Your car has over 30,000 different parts, each with its own unique function. Some of these parts serve basic roles, but others have a dramatic impact on your car’s performance.
If you’re looking to get the most out of your car and put some real power to the pavement, look for high performance auto parts.
Parts that provide improved performance are readily available, but some may not be suitable for your particular car. You need to be sure you’re investing in the right ones.
Read on to learn what kind of parts to look for.
The Two Kinds of Auto Parts
Auto parts can be classified into two categories: OEM (original equipment manufacturer) and aftermarket.
OEM parts are identical to the parts that originally came with your car. They have the exact same specifications, are made of the same materials, and are made by the manufacturer. Using these parts will only keep your car at its stock level of performance.
Aftermarket parts are made to fill the same role as your original vehicle parts but offer different advantages. They aim to either improve your performance or save you money by filling the same role at a lower price.
While you may be able to upgrade a base model car with parts from a higher-end trim, the vast majority of performance car parts are aftermarket parts.
Key Upgrades and What to Look For
If you’re serious about performance gains, it’s wise to focus your efforts on the systems that offer the most bang for your buck. With these car parts, you’ll shatter your old performance benchmarks.
Engine Tuners
Today’s cars are governed by a complex computer system. They’re called electronic control units (ECUs) and monitor a host of functions from your stereo to your engine.
A high-performance engine tuner can unlock the hidden power of your engine. They essentially remap your ECU so it does exactly what you specify. With such a tuner, you can improve functions like throttle response and fine-tune things like your air-fuel mixture.
Using these tuners can dramatically improve your car’s horsepower, torque output, and fuel economy if you know how to work them. If you’re new to the process, visit a professional. You could damage your engine by accident.
When shopping for an engine tuner, look for one that offers the kind of performance gains you’re looking for. The best kinds of tuners have over 20 settings to tinker with.
Cold Air Intakes
Oxygen is a vital component in your engine’s operation. Installing a cold air intake allows your engine to “breathe” more efficiently because colder air has higher oxygen density.
With more efficient airflow, your engine can produce more power. You’ll notice a sizable increase in both horsepower and torque after installing one.
Aftermarket air intakes come in a variety of configurations. Some are smaller and only consist of a section of tubes and others are large installations that you bolt onto your engine.
If you’re chasing significant performance, a larger intake provides more oxygen but will require more installation work. Consider how much effort you’re willing to put into this modification and always make sure it’s compatible with your specific make and model. Many air intakes are specialized for certain cars.
Full Exhaust Upgrade
Another serious modification to consider is upgrading your exhaust system. Improving its efficiency can add considerable performance gains.
To get the most out of your exhaust work, you’ll need to upgrade the entire system. This means intallling larger diameter straight tubing. Don’t confuse this with swapping exhaust tips that will only change the sound your exhaust system makes.
Look for exhaust systems that are street legal. You’ll need a catalytic converter and an O2 sensor to pass emissions tests in most states.
Turbos and Superchargers
Nothing says high-performance like forced induction. Of all performance modifications you can make, these offer the most power.
Turbochargers house a turbine. Exhaust from your engine spins the turbine which forces pressurized air through the engine. The result is a massive performance boost. Superchargers work similarly to turbos but are powered by a belt system.
When you shop for turbochargers, the options are endless, so doing your homework on these is especially important. You can opt for a basic system or splurge on a massive turbo putting out significant boost. Either way, you’ll want to make sure to pair your turbo with an intercooler setup to keep your engine cool.
On the other hand, your supercharger options are more limited. Unlike most turbos that can be bolted onto a range of vehicles, superchargers are designed for specific makes and models. Make sure the supercharger is compatible with your car.
Suspenison Upgrades
While many car modifications are focused on making your engine more powerful, you might want to upgrade your car’s handling capabilities to direct that power where you want it to go.
Coilovers are a common suspension upgrade. They lower your car’s center of gravity for improved agility through corners. Coilovers can also lower ride height, an aesthetic many prefer.
Sway bars are another suspension modification worth considering. They stiffen your suspension so your car can corner more efficiently. Look to buy sway bars in pairs to get the most performance improvement possible.
When looking at suspension modifications, you should consider how your car rides. A tight suspension is great for performance, but is rough ride on a city street. Unless you’re looking to build a race car, you still want to be comfortable while you drive.
Upgrade Your Ride with High Performance Auto Parts
For as long as cars have dominated the road, people have been looking for the best car parts to improve their performance. Aftermarket parts are the way to elevate your car.
Some parts promise results, but will leave you wanting more. You need to pick the right high performance auto parts to get the most out of your car.
GPU tuners, upgraded air intakes, and forced induction systems are the best ways to boost performance and suspension upgrades channel that newfound power to the road.
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