What are the WORST Car Mod Trends? Scotto, Zack and Zac Debate!
Very Vehicular
What are the WORST Car Mod Trends? Scotto, Zack and Zac Debate! Very Vehicular · May 6, 2026
What are the WORST Car Mod Trends? Scotto, Zack and Zac Debate!

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What are the WORST Car Mod Trends? Scotto, Zack and Zac Debate!
Term

VLT rating

VLT means “how much light gets through.” Lower numbers are darker, so you see less glare—but you may see worse in low light.

Term

limo tint

“Limo tint” just means extremely dark tint. It can be against the law and can make it harder to see, especially at night.

Part

seven post suspension rig

A seven-post suspension rig is a machine that holds a car and shakes it in controlled ways to mimic bumps and road forces. It helps engineers test how the suspension reacts.

Company

KW

KW is a company that makes suspension parts for cars. In this segment, they’re the ones helping develop and test suspension setups.

Topic

Burnout Wars

“Burnout Wars” appears to be an event the hosts reference while talking about their personal connection to the name Zach. It’s not explained in this excerpt, but it functions as a real-world context marker for the discussion.

Topic

worst car mod trends

They’re not talking about the coolest upgrades. They’re arguing about the most regrettable car modification trends from the last several years.

Term

firing order

In an engine, each cylinder has to ignite in a specific sequence. That sequence is called the firing order, and it helps the engine run smoothly.

Concept

don't meet your hero's cars

It’s basically the idea that some cars you think you’ll love can disappoint you when you actually see or drive them. The hosts are using that as the theme for their list.

Term

horsepower numbers

Horsepower is a way to quantify how strong an engine is. The hosts are saying they won’t use those numbers to decide what cars they dislike.

Term

lap times

Lap time is how long it takes to drive one full lap on a race track. The hosts are saying this episode isn’t based on track results.

Term

blown

In this context, “blown” is slang for having a supercharger. A supercharger helps the engine make more power by pushing extra air in.

Term

fake tow straps

“Fake tow straps” are fake-looking straps attached to the front of a car for style. The problem is they’re not meant to actually tow or recover the car, and they can be dangerous if relied on.

Term

tow hook

A tow hook is a real metal attachment point on the car that’s meant for towing or recovery. Here, they’re saying their tow hook snapped while towing, which shows why you need the right hardware and safe setup.

Porsche 911
Car

Porsche 911

The Porsche 911 is a famous sports car from Porsche. Here they’re pointing out that the 911 has an actual tow hook attached to the car’s body, not just a cosmetic part.

Term

gunshot tune

A “gunshot tune” is a software change that makes the exhaust pop loudly when you lift off the gas. People do it for the sound, but it can be risky if it’s too aggressive.

Term

timing

“Timing” is about when the engine’s spark happens. If it’s set too aggressively, the engine can run hotter and be more likely to get damaged.

Term

catalytic converters

Catalytic converters are parts in the exhaust that help clean the car’s emissions. If you make the exhaust pop too aggressively, you can overheat or damage them.

BMW 335i
Car

BMW 335i

The BMW 335i is a BMW people commonly modify. In this discussion, it’s mentioned because the catalytic converters can get damaged by aggressive exhaust-popping tunes, which can be very costly to replace.

Brand

Magnaflow

Magnaflow is a company that sells aftermarket exhaust parts. They’re mentioned here to give a real-world example of how expensive replacement catalytic converters can be.

Term

ignition to happen in the exhaust

Normally fuel burns inside the engine. Here, some of it burns in the exhaust instead, which makes the car sound louder and cracklier.

Term

washing down your cylinders

If too much fuel gets past the piston rings, it can dilute the oil and reduce lubrication inside the engine. That can lead to extra wear over time.

Term

smoking cylinder wall

When the engine isn’t burning and lubricating correctly, you can get smoke coming from the combustion process. Fuel/oil getting where it shouldn’t can cause that.

Term

washing down your oil with fuel

Fuel can sometimes leak past into the engine oil. When that happens, the oil gets thinner and doesn’t protect the engine parts as well.

Term

burble

A “burble” is that mild crackle/pop sound a car makes when you lift off the throttle. It’s usually softer than the loud, violent “gunshot” pops.

Term

D cell pop

“D cell pop” appears to be a specific enthusiast term for a particular kind of pop/burble sound. The transcript doesn’t provide enough context to confirm exactly what “D cell” refers to (it may be a mishearing or shorthand), but it’s clearly being used as a descriptor for the 911’s exhaust note.

