The Top 20 Best Cars To Tune For The Hottest Wheels On The Road

August 15, 2022

Although most cars perform well right off the production line, it is possible to enhance them further by tuning them. Tuning involves making modifications to a car to improve its performance. It is possible to tune almost any car that exists. However, tuning works better on some cars than it does on others. These are twenty of the best cars for tuning, most of which are readily available and not too hard to come by.

Ford Mustang

The Mustang has such a dedicated following that many people attend meetups across North America to discuss parts, problems, and modifications. With the car still in production, many tuning houses, such as Shelby American, have taken to modifying Mustangs, and some have tuned them to over 1000 horsepower. Having amassed such a cult following, it's no surprise that Ford has continued to make the pony car since 1964. The Mustang has solidified itself as a favorite at car shows, on the track and for DIYers looking for a tuner with plenty of options available for part swaps and upgrades.

Audi TT

The Audi TT has been produced since 1998 and is a stylish option for anyone looking for a high-performance sports car. Upgrading the air intake system, fuel system, or suspension are the easiest ways to get an instant performance boost from the TT. Upgrading the standard turbocharger is, perhaps, the most popular upgrade and creates the biggest jump in horsepower. The TT provides an excellent base to build from since the stock four-cylinder engine churns out 168 horses before upgrades. Unfortunately, upgrades can and will ruin the over forty miles per gallon the base model offers. If you've bought the car to tune, however, fuel economy probably isn't topping your priority list.

Chevrolet Corvette

The Corvette has been in production since 1953, so it is no surprise that there are many versions of it that can reach over 1000 horsepower following heavy modifications. Over seven generations of the Corvette have been produced, and every version is praised for its high standard of performance and styling.

Nissan Silvia

The Silvia represents all that is right with a Japanese sports coupe. It has a front engine, rear-wheel drive configuration, and a low center of gravity. These characteristics not only give the owner a great blank canvas for performance modifications but also make the car highly reliable and interchangeable with other Nissans.

Subaru WRX/STI

The WRX is often called an "incomplete rally-car," meaning it is just waiting to be modified so it can reach its full potential. The high-performance, turbocharged engines in the Subaru WRX are ripe for modification.

Eagle Talon

Mitsubishi and Chrysler teamed up for this underrated and bizarre vehicle, which houses the same engine as a Lancer Evolution. The all-wheel-drive models of the Talon are capable of producing 195 horsepower, but with a few modifications, this vehicle can become a sleeping giant.

Nissan Sentra SE-R

This Sentra represents the best sleeper on this list and looks like it belongs to a grandmother who uses it only once a week. However, a quick Internet search for “modified Sentra SE-R” will make jaws drop. The Sentra SE-R Spec V comes out of the factory with 200 horsepower, not bad for a granny-mobile.

Mazda RX-7

The Mazda RX-7 was in production from 1978 until 2002 and is considered a masterpiece among performance cars. This rotary-engine-powered vehicle has always been highly sought after by gearheads due to its great potential.

Acura RSX

The RSX, also known as the Integra DC5, was in production from 2001 until 2006. The Type-R models of this vehicle come standard with a two-liter VTEC engine that produces 217 horsepower. The last model of the RSX could do a standing quarter mile in 14.6 seconds, which is very respectable for a production vehicle.

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution

The 'Evo' is a favourite among Japanese performance car enthusiasts because of the potential within the two-liter, turbocharged engines and all-wheel drive, sport-like configuration. Coming out of the factory with a minimum of 244 horsepower, any of the ten models available are amazing for tuning.

Nissan 300ZX

The Z32 300ZX was produced from 1990 to 2000 and is beloved by many who modify vehicles as a hobby. This rear-wheel drive beast can destroy tires as a standard vehicle, and the VG30DETT motor is well known for taking abuse like a champ.

Mitsubishi 3000GT

The 3000 GT, also known as the GTO, comes standard with a three-liter, twin-turbo V6 engine in some models that can produce 296 horsepower. The vehicle itself can handle more power from tuning, albeit with minor modifications to the suspension and brakes.

Mazda Miata

Drivers of the Miata argue that this car provides one of the most exciting driving experiences around. Low to the ground with a great weight distribution and an easily tuned engine (ranging from 120–200 horsepower from the factory), the Miata is one of the best cars for tuning available today.

Honda S2000

This rear-wheel-drive roadster was originally launched to celebrate Honda's fiftieth anniversary in 1999. The second-generation S2000 came with an impressive 2.2 liter naturally aspirated engine that pumped out 237 horsepower. Simple engine modifications can turn this lightweight, 2800-pound vehicle into a real beast on the road.

Volkswagen Beetle (Original)

The original Beetle has been reincarnated as a rally car, drag racer, touring car, and sprint car. There is virtually no limit to the modifications a Beetle can handle, and even the 1970 model has a standard top speed of eighty-one miles per hour.

Toyota AE86

The AE86 is the stuff of legends within motorsport circles. Initially gaining popularity in Japan as a cheap street racer, this vehicle has carved out an everlasting legacy worldwide. Many people transplant later model Toyota engines into the lightweight AE86 shell, but the standard 1.6 naturally aspirated engine responds well to modification too.

Volkswagen R32

The R32 Golf comes standard with just under 250 horsepower and has a decent power-to-weight ratio. Some tuners have even managed to pump out 600 horsepower from the VR6 engines, showing there truly is an argument for these being one of the best engines for modifications and tuning.

Acura/Honda Integra

The Integra Type-R, in particular, is notorious for its performance and handling for a front-wheel drive vehicle. Many aftermarket performance parts are readily available for this vehicle, making modifications relatively simple. From the factory, the Integra Type-R can clock a standing quarter mile at under fifteen seconds.

Toyota Supra

This rear-wheel-drive Toyota comes standard with a three-liter, twin-turbo I6 engine and produces 276 horsepower from the factory, which is pretty much everything a performance car enthusiast wants from a vehicle like this. The Supra also has dedicated communities online for owners who need help or want to buy aftermarket parts, which are easy to come by.

Nissan Skyline GT-R

The Skyline GT-R is an absolute legend in motorsport and can quickly attain beast status with simple modifications and tuning. The RB26DETT engine that comes standard in these vehicles makes it a favorite among many, and a lot of GT-Rs have been recorded reaching over 1000 horsepower.

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