How to make my Car Faster?

Question

I have a 2004 Kia Optima,The base engine is a twin-cam 2.4 liter four,about 138 hp..I was racing the other day,and I was burned by a 2004 [or so] toyota corolla,who basically beat me because he had stick shift...took off the line very rapidly,as to my automatic,who did go about 125 mph down the rural road...he also had an exhaust and who knows what under the hood..My car is completely stock...anyways,I want to know what I can do to make my car faster...what sort of items should I add to make for a decent foe? my car tops out at around 135 or so,after 125 it's hard for it to pick up more speed...It also has a 2 gear manual option,which I have no idea how to use,I'd like some info on that as well...I'm not too bright when it comes to cars,so i'd love some help on what I can do to my car..should I do an engine swap? get headers? etc...I have a few thousand dollars,which i'm willing to spend on my car...any help is appreciated!!

Answer 1

IMHO investing a few thousand into a Kia Optima to make it faster is not money well spent. But it's your car and your money... If it were me, and speed were my goal, I'd start with better base material like a Mitsubishi Eclipse, Evo or Subie WRX STi, etc...

For a few cheap ponies and more speed, start by opening up the intake and exhaust system. Take it to Midas and have them build a full-length 2" system for you with a single high-performance muffler post cat. Then install a K&N with a ram air duct behind the grille or under the bumper.

Beyond this, (and if your serious about investing some bucks) the best way to make real power is by working on the combustion chambers. Take your head to a machine shop and have it ported, polished, the chambers cc'd, a good 3-angle valve job and possibly milled. This is where you'll see real improvements.

Last, when you put the head back on, talk to a speed shop about advancing your cam timing by using a degree wheel. Common racer trick and free horsepower.

When racing with an automatic, (and I'm assuming no one makes an aftermarket high-stall converter for a Kia) you can get a quicker launch by reving the motor up to about 3000 RPM's in neutral and popping it into drive. The holeshot will give you a better shot off the line. You don't want to do this a lot because eventually you'll trash your tranny.

Last of all lose every bit of un-needed weight. That means spare tire, jack, rear seat, door panels, headliner, carpet, stereo, A/C, heater, etc... You have to decide what you can live with and what you can live without. Don't forget to leave the gas tank at 1/8 too. A full tank of gas is about 100+ pounds.

Go get 'em tiger!

Answer 2

Apart from the fact that I don't know of anywhere in the US where you can drive above 80, much less above 135...I live in Europe and although I didn't ask for it, a mechanic friend who owed me a favour basically shortened the accelerator, which reduced the revs between gears, therefore allowing me to go faster in all gears, not just 5th. But I'm not sure this would work with your automatic transmission.

Your 2 gear manual option is your 4WD. These are actually low gears, which allow you to climb at angles and, say, drive over tree branches. You cannot floor the gas when using these gears, they are not for speed but for off-roading.

Answer 3

Any Japanese or German or Korean car with 270HP-330HP can reach up to 155mph. Today, most V6 engines in Japanese cars make that power and reach that governed limited speed. 155mph. Any Porsche can easily reach 160mph. Even the slowest and cheapest, the Porsche Boxster. For American cars, you need 400HP cars to reach 150 mph easily. They need more power because they are usually less aerodynamic and heavier. Example: The 300HP Mustang GT only reaches 146mph. Honda S2000 Nissan 350z Mazda RX-8 and RX-7. Saturn Sky Redline Pontiac Solstice GXP Pontiac GTO Ford Mustang GT500 Hyundai Genesis Coupe Nissan Maxima New Honda Accord V6 and Nissan Altima V6 and Toyota Camry V6. Mitsubishi Lancer Evo or Eclipse GT Subaru Impreza WRX or Subaru Impreza WRX STI. VW R32 VW Passat V6.

Answer 4

Well for starters, you did mention exhaust..... get a good flowing exhaust on your car, also a cold air intake for your engine.... then some good spark plugs.... platinum at the least. You might be able to get under drive pulleys also.....Now for more expensive parts maybe a bigger throttle body....if they make them... I dont know about your car, but exhaust and intake I recommend for the first mod.

Answer 5

For a couple grand, might as well go for a custom turbo kit. Although you could also go and get a second car that's easier to hop up for that price, maybe an '80s Camaro Z28 or something.

Answer 6

dude its a kia do a cat back exhaust and a kn intake i was trying to see if they sell a chip for it but i cant find one if your willing to spend the money look into a aftermarket turbo or supercharger kit

Answer 7

HAVE SOME ONE ELSE DRIVE THE CAR FOR YOU..
TAKE YOUR FOOT OFF BRAKE.
ROLL UP WINDOWS.
RELEASE EMERGENCY BRAKE.
EMPTY TRUNK..

Answer 8

Take it to pimp my ride on MTV they will make it fast and sporty