| There are many ways to get more horsepower out | | | | and fuel for greater efficiency, giving you greater |
| of your vehicle. In fact, the determining factor on how | | | | horsepower. |
| much additional horsepower you can gain depends on | | | | For more significant increases in horsepower, look into |
| how much money you are planning to spend. | | | | superchargers and turbo chargers. These aftermarket |
| A common method of adding horsepower is through | | | | modifications create a forced induction, awarding a |
| the installation of a new intake. Many popular brands of | | | | massive gain in torque and power. Turbo chargers are |
| intakes, such as Volant, Airaid, Injen, AEM, and | | | | a type of turbine that create pressure within the engine |
| K&N are available at most auto parts stores. In | | | | from the exhaust fumes. The pressure causes the air |
| addition, using a cold air intake versus a short ram | | | | to get denser, therefore allowing more fuel usage and |
| intake will create more horsepower since cooler air is | | | | creating more power. Turbo chargers are most |
| drawn away from the engine. | | | | common in smaller engine vehicles, especially those |
| Installing an aftermarket exhaust will also increase | | | | which can handle the high levels of compression. |
| horsepower. For the best gains, an exhaust with a | | | | Superchargers, on the other hand, are belt driven, and |
| larger diameter than the ohorsepowerriginal stock | | | | are used for larger engines where numerous turbo |
| version is recommended, as well as having a straight | | | | chargers would have otherwise been necessary. |
| design. The fewer bends in an exhaust, the higher | | | | Superchargers provide greater horsepower at lower |
| maximum horsepower performance it can yield. | | | | rpm's. In both systems, modifications must be made to |
| Aftermarket parts allow engines to expel exhaust | | | | the fuel system to accommodate the extra pressure, |
| fumes more freely, especially when they have a | | | | such as installing fuel rails with return lines or bigger fuel |
| straight flowing design. In addition, a high-flow catalytic | | | | injectors. |
| converter will add a few more horsepower points. | | | | Finally, items inside the engine can also be replaced or |
| A cheaper way to increase torque and horsepower is | | | | strategically modified to create more horsepower; |
| by investing in and installing an ECU, or engine control | | | | however, these modifications are not recommended |
| unit. These units are essentially the brains in any | | | | for the novice auto mechanic. |
| modern-day vehicle. Aftermarket units modify timing | | | | |