Vehicle performance improvements are very daunting to the beginner, but with just a basic knowledge of how engines work and how all these changes make a vehicle perform better you can become acquainted with the topic. Whether you want your car to have more horsepower, more fuel-efficiency, or better ride, performance parts will tweak different aspects of your car. We will walk you through the basic building blocks of vehicle efficiency, and the most practical upgrades you can expect to make.
- How To Understand Engine Performance 2.
Engine: engine is the foundation of any car improvement. Engines generate power by combusting fuel and air, which are delivered to the wheels in order to propel the vehicle forward. The cleaner the combustion of fuel and air, the more power an engine can produce. Performance improvements try to improve this either by expanding the amount of air and fuel available to the engine or by increasing the combustion process.
Power is the one thing you have to keep in mind.’ It happens by pushing more or more force through the engine, or air. Engine displacement is the amount of air that an engine can pull in at each piston stroke. More displacement in larger engines tends to lead to greater power. But contemporary performance tuning concentrates on maximising the performance of smaller motors through various tweaks.
- Air Intake Systems / Fuel Pumps.
: The most common and fastest way to boost your engine is by replacing the air intake. ‘More air = more oxygen and more oxygen = better combustion. This is a very popular option for cooling your engine as colder, denser air can burn more efficiently than warm air.
Cold Air Intakes: Replaces the factory airbox with a looser intake drawing cooler, denser air from outside of the engine compartment. This enables greater burning, and thus greater power.
Ram Air Systems: These intakes pull air in from outside, usually from the front end of the car and apply vehicle acceleration to pull air into the engine.
Not only does an upgraded intake increase the horsepower, but it will also give you a responsive throttle feel and allow your vehicle to move better as you accelerate.
- Exhaust Systems
After air is introduced into the engine, and burned in combination with fuel, the exhaust gases have to be removed quickly and effectively. Upgrade the exhaust to make the engine run more efficiently and minimizing the throttle flow.
Cat-Back Exhaust Systems: They completely replace the catalytic converter back down to the tailpipe. By allowing cleaner exhaust flow, they also help to eliminate backpressure, allowing the engine to breathe and make more power.
Headers and Downpipes: You can also change headers and downpipes for better exhaust flow, especially with turbocharged engines, as less restriction will allow the turbo to spool faster and have more boost.
The performance benefits do not stop there, and a high-quality exhaust will also give your vehicle a deeper, aggressive sound.
4.ECU Tuning & Reprogramming,
The engine control unit (ECU) is the brain of all new cars, it sets a lot of the motor’s air-fuel ratio, ignition timing and boost pressure. Tuning the ECU is among the most potent changes that you can do to your vehicle. With factory settings changed, ECU tuning can set the engine up for even more torque and efficiency.
Performance Tunes: A performance tune re-wires the ECU to make the ignition timing harder to initiate, and air-fuel combinations stronger, giving increased power. The work is normally done along with other upgrades such as intake or exhaust.
Economy Tune: If fuel efficiency is more of your goal, economy tunes tune the car in order to save as much gas as possible without losing traction.
Custom Tuning: Custom ECU tuning is available for enthusiasts who would prefer to optimize their mods based on how the vehicle was setup to ensure maximum power and throttle response.
- Turbochargers & Superchargers
To gain some real horsepower, forced induction technology including turbochargers and superchargers can make an engine much more powerful. These devices dilate the air entering the engine, making the fuel burn more easily and generate more torque.
Turbochargers: The exhaust gases of the engine propel a turbine, compressing the intake air. This arrangement greatly enhances power, especially at higher RPMs. But turbochargers can also cause lag, since the turbine needs to spool up.
Superchargers: Superchargers don’t have any turbos; they’re mechanically driven by the engine and provide immediate boost without delays. Yet they draw more power from the engine, which decreases efficiency.
- Suspension and Handling Changes
Performance is not only about strength; performance is also about how the car behaves. This is by far the best suspension upgrade to get better cornering and handling in your car.
Coilovers: Coilovers are springs that can be adapted to modify the height and stiffness of your car. The car can be dropped lower, lowering the centre of gravity and minimizing body roll and turn deflection.
Sway Bars: also called anti-roll bars, they stiffen the vehicle’s frame, minimizing body roll in the corners, and enhance the vehicle’s stability.
Performance Tires: Since tires are the only part of your vehicle that comes in contact with the road, they play an important role in traction and braking. Performance tyres offer better grip, enabling cornering, acceleration and braking.
- Brake Upgrades
The more you push your car to move, the faster you need it to halt. It’s possible to upgrade the braking system and enhance the stopping ability and response to the brakes.
Big Brake Packages: Big brake package that contains bigger brake rotor and caliper, these hold more heat and can stop better.
Performance Brake Pads: Performance brake pads provide better grip and resistance to heat, giving more consistent stopping performance during aggressive driving.
Conclusion
For a novice, vehicle performance enhancements will feel like a ton of work, but in terms of various categories, it makes a whole lot easier. Whether it’s new intake and increased airflow, a more efficient exhaust or tuning the ECU for greater efficiency, each adjustment is designed to maximize your car’s efficiency. And don’t forget: Power is not the only key to a good ride; suspension, handling and braking all contribute to a complete driving experience. With these essentials as your base, you can begin your vehicle modification experience with complete peace of mind.