Term

track mode

“Track mode” is a vehicle setting that changes control strategies (throttle response, stability/traction behavior, and sometimes engine/exhaust mapping) to suit track driving. In this segment, it’s linked to the car producing aggressive pops while being driven hard.

Audi Quattro
Car

Audi Quattro

The Audi Quattro is associated with Audi cars that use an all-wheel-drive system. In the podcast, they’re talking about an older performance model and how people used tuning to change how the engine responds. That’s why it comes up in performance and tech discussions.

Term

anti-lag

Anti-lag is a trick on some turbo cars that keeps the turbo spinning even when you let off the gas. It can make the car sound like it’s “popping” or “shooting,” but it can be very stressful on the engine and turbo. That’s why it’s usually seen in racing, not normal street use.

Term

spooled

“Spooled” means the turbo is already spinning fast enough to make boost. If it’s spooled, the car feels more responsive when you hit the throttle. Anti-lag aims to keep it spooled even when you’re not on the gas.

Term

caliper covers

A caliper cover is a decorative piece that goes over your brake caliper. It’s mostly for looks, not for making the brakes stop better.

Term

brake caliper

The brake caliper is the part that squeezes the brake pads against the spinning brake disc to slow the car down. More piston hardware can change how the braking feels.

Tesla Model 3S
Car

Tesla Model 3S

The Tesla Model S is an all-electric car, meaning it runs on electricity instead of gasoline. The podcast is talking about performance versions and how certain parts or options can change over time. That’s something owners and buyers often pay attention to.

Brand

Rembos

“Rembos” is the way the hosts are saying “Brembo,” a famous brake brand. They’re talking about how the car was presented as having Brembo-style brakes.

Company

Mando

Mando is a company that supplies parts to car makers. Here, the hosts say Tesla used Mando for the rear brake calipers, which affected what was actually on the car.

Brand

Caliper Skins

Caliper Skins is a company that makes decorative covers for brake calipers. The hosts bring it up as an example of the trend catching on.

Company

Rough Country

Rough Country is an aftermarket parts company, especially for trucks and off-road vehicles. The hosts say they also sell caliper covers that create a performance-style look.

Concept

track chic

“Track chic” means making a car look like it belongs on a race track. The hosts are saying it’s often just for looks, not real performance.

Concept

tuning (cosmetic vs functional)

They’re arguing about what “tuning” really means. Some people do mods that mainly change the look (like spoilers and body kits) instead of improving how the car drives.

Term

body kits

A body kit is a set of add-on parts that change the outside look of a car. Sometimes it’s meant to help aerodynamics, but often it’s mainly for style.

Term

spoilers

A spoiler is a wing-like piece on the back of a car. It’s supposed to change airflow to help the car stay more planted, but here they’re saying some spoilers are just for looks.

Dodge Charger
Car

Dodge Charger

The Dodge Charger is a sporty American car that’s built for quick acceleration. People often customize them, including adding performance or styling parts like special wings. It’s a well-known model that shows up a lot in car culture.

Term

Gurney flap

A Gurney flap is a small “little fin” on the back edge of a spoiler/wing. It helps the car generate more grip by changing how air flows over the spoiler.

Brand

Mopar

Mopar is the name people use for Chrysler’s enthusiast/performance world. Here, it’s being used to mean “those Mopar cars” that also get copied with the same aftermarket aero look.

Term

bumper covers

Bumper covers are the outer parts of the bumper you see on the outside of the car. They’re talking about people leaving those stock pieces in place instead of doing a more aggressive setup.

Term

seat belt

They’re talking about changing the color of seat belts to make the car look more “race-y.” The important part is that the belt still does the same job—color doesn’t make it safer or better.

Brand

Aston

They’re talking about Aston Martin’s racing team. The point is that race cars often use matching colors (like red belts) as part of the team look.

Brand

Volkswagen

The speaker mentions Volkswagen in the context of copying a Porsche-associated visual trend. Here, Volkswagen is used as the car brand that adopted the same “race car” look.

Term

eight piston

An “eight piston” brake setup means the brake caliper uses eight small pistons to squeeze the brake pads. The idea is that it can clamp the pads more evenly, but the hosts are criticizing people who brag with it just for looks.

Term

rotor

The rotor is the round metal disc that spins with the wheel. When you brake, the pads squeeze onto it to slow the car down.

