Automotive

The Best Aftermarket Parts for Improving Your Car’s Performance

Published on

The Best Aftermarket Parts for Improving Your Car’s Performance

Every driver dreams of upgraded speed, better handling, and more efficiency all without having to purchase a whole new car. Fortunately, aftermarket performance parts are there to upgrade your existing vehicle for the better. From power to handling, we’ll break down a few essential car modifications that will take your ride to the next level.

The Top Aftermarket Parts for Beginners, ie. the Parts that Naturally Give you a Big Performance Gain in the Best Way We’ll discuss every aspect from air intakes, suspension systems, lightweight wheels and ECU tuning and what you need to know in order to get all the performance out of your car you possibly can.

1. Performance Enhancing Air Intake Systems: Inhale More, Exhale Stronger

Holding the highest value on our list is the cold air intake system, a simple way to increase engine performance. Your engine is a giant air pump; it inhaled air and mixes it with fuel and ignites it to produce power. Having more oxygen for your engine means a better combustion process, which equals more horsepower and fuel economy.

Factory intake systems tend to be restrictive to meet emissions and noise regulations. Aftermarket cold air intakes solve this issue by increasing the airflow, decreasing the air resistance, and providing denser, cooler air to the engine. That means an instant boost in acceleration, throttle response and all-around performance.

The advantages of upgrading to a Performance Air Intake
  • More Power – An optimized intake system can improve air delivery, giving you another 5-15 HP.
  • Increased Fuel Economy – Improved combustion means that your engine is burning fuel more efficiently.
  • Improved Throttle Response – They say you can feel it when you press the gas pedal.
  • Aggressive engine tone – Even dry intake kits will give your car low, sporty intake noise at acceleration.
Top Performance Air Intake Brands
  • K&N Cold Air Intake Systems
  • AEM Performance Intake Kits
  • Spectre Air Filters

INSTALLATION TIP: The majority of cold air intakes are simple enough that you can easily install them yourself with just a few basic tools. A simple upgrade like this can provide an immediate boost to your car’s performance without a huge investment.

2. Performance Exhaust System: Get More Power Out of Your Setup

For a deeper note with a boost of horses, adding an exhaust system is one of the most effective modifications you can make. One of the significant roles played by an exhaust system is to release the burnt gases from the engine. These systems also feature more flow and allow for these gases to escape via much more efficient weights, which reduces backpressure and boosts overall engine power.

Most factory exhaust systems are incredibly restrictive thanks to noise regulations and emissions compliance. Many aftermarket performance exhausts (cat-back, axle-back systems) enhance airflow while imparting an intimidating, aggressive growl to your car. The result? Improved horsepower, torque, and even fuel economy.

To tata a Performance Exhaust?
  • More Horsepower & TorqueWhen an exhaust flows better; the engine becomes more efficient and you gain 10-25 HP in some cases
  • Improved Fuel Economy — The reduced restriction on your exhaust will allow your engine to burn fuel more efficiently.
  • Sportier Sound — As deep, throaty rumble makes your car actually sound like a performance machine.
Performance Exhaust Systems 101: The Basics
  • Cat-Back Exhaust – This replaces everything after catalytic converter, provides decent sound and power.
  • Axle-Back Exhaust – Also known as Rear Muffler Delete, replaces only the mufflers and rear pipes, improves the exhaust sound.
  • Headers & Downpipes – Enhance the exhaust outflow directly out of the engine, adding horsepower.
Exhaust Brands You Should Know About
  • Borla Performance Exhaust
  • MagnaFlow Exhaust Systems
  • Flowmaster Mufflers

Pro Tip: Invest in a stainless steel exhaust system for better durability and long-term performance.

3. ECU Tuning and Remapping — Unleash Your Vehicle’s Potential

The brain behind the engine of your car is the Engine Control Unit (ECU), which controls everything from fuel injection to ignition timing. Most cars arrive from the factory with the breathing restricted to meet the regulators' fuel economy and emissions targets. It is possible to change these parameters entirely to unleash maximum power delivery, more torque, and adjusted fuel consumption with the help of an ECU tune/remap.

It is particularly effective on turbocharged engines, where raising the boost pressure can offer gigantic performance increases. Some of these tuners are plug-and-play devices; others assume you'll be professionally tuning your car on a dyno.

Content Overview: Why Tune Your Car’s ECU?
  • Free up More HP & TQ – Depending on your engine, ECU tuning can add 20-50 HP.
  • Enhanced Throttle Response – Your Vehicle Will Feel A Lot Quicker And Responsive.
  • Better MPG – Many tuners do this by messing with airfuel ratio, allowing for better mileage.
  • Increase Turbo Performance – Tuning has a major power increase in turbocharged cars.
Best ECU Tuning Solutions
  • Cobb Accessport (Excellent for turbo cars)
  • DiabloSport Tuner (Best muscle car tuner for Americans)
  • APR ECU Tuning (Best for European cars)

Caution: Some ECU tunes can void any warranties, so make sure to check that before putting one in.

4. Performance Umbilical: Enhanced Dynamics & Comfort

Suspension upgrades are, therefore, vital if you're looking to improve handling, cornering, or even ride quality. While factory suspension systems are built for comfort, not performance, they typically allow excessive amounts of body roll and weight transfer when cornering hard.

Performance for aftermarket suspension systems also will decrease the body roll, traction, and control of your car when it graduates on the corners. In 4x4 and off-road applications, the most popular options other than air springs are coilovers, lowering springs and upgraded shocks/struts.

Why Upgrade Your Suspension?
  • Better Cornering Ability – Your car stays on the road instead of swaying.
  • Better Ride Comfort – Performance shocks absorb bumps more.
  • Better Stability at High Speeds – Lower Chance Of Losing Control
Top Suspension Upgrades
  • Eibach Pro-Kit Lowering Springs
  • Bilstein B8 Performance Shocks
  • KW V3 Coilovers

Pro Tip: Lowering springs are an affordable handling boost, with coilovers allowing for full ride height adjustment.

The Bottom Line: Which Upgrade Is Best for You?

Competing aftermarket parts come with their own performance advantages, so the best upgrade will ultimately depend on your objectives and driving habits.

If you're looking for a little more horsepower, look to a cold air intake, exhaust system, and ECU tune.

If you want more of a performance perspective, look at performance tires, suspension work and lightweight wheels.

For aggressive driving, performance brakes and an improved suspension setup are advised.

If you know your way around the aftermarket, you can make it a monster — a responsive and exhilarating beast. So if you are a weekend racer, or just want a more fun daily driver, these upgrades are going to get you the most bang for your buck.