How To Increase Engine Performance? 10 ways to Maximise Car Engine Power

Since the invention of cars. Many promises have been made about increasing engine performance. From fancy lubricants to new spark plugs. The market is full of options.

However, the reality is that achieving high performance comes down to “How does your engine run?”

First, understand the physics and math behind a car engine. This helps you to make changes that will increase engine power.

In this article, we will explore 10 effective ways to increase your car’s horsepower and overall engine performance.

Always ensure any performance modifications are done correctly and won’t void your warranty.

Know Your Engine First

How does a engine work in a car?

To make your car faster. You need to understand how the engine works.

The engine in a car makes power by burning air and fuel. The better it can do this. The more power you get.

Small changes can make a big difference.

Check out products and changes that can increase your engine power. Whether you drive a regular car or a fancy sports car. More power to the engine means more power to you.

1. Synthetic Lubricants Maximise Engine Power

There are different kinds of motor oil: conventional, synthetic, and blend.

For a longer-lasting and more durable option that works in any weather. Go for synthetic oil.

Synthetic oils have a special structure that makes them work better in your engine. It provides better lubrication than regular oils.

Regular oils can wear out too quickly. Especially when the car engine motor gets hot. But synthetic oils don’t have that problem. They keep things running smoothly in all temperatures and driving conditions.

This makes them a great choice for cars with high mileage or those built for performance.

2. Fine-Tune Ignition for Engine Power

Ignition means power.

If your engine doesn’t get the right spark. It won’t perform well. No matter how much fuel and air it has. To get the most out of your engine. You need an ignition system that times the spark plugs perfectly.

If you notice problems in the car engine motor. It’s smart to talk to your trusted mechanic. Even if your ignition system doesn’t show an error. Small issues can quietly sap your engine’s power.

If the engine uses a leaner air/fuel mix with more air. This means you need more voltage to spark the plugs. To get that power. Add an amplifier to your ignition system.

The kind you pick depends on your setup:

• If you have a distributor coil. Go for single-channel amplifiers and new coils.
• For coil-on-plug systems. Consider a multichannel ignition amplifier.

This simple upgrade can make a big difference in your engine’s performance.

Timing your ignition is a power game. But it’s important to be cautious. Too much timing can harm your engine.

For traditional distributor ignition systems. Start setting the total timing at 2500 rpm with an initial effort of 32 degrees BTDC (Before Top-Dead Center).

Test on the road or a dyno and then adjust and increase timing one degree at a time – 33, 34, 35, and so on. Testing along the way. Never go beyond 36 degrees BTDC total.

Critical Warning!

Some might push it to 38, 40, or even 42 degrees BTDC.

BUT THAT’S RISKY!

Anything over 36 degrees BTDC total leads to engine failure. If there’s a sudden lack of fuel with early timing, your engine could fail in a split second at full throttle.

It’s best to rely on a professional who understands how to balance ignition and fuel maps for more power without causing engine damage.

3. Install Larger Throttle Body & Injectors to Get More Horsepower

The throttle manages air intake. While injectors deliver the right amount of fuel to the cylinders. A stuck throttle or clogged injectors can cause issues.

Keep fuel injectors clean to maintain engine power. Avoid cheap fuel to prevent deposits. Use a fuel injector cleaner well-matched with different fuels. Remove carbon deposits for better performance.

Using a quality fuel injector cleaner with different fuels effectively removes carbon deposits from the fuel tank, lines, and injectors. This contributes to a better-performing vehicle.

Additionally, check and make sure fuel supply lines are clean. And if you plan to burn more fuel. Then install larger fuel lines for efficient gas delivery.

Airflow matters. The throttle controls air flow for combustion. A properly sized larger throttle body can boost horsepower (up to 25 hp). But if too large, it reduces power. Balance is key.

Key Tip: Balance and proper sizing are important for best performance.

Consider the right size for the throttle body and fuel injectors. A larger throttle needs higher-volume injectors. Check manuals for features on new parts. Online forums for your car model can provide valuable insights about this.

4. Increase Compression to Increase Engine Horsepower

As your car racks up miles. Its parts wear out. And your engine loses compression pressure. This leads to less power.

The good news?

You can fix this without dismantling your engine. Compression Repair fluid helps your engine. It seals leaks and brings back the old power.

Look out for these signs of pressure loss in your vehicle:

1. Drop in Fuel Mileage: If your fuel mileage drops without changing how you drive. Your engine parts are worn out.
2. Oil Level Reduction: Check your oil when the engine is cold. A decreasing oil level suggests a leak in the system.
3. Blue Exhaust Smoke: If your engine isn’t burning fuel well. You will see blue smoke. Fixing leaks can restore compression and solve this issue.
4. Unusual Engine Noise: Unusual noises from your engine mean compression loss. Especially when combined with other pressure loss signs. Consider using Compression Repair fluid to solve this.

If you notice these symptoms, Solve compression issues with the help of a mechanic. Higher octane fuels are recommended by mechanics to increase advanced engine performance.

Remember, a strong engine means a smoother drive.

5. Install CAI (Cold Air Intake) System

Increasing your engine’s power can be as simple as upgrading to a Cold Air Intake (CAI).

