How to Increase Horsepower and Torque

Your engine is a finely tuned part of your car with multiple areas that air moves in and out of with combustions to give you power and speed. The air movement in and out of your engine can be increased in several manners for you to achieve more horsepower and torque.

Catalytic Converter

A high flow catalytic converter functions in the same manner as your stock one. It reduces emissions in the same way but performs the task much quicker. It increases the capability of your engine’s airflow to create more hp. You will notice that a high flow catalytic converter with increase your power throughout all levels of RPM’s, but will notice it much more in the low range to increase both your horsepower and torque.

Cat-Back Exhaust System

A cat-back exhaust system install behind the catalytic converter and it replaces your stock muffler and exhaust pipe that restrict airflow. A high flow catalytic converter paired with a high flow cat-back increases airflow and gives you great gains in both horsepower and torque. The best performance is to be gained through systems with larger diameter pipes that are bent and then lead to a straight flow muffler.

Cold Air Intakes

A performance cold air intake has a specialty shaped air filter to allow your car to take in more air, and in turn, more air equals denser air to produce more power. Your engine operates by taking in air, mixing it with your fuel and producing power for speed. Performance cold air intakes can increase the surface area up to three times the size of a factory or stock air filter. This process also reduces airflow resistance and turbulence in the pipes that can reduce your engine’s airflow.

Exhaust Header

Stock exhaust manifolds meet emissions requirements and do not move air efficiently for obtaining your top speed possible. Adding an after market exhaust header to your car will increase both horsepower and torque. It moves air faster and more effectively to increase engine performance. Long tube headers will give you the best increase in hp and torque from your midrange RPM’s to your top range RPM’s. These are ideal for racing engines with high revving power.

Upgraded Throttle Body

The throttle body on your engine regulates its airflow. It supplies your engine with air, which mixes with fuel and it combusts. An upgraded throttle body into a larger diameter has bigger flaps on it to allow superior airflow and increase your performance power. You will feel your car accelerate much faster and you can experience up to a 25 hp increase. Installing a throttle body spacer can also increase your torque and save you valuable fuel consumption.

Power Programmers and Performance Chips

The original computer in your car is programmed at the factory to reduce emissions and follow fuel octane requirements, but these things reduce your power and performance. Replacing your stock computer with a power programmer and performance chips allows you to have full control over fuel to air ratios, ignition timing and control your turbo boost. These items enable you with more torque and horsepower. The systems are pretty easy to use and usually plugs into the OBD-II port. Many systems come pre-programmed and have customizable tunes.

Superchargers and Turbochargers

Both a supercharger and a turbocharger are forced induction systems. They compress the air that flows to your engine and give you a large increase of up to 50% of your hp and torque. When the engine gets more air, is produces more overall power and increases acceleration for speed. Superchargers get their power from a belt attached to the engine for you to feel instant power every time you accelerate. Turbochargers perform well also, but there is a bit of a lag time from when you accelerate until you feel the speed. Turbochargers use energy from the exhaust stream for their power source and are considered more energy efficient.

If you are a newcomer to the racing world and don’t want to invest in an entire new engine, consider these engine rebuilding and upgrading ideas for an increase in torque and horsepower to leave your competitors behind and eating your dust. Your car will benefit from being expertly tuned to its best performance rate ever with our engine dyno before it leaves the shop.