Performance Upgrades Every Serious Gearhead Should Consider for Their Vehicle
Published by Adam Pol,
Cars are more complex than ever and that is not something that's about to change, at least not with ones that run on fuel. Although this means safer and more convenient vehicles, it also means ones that are not as easy to upgrade or repair, that is if you go the OEM way. With aftermarket performance parts, however, this isn't necessarily the case.
While the aftermarket world of performance upgrades can be a hit or miss solution, if you know what to look for, you will save yourself a lot of money. Not only are aftermarket upgrades more affordable they also come in more than one variation. Some cars have a limited number of automotive performance parts you can upgrade which is something that is not going to be the case if you want to add in aftermarket performance parts.
Popular Performance Upgrades
Forced induction
If your vehicle has a diesel engine and comes without a turbo or supercharger you are at a loss. This is the same reason why the majority of vehicles nowadays that have a diesel engine also have a turbocharger. Every proper performance shop around the country will introduce you to forced induction if you have a diesel engine without it.
This is because a turbocharged diesel engine is far more powerful than a naturally aspirated one. All that air that gets blown out doesn't go wasted, instead, it's reintroduced to the engine making it roar a bit more but it makes it accelerate quicker too.
Cold Air Intake
Air is as important for your car as it is to you. Without it, the engine wouldn't be able to burn fuel. There are other factors that also play a role in the combustion process but air is essential. Especially when it comes to cool air. Your vehicle has air filters for a good reason and the one for the engine needs to be superior to the one in the cabin.
A cold air intake is what can help make your engine more efficient. Since air is also needed to keep the engine cool, a cold air intake will not only prevent overheating, but it will also help it get up to speed faster. The latter is especially important on the motorway.
Exhaust
A system dedicated specifically to the gasses generated by the engine is the exhaust. Although your vehicle's exhaust system doesn't help generate power it can help make that process a lot easier. Just like the cold air intake, an exhaust system helps air navigate through and keep the temperature in the engine bay from going overboard.
With a proper performance exhaust, you can save the engine from incomplete scavenging. This is why when a performance shop offers you a new exhaust system you should check its bends, configuration, and build as all of these play a crucial role in the flow of exhaust gasses.
Brakes
Although brakes are there to reduce the speed of your car and keep you safe, they still have an affect on vehicle performance. A powerful vehicle is nothing without powerful breaks. Performance brakes are big and extremely heat resistant as they have brake pads made of ceramic and carbon fibres.
These automotive performance parts can help you gain more control over your vehicle while keeping the disk as well as the brakes as cool as they can be. As you already know less heat means less stress and better performance.
Suspension
The handling of your vehicle can have a great effect on its performance as a vehicle that makes it hard for you to get into turns is not fun to drive, nor is it safe. Proper performance suspension is one where you have large sway bars that keep your vehicle flat in corners and gives you sportscar-like handling. You can also pair the sway bar with stiffer springs which may reduce riding comfort but these aftermarket performance parts will definitely improve your handling quite a bit.
EFI
If you have an old enough vehicle you probably have an old enough carburettor that you should replace for an EFI. An electronic fuel injector will help make your fuel consumption more economical but it won't reduce performance while doing so. In fact, the performance of your car will be greatly improved. Keeping up with the latest technological advancements, in this case, will result in improved gas mileage and a more reliable engine.
Spark Plugs
Alongside air, a spark is needed to ignite the fuel in the engine and start the combustion process. Because of this spark plugs are used to, well, generate a spark when needed. By swapping your existing copper spark plugs with either performance or iridium spark plugs you will get a clean spark and a good burn every time. A hot spark is a more efficient and more surefire way of igniting the fuel-air mixture.
Tires
There are four of them on every vehicle and every single one of them contributes to better handling and a more enjoyable ride. The tires should always have enough tread so they have good traction and allow you to go into sharp turns more confidently.
Well, this involves replacing your tires once there is not enough tread but it also involves keeping them properly inflated. With the right tread pattern and pressure levels, you can say goodbye to excessive wind noise and fuel consumption while welcoming smooth acceleration and improved turning capabilities.