The road to Per'porma'nce -- car mods that actually serve a purpose

Vehicle modification is about an enthusiast's quest to make their cars go faster.

But with many bolt-on aftermarket upgrades out on the market, which ones have actual gains?

Here’s a brief rundown of the most common mods and upgrades that will increase your car’s performance.

Performance tires

Since tires are responsible for transferring all that power onto the road, it’s a common practice among car enthusiasts to immediately upsize their tires and rims for performance and aesthetic appeal.

Using a tire with a shorter sidewall makes steering response quicker and offers better lateral stability. Just make sure that the wheels and tires fit within the fenders.

A simple definition is to take the original wheel diameter and add from there.

A Plus-1 conversion is upping the diameter of the original size by one inch, just like going from a 15-inch to a 16-inch wheel.  A 15-inch to a 17-inch wheel is Plus-2, and so on.

Choose a good-quality tire, as it usually offers better construction, better performance, and more tactile response from your vehicle.

Bigger brakes and steel-braided brake lines

The moment the engine’s power is increased or the tires and wheels have been swapped for a bigger set; then you should consider upgrading the brakes.

Bigger-diameter brake rotors offer superior braking performance as it provides more surface area.

Using these with performance-oriented brake pads will enable the brakes to operate at higher temperatures, thereby offering more stopping power.

Using aftermarket steel-braided brake lines will also provide a quicker, firmer, and more consistent pedal response by maintaining consistent brake pressure.

High-flow air filter

This boosts power and efficiency because cooler air has a higher oxygen density. These relatively simple but effective upgrades will translate to more airflow into the engine while effectively blocking dirt and contaminants.

And because they're made of better materials, they're washable, making for an inexpensive and reusable performance enhancer.

Tuned ECU

The engines on all modern vehicles operate using an electronic control unit (ECU) that’s pre-programmed to run in its stock configuration.

It’s fine for stock applications, but once aftermarket engine parts are added, it would be best if the ECU were tuned to take advantage of the mods.

Having the ECU tuned with a dynamometer allows the parameters to be changed, giving more performance and economy. ECU tuning through reflash or remap is the same.

Meanwhile, a standalone ECU entirely replaces the factory ECU, including the wiring harness. These systems have great capabilities and are mostly used for highly modified vehicles and all-out racecars.

Performance exhaust system

Adding a performance exhaust will add several horsepower and reduce (but not eliminate) back pressure.

Aside from the obvious resonance and sound enhancements your vehicle will achieve through a new exhaust; it will allow your engine to run with less restriction.

As a rule of thumb, vehicles usually report a five-percent improvement in fuel economy following intake and exhaust upgrades.

Coilover suspension

The main advantage of using fully adjustable coilovers is that it allows you to fine-tune the suspension settings for each corner for the ultimate in vehicle balance and control.

The damper and spring are matched to provide maximum performance. Unlike lowering springs, coilovers offer a much greater range of adjustability, including ride height, spring pre-load, shock damping, and rebound.

Camber adjustment is also possible with camber tops when fitted. Most coilover kits are lighter than the factory components, reducing unsprung weight and further increasing handling.

Cheap ways to go fast

While all of the mods above are costly, here are a few things you can do to achieve more power and get better fuel economy without costing a fortune:

• Remove unnecessary clutter, including roof racks, when not in use.

• Use the best fully synthetic engine oil and change it regularly.

• Regularly replace spark plugs and air filter

• Keep the tires properly inflated

• Replace worn-out suspension components

Which of these modifications would you put onto your car?