How to Improve a Car's Power-to-Weight Ratio

Improving a car's power to weight ratio involves reducing the overall weight of the car and increasing its ability to produce horespower and torque. By eliminating unnecessary accessories and replacing existing parts with lightweight alternatives and by allowing the engine to burn fuel more quickly, you will be able to increase your car's racing performance.

Things You'll Need

  • High-octane fuel, nitromethane or methanol
  • Nitrous delivery system
  • Supercharger or turbocharger
  • Adjustable shocks
  • Lightweight car parts and accessories made from lightweight materials
  • Traction bars
Show More

Instructions

  1. Improve the Power of Your Car

    • 1

      Install a supercharger or turbocharger into your car's fuel delivery system. A supercharger or turbocharger blows more air into the fuel combustion chambers so that fuel burns more quickly, creating more power.

    • 2

      Use a higher-octane fuel in conjunction with a nitrous delivery system in order to increase the boost of your car. This will also help to burn fuel more quickly and improve horsepower.

    • 3

      Consider an alternative racing fuel such as nitro-methane or methanol to improve the power to weight ratio of your car. Make sure that your car is tuned properly to handle such fast-burning fuels, however.

    • 4

      Modify the suspension of your car, using adjustable shocks and traction bars to stabilize the chassis. This will make your car accelerate more efficiently by reducing the movement of the suspension.

    Reduce the Weight of Your Car

    • 5

      Remove all personal belongings from the trunk and interior car. A loaded trunk will definitely hamper your car's power-to-weight ratio.

    • 6

      Eliminate as many accessories from your car as is practical, such as car audio systems, air conditioners, door panels, insulation and sound-deadening materials. If you're serious about racing, you may even go as far as to take out seats, headliners, the dashboard and more.

    • 7

      Replace certain parts and accessories with lighter racing variations that are made of aluminum, carbon fiber or other lightweight yet strong materials. This may include pedals, mirrors, alloy wheels, engine hoods and body panels.

    • 8

      Consider replacing all of the windows and the windshield with lighter alternatives, such as thinner glass, or Lexan, which is a clear material made from plastic that is just as durable as glass. In addition, you can also switch out your headlights with plastic versions.