How To Boost Your Car's Performance
Not many people have the funds to go out and buy a hot rod loaded with lots of muscle and speed. But there are ways to improve your current ride to get the most out of it. Increasing horsepower and getting the most out of your engine is the best way to make sure your vehicle is functioning at its best and ensure you are getting the most bang for your buck. Here are some easy tips for increasing horsepower on just about any vehicle.
Make The Vehicle As Light As Possible
A lighter car means a faster car with better acceleration. The easiest way to boost horsepower is to make your vehicle as light as possible. Start by cleaning out the inside, including the backseats and trunk where junk is known to accumulate. Some cars have removable seats that can be taken out to increase your vehicle’s optimal performance. If buying a new car, look for one made of a lighter carbon fiber material than the traditional steel and aluminum options.
Upgrade The Exhaust System
Investing in a free-flowing exhaust system may be able to boost horsepower by five to 10 horsepower. Supercharged vehicles may experience an even greater increase in horsepower. A free-flow exhaust system may improve engine performance by providing the least restrictive gas flow possible. The oversized piping of the new exhaust system will not affect back pressure. Instead it will lead to a more free-flowing system that improves efficiency in most vehicles.
Consider Cat-back Piping
“Cat-back” or “test piping” refers to a section of the vehicle’s exhaust that is attached after the catalytic converter. They are typically composed of a muffler, a resonator and a rear-pipe. Installing one in your car can help increase horsepower. They tend to be expensive to have them installed by a professional but can be done at home for cheaper with a little bit of research by replacing the existing exhaust pipe with a larger one.
Use A Free-Flow Air Filter
A free-flow aftermarket air filter works well with a free-flow exhaust system or even on its own. Look for one that fits your car. Installation can be done at home to give your vehicle a slight boost in horsepower. Start by removing the air filter housing under the hood, discard the old filter and replace with the free-flow filter. Give the inside of the air filter housing a quick wipe with a damp cloth to further improve air flow.
Consider Turbocharge Options
The most effective way to boost horsepower is by installing a supercharger. This expensive and advanced project will require a bit of research. The three most popular options for a turbocharger include a root supercharger, a twin screw supercharger and a centrifugal supercharger. Root superchargers tend to be least expensive while centrifugal superchargers are most effective. As not all options as legal in every state, be sure to do your homework before starting this big project.
Reflash The Engine
Reflashing refers to a process in which a programmer is installed in a turbocharged engine or an existing one is reset. This allows for increased torque, horsepower and possibly more efficient fuel economy. Reflashing is not a project many people take on at home because the equipment needed to do so costs thousands of dollars. Talk with a professional at an auto-shop who offers reflashing options to make sure the programmer is properly installed. While reflashing may be able to boost horsepower, it is not something that needs to be done regularly.
Upgrade To A Cold Air Intake Filter
Cold air intake is a cheap and effective way to increase horsepower. An engine works by taking in air, combining it with fuel and burning the mixture. The denser the air is, the more powerful the engine will run. Installing a cold air intake filter offers as much as three times the surface area for the engine to pull air from. They also help reduce air flow resistance to the pipes that take air up to the engine, which may help prevent turbulence.
Tweak Your Tires
To boost horsepower, try tweaking your tires for a more aggressive alignment. Swap out regular tires for shorter tires for increased acceleration. Just be sure to take into account the incorrect read on the speedometer. Make sure the tires are pointed straight ahead by dialing out the toe-in to make sure your vehicle is always pointing in the straightest position possible. Lighter wheels will also increase horsepower but carbon-fiber wheels may also cost more than what it is worth to increase horsepower.
Use a Synthetic Lubricant
Synthetic lubricants reduce friction and help increase the lifespan of engines by allowing the moving parts to work together easily. Better lubrication between moving parts may help increase horsepower by improving the efficiency of the engine. It may also help prevent the parts from breaking down in high heat or stressful situations. A synthetic lubricant may also help protect the vehicle in extreme cold weather conditions when engines may not work as effectively due to freezing temperatures.
Check The Fuel Line Sizing
To make sure your engine is working as efficiently as possible, check to make sure your fuel line piping is large enough. High performance engines should have a minimum of 3/8 inch for most applications. For engines with horsepower exceeding five hundred, the fuel line sizing should be 7/16 inch. A simple way to know if your engine has the correct fuel line size is by installing an electronic fuel pressure gauge. If the pressure falls as the RPM’s increase, it is time to go up a size.