Today, the aftermarket gives truck owners more performance options than ever before. However, all the new products and gizmos can be a little hard to sort through. What you need for your specific truck will depend on what type of truck you have and what you use it for.

What is performance? Basically, it is the word used to describe speed, fuel consumption rate and towing ability. Performance is primarily measured in terms of horsepower (HP) and Torque.

Horsepower, or HP, is by definition, the power of an engine in comparison to horses. For example, a truck with 100 horsepower is as fast as 100 horses all rolled into one. Horsepower is often indicative of a truck’s top speed. Horsepower does not necessarily mean that a truck is fast from a standing start (see torque) but instead it is often indicative of the speed attainable by a particular truck. This being said other factors such as weight and grade will impact the final speed achieved. In more scientific terms, HP is the common measurement when rating an engine’s power. One horsepower equals 500 ft-lbs. per second, which is basically the power needed to lift 550 pounds one foot off the ground in exactly one second or the power needed to lift 33,000 pounds one foot off the ground in exactly one minute.

Torque refers to a truck’s ability to generate pick up. Torque is one of the most important factors at the beginning of any non-rolling start. It is the ability of the truck to send power to the wheels and turn them - moving the entire truck forward. The dictionary defines it as: “The moment of a force; the measure of a force’s tendency to produce torsion and rotation about an axis…”. The most important thing to remember is that torque is what gets the truck rolling and is very important in towing.

The basics of performance, of course, center on your engine. Think of your engine as basically a big air pump. It breathes air in through the air intake and breathes it out through the exhaust. The easier your engine can breathe the more performance it will deliver. The stock engine you received from the factory comes with OEM air induction and exhaust. Modifying these two areas is relatively easy and can deliver significant increases in both HP and torque. One other primary factor affecting your performance is the engines computer. The stock OEM computer your truck came with is set to a “safe mode” to protect the truck against virtually any driver error…e.g., redlining. Although these settings are meant to protect the truck, they can impede performance significantly. Tweaking your truck’s computer can significantly increase HP and torque while still providing safety to the engine. We’ll look at each of these three performance enhancements below.

Air Intake

The air intake primarily consists of your vehicle’s air filter. Stock air filters are made of pleated paper. The problem with pleated paper is it often tends to become clogged which greatly reduces the airflow. Fragments of paper are ingested or sucked into the intake system creating a hole for gritty contaminants to enter the engine. In addition, these filters have to be replaced often to maintain a basic level of performance. Aftermarket filters are made of cotton gauze or engineered foam. These filters, made by companies like K&N, Airaid, Green Filter and True Flow significantly increase the flow of air through the filter. In addition, these filters defend against dirt at twice the rate or more than their paper counterparts and most come with a lifetime warranty…that’s one filter for the life of your vehicle. Installation of these filters is super easy…just replace your existing factory air filter.

The second factor effecting air intake is the temperature of the air coming into the engine. You’ve probably noticed that your truck runs better on cold days. That is because the air is denser and denser air allows more combustion when mixed with fuel and ignited. Stronger combustion means more power to move your piston in the cylinder. Aftermarket companies…many of the same mentioned above…have developed systems called “Cold Air Intakes”, that move the point of air intake from the top of your engine, which is normally very hot, to a point outside the engine. The result is that the air being sucked into your engine is much cooler than it would be using the normal air filter location. Cold air intakes require a little more handyman skills that just replacing a filter. However, they can be installed easily by anyone that has basic tools.

Exhaust Systems

Exhaust is the “exhale” to your engines lungs. The more twists and turns in the exhaust, the less your vehicle can breathe easily. Exhaust systems come with three primary elements…the muffler, exhaust pipes and muffler tips. The first two are the main ingredients that effect HP and torque. OEM factory exhausts are well made, but not designed to deliver maximum performance. Aftermarket systems from companies like Magnaflow, Banks and Gibson are engineered specifically for each truck and are designed to get the most out of your vehicle. In addition to more power, these systems also deliver an enviable “roar” that will let others know you have tricked out your truck. I do not recommend installing an exhaust system unless you are a true gear head and are prepared for cutting and welding. Although most muffler shops do not carry these products, they will be glad to install them for you.

