You can get a performance chip for the computer, and also modify your exhaust....
There are two answers to this question: accelerate faster, and higher top speed.
How To Accelerate Faster? Answer: increase torque at the rear wheels at all times. This can be done by increasing the output of the engine, or by changing the gear ratio. If the output of the engine is to be changed, the mods must be chosen so that they are harmonious with the car’s gear ratios and rear end. In general, modifications which substantially increase the horsepower figure of the engine will also tend to narrow the power band. It is important that this power band not be so narrow that the simple act of shifting gears moves the engine to an RPM point where it does not immediately produce power. [/size] Answer: increase torque at the rear wheels at all times. This can be done by increasing the output of the engine, or by changing the gear ratio. If the output of the engine is to be changed, the mods must be chosen so that they are harmonious with the car’s gear ratios and rear end. In general, modifications which substantially increase the horsepower figure of the engine will also tend to narrow the power band. It is important that this power band not be so narrow that the simple act of shifting gears moves the engine to an RPM point where it does not immediately produce power.
How To Increase Top Speed?
Answer: a massive increase engine power. What’s massive? 100 HP, 200 HP, or more. That’s the simple explanation. For those who want more detail, but don’t want the math, here’s the skinny. The engine power needs to be increased such that the available torque at the drive wheels can provide more drive thrust to overcome aerodynamic drag.
How quickly? Assuming that nothing is done to affect the aerodynamics of the car, the aerodynamic drag force increases with the square of the vehicle’s speed. That means that every time the vehicle speed doubles, the drag force increases by four times.
Example: If the aerodynamic drag force is 40 pounds at 30 MPH, then at 60 MPH, the drag force is 160 pounds, and at 120 MPH, the drag force is a whopping 640 pounds.
How does this affect power? Well, power is actually force multiplied by velocity. Thus, the power required to overcome the aerodynamic drag force increases with the cube of the vehicle’s speed. Wow! That means that every time the vehicle speed doubles, the power required to overcome the drag force increases by not four times, but EIGHT TIMES!!!
Example: If the horsepower required to overcome the drag force at 30 MPH is 10 HP, then the horsepower required to overcome the drag force at 60 MPH is 80 HP, and at 120 MPH, the horsepower required is a monumental 640 HP! Of course, these numbers are not accurate, but they illustrate just how tough it is to increase top speed. They also explain why a 140 HP vehicle that only uses 15 HP to go 60 MPH tops out somewhere near 125 MPH; it truly runs out of power!
Of course, there will always be skeptics. Some people just won’t believe that adding 100 HP to their Corvette will only get them another few MPH on the top end. Those skeptics are encouraged to visit Appendix A below. There, a full mathematical analysis will be provided, complete with charts to guide somebody wishing to make mods to their Corvette.
