Auto Racing: cold air intakes, cold air induction, nissan frontier

Question
Hi Mr. Liddy,
 I just recently bought a 2000 Nissan Frontier truck, four cylinder, manual transmission. I am also newly interested in racing and working on vehicles. I am researching ways to make my truck faster so maybe someday I can go down to the local track and actually have something decent to race with. I understand my truck isn't exactly a racing vehicle but I am wondering what are some of the first things I can do to make my vehicle faster? I was researching online for cold air intakes, etc. and they don't seem to have anything like that for a four cylinder? and is that where I should even start?
Thank you for your time
  Robert

Answer
Hello Robert:

Congratulations on your purchase.  

Cold air induction is one of the best places to start. ALL performance is based on getting more gas mixture into each cylinder each time it fires. This begs me to mention that more horsepower MEANS more gas consumption .  Keep that in mind.

K&N Filters are probably the premier company when it comes to air induction. They make all sorts of kits for varied vehicles. For some the kits include larger intake ducting, others require only a replacement air filter. go to their website at: http://www.knfilters.com/  for more information , you  can research your truck there too.  

Once you have done that, you can explore ways to free up the exhaust system too (once you get it in there, you have to get it out ! )  The biggest improvement will come with a larger diameter system, and an exhaust header which replaces the stock manifold. This represents a considerable amount of work but a friend and a weekend should get you through it. I think I would look in magazines featuring compact trucks for exhaust system manufacturers. Go with the most open muffler you can stand.

Once you've done that, you can start to look for a replace ment chip for the engine control unit (ECU)  These things can offer a 10% increase in power which is significant. I don't know much about them but search for a company called 'Superchip'

You should go to a local auto parts store, and get a copy of the Haynes Repair manual for your series of vehicle. They are about $15.00 and arre a great source of basic mechanical information for beginners and advanced amateurs. If you get really serious, you'll need the factory repair manual which you can order from your Nissan Dealer at a cost of about $50.00 .

That's about all you can do without major internal engine work, and I don't think you want to get into that area just yet.

That's all I have to offer for the time being, if I can help further , feel free to write again.

Dan Liddy
Sarasota, Florida