There's no escaping it: Power and performance rule all aspects of our lives. It's why people join gyms. It's why we can't live with a dial-up Internet connection. But where the double Ps matter most is with regard to what you drive-especially now, when fuel economy and vehicle efficiency are more than just buzzwords. At the rate gas prices are climbing, no one can afford to live without them. This guide is full of parts that can do everything from increase horsepower and torque to improve towing capabilities and mpg. And you don't have to be a certifiable gearhead to install them. Many are simple, hour-or-less tasks you can accomplish in the driveway.
| performance Productst afe Intake
More Ponies For ToyotasThis Stage 2 air intake from advanced Flow engineering is for 2007-2008 4.7-liter V-8-equipped Toyota Tundras and Sequoias. The plastic tubing has been specially designed to maximize air velocity-when airflow is unrestricted, horsepower and torque get a boost, as does throttle response. There's also a thick, powdercoated heatshield. Advanced Flow engineering; 951/493-7100.
www.afepower.com
| performance Productst fram Tough Guard Oil Filter
Filter It OutFram's Tough Guard oil filter is engineered so that the filter retains oil when the engine is off, ensuring a full filter at startup. Its screen-over bypass valve provides backup filtration for starts in cold weather, plus there's protection from big particles of dirt. And it's cheap-less than $10. Summit Racing Equipment; 800/230-3030.
www.summitracing.com
| performance Productst bully Dog Power Pup
Bully For YouThe Power Pup from Bully Dog is available for a variety of GM, Ford, and Dodge vehicles. It gives you four horsepower settings to choose from based on the driving situation: Stock mode, Tow (for 50-70 horsepower), Performance (adds 75-90 horses), or Extreme (ups it 95-120). 4 Wheel Parts; 877/474-4821.
www.4wheelparts.com
| performance Productst accel Ignition
In TuneA basic tune-up can give engine performance a total kick in the Levi's. ACCEL's Truck Super Tune-Up Kits are for nearly every six- and eight-cylinder make and model of pickup, van, or SUV from GM and Dodge to Ford and Jeep. Included are a custom-fit wire set, distributor cap and rotor, and spark plugs. ACCEL; 216/688-8300.
www.accel-ignition.com
| performance Productst flex A Lite Fan
Take a Load OffReducing load is yet another way to get more power, which can often be done by swapping out heavier factory parts for lighter aftermarket components. Case in point: the stock clutch fan. Flex-a-lite's electric dual-fan setup is available for many Ford, GM, and Dodge full-size trucks. Its variable control module can be turned on at any temperature you want and also can provide additional cooling power when the A/C is on or when towing. Flex-a-lite; 800/851-1510.
www.flex-a-lite.com
| performance Productst airaid Super Intake
Super IntakeAiraid's cold-air intake for the 2005-2006 Ford Super Duty 5.4-liter V-8 uses a modular intake tube and the company's own washable, reusable air filter. Improved airflow and filtration could equal up to seven more horsepower and 11 pound-feet of torque. Airaid; 888/876-8984.
www.airaid.com
| performance Productst trd Supercharger
Dealer-Installed S/CToyota Racing Development is behind this Eaton Roots-type supercharger for the 2005-2008 Toyota Tacoma and 2007-2008 FJ Cruiser. The kit includes a water-to-air intercooler system, high-flow fuel injectors, a five-rib serpentine drivebelt system, and 6-8 psi boost pressure. Contact your local Toyota dealer.
www.trdusa.com
| performance Productst edge Evolution
The Edge Evolution for 2004-2008 Ford F-150s with the 4.6- or 5.4-liter engine combines a programmer, diagnostic tool, and complete set of gauges into one device. Edge Products; 888/360-3343.
www.edgeproducts.com
| performance Productst fuego Flash Tuner
In A FlashGranatelli's Fuego flash tuners allow you to check performance parameters on a large backlit screen. Fuego provides custom tuning and software updates via the Internet. Adjust ignition-timing tables, fuel tables, idle, top-speed limiter, rev limiters, cooling, recalibration of the speedometer, torque management-and see bumps in horsepower and torque. Granatelli Motor Sports; 805/486-6644.
www.granatellimotorsports.com
| performance Productst kn Drop In Filter
Stock-Replacement Air FIlterWashable, reuseable, high airflow, better acceleration, more horsepower-need more convincing that a replacement air filter from K&N might just be what your vehicle needs? K&N Engineering; 800/858-3333.
www.knfilters.com
| performance Productst hypertech Programmer
To The MaxMax power, max driveability: Those are the primary goals of Hypertech's Max Energy Power Programmer. The tuner is said to help with transmission shifting, increasing power, and improving fuel economy. You'll also be able to read and clear trouble codes, raise the top-speed limiter, and correct the speedo for tires up to 54 inches. There's also a USB connector for getting program updates online. Hypertech; 901/382-8888.
www.hypertech-inc.com
| performance Productst optima Battery
Hi-Po BatteryWhat we add to our trucks in electrical creature comforts runs the gamut (GPS, DVD, audio), but the factory battery may not be up for the extra strain. Optima's RedTop and YellowTop batteries have a higher starting voltage for stronger cranking power and can be discharged to a low voltage and charge back up without losing power in the process. Translation: Run all the accessories and electronics you want-and for longer. Optima Batteries; 888/867-8462.