Computer Chips and Programmers

Your truck’s computer is technically referred to by gear heads as the Engine Control Unit (ECU). The ECU that controls the engine is very complicated. OEM’s program them to satisfy emissions requirements, meet EPA fuel economy requirements and protect the engine against abuse. The computer does this by controlling many aspects of the vehicles performance, but primarily controls the ignition, fuel injection and spark time. As mentioned above, the OEM’s set the default value of the ECU to an “ultra-safe” mode to insure adherence to government guidelines and to protect the engine from abusive driving. Aftermarket companies like Hypertech, Edge, Unichip and Superchips manufacturer chips and programmers that will either plug into your ECU or programmers that will alter the factory settings. Chip manufacturers set the products for each specific vehicle to a default performance setting. Programmer manufacturers allow more versatility in that they allow custom modifications to compensate for other performance add-ons like cold air kits and exhaust systems. These systems are relatively easy to install by anyone that has a little mechanical knowledge.

In conclusion, you can significantly increase your HP and Speed by just making these basic changes to your truck. Some all-in-one kits can deliver up to a 40% increase in overall performance. Finally, contrary to rumor, none of these products will void the warranty of your truck. There is a federal law called the “Magnuson Moss Warranty Act” that prevents automobile manufacturers from voiding warranties from the addition of aftermarket products. These are just a few of the many performance products available from the aftermarket. I will be covering more advanced performance products, like superchargers, in a subsequent article.

About the author:

Mark Lane is a recognized industry expert of aftermarket automotive products. He is a member of SEMA and runs a blog site dedicated to truck enthusiasts. For more information about Mr. Lane, and to view other truck accessory and performance related articles, visit his site, TruckAccessories.BlogSpot.com

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1. Drive Sensibly

Speeding, rapid acceleration and braking, and competition (I used to need to be first when the light turned green) all waste gas (and diesel). It can lower your gas mileage by 33 percent at highway speeds and by 5 percent around town.

2. Do the Speed Limit

I know it is boring but, gas mileage usually decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 mph. This is true even though each vehicle reaches its optimal fuel economy at a different speed (or range of speeds).

As a rule of thumb, each 5 mph you drive over 60 mph is like paying an additional $0.21 per gallon for gas.

3. Empty the Trunk!

Ok, I though this was a given, then I looked in my trunk again . . . eeeyych! Avoid keeping unnecessary items in your vehicle, especially heavy ones. An extra 100 pounds in your vehicle could reduce your MPG by up to 2%. The reduction is based on the percentage of extra weight relative to the vehicle’s weight and affects smaller vehicles more than larger ones.

4. Turn it Off When You Run Into the Convenience Store

Idling gets 0 miles per gallon. Cars with larger engines typically waste more gas at idle than do cars with smaller engines.

5. Use Cruise Control (and You Thought I was Lasy)

Using cruise control on the highway helps you maintain a constant speed and, in most cases, will save gas.

6. Use Overdrive Gears

When you use overdrive gearing, your car’s engine speed goes down. This saves gas and reduces engine wear.

For more gas saving tips visit http://www.fueleconomytips. com.

For more tips just like this read “More No Cost Gas Saving Tips” http://moretips.fuelec onomytips.com.

For help with your car visit http://www.mpgResearch.com



About the author:



FH is the webmaster of Fuel Economy Tips.com http://www.fueleconomytips. com and mpg Research.com http://www.mpgResearch.com. Fuel Economy Tips.com publishes articles on reducing fuel consumption ranging from simple free tips to the DIY advanced fuel economy modifications. mpg Research.com is the support forum for your fuel economy questions.

Technorati Tags: automotive, autocare, auto care, car care, auto repair

Sports cars are coveted items and it is not surprising thieves too often target these valuable vehicles. There is a steady market for professional car thieves willing to steal sports cars. Meanwhile, joy riders and other potential car thieves seem uniquely attracted to a beautiful sports car. There is, of course, no way to guarantee you will not be victimized by a car thief, but there are measures you can take to reduce the risk of having your sports car stolen. These five tips, if followed, should significantly decrease the likelihood of car theft.

Location, Location, Location

The mantra of “location, location, location” is common to the real estate industry. The location of a piece of real property determines, in large measure, its value. Location is also important when it comes to car theft. One should take steps to avoid leaving their sports car unattended in locations where a theft is more likely.