Here’s the science.

Colder air is denser. And denser air helps burn fuel more efficiently. Giving you more power. When you add a CAI system. You’re not just getting a new air filter. It’s a game-changer.

The new filter might look bigger. Because it is up to 3X larger than the stock filter. But that’s a good thing.

The CAI system also does something clever.

It straightens out the path air takes to reach the engine. In regular systems, curves slow down the air and make it spin through turns. The CAI removes these twists and turns, letting air reach the engine faster.

In simple terms. A CAI means more power for your ride.

6. Remove Exhaust Manifold & Add Real Headers for More Power

To get more power in your engine. Consider changing out your exhaust manifold for real headers.

Now, here’s why do this.

Getting exhaust away from your engine is important for maximum power.

Manifolds, the interconnected tubes, direct exhaust from each cylinder to a single outlet. This creates backpressure, reducing outflow and power.

Headers pull exhaust away from each cylinder individually. Only after the pipes are away from the engine do they come together into a single collector. Headers remove backpressure issues. Making your engine more efficient.

Luckily, replacing manifolds with headers is a doable task.

So, if you’ve tried everything and still want more power. Go for exhaust headers. It not only removes backpressure problems. But your engine sounds cooler too—a bonus.

It’s a win-win for your ride!

7. Add Forced Induction to Get More Power

Forced induction is also known as supercharging or turbocharging. It gives your car’s engine an extra kick. Let’s break it down to understand how it adds power to the car engine.

A SUPERCHARGER connects to your engine’s crankshaft with a belt and pulley system. When your engine runs. It turns the crankshaft. Which spins the supercharger faster (up to 50,000 RPM) than the engine.

This speedy supercharger forces more air into the engine. Creating a power-up situation. More air means more power. With a supercharger, your engine gains 50-200 extra horsepower. However, this depends on your engine size and the supercharger you choose. Torque also goes up by 50%.

TURBOCHARGERS work differently. They are powered by outgoing exhaust gases. Making them efficient by using existing resources.

There is a catch in Turbo.

Turbo lag can happen. This means you might not feel the turbo kick in until your engine revs up enough.

Supercharger vs. Turbo

Choose the one that suits your driving style.

• Superchargers connect directly to the engine for instant power. Superchargers are quick and direct.
• Turbos rely on exhaust gases. Turbos provide more boost, with a slight delay.

In simple terms. Forced induction gives your car a power boost. Making the engine breathe in more air.

8. Focus on Vehicle Maintenance for More Power

To increase your vehicle’s horsepower. proper maintenance of your engine is important.

1. Change the oil and look for worn-out parts regularly. Avoid using poor-quality oil or bad gas.
2. Maintain clean filters for oil, fuel, and air. Regularly replace these filters to ensure the engine runs smoothly.
3. Focus on timely oil changes to prevent engine slowdown and damage.
4. Follow the maintenance intervals well-defined in your vehicle’s manual.
5. Use fluid treatment products for advanced engine performance. These work best with clean oil and quality fuel. Note that they cannot fix issues caused by dirty oil.
6. Consider the specific needs of your engine type. Especially for older cars, hot rods, or those with flat-tappet engines.

In a nutshell, take care of your engine, and it will perform better for you.

9. Update ECM Software aka Car Computer

Make your car run better by upgrading the computer in your engine.

The engine computer is called the ECM (Electronic Control Module). This computer handles different things in your car to make it work well. Some cars can take special chips or adjustments to this computer.

But Be Careful!

Because this change might affect or cancel your warranty. Check with your car dealer before doing anything.

If you know about computers or electronics. You can add or adjust these upgrades yourself. These upgrades change the computer’s original settings. This helps your car become more powerful and perform better overall.

It’s an easy way to improve how your engine works.

10. Lighten Your Car for Better Performance

Think about how you feel about carrying a heavy backpack. It’s tiring, right?

Your car feels the same when loaded with extra stuff. If you want to get the most out of your car’s engine. Start by cleaning out your trunk and the inside. This trick works for race cars, and it can work for you too.

To increase your car’s performance, make it lighter. When your car carries less weight. Your engine doesn’t have to work hard. Remember, a car’s power-to-weight ratio matters for performance.

This example will help you understand the carload. A 700 average hp in a car weighing 6000 lbs versus a 190 average hp in a car weighing 1800 lbs. The lighter car is faster. Even with lower horsepower.

For serious performance gains. Use acrylic or plastic windows instead of regular glass. Also, removing the back seats lightens the load. If you drive an SUV or van. Newer models have removable back seats to increase storage space. This gives your car an extra performance boost.

Keep Your Car Engine Happy

You don’t need to be a car expert to make your ride faster.

By following these 10 simple steps you can increase car engine power. Always approach performance modifications with caution. It’s safe to seek professional advice when needed.

Start with good fluids, simple changes, and regular upkeep. Whether you’re driving every day or hitting the road for fun. These easy steps can increase your car’s power.

Keep your engine happy and enjoy the speed!

Power Up Your Car Engine with All Aspects Motors

At All Aspects Motors automotive excellence meets expert care.

Schedule your service today for advanced engine performance.