Affordable tweaks to increase your car’s performance can be tempting but are almost always associated with increased fuel consumption; a very unwelcome side-effect in the current climate of sky-high petrol prices.
However there are a few ways to increase performance without negatively impacting your mpg. Here we take a closer look at some of the options.
Reusable Air Filters
Landfill sites are full of items we use once and then throw out. Vehicle air filters are one such item and through the life of a car you can go through 6-12 of them quite easily if you stick the service schedule.
For approximately the price of 3 disposable air filters you can buy a washable, reusable air filter which will likely be the last air filter your car will ever need. Reusable air filters offer a slight increase in horsepower and acceleration as well as the warm fuzzy feeling that you’re doing another small thing to save the planet.
Performance Remap
All new cars are controlled by a computer chip (ECU) that tells how much torque and horsepower can be displaced. A performance chip, otherwise known as engine remap or ECU remap, can produce significant increases in horsepower and torque for your vehicle.
A ‘remap’ of the existing ECU is comparatively easy and cheap, and is shaking off the “boy racer” image as it becomes more mainstream. It’s no longer about squeezing every last bit of speed from the car, but about overall smooth performance and even improved fuel consumption.
Bear in mind you will need to advise your insurance company that the car has been modified, so maybe get a quote before going ahead to make sure an increase in premium isn’t going to outweigh the benefits.
Performance Exhaust Systems
Cat-back or “catalyst-back exhaust systems” are a great way to free up trapped torque and to unleash horsepower. Keeping all the important emissions parts in place, a cat-back system incorporates large width exhaust pipes and low restriction performance silencers into your car thereby lowering exhaust back pressure.
A side benefit is the cool sporty sound emitting from the exhaust system! Modern cat-back systems offer a choice of resonated and non-resonated systems, so you can choose a gentle growl over a full-blooded roar (although few are excessively loud).
Cold Air Intake
You don’t need a muscle-car-style bonnet scoop for a cold air intake these days – it’s an “under the hood mod” that helps to reduce the temperature of the air entering the car for the sole purpose of increasing the power of the engine. Cold air is more dense than warm air, this means that during combustion increased horse-power and torque is made available.
It can also improve the appearance of the engine bay if that kind of thing appeals to you!
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