- 1). Install a cold air intake. These systems include a larger air filter than the stock unit and may or may not come with an intake pipe as well. They produce slightly more horsepower and allow you to squeeze more performance out of the additional parts you will install later. While power gains are not enormous, their low cost and easy installation makes this a good starting modification. With nothing more than basic hand tools, most enthusiasts can install a CAI in less than an hour.
- 2). Upgrade your exhaust. By installing a less restrictive exhaust system, you can free up some of the power that the engine must ordinarily waste to exhale through the pipes. Changing only the muffler is relatively cheap and will enhance both power output as well as sound. If you wish to go a step further, you can also replace the stock catalytic converter with an aftermarket unit, which will add to the cost of the project but free up further horsepower.
- 3). Dissemble the engine block to install a new camshaft and throttle body. Now that the engine is capable of breathing and exhaling easier, you can turn your attention to the heart of the power plant. A camshaft with higher lift and duration will significantly increase horsepower, albeit at the expense of a more shaky idle and increased fuel consumption. The camshaft will allow the valves to stay open longer, which will enable the engine to obtain more fuel and air for each combustion cycle. An upgraded throttle body will further aid this process by providing a larger gate for the air to pass through when you step on the gas.
- 4). Bring your vehicle to a professional tuner who will install new parts, and adjust factory settings that control the fuel intake and electrical flow, and other related upgrades. The best way to do this is by working with a professional tuner who can hook up your car to a dynamometer, which is a piece of large and sophisticated hardware that measures the power of your engine. This will allow the tuner to adjust each parameter until the desired power level is reached. This process, called "dyno tuning", can take half a day or more. For the long-term health of your engine and to ensure that the installed parts provide the best performance, it is absolutely essential, however.
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