For instance, one should strive to use secured parking areas. Monitored lots and garages deter car thieves. If a monitored parking area is unavailable, it is wise to seek out parking locations that are well lit and clearly visible to others. Privacy is the thief’s best friend, so parking in that remote nook or cranny increases the risk of wrongdoing.

Key Control

Although it is extremely simple and intuitive, taking your keys with you when you exit the car is the best way to reduce theft risk. One should take their keys with them whenever they are leaving the car–even if it is only for a quick run in and out of somewhere where the car remains in your sight.

Most car thefts are, in large measure, crimes of opportunity. To a potential thief, nothing screams opportunity like dangling keys in the ignition. Don’t tempt the sports car thief; take your keys with you.

A corollary to this hint is the reminder that one should never leave their car running, even on the iciest of days. You may relish returning to a toasty car from your quick errand, but a few seconds of chilliness is surely worth suffering through if the alternative is a stolen vehicle.

Hide the Goodies

Having your entire car stolen and driven away is the ultimate car theft nightmare. Having valuable objects taken from within the car runs a close second. In some cases, a thief’s desire to nab your awesome sound system may even inspire him to “borrow” the car until he can get it to a quiet place to perform the stereo removal. In other cases, sports car owners can suffer from broken windows or damaged locks when a thief has entered a car in search of a visible valuable item.

When exiting your car, do a quick scan for any items that may hold an attraction for a thief and get those items out of plain view. Trinkets as trivial as a cheap watch or a few CDs may attract the attention of break-in artists, so don’t assume what is of little value to you will be uninteresting for a thief.

It’s a good idea to purchase stereos with removable front plates or that are otherwise disguisable so as not to encourage theft. It’s also been found that one can reduce the likelihood of break-ins by making the interior a little less visible. For some sports cars, tinted windows may be both a great look and a theft deterrent. A simple fold-up sunscreen can protect your car from both harmful ultraviolet rays and prying eyes.

Present Small Challenges

Car thieves work fast because their “career” requires it. The longer a thief has to wrangle with a vehicle, the more likely he is to bail out of his mission. If a thief can ascertain quickly that a job will take more than a few minutes, he is likely to pass on by. As such, it is a great idea to take small measures that will make theft less convenient.

If you have the opportunity to parallel park between two other cars, take it. By making your car less capable of a quick getaway, you reduce the risk of theft. Additionally, being in the proximity of others will make the act of stealing your sports care more visible, which is very unattractive to thieves.

Small internal adjustments can also be a nice additional deterrent. If you have tilt steering, you may want to set the wheel at its lowest point, making quick access to the driver’s seat more difficult. Setting the parking brake can and turning wheels toward the curb in a street-parking situation can also help. Some people have gone so far as to pull their seatbelt over the steering wheel after parking, hoping the time required to access the driver’s seat will be lengthened enough to turn a thief off.

Use of items such as “the Club” can also help. Even if these locking mechanisms are not foolproof, they do add to the time required to steal a sports car. A potential thief, who needs to finish the act quickly and quietly, may see something as simple as a wheel lock as just enough of a time-water to dissuade him from attacking your sports car.

Alarms do Work

There is a growing belief that car alarms have become so commonplace that they are no longer effective. How many people even look in the direction of an alarm these days? It is true that car alarms no longer possess the novelty value they once had, but they still can act as a deterrent to car theft.

Thieves do not want any attention called to their activities. Although many of us ignore the beeps and sirens of alarms, many people will still look when they hear an alarm. Even if an alarm’s effectiveness is less than 100%, it increases the attention drawn to the act of car theft, and that can be enough to discourage break-in. Additionally, disarming the alarm will take time, and as we have noted, speed is key to the sports car thief. Car alarm installation is still a best bet for sports car protection.

You can never guarantee your sports car will remain safely in your possession at all times. A gorgeous sports car can seem almost irresistible to a thief, after all. Remembering these five pointers, however, can minimize the risk of theft significantly.

About the author:

Gregg Hall is a business consultant and author for many online and offline businesses and lives in Navarre Florida with his 16 year old son. To Protect your car against the ravages of nature with patented car care products go to http://www.5starshine.com

Technorati Tags: automotive, autocare, auto care, car care, auto repair