The cement shakes as Brad Barrington and Geoff Wilkinson show off their muscle cars in the parking lot of Patrick Taylor Hall. It sounds more like two fighter planes ready for takeoff rather than sports cars looking for a parking space.The two have been customizing their late-model American cars since they were in high school. “My favorite thing about my car is the sound it makes,” Wilkinson said. “It’s got that deep rumble that American V8s have, but then the supercharger has this high pitched, demon-like scream when you are running wide open, so you get this crazy mixture of a screaming demon in front of you and a roaring beast behind you.”Barrington, mechanical engineering senior, drives a red 2001 SS Camaro. Wilkinson, also a mechanical engineering senior, drives a black 2003 Mustang GT. Together they have spent more than $40,000 customizing their cars, a hobby many still enjoy despite recent economic downturns.Dan Shaver, Mike’s Audio Inc. salesman, said their business has increased lately despite the national economic worries. Shaver said college students make up nearly 75 percent of his business and tend to “build systems,” buying parts when they’re able to save up enough money.The most popular items among college students are in-dash televisions, navigation and iPod-compatible stereos, Shaver said.”Business is still strong,” said John Canfield, a salesman at Kirk’s Automotive. “We hear about the recession, but people are still spending money on their vehicles.”Canfield said wheels and tires, stereos and window tint are especially popular. The majority of Kirk’s business comes from truck accessories and customizations, especially step bars, bug shields and door visors.But not all car-related businesses are fairing well.Dan Stephans, a salesman at Grav Custom Wheels & Accessories, said business is in a bit of a slump lately. He has seen a “big, big change” in the number of customers since Hurricane Gustav.Stephans said he has been getting new business lately from tailgaters looking for custom toolboxes and ice chests with stereos in the them. Grav’s business usually consists of after-market wheels, stereos and alarms. Stephans said he sells and regularly installs two or three sets of wheels per day.Beside rims, students have found dozens of ways to spend money on their vehicles.Darin Jones, music senior, said he bought speakers, subs and lights for the Nissan 300ZX he drove in high school but has since outgrown the trend.”I used to be really into car customs,” Jones said. “But now I think it’s the biggest waste of money ever.”Jonathan Alexander, electrical engineering sophomore, spent about $3,500 customizing his 1998 Toyota Camry. He got a custom paint job, tires and rims, a stereo, performance brakes and exhaust.Alexander said he became interested in customizing when he got in a fender-bender and had to repaint his car. Instead of touching-up the beige color, he decided to repaint his car “silver frost.” Since then, he’s continued buying parts from eBay and Craigslist.com or from friends.Alexander doesn’t race his car. He’s more concerned with keeping it looking “clean” and enjoys working on it as a hobby.     But for  Barrington and Wilkinson, it’s all about performance. Barrington said he’s added “after-market heads, cam, full exhaust, nitrous kit and too many other engine, drivetrain and suspension modifications to list.”Wilkinson has added a supercharger, full stainless steel exhaust from headers to tips, an upgraded T-56 Transmission, wider wheels and drag-racing tires.Both Barrington and Wilkinson said they think their money is well spent.”Looking back on it, there are other avenues where I could have spent that money,” Barrington said. “Driving it on the drag strip makes it somewhat worth it.”Barrington and Wilkinson race their cars on the drag strip at No Problem Raceway in Donaldsonville.”It’s an adrenaline thing,” Barrington said. “Generally when people modify their cars it’s for their own fun, but at the same time some of it is having a flashy car.”Barrington said he plans on enjoying his car and not spending any more money on it for a while. He admitted he sometimes wishes the engine would explode. “It would give me an excuse to build a new one.”—-Contact Jack LeBlanc at [email protected]