6 Sure-Fire Ways to Make Your Car Faster and More Powerful on the Road

Not everyone can be a race car driver, but who's to say you can't live like one from time to time? If the word "snail-paced" makes you break out in hives, and if you crave the adrenaline rush that comes from driving fast, then here are ways you can boost your car's speed and power--aside from adding the typical turbo- and superchargers--to unleash your inner "Dom Toretto" bad-ass.

Reduce your car's weight

Have you watched Fate of the Furious (Fast and Furious 8)? In the near opening scene, Dom Toretto (Vin Diesel) had to race against Raldo, a loan shark whom Dom's cousin, Fernando, owed money from. Dom used his cousin's beat up car for the race, and since it was heavy, decided to get rid of parts to reduce its weight. In the end, it looked like a junkyard owner's dream come true, but the lessened weight (aside from tweaking the engine) made it faster.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cx8dMJuqYWQ

This same principle applies here. If you want your car to move like it's on steroids, get rid of the unnecessary things that weigh it down. Take out the roof rack if you don't use it, as well as those things that should be kept in your house--not your car.

Upgrade to a high-performance Cold Air Intake Unit

Help your engine breathe better by upgrading its standard air intake to a Cold Air Intake (CAI) unit.

The CAI is a shaped filter that has more surface area to draw in cold air. Cold air is heavier than hot air, which consequently increases the amount of oxygen that mixes in with the fuel. The more oxygen and fuel in the mix, the more combustion takes place, which results in an increase in power. Of course, we're assuming here that the engine is performing to its utmost capacity as well.

Modify the Engine Control Unit (ECU)

This may take the help of an expert to execute, but it's worth it.

When you reprogram your car's ECU chip, you are making changes to your car's settings. This allows you to make adjustments, like increasing revs and maximum speed, or modifying the ignition timing so your vehicle's overall performance is enhanced.

There are two ways you can do this:

1. Buy a pre-programmed chip. Replace the original ECU chip that comes along with your vehicle, and buy one that is programmed with the settings you prefer.

2. Use Plug-and-Play. Purchase a new software that you can just "plug" into the OBD-II port and automatically "play" to install itself.

Buy a bigger throttle body

Increasing your throttle's size reduces air restriction, which consequently increases air velocity and flow intake. This allows more air in, leading to more combustion, power, and speed. Doing this alone can actually enhance your car's engine by up to 15 percent, especially if you add in other adjustments that we've mentioned earlier.

Upgrade to a high-flow Catalytic Converter and Cat-Back Exhaust System

You can do only one,  but both are needed to maximize efficiency.

Upgrading to a higher flow Catalytic Converter allows your car's engine to increase its flow capability, increasing its power (and speed) across the RPM range. What's more, it also makes reducing car emissions faster.

An aftermarket, high-flow Cat-Back Exhaust System replaces the stock muffler and exhaust pipe, which again increases airflow. Often seen behind the catalytic converter, it pushes the exhaust gases faster, allowing more air and fuel to mix in for faster speed.

Modify your tires

Do a more aggressive alignment of your tires. Ask your specialists to align the wheels so they are pointed straight ahead. If you have some cash to spare, buy the smaller ones to help increase acceleration. It's also a good idea to buy the lightweight ones to maximize the effect.