Engine tuning basics...

We found out previously that to make more power we cant just add more fuel!   We need to make our engine breath more air.  Then we CAN add more fuel and there will be enough oxygen to burn it!

So, how can we do this then?

1.  We can use conventional tuning methods???
The engine has pistons that draw in air (oxygen is the important bit) and push out exhaust gasses through the ports in the cylinder head, and the valves above the pistons.

The air has a torturous path, from the outside, through the air filter box, through the inlet manifold, and past the intake valve in the engine and into the cylinder. It has an equally difficult time getting out! Another valve, an exhaust system etc.  If we improve the gas flow through all of these parts at once, we will get MORE power.  Doing only SOME of this work will seldom give a power increase.  In any case unless SERIOUS money is spent, and lots of work, its almost impossible to get much more power.  "Conventional"  or traditional tuning is pretty limited.   It usually means bigger inlet and exhaust valves, and ports being machined to a "better" shape, higher compression ratio, bigger carbs, etc.  This normally means a horrible to drive, short lived revvy motor that drinks fuel!

2.  We can "Chip" some cars
Lots of chips are available to improve a modern cars performance.  But be warned!  Be very wary of any claims about power increases.  Unless the car is turbocharged the chip cannot increase the airflow through your engine.  So it CANT increase power.  It CAN increase power a fair bit on some cars that do have turbochargers fitted however because it can allow a "higher boost" level.

3.  Aftermarket Turbo charging
Fit a turbo to your non turbo car, or turning up the boost on your factory turbo can both give fairly big power increases.

3.  Supercharging your road car!
This can give considerable power increases at a cost of fuel economy, and £ penalty!  And it has no "lag" that all turbo systems give!

4.  Nitrous Oxide injection (Incorrectly called NOS by hundreds of boy racers that watched the Fast and the Furious!!!)
Nitrous is slightly different to all the above methods, because it is used up!  You will eventually run out no matter what size the bottle is!  But its by far the cheapest BHP per LB.  And unlike heads, cams, etc it can be fitted to you next five cars, or boats...  Also it can give a BIGGER power increase than a turbo or conventional tuning can give including superchargers!  But it can be gentle and smooth too.  You can choose simply by swapping jets over! 

I have another pure Nitrous dedicated site here www.nitrous.info

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