What is the best way to increase the performance of my car?

Question

I have a 2006 nissan altima 2.5s (automatic) and i want to try and improve the overall performance and 0-60 time of my car. And I want to spend about 500 dollars to do this. What parts should i buy for my car to increase its performance?

Answer 1

Reduce the weight - especially at the rear, which will improve the front wheel drive traction and let the car have less mass to accelerate.

Answer 2

$500 will do nothing for performance on most any N/A car.  I would spend the money on some nice suspension parts and make the car handle better.  If you spend that money on an exhaust system and add 5hp, how long will that keep you happy?  A good handling car is much more rewarding than a few more horse power.

Answer 3

You should have bought one with a manual transmission, a V6 model (instant 80hp increase and better suspension to boot) or a Sentra Spec V (same engine, a lot less car to have to haul).  Then you wouldn't have to nickle and dime horsepower onto the car.  There are plenty of mods one can buy for the QR25 that will add a few HP here, a few HP there but for $500 don't expect any dramatic improvements.  That's just not going to happen.  

Answer 4

i would suggest a cold air intake or a short ram intake and a cat-back exhaust. You can check ebaymotors.com for that stuff, but be sure to check the description, if you get lucky you might find a full exhaust or something better.  

Answer 5

The first thing to improve is the driver. Now don't get upset with me, but any driver that is good wants to be great.

As for 0-60 times, for under 500 and an automatic, about the only things you can do is to open up the exhaust and intakes. The exhaust is easy as this can be done with off the shelf parts. The intake would take some research and skill. Things like de-burring the intake  manifold, are not for the novice as you can cause more problems the you can solve.

If you can find some Solo II events in your area, you will find a safe place to hone your skills as well as maybe meet someone who is also competing with your type of car  at a higher level (they may have some tips to help you).