Horsepower. It’s the holy grail for many auto enthusiasts looking to make their car faster. But what gives a car more horsepower and how can you unlock extra power?
The good news is there are many modifications and upgrades that can add serious horsepower and torque when properly installed. In this guide, we’ll cover:
- How horsepower works
- Cold air intakes
- ECU tuning
- Exhaust systems
- Forced induction
- Engine build upgrades
- Nitrous oxide injection
- Drive train improvements
- Weight reduction
- Brakes, tires and suspension
- Oils and fluids
- Fuel upgrades
Understanding what makes power and how to choose the right parts for your car are key to maximizing performance. Read on for the best ways to get more ponies under the hood!
What is Horsepower?
Before modifying your vehicle, it helps to understand what horsepower is and how your engine generates it.
Horsepower is a measurement of an engine’s power output. It’s calculated using a formula based on torque and engine rpm. More torque at higher rpm equals greater horsepower.
Modifications that increase torque, allow higher rpm, or create more efficient combustion make more horsepower. More air + more fuel = bigger combustion = more torque output.
Getting the right mix is key. Upgrading supporting mods like intake, exhaust, tunes etc optimizes power gains.
Cold Air Intakes
One of the easiest and most popular bolt-on upgrades is a cold air intake. These open-element systems provide cooler outside air to the engine compared to hot engine bay air from the stock airbox.
Benefits of a cold air intake:
- Cooler dense air creates more power
- Smoother airflow improves efficiency
- Engine can rev higher
- Greater throttle response
- Signature intake roar sound
Good for 10–20 hp gains on turbocharged and high-compression engines. Make sure to get a CARB compliant system.
ECU Tuning
Adjusting the engine computer through a tune gives one of the biggest horsepower per dollar gains. There are various tuning options:
- Chip/programmer — Alters fuel and timing parameters using plug-in chip.
- Flash tune — Reprograms ECU by directly connecting to OBDII port. Custom tunes.
- Piggyback — Intercepts signal between ECU and sensors to modify values.
Benefits of a tune include:
- Optimizes air/fuel ratio
- Improves powerband
- Raises redline
- Improves throttle response
- Adds features like launch control
Expect gains of 25–50 hp or more from dialing in the proper tune on turbo and high-output engines.
Cat-Back Exhaust Systems
The best bang for buck when modifying exhaust is installing a cat-back system. They connect after the catalytic converter to the rear.
Features that improve flow and power:
- Mandrel bent tubing
- High-flow mufflers
- Larger diameter piping
- Reduced bends/restrictions
- Tuned mufflers for sound
Full cat-back exhausts make 15–30 hp gains through improved scavenging and reduced backpressure. Easy DIY install.
Forced Induction Systems
Want big power — consider forced induction! Systems like turbos and superchargers use compressed air to drastically increase horsepower.
- Turbos use exhaust gases to spin a compressor forcing air into the engine. Big power builder.
- Superchargers are belt-driven compressors that pump air into the cylinders. Broad powerband.
Forced induction benefits:
- Dramatically increased torque and power
- High performance powerbands
- Cooler dense charge air
- Enormous hp gains of 50% or more
- Endless tuneability for big numbers
Expect 200+ horsepower gains when properly tuned. Requires supporting engine upgrades.
Engine Building and Internal Mods
If the stock engine has reached its limits, it’s time for internal upgrades:
- Stroke/Bore — Increase displacement with overbore or stroker kits.
- Pistons — Forged piston reduce friction and withstand boost.
- Rods — Stronger forged rods handle high rpm power.
- Crankshaft — Aftermarket crank adds rpm capability.
- Cams — More aggressive cams optimize torque and powerband.
- Cylinder Heads — High flow heads bump compression and airflow.
Engine building boosts power through increased displacement, airflow, and durability supporting big power. Expect 50–100% hp gains with built motors and huge numbers are possible.
Nitrous Oxide Injection
Nitrous oxide injection adds power on demand. The system injects nitrous gas into the intake which provides more oxygen during combustion.
