The Cruiser Store | April 2026 | 5 min read
If you’re looking at diesel performance upgrades for your 70 Series, the first thing to get clear on is this: not every “performance” mod does the same job.
Some upgrades are about making the vehicle feel stronger under load. Some are about protecting the engine long-term. Some help airflow and drivability. Others are smaller supporting mods that make more sense once you’ve already built the rest of the vehicle around touring, towing, or accessories.
So rather than lumping everything together, it makes more sense to ask one simple question:
What do you actually want your 70 Series to do better?
If you want to browse the wider range first, you can view our full 70 Series accessories collection.
1. If you want the most noticeable performance change, start with the exhaust
That’s because a better exhaust helps your 70 Series breathe more freely. The factory setup does the job, but it is not built purely around performance. A quality aftermarket exhaust helps the engine get rid of exhaust gases more efficiently, which can help the vehicle feel less held back.
What does that mean in real life?
Usually it means:
- the vehicle feels a bit more eager
- throttle response can feel sharper
- it can feel less strained when towing or carrying weight
- exhaust temperatures can be reduced
- and you get a deeper, stronger exhaust note as well
That is why an exhaust is often one of the first upgrades people look at when they want to wake the vehicle up a bit.
If you want the upgrade that is most likely to feel like a genuine performance step, start with the Beaudesert Exhausts range.
It makes the most sense if your 70 Series:
- tows regularly
- carries weight
- does long-distance touring
- or just feels like it could do with a freer, stronger setup
If your idea of performance is something you can actually feel from behind the wheel, this is usually the first place to look.
Best for:
- owners wanting a more noticeable performance-style upgrade
- towing and loaded touring setups
- people who want a stronger overall driving feel
2. If you plan to keep the vehicle long-term, start with a catch can
This is the less glamorous option, but often the smarter one.
If you care about diesel engine protection and long-term health, start with a ProVent Catch Can Kit.
This is not the mod you buy because it sounds exciting. It is the one you buy because you want to look after the engine properly and keep the setup cleaner internally over time.
In a diesel, oily vapour and blow-by gases can make their way back through the intake system. A catch can helps trap a lot of that before it ends up where you do not want it. So while it is not really a “performance” mod in the exciting sense, it is absolutely a performance-supporting mod in the sensible sense.
It makes a lot of sense for owners who:
- plan to keep the vehicle for years
- tour regularly
- tow and work the vehicle hard
- prefer sensible engine-protection upgrades before chasing bigger power-style mods
If you’re the sort of owner who wants to do things in the right order, this is a very strong first performance-related buy.
Best for:
- engine protection
- long-term ownership
- touring and work vehicles
And if the vehicle is being built as a bigger all-rounder, not just a power project, it’s worth thinking about comfort upgrades at the same time too. A stronger diesel setup and a nicer vehicle to live with usually go hand in hand.
3. If you want airflow, dust protection and a quieter touring setup, look at the snorkel
Not every performance-related upgrade is about chasing outright power.
If your 70 Series spends time in dusty conditions, on longer trips, or you simply want a better airflow-and-protection setup without making the vehicle more annoying to drive, the Scavenger Snorkel is a strong option.
A good snorkel helps move the air intake to a higher position, which is handy in dusty conditions and adds a bit more protection when the vehicle is being used properly off-road or on long trips. But beyond that, it can also be part of building a better overall touring setup.
That is why a snorkel sits in a slightly different category to something like an exhaust.
This sits in a useful middle ground. It is part engine-protection mod, part airflow mod, and part liveability mod.
That makes it especially appealing for owners who want a touring-friendly diesel setup rather than a purely performance-driven one.
It makes the most sense if you want:
- cleaner airflow and dust-conscious intake positioning
- a more practical setup for touring use
- a snorkel that doesn’t make the vehicle more annoying on the highway
For the owner who wants a real-world improvement rather than a bragging-rights mod, this is a very sensible buy.
Best for:
- touring builds
- dusty-road use
- owners who want practical airflow and protection benefits
4. If you’ve already added accessories and charging load, consider the smaller supporting mods
Not every useful upgrade in this space is a big-ticket item.
For V8 owners running heavier accessory loads, the Alternator Booster Diode is the kind of small supporting mod that can make sense once the rest of the vehicle is already doing more.
This is not the first thing most owners should buy. But it is the sort of product that becomes more relevant once you are running auxiliary batteries, added accessories, or a setup that is asking more from the charging system.
It is best thought of as a supporting buy, not the hero performance mod.
Best for:
- V8 owners
- heavier accessory or charging loads
- people fine-tuning an already-built setup
So what should you buy first?
If you want the short version, here it is:
-
Buy an exhaust first if you want the most noticeable performance-style change
-
Buy a catch can first if you care more about engine protection and long-term diesel health
-
Buy a snorkel first if you want practical airflow, protection and a touring-friendly setup
- Buy the booster diode later if you are fine-tuning a V8 setup with more electrical demand
That is the real trick with 70 Series diesel upgrades.
There is no single “best” first mod for everyone.
There is just the best first buy for the result you actually want.
The bottom line
The best diesel performance buying guide is not the one that throws the most products at you.
It is the one that helps you buy in the right order.
If you want the biggest-feeling change, start with the exhaust.
If you want to protect the engine, start with the catch can.
If you want a practical airflow-and-touring crossover upgrade, start with the snorkel.
And if you are already running a built V8 with more load on the system, then the smaller supporting mods start making more sense too.
If you want to keep building out the rest of the vehicle, have a look through our 70 Series accessories range.