American Trucks: Maximizing Your Horsepower Gains

Despite the small fortune you have to fork over at the pump (you didn't really want to send those kids to college anyways, right?), trucks and SUV's are still among the best selling vehicles here in the US. As a result, it's really no surprise that the aftermarket business is booming as drivers look for premium truck accessories to maximize the output of their performance rigs. The best thing about aftermarket parts is how easy and affordable it is to find and install them. They're a do-it-yourselfer's dream!

One of the easiest and most affordable add-ons is a performance-grade air filter. Air filters, like F150 air filters, allow air to pass through the engine more efficiently and are also reusable (a.k.a. good for your wallet and good for the environment). Eco-system aside, they save maintenance costs while providing a boost to your fuel efficiency of 1 - 3 mpg on average. Many performance air filters also come in a cold air variety, further increasing horsepower by feeding air from behind an air dam. And, for even more bump to your intake, try a GMC throttle body spacer, which adds performance by placing a high-velocity spin on the incoming air.

Another effective add-on is a custom exhaust system. Think of your exhaust system like a pair of lungs. Exhaust is the exhale. Stock exhaust components are comprised of numerous twists and turns that prevent the exhaust from flowing freely. Aftermarket parts, like those found in a Chevy exhaust system, are built just the opposite. They work hand-in-hand with your Ford intake or similar system to vent spent gases from the engine in the smoothest and most efficient way, providing enhanced performance and maximum fuel economy. As if the performance gains weren't enough, the rumbling, throaty sound emanating from your engine is worth the time and effort alone. Perfectly suited to the do-it-yourselfer, many kits are bolt-on, eliminating the need for welding or other major modifications to your vehicle. Most kits come complete with all the necessary mounting hardware and include a vehicle-specific muffler, like Dodge Ram mufflers.

Not all performance upgrades are made of steel. In fact, another easily-installed upgrade barely weighs more than a quarter. Performance chips, like Ranger performance chips and the Chevy chip, provide an easy and affordable solution to maximize your horsepower and torque, increase the efficiency of your engine and custom-tune your vehicle to meet your needs. Auto manufacturers program their vehicles with the average driver in mind. In doing so, they block high-performance users from realizing their vehicle's full potential. Performance chips interact with your vehicle's onboard computer and make adjustments to your air/fuel ratio, ignition timing and other variables you specify to maximize the output of your vehicle. A Chevy chip, and those like it, takes only about 5-10 minutes to program and no more than 20 minutes to install—not bad for a boost of 10 - 20 horsepower.

The aftermarket business is booming as drivers look for truck accessories to maximize the output of their performance vehicle. Premium upgrades ranging from an air filter and Chevy exhaust system to a performance Chevy chip make for simple and affordable add-ons to significantly boost performance.

Truck Accessories