Should You Tune A Stock Car: Cost, Horsepower & Tuning Tips

One shouldn't expect an enormous increase in horsepower after tuning. But still, tuning can make the vehicle more intense, and it also improves performance.

Sometimes, even a new car can't realize its full potential, and tuning can do wonders in this respect. People are generally curious about tuning their new vehicles. And experts opine that tuning can have a positive impact on a stock car.

But if one aims for a significant boost in the horsepower, it requires going an extra mile towards aftermarket parts installation.

Horsepower Gain From Tuning Stock Car

The uppermost limit for horsepower boost that could be achieved through tuning is 20, depending on the engine. But one must not expect too much from it by a simple tuning of the stock car. For achieving a noticeable increase in horsepower, one must consider installing aftermarket parts. These may include:

Downpipes
Headers
Exhausts

One can expect to achieve a minimum increase of 30 horsepower with installing each of these parts. A turbo car can even have a 50-horsepower boost by installing an aftermarket downpipe.

What Can You Tune On a Stock Car?

Stock car tuning must aim at only removing limitations that were put in place deliberately. These may include:

Rev limiter
Top speed limiter
Throttle response

Here Are 5 Things You Can Do When Tuning a Stock Car

1. Remove Rev Limiter

Want to rev higher? Remove the rev limiter! But one might want to do it for the fun factor, for which it is okay. However, rev limiter removal may be dangerous for engine life and fuel economy. So, experts believe that removing it might not be a good idea for a daily driver.

2. Remove Top Speed Limiter

Older models didn't have preinstalled speed limiters, but modern cars usually come with ones that have an upper limit of 155 mph. But you don’t have to worry. Just have a tuning, readjust the lookup values for ECU, and boom! There goes the speed limiter, without even an aftermarket installation. This can bring a lot of adventure and instantly help realize one's vehicle's full potential.

3. Update Engine Torque Map

If one is interested in controlling the torque output at any RPM effectively, simply go for the engine torque map update.

4. Improve Throttle Response

Throttle response can also be improved a great deal by updating the engine's torque map.

5. Adjust For Slightly Rich Air/Fuel Ratio

Car exhausts can improve by tuning, resulting in better combustion and, ultimately, a better fuel economy.

Will Tuning Stock Cars Damage The Engine?

If a professional expert does tuning, then it won't affect the engine negatively.

Is Tuning a Stock Car Legal?

If the tuning is done by a certified professional and doesn't violate the sound and emission laws, then it’s perfectly legal.

Cost To Tune A Stock Car - Is It Worth It?

Well, tuning can be an expensive business which usually ranges from $600 to $1,000. Moreover, dyno runs may also cost up to $150 per session. So, overall, tuning along with dyno sessions can cost almost $900 to $1500. So, one should go for tuning only if one is a true car enthusiast willing to spend on one's beloved car.