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Power gains from a sports catalyst

Catalysts are a vital component in our modern tree hugging environmentally conscious society. First TorqueCars will look at what a catalyst does and how it works.

A catalyst is actually a term used to explain anything which accelerates or performs a chemical reaction. In a car the exhaust fumes are fed through a matrix of ceramic honeycomb lined with precious metals.

Building a 10 second car

We look at what it takes to build a 10 second car and examine the power and weight requirements to reach the sub 11 second goal on the drag strip.

Follow our tips and you can make a 10 second car quite cheaply and within your budget with some power mods and serious weight reduction.

How to add a turbo to a non turbo car.

The basic reason for forced induction (turbo or supercharger) is not to increase compression or the maximum pressure in an engine cylinder, it is to increase volumetric efficiency (the efficiency of the engine at drawing in air) although forced induction is the most effective method of upping compression.

In computer games we just tick a box, and within seconds our car is fully turbocharged and running much faster. In the real world things are very different.

Vents – adding performance with Bonnet vents.

Performance gains are possible with the addition of bonnet vents.

Warm air really does kill performance. This is due to the air intake temperatures being hot and air at high temperatures carries less oxygen.

When driving an engine hard the under bonnet temperatures quickly build up and the engine has no choice but to suck this air in reducing your power.

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Water Injection

Benefits and drawbacks of engine water injection systems
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Engine Knock

How to avoid engine knock and pinging
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Sports Exhausts

High performance sports exhausts systems and mods.
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Ignition Coils

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Brake Mods

Brake upgrade kits. 4 to 6 piston and larger vented disc conversions.
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Spray Art2

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Split Bonnets

Creating a custom self opening split bonnet or split hood.
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