When it comes to the ability to accelerate, some drivers install high performance modifications to improve their vehicles. While driving at the speed limit is highly recommended, there are situations when your vehicle’s engine falls short. Ever been on the highway and someone just passes by your car like your foot isn’t on the accelerator? That’s not the best scenario right? In fact, in some states, it is not a recommendation for drivers to drive below the set speed limit.
But what are you supposed to do if the vehicle you bought is a small engine CC size? Don’t fret because in today’s article we are about to explore various modifications that fit your small engine. Hence making it increase it’s power output.
There are different types of customizations that drivers opt for. Some are meant to improve aesthetics while others are performance modifications. While a vehicle’s aesthetics are important, the car’s performance steals the show in the customization field. Some modifications will go into the vehicle’s engine while others will just fit onto the car’s body. In fact to improve performance won’t always require you to install a new feature. Instead, you will need to use the right engine components. For example, the oil you use affects engine performance.
Types of engine performance modifications.
According to our topic today, we will be concentrating on performance modifications. The customizations we will mention today will focus on ways to improve the out put you get from the vehicle. We have decided to start with engine performance customization that suits vehicles like the Subaru WRX. Hence giving these vehicles superior performance.
1. Forced induction.
This is on top of our list because it’s one of the most effective method of improving engine power output. It the installation of turbochargers and superchargers in order to increase power output.
Note that some of these modifications work best when paired with other customizations.
a) Turbochargers.
The engine’s exhaust gas usually spins a turbine after the process of combustion. Afterwards this process spins a compressor which forces air into the engine through the throttle body. This process works perfectly while using the manufacturer’s installations. But once you have a turbocharged installation, the air is forced in a higher pressure than the normal rate.
Turbochargers vary in terms of specialized coating, turbo size and boost pressure among others. This variation is seen in the turbo’s price whereby the price ranges from $2,500 to $10,000. But some cars have a manufacturer installed turbocharger which you may upgrade. This upgrade doesn’t have to be a total replacement of the constituent parts. For example, you may replace the following; up-pipes, down-pipes and intercoolers amongst others. This increases the efficiency of the existing turbocharger without compromising the vehicle’s power output.
b) Superchargers.
They work more like the turbochargers except the fact that they are driven by belts rather than motors. They build up boost even when the engine is at a low RPM. Further, this helps to compare superchargers to turbochargers whereby turbochargers need exhaust gases to build up as the engine RPM increases.
2. Camshafts.
The camshaft works alongside the throttle body to allow air into the combustion chamber. That means that it enhances the process of combustion. Hence providing sufficient amount of power for the engine.
Camshaft opens and closes the intake and exhaust valves. This affects the process within the combustion chamber.
3. Cold air intake.
Though this modification doesn’t significantly increase power output in comparison to the others, it does boost a vehicle’s horsepower. This customisation helps the air filter especially when the engine becomes hot during a long drive.
It works by pulling in cooled air into the engine. That’s because, when the engine is hot, the air tends to become hotter and less dense. That’s why the cool air intake pulls in the denser air and leaves out the warm less dense air.
Aftermarket air intakes usually have a wider diameter in comparison to the industry fitted air filters. This helps to increase the intensity of air flow into the engine.
