What really enhances horsepower???

Question

i have a 2000 mercury cougar, 4cyl, 2.0L 5speed

what can i tune this car with for true horsepower gain, not just cold air intake.

Answer 1

The smoother the air/fuel get in and out of the motor the more horses you'll make

Answer 2

it depends, if you are looking to use it on the road or for one use in a race.  if for one use you can cut loose by putting in nitros and a street blower.  the street blower has to be under the hood, but if not worrying about cops which i dont suppose you are, you can punch a hole through the hood and then up the HP from your 150 to about 390 or so off the axle.  Just be careful out there, there are cops riding a MAG

Answer 3

you get horse power by changing the amount of fuel that is burned in the mix or the amount that the air fuel charge is compressed, or the rate that the engine breathes. replacing the plugs and what not  will regain some of the lost horses but it will not increase your power to more than you started out with. a turbo or super charger will increase the out put as would nitrous but who needs that much power on the streets? the cold air intake only increases the power bt allowing colder more dense air into the engine, the cpu sees the colder air and increases the amount of fuel delivered.