Term

pick up truck bed smokestacks

These are tall “smokestack” decorations people add to pickup trucks. The point is mostly looks, and the hosts think it’s a silly trend.

Term

overrun noise

It’s the loud popping/crackling sound some cars make when you let off the gas. Certain exhausts and tunes make it happen more (and louder) on decel.

Concept

SEMA

SEMA is a big car show/trade event in the U.S. where people bring aftermarket parts and modified cars to show them off.

Term

rev your shit

It means revving the engine—spinning it up—especially while you’re just sitting there. At a show, it can be really loud and annoying, and it can even be unsafe.

Term

rev off

“Rev off” means the engine speed drops quickly, usually when you let off the gas. Some people like it because it can sound dramatic, especially with certain exhaust setups.

Topic

Huntington

“Huntington” sounds like a place where car events or meetups happen. They’re using it to talk about the kind of crowd and behavior they see there.

Term

cold start

A “cold start” is when you start the car before it’s warmed up. The engine can sound louder or rougher at first, so some people do it on purpose to show off.

Brand

DDE guys

“DDE guys” is a reference to a car-content crew called DDE. The hosts are saying that this loud, showy style is something that crew is associated with.

Audi S8
Car

Audi S8

The Audi S8 is a faster, sportier version of Audi’s big luxury sedan. Here they’re basically saying it’s relatively quiet inside compared to their other cars.

Volkswagen Vanagon
Car

Volkswagen Vanagon

The Volkswagen Vanagon is a classic VW van people often use like a camper. They’re mentioning it because it’s quieter than their loud cars.

Term

switchable valve stuff

This is an exhaust setup with valves you can switch on and off. It changes how loud the car sounds—quieter when closed, louder when opened.

Term

open headers

“Open headers” usually means the exhaust is basically left very exposed, without mufflers to quiet it down. It makes the car much louder than a normal exhaust.

Term

decel popping

“Decel popping” is the loud popping or crackling sound a car makes when you let off the gas. It happens because fuel and exhaust gases can ignite in the exhaust when the engine is slowing down.

Term

ghost cams

“Ghost cams” is slang for camshaft mods that mainly make the engine sound rough and “loud,” but don’t really make the car feel much faster. People call it “ghost” because it’s more show than substance.

Ford F150
Car

Ford F150

The Ford F-150 is a large pickup truck. It’s designed to carry things and handle everyday driving, but it can feel a bit rough or uneven depending on how it’s set up. That’s why people may describe its ride as “choppy.”

Term

choppy

“Choppy” here means the engine doesn’t idle smoothly. It sounds uneven, like it’s surging or loping at low speed.

Term

Coyote

“Coyote” is a nickname for Ford’s 5.0-liter V8 engine. In this discussion, they’re saying the rough idle sound they heard was coming from that engine, even though it was stock.

Term

install cams

Installing cams means changing the camshaft to a different design. It can make power in certain parts of the rev range, but it can also make the car idle rough if it’s not matched well.

Term

loppy and lopey idle

Some cam setups make the engine idle “choppy” or uneven. It can sound cool to some people, but it can also cause problems when you’re stopped, like with air conditioning.

Term

vacuum

Vacuum is suction created by the engine that some systems use to work. If the engine makes too little vacuum, things like power brakes can feel worse and other systems may not work right.

Volkswagen I
Car

Volkswagen I

The Volkswagen ID. Buzz is an electric van. It’s designed to look like the classic Bus, but it runs on electricity. The podcast is mentioning it as a Volkswagen the speaker owned or talked about.

Term

cam profile

The cam profile is the “shape” of the camshaft that controls when the engine’s valves open and close. If it’s very aggressive, the engine can struggle at low RPM—so turning on the A/C can sometimes make it stall.

Porsche 935
Car

Porsche 935

The Porsche 935 is a real Porsche race car. It’s based on the 911, but it’s built for racing and sounds and drives very differently than a normal street 911.

Term

rev drop

A rev drop just means the engine RPM falls quickly. After starting—especially when it’s cold—the RPM can drop as the engine settles into its normal running.

Part

flywheel

A flywheel is a spinning weight inside the engine area that helps the engine turn smoothly. If you make it thinner/lighter, the engine can crank differently and the start can sound more aggressive.

Part

starter

The starter is what turns the engine over when you press the button. They’re saying the car used a special, smaller starter to still get enough turning force for the modified engine setup.

