Tesla Model 3 Modded on a Budget (Build Breakdown)
With the support of state officials, politicians, and EV incentives, Teslas are taking over the Golden State. Buyers enjoy the technology, battery, power, performance, and overall driving experience Elon’s electric cars offer.
At the time of writing, the Model 3 and Y are still the best-selling vehicles in California.
While the SoCal car culture isn’t ready for zero emissions, the number of modified Teslas seen at car shows grows quickly. EV owners have their own SoCal Tesla meets, and you can see some hot custom-built cars.
Our featured ride is one of those. Eddie G owns it, and I’ll do a quick build breakdown of his Tesla Model 3 modded on a budget.
That doesn’t mean he used hubcaps and cheap wraps. It means that Eddie carefully picked the modifications to build his dream car without spending a fortune or getting sponsored.
Not everyone will be impressed, but that’s always the case with fully customized cars.
Hate it or love it, Eddie’s Model 3 is an excellent example of how to make a Tesla stand out without spending 5K or more to install a tunning kit from the big brands.
Even if the overall appearance doesn’t suit your taste, there’s always something to take away from a modified Tesla. Every car project can inspire new ideas.
Speaking of inspiration, if you need some, check out these mild to wild custom Teslas.
Now, let’s get into Eddie’s ride.
Eddie Geezee’s Modded Model 3
Eddie got his 2021 Model 3 SR Plus (non-dual motor vehicle) on December 21, 2020 – a great Christmas gift, which he didn’t keep in its stock shape for too long.
It wasn’t his first build, so he knew how to get a street car modified properly. Eddie started enhancing the Tesla right away and changed quite a few mods during the last 24 months.
In the summer of 2023, Eddie says the project is finally finished. I’m not sure about that, though. You know how it goes. Once you start customizing a car, you’re only done when you sell it.
Time will tell, and if you want to see whether I was right, follow Eddie on Instagram at eddiegeezeecarmod_channel
Let’s dive into the build breakdown.
Wanna have your ride featured? Message me.
The Initial Modifications
Like most of us, Eddie started with some basic DIY mods. He installed mud flaps and a rear spoiler and had his windows, headlights, and taillights tinted. In case you’re wondering if driving with smoked taillights in California is legal, it’s not.
Eddie got pulled over just once. He explained to the officer his Tesla Model 3 was an Instagram car and got away without taking the vinyl off.
Up front, Eddie added a lip with white striping, plastic foglight covers, black Tesla logo and had the car sitting on Black Milled 20″ Sevizia wheels.
None of those are currently on the Model 3. He even got a new set of rims.
The Current State of Eddie’s Tesla Build
Eddie removed what you saw in the photo above and added more mods. Here is what the Tesla rocks at the time of writing.
Aerodynamic Mods
Eddie bought a front bumper replacement from Ikon Motorsports, which he complemented with a new front lip and side skirts. He installed a rear diffuser and changed the trunk spoiler. I like this one better. It’s different than what most people have on their M3s.
If you’re looking for some cool Model 3 body mods, check out my round-up post. Whether you want to get a sporty look, improve your car’s performance, or both, there are options for every budget.
Performance Upgrades
As I mentioned, the other wheels are gone. Eddie replaced those with another set of 20-inch Sevizia’s, but the new ones are all black SE433 wrapped in 245/35 tires.
Eddie says air suspension isn’t his thing, so he went for the H&R lowering springs. These are some of the best options if you plan to get your Tesla suspension lowered.
Cosmetic Customizations
Eddie didn’t use much carbon fiber, unlike most Tesla owners, and I don’t blame him. While I think genuine carbon fiber is a very effective mod for interior customization, the glossy black is a great match for the exterior of white Tesla cars.
Eddie says he went for the Nissan Nismo look, swapping the Black Tesla logo for a Red one and adding some Red stripes. He’s got the Roadster style Tesla lettering and a Plaid badge to match the license plate on the back of his car.
Looking at the side of his modded Model 3, you’ll notice aftermarket mirror covers in glossy black with carbon fiber accents, wind deflectors, pillar delete, side decal, and some cool wheel accessories.
Interior Enhancements
Eddie didn’t go crazy with the interior of his car. He has the floor mats, an extra dash screen, and the Yoke steering wheel.
As I mentioned, he says the M3 project is done, but I won’t be surprised to see a carbon fiber dashboard, door inserts, or center console wrap installed soon.
Wrapping It Up
I’ve been part of the car culture long enough to know that no customized car will impress everyone. But that’s not what it’s all about, is it?
It’s about making it your own. The excitement you get from every mod you install, the smile on your face when you’re driving, the conversations your car instigates, and of course, the memories you create with your kids.
Don’t Miss Matt’s Modified Model 3 Performance Story
