Improving Vehicle Performance: Modifications for Better Acceleration

Automotive customization has become very popular in recent years, but it has a history as old as the car itself. Even with the advanced stage that car design has reached, many consumers still feel the desire to improve upon the manufacturer's product. Some want better fuel economy, some want improved acceleration and handling, and others want a smoother, quieter ride.

In this article, we are going to focus on improving acceleration. Some of these vehicle modifications can actually improve fuel economy as well. This article is intended for people who own 'average' cars and economy cars. If you are looking to improve your Corvette or Porsche, your best bet is to go to a speed shop and seek professional guidance, as those types of vehicles are already tuned for high performance, and replacing stock parts with just any performance parts will probably not give you much, if any performance increase.

A good rule of thumb when adding performance parts is to start from the outside, and work your way in. This means that you should start by replacing the intake and the muffler, reducing airflow restrictions from the extremities of the intake and exhaust systems before replacing parts that are closer to the engine. This is where planning comes into play- if you just want a little gas mileage improvement, or a minor acceleration boost, simply upgrading the muffler and adding a performance intake will do.