Benefits Include:
- Horsepower increases of 50–200 hp when engaged
- Allows engine to use more fuel/air
- Cools intake charge for denser air
- Safer than forced induction for stock engines
- Push button power only when you need it
Nitrous must be tuned properly but makes great power at the push of a button.
Drivetrain Improvements
Optimizing the drivetrain and transmission improves power delivery to the wheels:
- Clutch — High-performance clutches hold monster power.
- Flywheel — Lightweight flywheel reduces rotational mass.
- Differential — Performance diffs improve traction.
- Shorter gears — Speed up acceleration and trap higher speed in quarter mile.
- Transmission — Built auto or manuals transfer big power.
Expect 2–5% power gains from optimized drivetrain components capable of handling output.
Weight Reduction
Less weight = more speed and quicker acceleration. Lightening methods include:
- Stripping interior — Removes heavy seats, carpets, damping
- Lightweight body panels — Carbon fiber or fiberglass body components
- Smaller battery — Light lithium ion or gel cell battery
- Removal of heavy components — Heater/AC, spare tire, audio etc
For every 100 lbs removed, expect approximately 1 hp gain. But don’t compromise safety.
Suspension, Brakes and Tires
Chassis and tire upgrades allow putting the power down:
- Sticky tires — Maximize grip and traction
- Lowering springs — Improves handling and control
- Strut tower brace — Reduces flex for quicker response
- Sway bars — Keeps squat and body roll in check
- Big brakes — Critical for slowing horsepower
Proper rubber, suspension and brakes optimize acceleration and handling rather than wasting power through tire spin or chassis flex.
High Performance Fluids
Don’t overlook motor oil and fluids. They protect and lubricate high stress components.
- Motor oil — Higher quality synthetic oils reduce friction.
- Gear oil — Reduces drivetrain power losses.
- Coolant — High temp coolant and water pump.
- Grease — Use moly grease on bearings and friction points.
Good fluids protect parts and keep engines making best power. Change them regularly.
High Flow Fuel System
You need ample fuel delivery to feed upgraded power:
- Fuel pump — Higher flowing intank pump critical.
- Fuel lines — Upsize lines and rails to minimize pressure drops.
- Injectors — Larger higher flowing fuel injectors.
- Fuel pressure regulator — Bumps fuel pressure for big injectors.
Proper flowing fuel system eliminates lean conditions and detonation which can cost power.
Tuning is Critical
To maximize gains, get professional tuning on any upgraded parts. Dialing in the proper air/fuel ratio, timing, and powerbands optimizes each modification and brings everything together. Tuning unleashes the full potential.
Conclusion
With the right upgrades and professional tuning, big power gains are possible. Forced induction and engine building offer the greatest gains, but start with basic bolt-ons. Focus on optimizing air flow and fuel delivery. And make sure all parts work together to maximize your car’s newfound muscle.
FAQs
What is the easiest way to add horsepower to a stock car?
Bolt-on upgrades like a cold air intake, cat-back exhaust, and ECU tune provide relatively easy horsepower gains from 15–50 hp depending on the car.
What upgrade gives the most horsepower for the money?
Proper ECU tuning to optimize air/fuel ratios, timing, and powerbands gives the biggest bang-for-buck, with potential gains of 25–50 hp for a few hundred dollars.
What adds more horsepower, turbo or supercharger?
Turbos generally make more peak horsepower and torque. Their horsepower scales with boost levels. However, superchargers offer more immediate boost response and a broader powerband.
How much does nitrous oxide increase horsepower?
When properly tuned, nitrous systems can safely increase horsepower by 50–150 hp when engaged. This provides a major power boost at the push of a button.
What basic engine mods make power?
Bolt-ons like intake, exhaust, tunes make power. For internal engine gains — stroker kits, piston, rods, cams, cylinder heads and more displacement, airflow, and rpm capability boost ponies.
More horsepower transforms any car. Focus on optimizing intake, exhaust, fueling and tuning. And work the drivetrain, chassis, and tires in parallel to maximize acceleration. Use these proven methods to get the most from your ride.
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