In the world of aftermarket automotive performance, there are as many products to increase performance as there are cars on the road. Starting with the basic modifications such as an intake and exhaust can yield some impressive performance gains over stock but still leave the driver wanting more. Most people would look to other methods of modification to get that extra power, torque, or a few more hundred RPM out of their car including forced induction, higher compression, or opening up the head (or heads) for milling, polishing, and other performance enhancing techniques.

For the mild enthusiast who just wants to improve the sound of their car or truck and perhaps gain a few tenths at the drag strip, the aftermarket world is flooded with great bolt-ons. A simple intake and “catback” exhaust combo (meaning from the catalytic converters back) can add a nice subtle growl to any car and boost straight line performance. For the more aggressive enthusiast, fuel control and engine management factors are looked at to pull each and every once of power out of the engine setup. Changing fuel curves, engine timing, rev limit, and increasing RPM’s are great ways to extract more power but tend to leave the car running a little rougher than stock and can sometimes leave the car very sensitive to changes in climate. Another great way to increase power is by increasing displacement (will increase torque) and compression. Hardcore enthusiasts will sometimes go this route. However, this is usually the more expensive of the options, but will also yield the greatest results. By combining higher compression pistons, forged rods, and a built “top end” (meaning from the head up: camshafts, cam gears, valves, springs, retainers, rocker arms, lifters, etc…) can turn any mild mannered daily driver into a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

In the same manner, forced induction is sometimes the more practical way to increase power and torque. A manufactured turbocharger or supercharger kit can add 25-50% more power in a few hours of weekend wrenching. Most of these kits come pre-set to a low PSI to maximize the engine’s potential without sacrificing efficiency and driveability. Now for those of you who want to go out and slap on a “stage III” turbo on your 1.6L and crank the boost to 20PSI remember one thing: Expect to get laughed at when the guy in the other lane pulls past you his 200k mile Geo Prizm because you put a rod through the hood. That pre-set PSI was for a reason. Your stock motor wasn’t built to withstand the tremendous pressure forced into the cylinder chambers. Something will break and when it does, it is going to be expensive. The best defense is to pull the motor, replace the rotating assembly with forged internals with low compression pistons. A forged crankshaft, rods, and pistons are the first line of defense to high boost applications. I could get into the finer details of forced induction like efficiencies, boost creep, compressor surge, and manifold pressure but these are best served with their own articles.

For the extreme budget minded enthusiast, there are ways to increase performance without spending a dime. Lightening your car or truck of all extraneous materials and junk of 50lbs is like adding almost 10 horsepower. Not only will it improve straight line performance, the breaking, handling and fuel economy will also be much better. Try to get all that from an intake! Also, keep the correct tire pressure in all of your tires. This will not increase straight line performance, but handling and fuel efficiency will be sustained. If anyone reading has any specific for performance gains on ANY kind of car, please comment on this article with your recommendations. It does not matter what you drive: domestic, import, 4×4, or dump truck, performance enthusiasts are all the same in many respects.

C. Simmons is Marketing Director for http://www.absolutecomfortonsale.com who specializes in natural toppers, pillows, and beds to promote a restful and rejuvenating sleep.