How to Get More Horsepower in Your Vehicle
If you’ve noticed your vehicle doesn’t have the same peppy acceleration it used to, consider finding the best way to get more horsepower.
You don’t have to spend thousands on a new engine or something similar. Improving horsepower can be about figuring out how to move more air through your car’s engine. There are a few things you can do to achieve this – let’s look at a few of them.
Install a cold-air intake
If moving more air in greater volume is the goal, there’s no better way to do this than by using cold air. Cold air is dense (the colder, the denser), resulting in more air in greater volume. One of the best ways to ensure your vehicle is breathing in and out cold, dense air is to install a cold air intake. Take the colder air from outside of the automobile and draw it into the vehicle using special filters. This ensures your vehicle inhales and exhales without any resistance. Install one of these bad boys, and you’re going to notice an immediate increase in horsepower.
Opt for a performance air filter
Since getting more air is the key to getting more horsepower, it makes sense to choose a quality air filter. Switch to a performance air filter the next time you take your vehicle into the shop for a tune-up. This will allow the air to flow freely through your engine, allowing you to accelerate quicker and tow easier than before.
Reduce the body’s weight
While this may not be an option for family vehicles, if it’s feasible it’s worth thinking about. Significantly reducing the weight of your vehicle’s body will work wonders for your vehicle’s horsepower, and it’s one of the easiest (not to mention cheapest) ways to increase horsepower. Remove unnecessary things from your vehicle and keep only the bare essentials if you’re serious about improving horsepower. If you’re in over your head, consult with a trusted body shop to see what they suggest.
High-performance wheels and tires
Speaking of reducing your vehicle’s overall weight, high-performance wheels and tires are a great way to lose some weight – roughly 10 lbs per wheel! Not only that, but your vehicle is going to handle so much better; the added horsepower is a nice perk to top it off. Consider a narrower high-performance wheel if you want them to compliment your snow tires; after all, a narrow wheel can grip the road surface much easier than wider wheels.
Regular tune-ups
We get it: it’s a pain going to your trusted auto mechanic shop, sitting around, and waiting for a technician to at best tell you that you can finally stop waiting and drive your car. Tune-ups are essential to your vehicle’s well-being and that includes ensuring you’re getting consistently good horsepower. A regular tune-up means a technician will check to ensure your spark plugs are working (if they’re not, your engine isn’t working), air and fuel filter are clean (dirty equals reduced airflow), your oil is changed to keep your engine running at its best, and more. The little things are a big deal, so get them checked regularly to keep your vehicle’s horsepower on the up-and-up.
Remember, if you need parts to make sure your car's in great condition, GM Outlet Parts has what you need!