Want more power? (Forced induction)

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Forced Induction

Note: The following list is ordered from simple to complex methods depending on how far you want to go with your vehicles performance.

Superchargers and Turbochargers

To get maximum horsepower out of almost any engine, a supercharger or even a turbocharger system can be bolted on for an easy 40-50% increase in power, often adding 100 or more horsepower to a V8 engine. Supercharging is available for most V8 engines, but there is a limited availability of bolt-on systems for V6 and four-cylinder engines. If a supercharger system is not available for your engine, you can try looking for a turbocharger system. Smaller engines can benefit from a turbo system.

Both superchargers and turbochargers work on the same basic principle. They force-feed your engine both air and fuel. An increased density of air and fuel in the combustion chamber of your engine means more power on ignition. It is a means to increase your engine's compression ratio. The basic difference between superchrgers and turbochargers is that a supercharger is belt driven and relies on engine power to run. Turbochargers run off of exhaust pressure.

The most common type of supercharger, the Roots-type blower, compresses the air in the intake manifold. These systems work great, but the disadvantge is that the air discharge temperature is rather high, meaning that although the pressure inside the intake manifold is increased, the air is hotter and can't hold as many oxygen molecules.

The other type of superchargers are real compressors. They compress the air inside the supercharger unit. These systems usually have lower air discharge temperatures compared to Roots-type superchargers. Superchargers are driven by a belt, which uses engine power to run, and although a supercharger may use about 10-20 percent of your engine's power to run, the good news is that the overall engine output is up to 50 percent greater.

There are a few things you should know when you looking for a supercharging system. Air dischrage temperature is a measure of the air as it exits the blower. A higher tempertaure means a lower density of oxygen and fuel. Boost is the amount of pressure created by the supercharger. Put these two together and you get the supercharger's efficiency. Don't be fooled by high boost levels, they do not necessarilly mean more power. In order to reach higher boost levels, the blower must turn at higher speed, and thus more heat is created. However, there is an answer to heat. Intercoolers can lower the intake temperature. But even intercoolers have a disadvantage: they reduces the amount of boost pressure.

Most supercharger systems produce a mild boost of 5-7 lbs, which can be handled easily by a relatively stock engine. If you have a little technical knowledge, you can perform the installation in your driveway in about a day. Before you add your supercharger, you will need to upgrade your exhaust with a minimum of a cat-back system. A set of headers and a high-flow catalytic converter are also recommended. You should also use a low-temperature thermostat, and an ignition system that will retard timing as the boost pressure rises. If you're not already using high octane gas, you'll need to use at least 92 octane with your new supercharger system. Additional items such as high-flow fuel pumps and computer upgrades may also be necessary, depending upon which supercharger you use.

If you really want the power, advanced systems can produce 25 lbs of boost pressure or more. But these systems expensive and require a specially designed engine that can handle a high compression ratio. For a simple boost, though, a mild system with 5-7 lbs. of boost should a lot to wake up your engine. Best of all, most superchargers are legal in most states, and some systems are legal in all 50 states.
*edit and CANADA!

Nitrous Oxide

For the maximum horsepower when money is in a pinch, and for instant power on demand, there is no substitute for nitrous oxide. Nitrous oxide works by delivering high amounts of oxygen to your engine. Nitrous oxide is stored in high pressure tank at about 900 psi. At this pressure, nitrous oxide is in a liquid form. When it is released into an intake manifold at atmospheric pressure, it changes to a gas and expands, giving off high amounts of oxygen. As you add this boost of oxygen, you also get a lower manifold temperature because of the phase change of the nitrous oxide from a liquid to a gas. But too much oxygen can become a problem. High levels of oxygen alone will cause detonation and engine damage. To keep things safe, the ratio of air/fuel must be kept in check, so additional fuel must be delivered when the nitrous system is running. To keep enough fuel running into the engine, 3/8-inch fuel lines are a minimum, and a high-output fuel pump is also necessary.

A simple nitrous system consists of a plate that is installed between the fuel injection system (throttle body or carburetor) and the intake manifold. The plate injects both the nitrous and fuel when activated. Such systems add a tremendous amount of power, somehwere in the range of 100-200 horsepower. These systems are safe as long as they are installed properly, designed by a reputiable manufacturer, and used with intelligence. It may be illegal to use nitrous oxide on your streets, check your local laws first. More complicated systems use individual nozzles, one per intake port. These systems deliver even more power, up to 350 horsepower, but they also require a highly modified engine.

Source: http://www.howstuffworks.com

DISCLAIMER: The contents of this article are not necessarily the official views of, nor endorsed by, the owner of HondaClub(com).

[PrimeTimeV6]

Or you can mix the 2... forced induction and the throttle in a bottle.

[EyesofFreedom]

Yeah but when you mix the two you need a really strong bottom end...

[PrimeTimeV6]

That is true but you always will have to pay to play.