Automakers must make a lot of trade-offs when designing cars. They must design and manufacture vehicles that offer a blend of drivability, fuel economy, and comfort. That often results in vehicles that aren’t as performance-oriented as they could be. The good news is that performance parts, such as performance exhausts, intercoolers, and headers can dramatically improve the performance of your car. How do you choose the right parts, though?
Know What You Want to Improve
First, you need to know what you want to improve before you can choose between performance parts. Do you want more horsepower? Do you want to lighten the vehicle? Do need better cornering?
Start with your goal and then determine what parts are necessary to achieve it. For instance, if you want better horsepower, you have quite a few options. A turbocharger could be just the thing, but you might also benefit from performance headers and a new exhaust system.
Do Your Due Diligence
Just because a part is labeled as “performance” does not necessarily mean that it will do anything to improve how your vehicle drives or your engine’s output. You need to do your due diligence here – is the part actually capable of increasing performance? What do other buyers have to say about it?
You should research quite a few things here, not just performance. Durability is also important. Performance parts are not cheap, so installing a new intercooler only to find that it suffers from corrosion mere months later is a waste of time and money.
Compatibility
You will find that many performance parts manufacturers offer ‘universal fit’ parts. However, a universal fit is usually a little on the sloppy side because the manufacturer is designing them to fit a wide range of vehicles. Instead, look for performance parts designed for your specific make and model. This goes beyond mere compatibility and into the realm of OEM fit and function.
With a little time and research, you will find high-quality performance parts that help you boost horsepower, improve the ride quality and cornering, create a ride that suits your needs and driving style.
