ABC of Performance Tuning

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by: Modded Cars
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Word Count: 588
Date: Mon, 10 Jan 2011 Time: 3:11 AM

Performance tuning focuses on tuning engines, usually in the context of motorsport. Performance tuning is important because modified cars will run more effectively and efficiently. Tuned cars will improve your driving experience and they will increase the aesthetic value of your car. Performance tuning is done on stock cars and it is cheaper than buying a car that is already tuned. When doing performance tuning, the most important considerations are the torque, the power output, the responsiveness, fuel economy, and reliability. When doing performance tuning, you must make sure that the engine is strong enough to withstand the additional heat and other additional stresses.

You could do performance car tuning by increasing the displacement of the engine. This could be done by boring whereby you increase the diameter of the engine cylinders (pistons) or by stroking whereby a crankshaft with a great throw is used. You could optimize performance of torque cars by using a larger carburetor or using multiple carburetors. This allows you to better control the air/fuel mixture and it means your engine will run a lot more smoothly. You could also modify the fuel injection systems of modern cars in a similar way. You could optimize the performance of tuned cars by increasing the valve size to decrease restriction in the path of the fuel/air mixture as it enters the cylinder and to decrease the restriction of the exhaust gases as they leave the cylinder. You could also use many small valves instead of one big valve for the same effect. You could fit a large exhaust valve and small inlet valves because different cars have different designs.

You could do performance tuning of modded cars by using a less contorted, larger bored exhaust and intake manifolds. Manifolds with sharp corners force the air/fuel mixture to separate as it passes at a high velocity. This will help in maintaining the velocity of the gases. You could also achieve this by enlarging and by smoothening ports in the cylinders.

Modern cars come with EMS or engine management system. You could tune your engine for performance optimization by configuring, or de-tuning, the EMS chip to allow the engine to run over wider RPM ranges and to give lower emissions. You could lower the under-bonnet temperature. This will lower the intake temperature of the engine and this will in turn increase power. You could do this by installing a thermal insulator such as a thermal barrier coat. Other ways of tuning the engine to increase performance include adding a supercharger or a turbocharger, also known as forced induction, reducing the combustion chamber’s size by raising the ratio of compression to get a more rapid fuel burning rate, and optimizing the timing of the valve for efficiency in the burning of fuel.

You could do engine tuning by doing ECU remapping and diesel tuning. ECU remapping is the rewriting of the electronic control unit to give permanent results. However, note that this voids warranties of tuned autos. ECU remapping and the fact that changes are permanent means you have to be careful not to get anything wrong. However, the effects are immediate and the fact that you do not need to open up the engine means there is no risk of damage to the engine. Diesel tuning is all about the installation and the removal of diesel tuning boxes. These tune boxes are operated by remote control and you can fit and remove them at will.

About the Author

Carry Tuninger is the author of this article on Car Tuning guide. Find more information on Car Styling here.

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