Since the invention of wheeled vehicles, we are on a perpetual quest to upgrade everything about the car’s performance, and you may be one of the many. Generally, there are four factors that make a fast car. They are the power, power train, aerodynamics, and weight in which interaction affects the performance of your car. The power refers to the engine measured in mechanical horsepower—the higher the horsepower, the faster your car can get.
But that alone would not guarantee to increase your car’s speed. You will also need highly efficient power trains that will transfer the energy from the engine to the mechanical axle. Then, you need to ensure your aerodynamics reduce wind resistance, and finally, have an equally powerful engine and power train compatible with the weight of your car.
These are just the basics that make a car run faster. However, thanks to your tuning and many other upgrade privileges, you can now give your car the speed you want other than its basic elements. Here are some modifications to consider:
Reduce your car’s weight
Older cars are usually made using heavy-duty materials, but good thing you can always choose to reduce the weight of your car. You can do this by removing heavy electrical components that you can do without and replace others that you can’t with lighter types. Some decade-old parts you can remove may include your air conditioning compressor, heater matrix, stereo, and more.
If you want to go farther, look for anything in the interior that you can strip out, such as the carpet, rear seats, and underlay. Electrically adjustable seats usually weigh up to 35 kilograms, so you might want to shift to using sports seats that would just weigh a maximum of 12 kilograms.
You may also use carbon fiber versions to replace your car’s hood and truck. And while you’re at it, consider replacing other parts with glass-fiber reinforced plastics or polycarbonates too. Just be warned that these stronger materials may require higher upfront costs too.
Lastly, if you are one of those who seriously venture toward making their cars super lightweight like a racecar, then you might want to consider reducing the oil you put in your tank, especially if you’re just going for short drives. Putting just half of the fuel into your 55-liter fuel tank can lead to your reducing up to 22 kilograms of weight.
Upgrade your cold air intake (CAI)
The purpose of installing cold air intake is to suck the cooler air into the internal combustion engine of your car, which will then allow more oxygen into the combustion. Your car needs to breathe to function to the fullest. Two of the benefits you get from installing a high-performing CAI in your car are improved horsepower and faster acceleration.
Cooler air increases the rate of oxygen combustion in a car better than hot air, so installing a cold air intake is one of the most effective ways to increase your horsepower (HP), typically adding additional HP of around 5 to 12. But all the horsepower that can be added may depend on your car’s configuration. In terms of acceleration, a higher intake of cold air into the engine can greatly increase the speed of your car. CAI is the way to go if solid acceleration appeals to you.
Lubricate your car on time
Your car is made up of plenty of metals moving against another, which is why lubrication is very important. If you don’t lubricate your car on the schedule, the friction and expanding heated parts will increase the wear and tear. The lesser the friction in the engine, the smoother your car will run. Your car will need lubricants such as transmission fluid, grease, and engine oil.
Choose the right oil for your car. As much as possible, go for a full synthetic engine oil change rather than the conventional one. Synthetics are usually high in viscosity producing a thicker film that can decrease friction. Also, they have a longer lifespan than conventional oils, and so, you will have a longer oil change interval. But still, makes sure that you follow your car’s oil change schedule to maintain the smoothness and increase the speed of your car.
Mind your spark plugs
Spark plugs are important to make your car run quick, but keep in mind that you should only install them only after you have created a conducive environment for them to thrive, which includes the air and fuel. Spark plugs ignite a small spark to the small starting gap, which then moves your engine’s piston and helps your car power up more efficiently. Worn-down spark plugs can lead to different problems.
Everyone wants a high-performing car but not all would make the effort to upgrade for some reason. If you want the best experience, then spend some time giving your car a few modifications.
