Choosing a Performance Modification

Improving the performance of your vehicle is much easier and more affordable than you may think. Here are a few simple ideas to help increase the horse power of your vehicle.

Category: Performance Mods
Tags: performance, Modification, filter, exhaust

Added Jan 25, 07 by caliberchic

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Performance parts aren't just for racing; many have real-world applications that can improve your vehicle's power, handling, and fuel economy.

Many vehicles come with restricted engine parts that when replaced with performance parts can greatly improve the power and torque, while also improving gas mileage.

Simply replacing the air filter, cold air intake and exhuast can make a considerable difference at an affordable price. One place online that sells discount performance parts is
www.performance-air-filters.com/

Another popular performance modification, especially with truck and SUV owners is the engine tuning computer. Simply plug the unit into the diagnostic port found under your dashboard, answer a few yes or no questions and your vehicle will free up hidden horsepower and torque, usually by telling your vehicle to add more fuel or air into the engine to produce more power.

All of these parts are considered "bolt-on", or things that can be added using simple hand tools. Some are a little easier than others to install.

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Recent Comments (9 total):

rwheels - Aug 18, 2009 4:14 am

I totally agree with cdpar2000 i tested some performance parts on my lancer but was of no use , I could not see any big difference

cdpar2000 - Dec 16, 2008 9:23 pm

I have done all the mods on multiple cars/trucks, including K&N filters, cat-back exhausts, and computer mods. In retrospect, the advice I'd give is DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY! I was suckered. Do you really want to dump $50 - $2,000 in a $20-$30k car or truck? Why? The gains are really very small. Don't you think the manufacturers would build these mods into the cars/trucks if they really did add so much performance at such relatively small price? If Ford added these great components we'd all buy these hot Fords over Chevy or Honda. Save your hard earned dollars and take you wife and kids on a vacation and stop dreaming about making your Honda Civic a Porsche! It's transportation for god's sake. It wastes gas taking you from point A to B within posted speed limits.

scorpiox21 - Feb 13, 2008 10:48 am

yeah me to need help to boot my 2008 lancer

mrmeaty - Feb 10, 2008 5:05 am

several items will either free up "hidden" horsepower, or help your engine make more horsepower. most common are headers, fipk, computer programmer. other easy mods are replacing your mechanical drive water pump with an electric drive, change belt driven cooling fan to an electric fan. you can also change the gear ratio in your transaxle. these mods can be done with relative ease by the shadetree mechanic. then for bigger HP gains, you can perform a complete rebuild. the most important thing is researching your engine and consult people knowledgable about your engine before modifying your vehicle. the most important thing about performance upgrades is matching components so that they will do what they are intended to do. a proper performance upgrade plan will get you the results you desire and help avoid engine malfunctions.

mikegts - Nov 11, 2007 7:07 pm

Need help boosting the HP on my 08 lancer gts.

nancy49022 - May 1, 2007 5:42 am

how can i get more from my performance on my 3.8 1995 mustang

caliberchic - Apr 1, 2007 3:27 pm

afrayedknot, If you are looking for an increase in performance the best way is to increase your air flow and exhaust flow. I suggest purchasing K & N drop in replacement filter or chose one of the other aftermarket cold air intake kits. The factory air box and exhaust systems are so restrictive on air flow it kills performance, this is why you aren't seeing the acceleration you need to jump out in that traffic with out white knuckling it! I hope that helps! Caliberchic

trackwrex - Feb 27, 2007 3:22 pm

There are several examples of "tuning computers". This can be classified in many ways. An ECU tune/reflash, a tuning "chip"/ECU change (this is where the term "chipping" the car comes from), piggyback units/"fuel modifiers"/fuel commanders/engine management systems, blah blah blah. I usually deal with the ones that will end up voiding your factory warranty. :P You can see if someone can reflash your ECU... That might help. :)

afrayedknot - Feb 17, 2007 7:12 am

Hello, I read your piece on performance mod. for SUV's. I own an 06 KIA Sorento and wondering if this applies to it as well? If so where do I find this "engine tuning computer"? Calbirchic I really enjoyed reading your tech tips I have a question maybe you can answer. When I'm about to jump into Dallas morning traffic I really have to put the hammer down and you would expect to be put back in your seat and maybe hear a little tire screeching not at all it just takes off like your going to church and then finally it takes off after about 40ft of white knuckles on steering wheel hoping this dump truck isn't going to smash you like a bug if you don't speed up. Any suggestions. 3.5L V-6 196hp with 5,110miles.Thanks Richard (afrayedknot)