www.optimabatteries.com
| performance Productst mopar Performance Air Intake
Duct and CoverMopar Performance Parts' 2003-2008 Dodge Ram 5.7-liter Air Duct induction system is said to provide a steady flow of cool outside air for noticeable horsepower and torque gains. A Ram Air hood also is available. Sold through Mopar Performance Parts dealers.
www.mopar.com
| performance Productst magnuson Supercharger
SuperchargeThe downside to towing (or any kind of driving) is that we want, but don't always get, great fuel economy. A solution is a supercharger, such as the Roots hybrid-style Magna Charger from Magnuson Products. It has power on demand-but when you don't need it, there's an internal bypass valve that takes it offline. It has an integrated air-to-water intercooler, and comes polished or unpolished with everything you need to do the job. Magnuson Products; 805/289-0044.
www.magnacharger.com
| performance Productst firepower Ignition
Firepower IgnitionThe Performance Distributors Ford Truck Firepower ignition kit for six-cylinder engines produces a fatter spark. The Screamin' Demon coil allows you to open the plug gaps, and the Live Wire plug wires send high-voltage spark to the plugs. Fickle about wire coloring? They come in a variety of hues. Performance Distributors; 910/396-5782.
www.performancedistributors.com
| performance Productst volant Powercore Air Filter
Powercore Air FilterAttention, lazy people: The Power-Core is for you. The synthetic air filter is maintenance-free. It's said to be impervious to water (ideal if you go off-road) and has a fluted design for trapping loads of dirt but flowing more air. You don't have to clean or oil it-in fact, it should go 100,000 miles before you have to think about replacing it. Volant Cool Air Intakes; 888/484-4955.
www.volantpowercore.com
| performance Productst gm Performance Parts Intake
GM-Built Air IntakeGM Performance Parts offers a performance air intake for 2007-2008 Chevy Silverados. It has an aluminum tube with a maintenance-free, clearcoat finish-it'll stay polished without elbow grease. The free-breathing filter doesn't need oil, and the aluminum lid is stamped with the GMPP logo. Available at all Chevrolet dealers.
www.gmperformanceparts.com
| performance Productst vortech Supercharger
High-Output SuperchargerAvailable for the 2007-2008 Chevy Silverado 5.3-liter Vortec is the V-2 SQ S-Trim centrifugal supercharger, which Vortech says will increase horsepower up to 45 percent, torque an estimated 38 percent. Included is an integrated dual-pass air/water charge cooling configuration, and the supercharger comes with all the components you need for a stock vehicle, such as a high-flow fuel pump, replacement injectors, and a handheld programmer. Vortech Engineering; 805/247-0226.
www.vortechsuperchargers.com
| performance Productst sts Turbo
Turbo System For GM TrucksThe STS Turbo Remote Mount Turbo System is for V-6 and V-8 1999-2008 GM trucks and SUVs-whether they cruise around town, hit the local dragstrip on Friday nights, or are on tow duty. The system's role in life is all about increasing torque and horsepower efficiently and cost effectively. STS Turbo; 866/938-8726.
www.ststurbo.com
| performance Productst stillen Supercharger
Supercharger For Nissan/InfinitiStillen's supercharger for Nissan/Infiniti trucks and SUVs is said to produce real-world streetable performance throughout the rpm range. It uses an Eaton positive-displacement twin-rotor unit. Stillen; 866/250-5542.
www.stillen.com
| performance Productst banks Ram Air Intake System
Jeep Intake SystemThe Banks Ram-Air Intake system for 1997-2006 4.0-liter Jeeps is a complete air-filter housing said to double airflow, thereby improving power and fuel economy. Gale Banks Engineering; 626/969-9600.
www.bankspower.com
| performance Productst paxton Supercharger
Supercharger SystemWith a tease of 7-8 boost, a 35-percent horsepower gain, and a 30-percent push in torque, Paxton's supercharger is difficult to not want to flirt with. The NOVI 1200 gear-driven system includes a handheld programmer, which will set ignition timing and fuel-enrichment level as well as a high-flow fuel-pump and related fuel-system upgrades. Paxton Automotive; 888/972-9866.
www.paxtonauto.com
| performance Productst snow Performance Boost Controller
Self-Tuning Boost And Engine FuelingThe Boost Cooler from Snow Performance is described as "user-friendly power." The system is designed to tune itself-tell it information, such as the octane and approximate horsepower, and it'll program the correct injection quality into the 2D map. It's even adjustable on the fly. Snow says it's designed as a chemical intercooler for supercharged/turbocharged applications for increased air density, timing, and power. Snow Performance; 719/633-3811.
www.snowperformance.net
| performance Productst superchip Performance Tuner
Performance Tuner and ProgrammerChoose from three best-in-class tuning levels, store performance times and speeds, and access a diagnostic library with this tiny package called Cortex from Superchips. And if you change your tires or wheels or drop in new gears, Cortex can support those upgrades. Plus, it's updateable by Internet. Superchips; 888/227-2447.
www.superchips.com
| performance Productst air Force One Performance Intake
V-8 Intake From Airforce One Performance is a V-8 intake system for the 2007-2008 Chevy/GMC 5.3- and 6.2-liter Vortec. It features a 3.5-inch 304 stainless-steel intake tube, powdercoated heatshield, eight-layer cotton-gauze power-stacked air filter, and other ingredients to provide more ponies and less pain at the gas pump. Airforce One Performance; 818/994-8300.
www.airforceoneperformance.com
