3 Strategies To Boost Your Vehicle’s Horsepower
October 21st, 2009 admin3 Strategies To Boost Your Vehicle’s Horsepower
The muscle car is a part of America’s heritage. It is steeped in the nation’s lore and has become a symbol of the individualist’s spirit. That said, over the past 30 years, there has been less attention devoted to boosting a vehicle’s horsepower. While fuel efficiency and design have taken center stage, muscle has taken a backseat.
Fortunately, drivers who want to add power to their engines have a number of options available to them. Whether their goal is to win weekend drag races (not recommended) or gain a valuable jump on steep hills, the following three strategies can boost your car’s horsepower.
#1 – Supercharge Your Vehicle
A supercharger increases the power of your engine’s output by condensing the oxygen in the air-fuel mixture used during combustion. Because there is more oxygen present, the engine can add more fuel. The result? A significant boost in output. This same “air compression” strategy is also used by turbochargers. Together, they’re referred to as forced induction systems. The downside is the cost. These systems can cost between $1,000 and $10,000 – or more.
#2 – Install A New Chip
All modern vehicles have computer chips (called engine controller units, or ECUs) that manage certain features of the engine. When a car, truck, or SUV rolls off the factory floor, the ECU is programmed by the automaker. The settings are usually geared toward delivering higher fuel efficiency. As you might expect, that limits your horsepower.
You can purchase aftermarket ECUs that are specifically programmed to deliver more power. The increase in output normally comes at the cost of lower fuel efficiency, but automakers have yet to design an affordable engine that can deliver both simultaneously. A high-quality aftermarket ECU will typically cost under $600.
#3 – Integrate A Cold Air Intake System
This is one of the least expensive methods for boosting your vehicle’s output. Normally, air is taken into the engine and added to its combustion process. The amount of fuel added to the mixture is dependent on the amount of oxygen. A cold air intake system delivers cooler air to the combustion process. It is denser in oxygen. As a result, more fuel is added, which makes the combustion output more potent. These systems can cost between $100 and $500, depending on the quality and the manufacturer.
A couple of quick notes: First, if you modify the air compression level, you may need to switch to high-octane gasoline. Otherwise, your pistons can misfire. Second, adding more horsepower usually translates into more heat and higher temperatures. Consider using a synthetic oil that can keep the individual components well-lubricated while managing the extra heat.
There is a viable strategy for boosting your vehicle’s horsepower regardless of your budget. If you’re looking for a little extra power, consider installing a supercharger, performance ECU, or a cold air intake system.
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Tags: Car Horsepower, Car Maintenance, Car Repair
