The power our cars roll off the factory floor with can often be a little underwhelming. Maybe that 4WD you bought with plans for grand adventures can’t tow your camper, or perhaps your cute new coupe doesn’t take off the way you’d like her to.
We understand the disappointment, and if you’ve got torque on the brain, this article is for you. Below, we’ve listed four torque-boosting strategies that are also fairly easy DIY projects.
Improve The Efficiency Of Your Turbocharger
If you’re reading an article about torque, we’re pretty sure you know what a turbocharger is, so we’ll skip straight to the juicy bits! Most factory turbo components are created with “standard” performance in mind. The problem is, what’s considered normal operation varies by car and driver.
To ensure you don’t hurt your turbo if your idea is different from the manufacturer’s (spoiler alert, that’s probably most of the time) you should invest in some protection.
Blow off valves are the easiest place to start, and installing a premium aftermarket one can make a world of difference. By taking stress off your turbo and engine, you’ll allow them to work better, which equates to better torque.
Add A Cold Air Intake
By installing a cold air intake, you reduce the amount of energy your vehicle has to expend to combust fuel. This means you’ve got more power left over for other, more fun, operations. It may even improve your fuel economy since you’re mixing with colder, denser, air, which equals more oxygen and less turbulence. This is great for your torque output and can even increase the overall lifespan of your engine in some cases.
Upgrade Your Spark Plugs
Believe it or not, these tiny components can have a pretty large impact on the amount of torque your car puts out. If you’re not sure how spark plugs operate, it’s worth doing some thorough research to ensure you understand the nitty-gritty.
In general terms though, it’s true that better ignition equates to a cleaner, more efficient burn, which boosts your power. In addition to this, upgrading your spark plugs can help improve the performance of your engine in general and increase fuel economy. This is a pretty enticing bonus, especially if you’re working with a high-powered vehicle.
Run A Higher Octane Fuel
Running your vehicle on the minimum RON recommended by the manufacturer probably won’t do any harm, but if you’re determined to get the best possible performance out of your car, you’re going to have to reach a little deeper in your pocket at the pump. Higher quality fuel burns better, which will increase your torque and performance. If you believe what the bowser says, it may even clean your engine while you’re at it.
Torque is vital to your car’s performance, so it’s understandable that you’re looking to give it that extra leg up. When implementing these strategies, it’s important to ensure that there’s nothing wrong with your car before you go upgrading things. Trying to increase performance without sorting out underlying issues can cause disappointment at best, and severe damage at worst. The good news is that once you’ve got the green light from your mechanic, it’s time to grab the tools and get started. By the way, if you’re chasing a significant increase in torque, it’s a good idea to get your car specially tuned once you’ve made these upgrades. Happy boosting!
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