Increasing the engine power

Fans of fast driving, auto-tuning, drifting and motor sports know how to increase engine power and maximize its technical characteristics. In this article, we will focus on increasing the engine power. To begin with, we want to clarify that engine updates might vary from car to car and driver's purpose.

Modern cars of mass use one way or another must comply with environmental requirements. Because of this, the engine never reaches its maximum performance, especially when it's not about super or racing cars.

You have to understand that making any drastic changes doesn't work to please fuel consumption or reliability. With the technical tuning of the car, you may have to sacrifice certain characteristics. This article aims to accomplish you with issues:  how to make your car faster, and to save in mind all the risks and benefits.

The main ways to entrain engine power

Turbocharging and supercharging

Installing a turbocharger or supercharger is one of the most dramatic and rewarding engine performance upgrades. These forced induction systems push more air into the combustion chamber, allowing the engine to burn more fuel and generate significantly more power.

☑ Result:

• Power grows 2 times, dramatically improving the vehicle’s acceleration and overall performance.
• Turbine switchable. By forcing more air and fuel into the engine, forced induction systems provide increased torque and quicker throttle response, especially at higher RPMs.

☒ Complexities:

• Tuning and firmware of the electronic control unit. To safely handle the extra power, your engine will need ECU remapping, improved cooling systems, and reinforced internal components such as pistons, rods, and gaskets.
• Cost and professionalism. A complete turbo or supercharger kit can be expensive, especially when there is a lack of specialists.
• Proportionally to the power, the fuel consumption increases too. More power means more fuel, and the additional stress on the engine may shorten its lifespan without proper maintenance and quality components.  The decrease of wear resistance, reducing the service life of the engine.

The volume increase in the engine

Increase the volume of the engine can be reached by means of modification of the piston-cylinder group. Modifying the cylinder head ports improves airflow, allowing the engine to breathe more efficiently and increase combustion efficiency. Consequently, this leads to the replacement of the piston group and connecting rods on lightweight options. The price factor lies here, since this modification requires the installation of spare parts similar to spare parts of sports cars.

This is a lesser-known yet powerful method for those exploring how to get more torque out of an engine.

☑ Result:

• Horse Power will be increased by 10%. Enhanced flow reduces resistance, allowing the engine to rev more freely.
• Increase engine endurance and wear resistance
• Ensuring uniform operation of the engine. Better fuel-air mixture flow improves combustion efficiency, which also equalizes emissions.

☒ Complexities:

• Fuel consumption growth
• Labour-intensive and expensive: This process requires specialized knowledge, precision tools, and significant time.
• Performance gains vary. The amount of extra power depends heavily on the engine's design and condition.
• Costly. Sometimes changes in the ECU system are required. Also, DIY approaches can damage the head if done incorrectly.

High-performance cold air intake system

A high-performance cold air intake system is a popular engine upgrade among car enthusiasts looking for an easy and affordable way to improve engine efficiency and power. This modification replaces the stock intake with a system designed to draw in cooler, denser air from outside the engine bay. Cooler air contains more oxygen, which helps the engine burn fuel more effectively—resulting in better combustion, improved torque, and a small but measurable increase in horsepower.

☑ Result:

• Power gains up to 5–10 HP. While modest, these gains are noticeable, especially in naturally aspirated engines.
• Enhanced throttle response. The engine breathes easier, improving acceleration and responsiveness.
• Simple installation. Many cold air intake kits are designed for DIY installation with basic tools, making this a popular starting point for newcomers to tuning.

☒ Complexities:

• Modest gains when installed alone. The performance boost might not be impressive unless combined with other engine performance upgrades.
• Premium systems can be costly (carbon fibre, aluminium are used).

The removal of the catalyst and other exhaust system improvements

In General, this is not the best, and less effective way to increase power performance. Changes in the intake system involves removing the catalyst and installing an exhaust pipe of increased diameter, and changing the design of the system with a winding line.

A performance exhaust with larger diameter piping and fewer restrictions (like high-flow catalytic converters or cat-back systems) improves exhaust gas flow, reducing back pressure.

This is an ideal approach for those seeking how to add horsepower to a car⁣/strong> without comprehensive engine modifications.

☑ Result:

• Maximum power can be increased up to 7%
• The drivers still have an opportunity to return everything to the original version, but you will have to pay twice.
• It does not require serious intervention of specialists, the volume of work is small, respectively, this is one of the budget options.

☒ Complexities:

• Increased air pollution (+difficulties with inspections), especially in the European region.
• The level of noisiness and vibrations is higher, so the driver might fill uncomfortable or irritated in case of long trips.

Complex ECU chip tuning

ECU remapping adjusts the software controlling your engine’s fuel-air mix, ignition timing, and turboboost pressure.  This is a solution to how to get more torque out of an engine. However, it requires drivers to use high-octane fuel. It helps to prevent knocking and ensure safe operation.

Chip tuning is a way to avoid mechanical changes. From this perspective, it seems to be a cost-effective solution, but ECU improvements a risky, and you should find a high-class professional for this job.

☑ Result:

• Power increases by 10-30% depending on the engine type and remap quality.
• Improved throttle response and torque: The car reacts quicker to driver input, especially noticeable during acceleration and overtaking.
• You can avoid mechanical changes

☒ Complexities:

• Additional experiences — premium fuel is often necessary.
• Risk with poor-quality tuning. Chip tuning is a complex task for qualified specialist. The car owners might face with the problem of poor specialist pool. If done by an unqualified technician, it can lead to unstable engine behaviour, increased emissions, or even engine failure.
• May void the manufacturer’s warranty, especially in newer cars, altering ECU software can result in loss of warranty coverage.

More solutions: How to make an engine run smoother?

Upgrading to lightweight engine components is one of the most effective solutions for enthusiasts aiming to improve both response and efficiency. The parts like forged aluminium pistons, lightweight flywheels, and underdrive pulleys allow the engine to rev quicker and with less effort.  Does the fuel replacement is effective for engine performance upgrades? Not really. Of course, the use of high-octane fuel reduces the risk of detonation in the engine, lightweight it operation and therefore improves fuel combustion. But in itself, the fuel replacement won't increase the engine power to a level that the driver can feel.

Installing a nitrous system can deliver an instant power boost by injecting oxygen-rich gas directly into the engine. But this modification can be limited in some countries. Also, it requires expert installation and leads to engine stress. This improvement is unnecessary, for the common drivers. The intense pressure and heat increase engine wear and the chance of failure.

Final Thoughts

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to how to increase car horsepower. Each method varies in cost, complexity, and effectiveness. For some, a simple ECU tune and intake/exhaust combo may be enough. For others, it may involve full engine builds, forced induction, and professional tuning.

Before you start modifying your vehicle, use tools like inCarDoc to track your engine’s health, fuel usage, and live data. This helps you make informed decisions and monitor changes after upgrades.