Engine performance tuning is the best way to increase a vehicle’s acceleration capacity. The performance of a car is dependent on it’s engine’s CC size. There is no doubt the the vehicles with higher engine CC size have some features that aren’t available in other vehicles.
For example, some high engine CC vehicles have more than one throttle body while low engine CC size vehicles have only one. But this doesn’t mean that the low engine CC size vehicles cannot perform as highly as the high engine CC size cars. There are a number of performance modifications that can be installed to improve performance. That’s what we are going to dwell on today.
What is engine performance tuning.
Engine performance optimization involves performing an engine check of the systems. First you perform a check for any error codes before undertaking any upgrades.
Afterwards, look at the engine’s emission system. This will ensure that you adapt the correct exhaust system upgrades.
Next, the performance tuning will require you to look at the vehicle’s electric system components like the car battery and starting components.
Types of Engine tune-up parts.
There are different performance modifications that improve the car’s drivability. Some go into the engine while others will fit onto the car’s body. This makes the difference between the types of customizations.
Some people go for customizations that have no effect on performance. These will only be geared towards improving aesthetics. But that’s not where we are going to dwell on today. That can be found within the car accessories articles. For now, let’s focus on performance customization.
1. Free Flow Exhaust system upgrades.
Most customized WRX Subaru cars incorporate the free flow exhaust system. This changes the vehicle’s sound during revving and acceleration.
Take the car’s exhaust system as an exhaling part for the engine. The stock exhaust for cars serves this purpose fairly well. But there are aftermarket exhaust systems that you could install. These will improve engine exhalation traits as well as well the engine’s sound.
The reason why you would be interested in replacing the stock exhaust is because of how it facilitates the engine’s exhalation. The stock exhaust consists of various catalytic converters and different baffles for purifying the exhaust gas before it passes out to the atmosphere. These are necessary but they tend to hinder performance.
Aftermarket exhaust pipes are usually equipped with a more responsive throttle body. Further, they consist of far more superior catalytic converters for exhaust gas purification. These guarantee a higher performance than the stock exhaust pipes.
2. Aftermarket Spark Plugs.
The spark plug is an essential part of the ignition system upgrade for better vehicle’s performance. That’s because the spark plug generates the spark that is necessary for fuel combustion. Additionally, a highly performing spark plug helps to improve the car’s fuel economy.
The spark plug receives electric current from the battery and transfers it to the combustion chamber where the spark ignites the fuel and air mixture. A faulty spark plug is one of the reasons why the car doesn’t start. Further, it will be responsible for poor fuel economy whereby the car consumes more fuel than it should because of a low quality ignition spark. Hence, causing the fuel not to burn effectively.
The aftermarket spark plug might not be directly responsible for performance enhancement. In fact, the more expensive spark plugs offer a longer life span in comparison to stock spark plugs. Meaning that you can use aftermarket spark plugs for a longer period of time.
3. High Flow Air Filter.
Sufficient amounts of air flowing into the engine are very essential for the car’s performance. That’s because air mixes with fuel during high engine RPM to produce power necessary for the engine to accelerate.
Air enters the engine through the air filter to the intake manifold through the catalytic converter. When the driver presses the gas pedal, the throttle body opens up to let in air into the combustion chamber. This air mixes with fuel to burn and produce engine power for acceleration. Unless there is a problem with the throttle body, the vehicle is supposed to increase speed gradually.
Aftermarket air filters allow air to enter the engine’s intake manifold with minimum restrictions. The stock air filter is designed to regulate the amount of air that goes into the engine. This limits the amount of air that the engine gets during high RPM. Hence limiting the acceleration capacity.
4. Piggyback ECU.
An ECU is a software installation that is meant to control the vehicle’s functions. There are a number of different electronic control units in vehicles for various functions. For example, there are electronic control units that control the power steering and the engine’s functionality.
There is an option of installing a stand alone ECU or tuning the stock ECUs found within the vehicle. An aftermarket air filter works better when you couple it with an ECU remapping upgrade.
A piggyback ECU is highly recommended when you’re trying to preserve the vehicle’s warranty. The piggyback ECU is very effective because it is attached to the car’s OBD port. This ECU provides improvement in the signals that the onboard computer sends to the different vehicle sensors.
5. Aftermarket Fuel Injector upgrades.
The fuel injector upgrades are responsible for transferring fuel from the fuel tank into the combustion chamber. The fuel pump communicates with the throttle body to understand the amount of fuel that is necessary to suit the car’s acceleration levels. An aftermarket fuel injector will effectively supply fuel to the combustion chamber with less restrictions.
6. Turbocharger upgrades.
Turbocharger upgrades have a high impact on your vehicle’s overall BHP and performance. You should select a turbocharger based on the intended power output.
How’s this possible?
Turbochargers push air into the engine. The air spins the compressor blades which causes an increase in air pressure. Afterwards, this increases the air flow force into the combustion chamber.
Hence, the more the air pressure given by a turbocharger, the higher the power output.
Things to consider before upgrading your turbochrager.
Turbocharger upgrades provide a boost in power and torque. Consider this an improvement in horsepower.
- Use high octane fuel when you undertake a turbocharger upgrade.
- Avoid pre-ignition which slows down the rate at which air moves within your engine.
- Head sealings between the blocks and cylinder heads should be strong enough to avoid rapturing due to pressure.
7. Engine tuning software.
Manufacturers program the vehicle’s Engine Control Unit in such a way that it provides necessary performance. The best car tuning software boosts MPG and optimizes horsepower
Vehicles software upgrades allow you to modify factory ECU programing. In fact, the upgrade will allow you to remove any restrictions that the manufacturer put in place.
For example, some manufacturers limit the power output. Some of the best tuning software include;
- Ecu-Tek. Supports many ECUs.
- TOAD Pro OBD2. Allows in-depth diagnostics.
- Precision Code Works. Multiple calibration tool.
- Maxx-ECU M-Tune. For fuel calculation.
- Viezu K-Suite. For live tuning.
8. Cold Air Intake upgrades.
A factory installed intake usually takes in air from around the engine into the combustion chamber. However, the limitation shows up because of the position of the air intake.
Its position lets the cold air intake to bring in warm air. This is a disadvantage because the warm air has limited amounts of oxygen. Yet, oxygen is vey important for a successful combustion process.
A cold air intake installation allows the engine to receive air which is a little bit further from the engine. This air is cold and rich in oxygen. Hence allowing better combustion of fuel as well as fuel efficiency optimization.