Suzuki Samurai
Car

Suzuki Samurai

The Suzuki Samurai is a small SUV that’s known for off-road ability. People sometimes modify them, and that can make the car sound unusual. The podcast is referencing that kind of standout sound.

Term

high compression

High compression means the engine squeezes the fuel/air mixture more before it ignites. That can make the engine harder to crank, and it can change how the start sounds.

Term

torque

Torque is the “turning force.” They’re saying the starter has to provide enough turning force to spin the engine over and get it running.

Term

fake ass chop

“Chop” is the rough, stuttering sound some cars make. “Fake chop” usually means the car is being tuned to imitate that sound rather than doing it naturally.

Concept

stolen Valor

They’re using “stolen Valor” to mean “pretending.” The mods are meant to make a car seem like it’s a real race/serious performance build, but it’s not truly doing the real thing.

Term

overhead cam V8

“Overhead cam” means the engine’s valve control parts sit on top of the engine, in the cylinder head. A “V8” is an engine with eight cylinders in a V shape, so an “overhead cam V8” is a V8 with that top-mounted valve setup.

Term

quad valve V8

“Quad valve” means each cylinder has four valves instead of two. In a “quad valve V8,” that same four-valve setup is used on all the cylinders, which can help the engine breathe better.

Topic

squat trucks

“Squat trucks” are trucks where the back end sits lower than the front, usually from suspension changes. It’s often done for looks, but it can make the truck ride worse or handle differently.

Concept

EV swap

An EV swap means taking a gas car and replacing its engine with an electric motor and battery. It can make the car feel very different from how it was originally built.

Company

EV West

EV West is a company that converts cars to electric power. The hosts mention them because they’ve built EV-swapped cars, including a drift-focused BMW E36.

Term

zero to 60 times

It’s a stopwatch measurement of how fast a car can accelerate from a standstill to 60 mph. Faster times usually mean quicker acceleration, but it’s only one way to judge a car.

Term

nitrous oxide

Nitrous oxide is a gas you can inject into an engine to get a temporary power boost. It helps the engine burn more fuel, so the car accelerates harder for a short time.

Brand

Lucid

Lucid is an electric-car brand. The hosts are using a Lucid ride as an example of how very quick acceleration can get boring after you’ve done it a couple times.

Term

Ecotech

“Ecotech” sounds like they mean an Ecotec-style modern engine swap. They’re saying the car isn’t running the original Beetle engine—it’s using a newer engine, and it’s turbocharged.

Term

turbo

A turbo is a device that uses the engine’s exhaust to push extra air into the engine. More air usually means more power, which can make the car feel much faster.

Concept

all electric vehicles

They’re discussing fully electric cars—cars that don’t use gasoline and instead run on a battery. The point they’re making is that some people don’t find electric racing as entertaining as traditional racing.

Topic

no one cares racing

They’re making a joke about an electric racing series, saying people don’t really care about it. It’s their way of criticizing how much attention electric racing gets.

Concept

EV

EV stands for electric vehicle. It’s a car that runs on electricity from a battery, not gasoline. The hosts are talking about how lots of people jumped on EV-related projects and some of them didn’t work out as expected.

Concept

Formula One

Formula One is the highest level of race car competition in the world. Teams and manufacturers use it as a testing ground for new technology, so when F1 changes direction, it affects what other people build too.

Concept

ice engines

ICE engines are regular gas or diesel engines that burn fuel to make power. The hosts are saying some companies thought they’d stop using them in racing, but later reconsidered.

Term

straight air mode

“Straight air mode” sounds like a setting on an air-suspension system that changes how the suspension holds the truck’s height. Air suspension uses compressed air to raise or lower the vehicle. This mode is likely meant to keep the truck in a particular lowered stance.

Concept

lifted trucks

A lifted truck has been raised up with suspension changes. That usually means bigger tires and a taller look, and it can also affect how the truck rides.

Concept

stretched tires

Stretched tires are when the tire is pulled tight over a wider wheel to make the sidewall look smaller. It looks aggressive, but it can be harsher and easier to damage.

Concept

Hawaiian style

“Hawaiian style” here means a local truck customization look that people associate with Hawaii. The hosts are basically saying they don’t want to disrespect that culture while talking about their own naming idea.

Term

sidewall

The sidewall is the part of the tire that sits between the tread and the wheel. More sidewall usually means the tire is less “stretched” and has more rubber to protect it.

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