Import Car Performance Parts: Leave Domestic Performance Parts in the Dust!

Some budget imports are known for their consistently reliable performance, namely Toyota, Honda and Nissan. In fact, the nouveau "big three" have been ranked at the top of the dependability charts by J.D. Power and Associates since 1990, with consumers selecting an import over a domestic in 28 out of 29 rating categories. All that notoriety on just stock parts! When you throw in the potential found in aftermarket upgrades, it's no contest.

Of the two main performance part enhancers, the most effective is the addition of an air intake system, like RSX intakes. When you begin to tack on those miles, your engine will eventually run hot, leading to a loss in performance and even a cracked block. But, simply by adding a pathway for cold air to enter the engine, you extend the life of your block and the other engine components as well.

When you're sitting idle at a stoplight or climbing up a steep incline, warm air enters the engine. As the engine heats up, its efficiency decreases and you notice it through a loss of power and responsiveness. But, with an intake system, like a Honda Civic air intake or a Scion XD intake, cool air moderates the engine's internal temperature and is more conducive to burning fuel. Cool air, with its greater density, allows the fuel to burn more efficiently and creates a better gas-to-fuel ratio in the fuel line. Plus, air intake systems allow for performance filters, like the Infiniti G35 air filter, which block far more dirt and contaminates from entering your engine than their stock counterparts. All this adds up to faster response, greater horsepower, a substantial savings at the pump, and some serious rights to scream Bonzai as you blast past slow-poke Detroit-born cars.

Another upgrade that has domestic cars on the run is the addition of an engine chip. Your vehicle comes from the factory with pre-defined settings for things like air/fuel ratio and ignition timing—standards intended for the average consumer. But, for high-performance users, these settings are inadequate, whether you're looking for an off-the-line advantage or simply trying to increase your fuel-efficiency. Performance chips, like the Toyota Tacoma chip, override your onboard computer and allow you to maximize your output by specifying changes made to your tire size, speed rating and rear-end gear ratio.

Simple to install, they're available in two main varieties: control modules that plug directly into your under-the-hood electrical system, and power programmers that connect through the OBD-II port under your dashboard. Each allows you to custom-tailor the performance of your vehicle by providing greater control over the tuning of your onboard system.

Whether you're looking for greater performance off the line or simply want to improve your gas mileage to make those trips to the pump less frequent, performance-enhancing upgrades to your import car, like a Honda Civic air intake, RSX intakes or a Tacoma chip provide faster engine response, greater horsepower and a substantial savings overall.

Import Car Accessories