for Lamborghini’s flagship. Performance packages are offered direct from most dealers, with simple add-ons such as Exhaust and lowered suspension. With 700HP on tap from the factory, most enthusiasts are satisfied with the more basic performance add-ons.

Ferrari 430

The Ferrari 430 has been with us almost as long as the Gallardo, initially debuting in 2005. As one of the highest produced models from its lineup, there is no shortage of aftermarket aero for the 430. DMC, SuperVeloce Racing, Novitec and Veilside provide complete aero for the car. Some enthusiasts opt for the Scuderia OEM update to give their 430 a more aggressive look. Performance upgrades are limited to exhaust and suspension, with the high sprung V8 not particularly fond of normally aspirated additions. Underground Racing, as with the Gallardo and R8 provides a twin turbo upgrade, although not as common or popular with Ferrari enthusiasts.

McLaren MP4-12C

The “newest” performance exotic embraced by the aftermarket – the McLaren MP4-12C sports the only factory twin turbo power plant of the bunch. Gemballa, Revozport and Vorsteiner highlight companies building complete aero for the MP4, giving the factory look a much-needed update. Suspension options are slim, as it comes with factory coilovers; most owners opt to simply adjust the settings to their liking. Performance upgrades include factory sport exhaust, as well as optional 3^rd party exhausts from Akrapovic, FabSpeed and ArmyTrix. Hennesey is one of the few tuners that dares to upgrade upon the already high performing twin turbo powerplant – boosting horsepower north of 700HP.

Acura NSX

The most friendly and dare I say most affordable exotic to upgrade comes from the other side of the pond – the Acura NSX. Brought to us back in 1991 (whoa) the NSX has had 2 full decades to populate its own aftermarket bible. As a result, there is no shortage of Aerokits available – from factory add-on Comptech pieces, to full widebody and motorsport inspired replacements that have been race tested. Veilside, Cantrell, Rocket Bunny and Mugen if you can find it are just a few of the well known manufacturers that build for the NSX. Factory options include panel upgrades to the venerable NSX-R, race spec version of the vehicle. Just as with the Aero, performance parts are plentiful, with a factory OEM supercharging system courtesy of Comptech all the way to fully built normally aspirated custom engine programs. Suspension from springs to full coilovers and at least 10 different exhaust manufacturers from my initial count complete the NSX’s encyclopedia of available aftermarket parts.

Don’t let exotics scare you into moving away from our passion of modding cars, EVERYTHING can be improved upon…just wait till we breakout the most friendly HYPERCARS to modify. Stay tuned!