How to Build Street Racing Hybrid Cars

For those looking to go "green", or simply to save a few dollars at the pump, hybrid vehicles have become a popular option. Unfortunately for performance enthusiasts, the first thing most manufacturers sacrifice in the quest for additional miles per gallon is power. The target audience for a hybrid vehicle is generally not interested in driving fast, so companies can get by with producing cars with less power than even most economy cars have.

A sheer lack of power, coupled with their greatly increased weight due to the battery pack, makes most hybrids slow and sluggish. In street races, these cars will likely lose, unless it is against another hybrid vehicle.

The electric propulsion system behind most hybrids is complex and can be dangerous for someone who is not a skilled technician. For the sake of both simplicity and safety, we will simply modify the internal combustion engine to produce more power, and leave the electric motor as it came from the factory.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Cold air intake Exhaust components Turbocharger Supercharger Performance motor oil Summer performance tires Plugs and wires Various appearance modifications

1. Free up the intake and exhaust by installing a cold-air intake system in the engine bay and by replacing any restrictive exhaust components (such as the headers, muffler and catalytic converter) with high-flow models. These upgrades present the engine with less resistance when it tries to suck in fresh air, and does the same when the pistons try to force the exhaust gases out of engine and down the pipes. Not only will these modifications help increase power, they will also improve gas mileage.

2. Upgrade the car's tires to high-performance models. The stock tires on most hybrids are engineered to provide as little resistance as possible while moving. These "low rolling resistance" tread compounds may help increase miles per gallon, but they provide little off-the-line traction, which is critical to reducing your quarter-mile time. Placing sticky tires on the drive wheels will help achieve more initial momentum that can then be built upon for a significantly reduced time.

3. Switch to a performance lubricant for the engine's crankcase oil, transmission fluid and differential fluid. A low-resistance synthetic oil such as Royal Purple or Redline Synthetic reduces the friction encountered by most of the moving parts of the drive train. This freedom allows the engine to accelerate faster and transfer more power to the pavement. Often, these oils also slightly increase fuel efficiency.

4. Replace the stock spark plugs and wires with performance parts. Premium wires transmit more electricity from the distributor to the plugs, and performance plugs produce a stronger spark, igniting the fuel more efficiently. When installing the new spark plugs, remember to gap them according to the automaker's instructions.

5. Research what aftermarket internal engine parts are available for your specific engine. In some hybrids, the engine is exclusive to that car, and there will not be any aftermarket performance parts available. In a hybrid that uses an engine that is also shared with a nonhybrid model, it will be easier to find performance parts. Two examples of these parts would be a more aggressive cam shaft or polished heads. Follow the part manufacturer's instructions for installing these parts.

6. Install a supercharger or turbocharger for the biggest power gain. When activated, these devices act like powerful fans, forcing air into the engine. This act is known as "forced induction." Normally, adding a forced induction system to an internal combustion engine results in power gains of around 30 percent to 40 percent, depending on the engine and the size of the turbo or supercharger. Often, you may see an increase of 1 to 3 miles per gallon after adding a turbocharger, so long as you keep the car in the lower RPM range.

7. Add typical street-racing accessories as desired. While these do not add to the speed of the vehicle, they are commonly used on street racing cars to designate their status. Modifying the outside of the car with racing stripes, a spoiler, body kit or a loud muffler lets other drivers know that your car isn't stock and helps set up challenges you can then take to the drag strip.

Tips & Warnings

• Consult with your local performance shop for even more ideas. Most performance parts from the Toyota Echo, Toyota Yaris, Scion xA and Scion xB are comparable with the Toyota Prius. Many of the available performance parts from the Toyota Camry are also compatible with the Toyota Camry Hybrid.
• The term "street racing" refers only to this particular style of racing competition, which should be practiced on a private drag strip. Never participate in illegal street-racing activities. Installing aftermarket parts will usually void your warranty.

Resources

• Royal Purple is one of the most common performance motor oils.
• Summit Racing performance parts carries parts for many makes and models