Manufacturers are more likely to improve fuel consumption and maintenance costs of a car rather than performance. But if you want to get the most out of your car, there are a few things you can do to increase horsepower, maximize performance and speed. Keep reading!
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Improve Performance
Step 1. Reduce the weight of the car
One of the simplest things to do to increase horsepower is to make the car as light as possible. In this way the weight / power ratio improves. Remove everything that is not necessary, leaving the bare minimum to optimize its performance.
Step 2. Install an after-market exhaust system
This modification can increase horsepower by 5-10 units on vehicles with normal intake and much more on machines with a turbo compressor.
Many believe that a very large exhaust pipe has negative effects on the output pressure, resulting in a loss of torque and power. In truth, most engines achieve better performance with a free exhaust system for both the intake and the manifold and exhaust
Step 3. Use a reduced tube
You can search online for "cutback" systems (this English term is also used in Italy). It is a system that from the catalytic converter reaches the end of the exhaust pipe and which increases the horsepower. The installation kit costs several hundred euros, but you can save a little if you do some comparative research and assemble it yourself.
Measure the diameter of the pipe exiting the catalytic converter and replace it with a larger exhaust. You can pay and ask the workshop that also sells it for the installation service, or you can do it yourself by cutting the old exhaust and leaving only a stump to which the new pipe can be welded. If you decide to do it yourself, fix the new system in place, weld it or lock it where you made the cut. Refit the hooks you removed
Step 4. Switch to a free-flowing air filter
Buy one that fits your car and fit it in place of the original one. It is a small modification that can slightly improve the power. This is not a big change, but it allows the engine to work at the best possible level.
- Open the hood of the car, locate the air filter box and remove the cover. Remove the clamps or unscrew the screws, making sure that no contaminants come into contact with the inside of the box. Remove and discard the old filter. Clean the inside of the housing with a damp cloth and insert the new after-market filter.
- Know that many non-original air filters allow a lot of particulate matter to pass to the engine and oil filter, especially if they are not properly maintained. They could also spray oil towards the air intake. The oil that comes from the filter damages or destroys the mass air flow sensor. In supercharged engines, the benefit of an increase in the air flow generated by a new filter is marginal, since there is the turbo that is able to supply the necessary amount of air, regardless of the filter used, and at the same time it does not generate any oil and debris problems either on the mass air flow sensor or in the air intake.
Step 5. Look for solutions like turbocharger and supercharger
Mounting a supercharger on a large engine block or a turbocharger on a small one requires very extensive mechanical skills and capabilities. In fact, it consists in almost completely reassembling the engine, improving the self-supporting components and spending thousands of euros. It is a challenging project, but it is the most effective way to improve the performance and power of the car. If you are determined to install a volumetric compressor, you can consider these options:
- The lobe compressor. This is the oldest and also the cheapest system, quite common among racing cars. The operation is based on large quantities of air channeled to a main manifold thus causing a rapt energy discharge.
- The Volumex it sucks in the air through the lobes, which is thus trapped in the rotor housing and compresses through a cone device. In some states it is not legal because it is very noisy.
- The mixed volumetric-dynamic compressor uses an enhanced pump to push the air into the compressor so as to easily reach 60,000 RPM; it is the most efficient compressor for the car.
Method 2 of 2: Reprogram the ECU
Step 1. Upgrade the turbocharger with a programmer
This device modifies the programming of the vehicle's on-board computer, thus increasing horsepower, torque and sometimes fuel consumption. On a normally aspirated engine, this modification does not lead to great advantages, but if there is a turbocharger then you can gain a lot of HP.
Some workshops advertise this service, saving you a lot of money. In fact, this is not an operation that people often do alone, so you should speak to a trusted mechanic if you want to consider this change
Step 2. Upgrade your volumetric compressor computer with a control unit
After-market ones can be used in a similar way and can sometimes add another 30 horsepower to your engine.
- To install it, check your vehicle's maintenance manual. There are also specific publications on the subject and online video tutorials. After locating the trip computer, disconnect the negative battery cable and then the harness from the computer.
- Insert an after-market ECU. You must connect it between the computer and the wiring harness. Reconnect the negative cable to the battery.
Step 3. Evaluate the pros and cons
A reprogramming of the car's computer brings great benefits in terms of power. However, it is an expensive job that requires you to already own a supercharged engine, another expensive component. Remember that reprogramming the control unit will invalidate the warranty on the vehicle. Now that you are informed, the choice is up to you.
Advice
- Subscribe to an online forum of car enthusiasts and modifications, there are also dedicated to specific vehicle models. Learn from other members what works and what doesn't, so you don't waste time and money with unnecessary or even harmful changes.
- Modified car clubs often get discounts for spare parts.
- When testing the car after a modification, do it on race tracks if possible. Not only are they the safest places to test a car, but you can also keep track of how much vehicle performance has improved by taking comparative laps.
- Many modern cars have vents on the air box positioned at the point of maximum pressure, in front of the vehicle, to increase the flow of cold air inwards. If you decide to install an after-market air intake, pay attention to the original configuration. Also remember that the air intakes mounted in rather low points of the vehicle can easily suck the rain causing a blockage and damage to the engine.
Warnings
- Find out about the emission laws at the Motorization Authority. Some changes to the exhaust system and engine make the car unsuitable for road use and will prevent it from passing the tests required for the overhaul, since its harmful emissions will not fall within the legal parameters.
- In some states the law requires that any component alternative to the original one is homologated. The spare part must have a sticker and certification accompanying it which you must always keep with the car documents and show the police in case of an inspection. If the spare part is not homologated, the car will be seized from you.
