Engine Modifications
Modifying your car's engine is always something fun to do. Some people do it to make their car go faster and other modify it just to make it look cool.
Performance Mods
There are several things you can do to increase a cars horsepower in order for it to go faster. One method to to improve an engine is to install a turbocharger. "The turbocharger on a car applies a very similar principle to a piston engine. It uses the exhaust gas to drive a turbine. This spins an air compressor that pushes extra air (and oxygen) into the cylinders, allowing them to burn more fuel each second" (Woodford). This means that the turbo takes air from the front of the car with an intercooler then that air gets compressed into the cylinder, which is located on the head of the engine.
A boost controller is an easy way to increase power in a car that already has a turbo or supercharger. "A boost controller controls the amount of manifold pressure by changing the amount of pressure going to the wastegate." (turbosmart). Having a manual or an electronic boost controller will allow you to change the amount of boost (PSI) that your turbo will make in order for the cars horsepower to increase. There are also limitations to a boost controller. Such as your turbo, engine, and the wastegate that is in your car. If you have a bigger turbo in your car then you can run a higher PSI to gain more boost than with a car with a smaller turbo.
Changing your original air intake to an aftermarket cold air intake is another performance mod that you can do to your engine. Some benefits to when you replace your original air intake for an aftermarket one, it allows more air into the engine so less fuel will be used. The air filters are improved and you can gain a couple horsepower.
When having a car with a turbo a blow off valve is almost necessary. "A blow-off valve (BOV) is to protect the turbo against damage while ensuring smooth and reliable drivability." (Griffey). The blow off valve also makes a nice sound when releasing the gas pedal at a high rpm. It also helps the turbo from getting extra air that isn't necessary into it so it doesn't over spool and lead to premature failure.
Turbo
Manual Boost Controller
Cold air intake
Blow off valve
This is one of my cars, a 2002 Subaru WRX. Everything that i've mentioned above I have personally done to my car. Below you can see a before and after of my engine bay, this was over a two year process. Some other things that I have done to the car is install 1000cc injectors. When your car reaches a certain limit, horsepower wise you'll need more fuel in order for the car not to starve on fuel and stall out. So it's only necessary with car that are over 450 wheel horse power. (whp). Another thing that I did and didn't mention was the front mount intercooler swap. (FMIC) This is exclusive to cars that have top mount intercoolers (TMIC) as you can see in the before picture. Most cars already that come with intercoolers are already in the front so that's one less thing to do.
Intercooler
Before
After
