How to Create a Fast Car
Whether it's by adding horsepower or reducing weight, making a car faster is a popular activity for most car enthusiasts. Whether you have a large budget or a small budget, there are usually numerous ways to meet the need for speed. Here is an overview of the steps needed to make your car faster, but does not cover specific installation instructions, since different makes and models generally vary.
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Things You'll Need
- Floor jack
- Jack stands
- Socket set and ratchet
- Specialized automotive tools
Instructions
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Add power to the engine. Every car, particularly if it is still in original specification, can benefit from the addition of parts that will make it faster. Start by installing a larger diameter cold air intake to provide colder, denser air to the engine. After that, replace the manifold and exhaust system with a more free-flowing tubular header and larger diameter exhaust. If you have a car with modern electronics, install a reprogrammed ECU (Electronic Control Unit) or computer chip for more horsepower and torque. If you want to get really extreme, a supercharger or turbocharger is an ideal way to add a lot of power to your engine. Both of these methods use forced induction, which forces more air into the motor for more power. Keep in mind though that this is quite expensive (usually at least several thousands of dollars) and should be done by a professional shop for the best results. You can also rebuild your car's engine with larger pistons that will increase the engine's displacement, a hotter camshaft that makes more power and allows the engine to rev higher and a ported and polished head.
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Make the car go around corners faster. A fast car is not just about going fast in a straight line but about going quickly around corners as well. Plus a car that handles better is easier to control. Start by installing lower, stiffer springs, which reduce body roll and lower the center of gravity for a more nimble chassis. Pair the springs with adjustable performance shocks from a company like Koni. These can be adjustable as well so you can dial in the perfect combination of ride and handling. Larger anti-roll bars are the next logical step and will drastically reduce body roll during fast cornering.
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Improve the braking. Along with an improved suspension, a fast car stops fast as well. Replace the stock rotor with cross-drilled, vented and slotted rotors, which will dissipate heat and reduce fade during repeated aggressive braking. Combine the new rotors with more aggressive brake pads that offer more clamping force and a set of braided steel brake lines that will improve brake feel. For the biggest brake upgrade, install a big brake kit from Brembo, which will include larger rotors and calipers for a drastic improvement in braking. Keep in mind, though, that these may not be available for all makes and models.
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Install stickier tires for more grip. Most cars have tires that are a compromise between grip, longevity and all weather handling. Replace them with stickier R-compound (for racing) tires.
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Put your car on a diet. Reducing your vehicle's weight is another route to gaining speed. Start by replacing the stock, heavy seats with lighter one-piece racing buckets. If your car has back seats that you don't need, remove these as well. Removing the carpeting and extensive factory sound deadening is another step in the right direction, though this will make your car less comfortable. You can even replace the door and side windows with lighter Lexan windows made from plastic. Companies make lighter fiberglass body parts that replace the heavy steel body parts.
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