Four cylinder engines are among the most versatile in modern vehicles, but you may be disappointed with the power they produce.There are many ways to increase the power of your car or truck.Depending on your budget and skill set, you may choose to pursue a number of options, but be aware that many of these modifications may void your warranty.
Step 1: Don't neglect your vehicle.
It is important to maintain your vehicle in order to produce as much power as possible.Refer to the owner's manual for recommended service intervals.It is recommended that you change your oil every 3000 miles.The flow of air and fuel into the engine can be disrupted if the filters are not replaced.
Step 2: It's a good idea to install a cold air intake.
The engine in your vehicle is powered by a mixture of air and fuel.The flow of air and fuel into the engine itself can be increased by allowing for the level of compression your engine will produce to be constant.To install a new intake, remove the stock intake tube and air box surrounding the air filter and replace it with an aftermarket one designed to increase the amount of air that passes into the engine.A cone shaped filter is what most aftermarket cold air intakes come with.Gas mileage can be improved by increasing the amount of air flow into your engine.Stock intakes produce less noise than aftermarket intakes.
Step 3: Your vehicle's exhaust flow can be improved.
The mixture of air and fuel pushes the engine's pistons downward.Before more air and fuel can be injected, the exhaust from this explosion must be removed from the cylinder chamber.The backpressure of the exhaust will be reduced if portions of it are replaced with larger diameter pipes.You can either replace the piping from the catalytic converter back or the entire piping leading to the exhaust manifolds.It is possible to replace much of your vehicle's exhaust system with a kit.If you install a higher flowing exhaust, you will gain more power than if you use a normally aspirated engine.
Step 4: Your vehicle's computer should be reprogrammed.
A number of variables are controlled by a computer in most modern vehicles.To balance efficiency, emissions, reliability, power output and gas mileage, these computers are programmed from the factory.If the computer is reprogrammed to prioritize power, it can free up more power.There are companies that offer replacement computers for your vehicle.You can either buy a replacement or send it out for reprogrammed.A lot of companies sell programmers that you can use to change the code in your computer.
Step 5: Get rid of the ignition components.
An engine needs air, fuel and a spark to work.Old spark plugs and worn out spark plug wires can prevent your ignition system from detonating the air/fuel mixture.Replacing your ignition components with specialized aftermarket components can result in a more complete burn of air and fuel, since they are often rated to be good for up to 100,000 miles.The more air and fuel your engine burns, the more power it produces.A misfire can be caused by worn out spark plugs.The time it takes for the spark to reach the mixture can be reduced if the wires are larger.
Step 6: A new throttle body is required.
The point at which your intake meets the engine is called the throttle body.Increasing the diameter of the throttle body will allow more air to flow into the engine, resulting in an increase of power.Throttle bodies are usually held in place with four bolts and need a new gasket to be installed.TheThrottle body diameter is usually measured in millimeters.It is possible to increase the air that flows into the engine by changing the throttle body.You can buy larger diameter throttle bodies at many auto parts stores.It is important to purchase a throttle body that is designed for your specific year, make and model of vehicle.
Step 7: For a higher compression ratio, swap out your pistons.
Replacing the pistons in your engine is a significant project, but the resulting increase in power can be equally significant.In some vehicles, you can remove the oil pan and crank shaft in order to replace the pistons.If you want to install forced induction, you should choose forged steel pistons instead of cast steel.Higher pressures and temperatures can be overcome by forged steel.Many of the steps involved in replacing pistons are best left to professionals.
Step 8: Installation of more aggressive camshafts.
The camshaft or shafts in your engine have to open and close the intake and exhaust valves to allow air and fuel to enter and exit the engine at the right time.Stock camshafts are designed with a combination of efficiency, power, fuel economy and emissions in mind, but replacing them with more specialized ones can dramatically increase the power output of the engine.Many modern vehicles come equipped with variable cam timing, but even these cam shafts can be replaced for more specialized applications.The camshaft is in the engine block, whereas the cylinder heads are modular.
Step 9: If you want to improve exhaust flow, use a headers.
Replacing components of the exhaust system will increase the efficiency of exhaust exiting the engine, but aftermarket exhaust manifolds designed with larger diameter pipes and equal length piping will improve balance and efficiency.The aftermarket exhaust manifolds can add power to your vehicle.The exhaust manifolds are bolted to the cylinder head at the front of the car.The power output of such vehicles will be affected by the increased efficiency of the exhaust manifolds and the use of turbochargers.
Step 10: Use a boost controller.
Four cylinder sports cars are now equipped with turbochargers.The turbochargers force more air into the engine than would be possible with regular atmospheric air.You can increase the amount of boost the turbocharger produces by installing an aftermarket boost controller on the vacuum line.Don't increase the boost more than your vehicle's fuel system can support, because your engine needs to maintain an appropriate air/fuel ratio.An aftermarket boost gauge is a must for this modification.Ensuring you are supporting the increased air flow with enough fuel can be done with an air/fuel or exhaust gas temperature gauge.
Step 11: Charge your vehicle.
If your vehicle did not come equipped with a turbocharger from the factory, you can install one on a normally aspirated motor to increase power output.A turbine fan that pushes compressed air into the engine is powered by a turbocharger.There are a number of supporting modifications to the fuel system of a vehicle.The internal components of your engine may need to be replaced.It takes an increase in fuel to support the added air.All of the components required to boost the performance of your vehicle can be found in kits for your specific vehicle.
Step 12: Charge your vehicle.
A supercharger works by forcing air into the engine, but it is powered by the accessory belt instead of the exhaust.Superchargers are preferred by those who value power at lower RPMs because they are belt driven.Supporting fuel modifications are required for superchargers.Supercharger kits come with a larger belt to support the pulley.There is no need to wait for the engine to start.Power is produced at all RPMs by superchargers.
Step 13: You can use a wet or dry nitrous oxide kit.
nitrous oxide contains more oxygen than atmospheric air, so injecting it into your vehicle's engine works in the same way as a turbocharger or supercharger.A wet nitrous kit injects a combination of nitrous and fuel into the cylinders and can produce more power safely than a dry kit.nitrous oxide can be injected into most four cylinder motors without any adverse effects.If you don't have the skills to make a nitrous kit for your vehicle, you need to order one.While armed, nitrous oxide only increases wear on the engine.
Step 14: Have your car checked out.
It is important to have your vehicle tune to support the increase in power after installing a form of nitrous.Taking your vehicle to a professional tuning shop will allow them to use a dynamometer to test various air/fuel ratios at different RPMs, ensuring the maximum power output at each point in the vehicle's power band.The price to have your car fixed varies from location to location.It is possible to free up a lot of power from the modifications you have already installed.