Porsche Performance Upgrades for Speed Junkies

It is difficult to improve upon perfection - but it is not impossible! If you have a Porsche automobile, you probably appreciate great engineering, sleek handling, sporty curves and, of course, having the best of the best. And you probably like to see what your car can do. Speed and performance upgrades can help you get more power from your Porsche, helping boost speed without detracting from drivability or performance. Consider these performance-enhancing upgrades if the out of the box model is not quite enough.

Performance Chips. Performance chips are ideal for Porsche owners because they do not require permanent installation. Not only does it make installation costs virtually nil, it doesn't make any changes you can't undo easily and quickly. Stage 1 chips boost horsepower by optimizing air-to-fuel ratios and timing; stage 2 chips tweak O2 parameters to give bigger boost and low end torque; stage 3 combines these features.

A stage 3 chip is adjustable and allows you to change parameters set by your Porsche's ECU to deliver great acceleration, increased HP and torque, lower quarter mile times, and increased throttle response. Some chips can improve engine output by as much as 20 percent and increase higher top speeds.

Supercharger. With some supercharger systems, you can gain 15 to 30 HP. Installed on your air intake line, the supercharger is connected via switch to the inside of your car, and when you want more power, all you have to do is flip the switch. At the same time, more air is forced into your engine, which makes it denser. This increases fuel efficiency as well.

Performance Clutch. When you make performance upgrades to your Porsche, parts like the brakes and clutch often need to be replaced as well so they can handle the increased power and speed. A performance clutch offers a faster response time and longer life than a stock clutch. It won't slip when accelerating and will not overheat. There are different styles, including street racing, drifting, rally driving, and drag racing. One thing to be aware of, though, is that these are made for "high performance cars." No problem, you have a Porsche. But they are also harder to engage, so they're not ideal in city driving.

Porsches are gorgeous, but they are really made to perform. You can improve your driving excitement and boost your Porsche's power, acceleration, and speed with these and other upgrades.

Enid Glasgow is an automotive enthusiast and writer. Find performance Porsche parts and accessories.

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Must Have MINI Performance Upgrades for Speed Junkies

If you've seen the 2003 remake of The Italian Job, you know that the star of the movie wasn't Charlize Theron or Mark Wahlberg. It was the MINI Cooper. The MINI handles tight corners, winding roads, and straightaways with equal finesse, and its sleek, distinctive body style is designed for speed. If you love speed, combined with superior handling, a MINI is ideal. But how can you make this high performance machine perform a little better, faster, stronger and meaner? Consider some of these must-have performance upgrades and ideas for speed lovers, thrill junkies and seekers of a more satisfying driving experience.

Turbo Kit. If you are looking for a top-of-the-line performance booster, a turbo kit may be the best answer. It can boost the power of a regular MINI so it is equal to, or more than, the power of the pricier Cooper S. An inclusive kit, like the MINI Cooper 1.6 Turbo Kit with T20 Turbo, can add to your horsepower without decreasing durability, which is always a concern for owners. It will add 5 pounds of boost, which results in a 30 percent increase in HP. These kits can cost $2000 to $4000.

Performance Chips. A performance chip is a more budget-friendly option for those who want to boost power without breaking the bank. This chip signals to the ECU to let more fuel into the injectors while modifying the air-to-fuel ratio. This increases power, combustion efficiency, and can help save fuel. It is possible to boost HP by 15 to 25, improve engine output by up to 10 percent, and optimize throttle response, low end torque, and acceleration. Instead of a few thousand, you are looking at a few hundred for a MINI performance chip.

Short Shifter. This doesn't boost speed, per se, and it can easily be used with other speed upgrades, like performance chips, power programmers, or turbo kits. While they do not make your car go faster, they do help you drive it faster. You can change gears much more quickly, which means you can get up to speed more quickly. This isn't a performance enhancer so much as a driver enhancer. These are relatively inexpensive, typically under $100, though professional installation is recommended.

Sometimes, big things come in small packages, even if they are unassuming. MINIs are made to move; why not unleash their real power and see how much they can give you?

Enid Glasgow is an automotive writer and MINI enthusiast and you can now find MINI parts and accessories online!

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