At its most basic level, your Kenworth truck engine is nothing more than a large air pump. It operates by triggering a sequence of Kenworth carefully timed explosions that draw in and push out all-important air. As a result, finding methods to flow more air in and out of your engine makes sense if you want to boost its horsepower and torque.
The value of horsepower vs. torque is a point of contention among many Kenworth enthusiasts. Let's talk about the two for clarity. We're not going to get caught in technical jargon like twisting force, RPM, weight, and aerodynamics, so we'll keep it simple. Torque is what propels you forward immediately off the line, and horsepower is what allows you to get up to highway speed quickly. One is excellent for 0-60 mph, while the other is good for a quarter-mile. One thing remains true of both, you can't seem to get enough of either of them.
It doesn't matter which side of the debate you're on; both horsepower and torque are essential parts of your vehicle's powertrain. So, if you want to improve in any area, consider these suggestions from our team of specialists. You'll be able to get the most out of your engine if you use the appropriate components.
One of the most accessible and cheap methods to enhance horsepower is to upgrade to a performance cold air intake (CAI) system. As the temperature drops, the air becomes denser. Your engine generates power by drawing in air, mixing it with fuel, and then burning the combination. The more oxygen in a given place, the denser the air. When your airflow sensor detects more oxygen, you get more fuel, which boosts the engine's performance.
Cool air is drawn in via cold air intakes from the engine's exterior. However, they are not just effective because of the air they contain. Cold air intakes help minimize airflow resistance and undesirable turbulence inside the pipes, resulting in less airflow into your engine. In a nutshell, they deliver airflow via their superhighway.
The throttle body controls airflow into your engine and your fuel injection system. This system is critical to the operation of your vehicle. The throttle body regulates the airflow into your engine and is placed between your new cold air intake and the engine manifold. And like with most things, the larger it is, the better.
Installing a large-diameter throttle body with larger flaps, such as the Skunk2 Racing Pro throttle body, enables more air to enter the engine. This improves various areas of performance, one of which is an increase in torque and horsepower since more air equals more fuel, which equals more power. And it's not a little change, you'll notice better acceleration and a 25-horsepower increase in engine output.
Kenworth truck manufacturers must fulfill pollution standards while keeping manufacturing costs reasonable. Using the stock exhaust manifold that comes standard on every mass-produced model of your vehicle is one way to save money. Consequently, the systems that transport hazardous air to your exhaust system aren't as effective as they could be. As a result, aftermarket exhaust headers are a great way to add horsepower and torque.
Exhaust headers allow exhaust gases to flow more easily out of an engine's cylinders. The amount of horsepower added is determined by the design and length of the header you install and the type of vehicle you're working with.
Long-tube and shorty headers will improve the performance of your Kenworth truck by moving air more quickly and efficiently. Long-tube headers, on the other hand, are the greatest at increasing torque and horsepower from mid-range to top-end RPMs. As a consequence, high-revving engines benefit from them. Shorty headers, on the other hand, provide greater horsepower and torque at lower RPMs.
High-flow catalytic converters aren't all that different from the ones that come standard in your Kenworth truck when it comes off the line. By causing a chemical interaction between different metals and exhaust, a high-flow cat similarly reduces emissions, but it does it more quickly. It uses a lower internal cell density and a larger volume around the catalyst.
A high-flow catalytic converter works with your other exhaust changes to increase your engine's flow capabilities and help it create more power.
It's another minor element with a tremendous impact. By minimizing back pressure, high-flow cats enhance power throughout the RPM range, but you'll notice the most substantial gain in torque and horsepower in the lower RPM range. While you're about it, you'll also be lowering the toxicity of your exhaust emissions. In our opinion, this is a win-win situation.
This one appeals to us since it's similar to having cheat sheets for your Kenworth truck. Factory-programmed emissions and fuel octane criteria are met by the computer that runs your engine. While this may not seem terrible, it does leave a lot of performance potential on the table.
You may easily enhance horsepower to levels you never thought possible by using power programmers and performance chips to modify your vehicle's parameters, such as fuel-to-air ratio, turbo boost, and ignition timing advance.
Performance software is simple to use and generally comes with a plug-and-play installation that connects to your OBD-II port immediately. You have complete control over the settings of your Kenworth truck, and they also come pre-programmed with pre-set tracks if you want to jump directly to "more power." However, a chip that disables your vehicle's pollution controls is almost certainly unlawful.
Adhere to these tips, and you will be able to boost the power of your Kenworth truck. No matter what, you will fall in love with the results.
