Make an Automatic Car Faster

In general, automatic cars are slower at accelerating than their manual counterparts. In a manual car, the clutch is engaged almost instantly and hence, very little energy is lost. An automatic car, on the other hand, uses a torque converter, which limits the car’s efficiency accelerating from a standstill. The other problem with automatic transmissions is that they generally take about twice as long as manual transitions to shift gears. You can compensate for these factors, however, by making adjustments to an automatic car’s air intake, engine, exterior, and torque functions that increase its acceleration and speed.

Steps

Improving Air Intake

  1. Install an improved exhaust manifold and a sports back box. A header is an aftermarket upgrade to the exhaust manifold that can increase engine efficiency by flushing out exhaust more efficiently.
    • The performance gains from a modification like this is often negligible.

[1] Just remember that a header might make your engine louder, since headers tend to have thinner walls.

  1. Install a cool air intake. This is essential as colder air is more dense and thus contains more oxygen molecules which enable the engine to be able to burn more fuel.
    • A "cold air intake" is often worse than the intake that came standard with the car. Make sure this modification is actually necessary.
  2. Install a ram air intake. This device forces air into the engine and prevents engine gasping, which can occur at high rpm when a vacuum starts to form in the intake manifold.
  3. Install a nitrous oxide (also known as NOS) injector into the intake manifold. This will cool the air, but more importantly, nitrous is an oxidizer that will help burn fuel faster and more efficiently.[2]
    • This system is not a bolt on and requires adjustment of the engine.
  4. Install a forced air induction system. A forced air induction systems, such as a turbocharger and a supercharger, can give a quick “punch” or burst of speed by using recycled exhaust gases for increased power.[3] Along with an intercooler (preferably an air-to-water intercooler), your engine can compress more cold air into the cylinders allowing fuel to be burned faster.
    • This system also requires engine adjustments.

Enhancing Your Engine

  1. Swap the engine. A 502ci or 527ci Chevrolet big block is a popular choice for engine swaps.[4] The big block engines were originally designed for larger and heavier cars and trucks, but can be used to enhance the performance and speed of other cars as well.
  2. Accommodate for high-performance fuels. Once you have the big block, ask a specialist to strengthen the block and manifold to allow the engine to burn nitromethane or any other extra high performance fuel. Nitromethane is an extremely combustible fuel used by some of the fastest cars on the planet.[5]
    • Use no more than 98% nitromethane, since pure nitro is inconsistent in an engine. Cut the nitro instead with other fuels, such as methanol.[5]
  3. Fit a performance camshaft. This will optimize the amount of time the valves are open. It may cause your engine to sound funny, but it will increase horsepower.

Making External Modifications

  1. Use full slick wide tires. Installing full slick wide tires on all four wheels will reduce friction and increase grip on dry surfaces. They are not recommended for wet surfaces or during rain.
  2. Reduce your car’s weight. Remove anything from the car that you don't absolutely need. This may include spare wheels, tools, cargo, seats, or even extra passengers, for example.
  3. Reduce drag. If you’re able to make external and body changes to your car, you can reduce drag, which would increase the speed attainable by your car. Rear fairing, a form of tapering on the rear of the car, can reduce drag by about 26%.[6] A rear screen or plate added behind the bumper can also help reduce drag.
  4. Add a spoiler. While many, if not most, spoilers have more of an impact on aesthetics than speed, that right spoiler can improve performance. An effective spoiler can reduce drag, which improves speed. It can also deflect air upward, pushing tires downward. This “downforce” improves grip and handling, which are crucial to maintaining high speeds, particularly around turns.[7]

Improving Torque Performance

  1. Use a limited slip differential (LSD). An LSD is a device which can alter the amount of torque given to each drive wheel and when racing on a track can definitely increase performance.
  2. Install a higher stall torque converter. If you have a peaky power curve from a turbo, centrifugal blower, you'll actually be faster with an automatic transmission than a manual one on the drag strip.
  3. Convert the car to manual transmission. Technically, the car would no longer be automatic, but since this is another method of improving its speed, this technique bears mentioning. Converting to manual requires removing the torque converter, and installing a clutch and a manual gearbox.

Warnings

  • Nitro-methane tanks are illegal on the road in many countries.
  • Nitrous oxide (NOS) is generally illegal. It is also dangerous as it boosts flammability.
  • For safety and efficiency, always use a trained and certified automotive technician to make modifications to your car. Bear in mind that automotive technicians that specialize in this type of work may be difficult to find, and others may refuse to perform certain work.
  • All of these upgrades may reduce the lifespan of your car.
  • These modifications can be very expensive.
  • Be careful driving on full slick tires on wet surfaces or rainy days. Full slick tires do not provide as much traction and stability on wet surfaces.

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ http://www.1aauto.com/content/articles/exhaust-manifolds-vs-headers
  2. ↑ http://www.ridelust.com/the-effects-of-nitrous-oxide/
  3. ↑ http://www.autotrader.com/car-info/definitions-turbocharged-engine-212829
  4. ↑ http://www.chevrolet.com/performance/crate-engines/big-block-zz-572-720-r.html
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 http://www.hotrod.com/how-to/engine/hrdp-1304-what-is-nitromethane-anyway/
  6. ↑ https://www.bnl.gov/isd/documents/78582.pdf
  7. ↑ http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-drive/culture/commuting/do-spoilers-actually-improve-a-cars-performance/article21180268/
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