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Cheapest way to increase hp on a car?

D

daveymark

Lifer
What is the cheapest, biggest bang for the buck mod on any given vehicle that will increase hp?

edit: performance is what i want, not hp
 
well, the cheapest, easiest way to increase PERFORMANCE is weight reduction (rip out all the stuff you don't need, like the interior, AC, spare tire etc), but you want HP?

bang-for-the-buck has got to be DIY turbocharging, by someone who knows what they're doing. Grab parts from a junkyard, cobble something together.
 
It really depends on the car.

On my car for instance nothing short of a super/turbo charger will really increase the power. On some cars all you need to do is swap out a few parts.
 
Originally posted by: SithSolo1
It really depends on the car.

On my car for instance nothing short of a super/turbo charger will really increase the power. On some cars all you need to do is swap out a few parts.
Click to expand...

the vehicle in question would be either a mustang v6 engine or a mazda miata 4 banger...looking for a convertible and found deals on both of these. mustang is a 94 convertible automatic, but it's only $850. miata is a 92 stick for $1200... it's for my g/f to putter around in, and she likes the mustang better. I want to make it fun for the times I'd be driving it
 
If your g/f is going to be driving it I would leave out the turbocharging. turbolag can make cars a little harder to drive, specially if you put a /really/ big one on there, check your air intakes and mabe do something to your exhaust, you might get a few more horsepower out of it. course you could also mess around with the computer if your feeling geeky, see if you can play with the rev limiters, fuel injection, things like that might help. I don't know much about car tweaking, but from what I understand, that might give you some place to start.
 
Mileage and restore HP to boot:

Replace:

Air filter
Fuel filter (people always forget that one)
Spark plugs (copper or platinum are better imo, I use $5 +4s)
Differential oil (keep the driveline lubed baby 😉 )
Plug wires if over 60k
Belts
While pepole will debate it, I use Mobile1 15k mile formula @ $7 bottle :shocked:

Check:

4 wheel alignment
Air pressures on cold tires
Battery water levels on non sealed units (people forget that one too, but must be done carefully and replaced with filtered water)

At least once a month:

Fuel injecter cleaner in tank prior to fillup







 
Originally posted by: daveymark
the vehicle in question would be either a mustang v6 engine or a mazda miata 4 banger...looking for a convertible and found deals on both of these. mustang is a 94 convertible automatic, but it's only $850. miata is a 92 stick for $1200... it's for my g/f to putter around in, and she likes the mustang better. I want to make it fun for the times I'd be driving it
Click to expand...
V6 Mustang = nothing. The V6's are anemic and underpowered for a 3000lbs+ car.
The Miata won't be much, but you have more options with keeping the stock engine. After a rebuild, you could turbo it pretty easy and have a fun car to toss around.

Don't buy the Mustang unless it has a V8 in it, please dear god.
 
if the air filter hasnt been changed for a long long time, changing it will give you some free hp boost 😉
 
Bang-for-the-buck for any given car? Since HP only matters on dyno days, I'm going to assume you meant to say performance and the second-best change for that on any car is upgrading your tires.

Best will always be driver skill :thumbsup:
 
Originally posted by: daveymark

the vehicle in question would be either a mustang v6 engine or a mazda miata 4 banger...looking for a convertible and found deals on both of these. mustang is a 94 convertible automatic, but it's only $850. miata is a 92 stick for $1200... it's for my g/f to putter around in, and she likes the mustang better. I want to make it fun for the times I'd be driving it
Click to expand...

The Miata will be a lot more fun after upgrades, that's for sure.
 
Originally posted by: jagec
well, the cheapest, easiest way to increase PERFORMANCE is weight reduction (rip out all the stuff you don't need, like the interior, AC, spare tire etc), but you want HP?

bang-for-the-buck has got to be DIY turbocharging, by someone who knows what they're doing. Grab parts from a junkyard, cobble something together.
Click to expand...
Camshaft, not a DIY turbo. Less likely to grenade, but it will really impact idle.

ZV
 
Originally posted by: Astaroth33
In almost if not all cases, nitrous oxide will give the biggest increase in power for dollar spent.
Click to expand...
Too bad it only works at full throttle and doesn't really help with daily drivability at all.

ZV
 
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