Horsepower is a lot like money. You can never have too much of it, but if you don't use it wisely, you can get yourself into a lot of trouble. Whether you want to blow your buddy's ride away at the drag strip or you merely want a little more power to approach those steep on-ramps with confidence, extra muscle is always a welcome addition to any engine.
The following are five ways, fit for all budgets and output levels, to boost horsepower. Most of the these options are available from a broad spectrum of sources ranging from auto dealerships, performance-tuning shops and independent online distributors. Just make sure all engine modifications that you make are street legal and certified by your state's regulatory board.
Note: All amounts of money are in U.S. dollars.
Cold air intake
Aftermarket air intake systems are among the most common and least expensive methods to increase horsepower. It is a simple bolt-on kit that consists of a conical air filter fixed onto a metal inlet pipe. When it is installed, the inlet pipe starts from the top of the engine and makes its way down to the outside of the engine bay, and the conical air filter is fixed onto the lower end of the pipe. The conical filter can now breathe the air beneath the engine, which is cooler than the air being brought in by the stock air box. This is why the setup is called the cold air intake system. Cool air is denser in oxygen molecules than warmer air, resulting in a more powerful combustion when mixed with fuel.Horsepower gain varies depending on the brand of the intake and the engine it is bolted to. Typical gains are in the range of 5 to 20 horsepower. Cold air intake systems generally cost around $100 to $400 and there are a number of reputable manufacturers, including AEM and Injen, who carry a variety of models.
Keep in mind that a cold air intake may not make any difference to a turbocharged engine. These engines are already in need of more air and so usually come equipped with their own intake systems. Your addition would be redundant. However, if you are adding a turbocharger to your engine, remember to give it lots of air with the addition of a cold air intake.
Turbocharger/supercharger
Turbochargers and superchargers are forced induction systems that will significantly boost engine potency. Both systems work on the same principle of compressing air and feeding it into the engine -- if you hadn't noticed by now, air is extremely important to your engines power output. In the turbocharger, the hot air from the exhaust manifold spins a turbine, which runs the air compressor. Whereas, in the supercharged engine the compressor is driven by a belt that connects directly to the engine. Compressing the air makes it more oxygen-dense, allowing the engine to add more fuel to the oxygen in the pistons, thereby increasing the output.In many applications, forced induction systems can add more than 100 horsepower from the stock setup. Not too shabby. Turbo kits and superchargers run anywhere from $2,000 to more than $9,000 for high-end A'PEXi kits supplied by Comptech Sport and renowned GReddy kits.
Aftermarket exhaust
Stock exhaust systems restrict the flow of engine exhaust, which robs the vehicle of both output and fuel economy. Unlike the factory pipes, performance exhaust pipes provide optimum flow rate because they are much larger in diameter and lack the kinks and bends of standard systems. As a result, aftermarket exhausts address this problem by allowing exhaust gases to flow more freely -- aftermarket catalytic converters are often straight pipes from the front to the exhaust, eliminating any drag along the way -- which decreases the back pressure generated, giving you the oomph you crave.Complete exhaust systems, including the muffler, exhaust headers and pipes, run from $500 to more than $1,000. Power gains of 20 to 30 horsepower are common with this modification.
Some of these aftermarket exhaust systems also offer an upgrade in exhaust sound quality. Louder, rougher and meaner: Who wouldn't want an aggressive sounding car to go along with their newly powered engine? It may sound tempting, but don't go too far. Loud exhausts could land you a ticket. Remember to keep it street legal and do your research.
Nitrous oxide system
A nitrous oxide kit basically consists of a compressed liquid nitrous oxide source connected to the intake manifold. When the driver needs a nitrous boost, he presses a button or flips a switch to release the liquid into the engine. Just like any "fuel" source, the nitrous oxide canisters must be refilled periodically. When nitrous oxide is injected into the intake manifold, it breaks down at elevated temperatures, yielding more oxygen than atmospheric air. The denser concentration of oxygen allows the engine to burn more fuel and air, resulting in a greater output.Nitrous oxide systems (more commonly referred to as NOS) can provide spurts of 50 to more than 500 horsepower per injection. These bursts of NOS are by no means permanent and only last as long as the chemical reaction remains in your engine. Prices range from $600 to $1,500.
Nitrous oxide kits are legal in some areas and illegal in others, so be sure to check your state's laws before considering this modification.
Computer chip
The chip is also known as the engine controller unit (ECU), which controls various aspects of the engine, such as fuel delivery and ignition timing. Most factory ECUs are programmed for better fuel economy, while aftermarket performance chips, such as those offered by Hypertech and A'PEXi, are geared toward maximizing output.As with any modification the prices vary, but expect to pay anywhere from $200 to $500 dollars for a performance chip. Expect gains of roughly 20 or more horsepower.
reign 'em in
Do keep in mind that for modifications that increase the compression ratio in your engine, higher octane fuel may be required to prevent misfiring in the pistons. In addition, more power means more heat produced, so switching from natural motor oil to a higher-quality synthetic oil that can better withstand the increased temperatures is also something worth looking into.To ensure your car is performing at optimal levels, begin your upgrade process with a dynometer test -- most commonly known as the dyno. This machine measures the torque force or muscle power. In other words, how many horses you really have at the wheel. Begin by putting your stock ride on the dyno, and with each modification hop back on the machine and make sure your additions are making the difference you hope they are. This is especially important for upgrades like the computer chip where your car must be properly tuned to use the chip appropriately. Each dyno test will cost you a couple of hundred dollars, but it's well worth your time and money to do the job right.
keep your stable full
With careful attention paid to the instruction manuals and a decent tool set, most performance modifications can be done on your own. There are also many online communities with step-by-step instructions at your fingertips. Beefing up your engine may not be the most practical or economical thing to do, but at least it's nice to know that the extra power will be there when you need it. Especially when someone is eyeballing you at a red light.Resources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/question395.htm
http://www.importrival.com/modules/AMS/article.php?storyid=36
http://www.articleonramp.com/Article.cfm?ID=4579
http://www.cars.com/go/features/2004overview/sportscars/aftermarket.jsp
http://www.slickcar.com/nitrous-oxide-kits.asp
http://www.knfilters.com/
http://www.aa1car.com/library/2003/ic90332.htm
http://www.upsolute.com/eng/index.html - FAQ
http://www.hypertech-inc.com/
http://www.apexi-usa.com/support_main.asp
http://www.aempower.com/
http://www.injen.com/
http://www.greddy.com/
http://www.autocarparts.com/p_Comptech/
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