About Auto Parts

Performance Intake Parts

Air Intake systems come in many different styles and can be constructed from plastic, metal, rubber (silicone) or composite materials (fiberglass, carbon fiber or kevlar). Due to the limited time air actually remains inside the intake tubing, the materials often do not impact a kit's ability to deliver cool air. The most efficient intake systems utilize an airbox which is sized to compliment the engine and will extend the powerband of the engine. The intake snorkel (opening for the intake air to enter the system) must be large enough to ensure sufficient air is available to the engine under all conditions from idle to full throttle. If the intake opening has an unrestricted opening - no screens or other obstructions - the opening need not be larger than the inside diameter of the engine's throttle body, airhorn, or carburetor throat. Under some conditions Intake system efficiency can be lost if the intake opening for the airbox is too large.

The most basic air intake replaces the stock airbox with a short metal or plastic tube leading to a conical air filter, called a Short Ram Air Intake. The power gained by this method can vary depending on how restrictive the factory airbox is. The placement of the filter is usually directly in the engine compartment. The overall benefits depend on the specific application. Power may be lost at certain engine speeds, and gained at others. Because of the increased airflow and reduced covering, intake noise is usually increased. This effect is usually amplified on applications where a resonator, a part intended to reduce intake noise on some vehicles, is replaced by the intake.  Well designed intakes use heat shields to isolate the air filter from the rest of the engine compartment, providing cooler air from the front or side of the engine bay.  A Cold Air Intake is a system used to bring down the temperature of the air going into a car for the purpose of increasing the power of the internal-combustion engine. A secondary goal is to increase the appeal of a car by changing the appearance of a car's engine bay and creating an attractive intake noise. These aftermarket parts come in many different colors and many different sizes.

Street-power carries Intakes that are engineered and tuned to provide the greatest efficiency and power. Cold Air, Short Ram, Air Boxes, whatever you want, we've got. We carry intakes from AEM, Comptech, APS, Greddy, TurboXS, HKS, AFE, AEM, Injen, K&N, Perrin, Agency Power, and more. If you don't see what your looking for, please contact us at 1-760-942-2531.

Performance Brake Parts  

Brake systems on most passenger and even sports cars are not adequate enough for hard driving on and off the track.  Depending on your vehicle, you may want to upgrade your brake system and replace one of your OEM parts.  There are several ways to improve your braking performance.  Big Brakes are the best way.  These larger brake kits are designed to give you a bigger rotor which is lighter and vents better then the stock system.  The caliper is also larger and may have 4, 6, 8, or even 12 pistons to give a larger clamp force on a greater surface area.  Since a majority of your brake needs is done on the front of the vehicle, most will upgrade the rear brake system only.  If you decide to keep your stock brakes but upgrade the components such as your rotors, brake pads, or steel braided brake lines, you can achieve very good results too.  Depending on your driving style or use, different brake pad compounds can be purchased.  There are race pads, aggressive street pads, and OEM replacement brake pads available.  These different brake pads require different amount of use to perform the best.  A racing brake pad will require it to be warmed up to optimal temperature before it starts to perform.  Where an aggressive street pad will give you better braking, but may not be enough for lap after lap hard driving.  Finally, brake rotors and brake lines can help finish your brake components off.  Having slotted or drilled rotors help dissipate the heat away to keep your brakes cool.  These rotors will improve your stopping distance and brake longevity at the track.  The steel braided brake lines replace your OEM rubber lines to give you a firm, solid pedal response.

Street-power carries the best in brakes from Project Mu, Brembo, StopTech, Rotora, Hawk, Pagid, EBC, Powerslot, Agency Power, Goodridge, Stasis, AP Racing, and more to maximize your vehicle's braking ability. We have applications for every major tuner car including the STI, EVO, 350z, RX8, 996, 997, M3, 335I, Scion, 240sx, Audi, S2000 and more. If you don't see what you are looking for please contact us at 1-760-942-2531.

Tuning Systems and ECU Components  

Street-power has one of the most comprehensive tuning facilities in the Southwestern USA. We have tuned everything from street cars, race cars, trucks, and more. With our Mustang AWD Dyno, we get accurate before and after tests results showing the gain our tuning department can give you. Qualified and specialized in tuning tools such as the UTEC, Ecutek, Cobb Accessport, AEM, Softronic, Link Electro, Hydra, ApexI, Greddy, OCT Tuning, and many more. We have even an indepth capability to tune your diesel car or truck.  If you don't see what your looking for, please contact us as 1-760-942-2531.

Electronic Performance Components  

Being aware of your cars vital signs is very important when modifying your car.  Gauges are available in different sizes and colors to match your interior dash and trim.  There are many different gauges available.  Boost, EGT, Water Temp, Oil Temp, Oil Pressure, Air Fuel Ratio, and more.  Most turbo charged cars it is good to have a boost, EGT, and oil pressure gauge.  These 3 gauges will help keep tabs on your car as you go around the track or down the strip.  In addition to gauges, there are several ways to control your boost on a turbo charged car.  Boost pressure is usually control by a factory boost solenoid.  However when you want to increase the boost pressure, an aftermarket boost control is the way to go.  Boost Controllers allow you to set how the boost pressure comes, what it peaks at, and usually to have multiple boost settings.  Along with a boost controller, it is recommended to have a Turbo Timer for turbo charged cars.  A turbo timer keeps the car running after you shut the car off with the key for a length of time that is preset or accumulated based on your driving.  By allowing the car to cool down after you have just driven aggressively, the turbocharger will come back down to temperature and help keep the longevity of the turbo. 

Gauges, ECU Tuning, Boost Controls, Turbo Timers, and more. Street-power carries the best electronics to keep the monitoring happening and the power pushing to your car. We carry parts from Greddy, HKS, ApexI, TurboXS, Power Chip, OCT Tuning, Autometer, Perrin, Link, Blitz and more! If you do not see what you are looking for, contact us at 1-760-942-2531.

Performance Exhaust System      

Aftermarket exhaust parts are intended to replace the factory fitted exhaust components in order to gain a performance increase. Some aftermarket parts are designed to improve the look and sound of the car, rather than its performance. In general, the goal of aftermarket exhaust systems is to increase the engine power by reducing the back pressure of the factory exhaust system. Frequently a side effect of a free-flowing exhaust system is the increased engine sound, which is desirable to some people. Aftermarket exhaust parts can also be a styling upgrade by change the visible parts of the exhaust like the exhaust tips.  Learn about common exhaust terms here.

Depending on your vehicle, we carry different exhaust systems and components.  Catbacks, Turbobacks, Uppipes, Downpipes, Mufflers, Tips, Midpipes, Cat Delete Pipes, and more are just to name a few products in our Exhaust System category.  We carry exhaust components from:  5Zigen, Supersprint, Meistercraft, Greddy, HKS, Tanabe, Jubily, TechArt, JIC, Comptech, APS, Agency Power, RSR, Perrin, Espelir, Invidia, GHL, JBA, Fabspeed, Borla, B&B, Neuspeed, and more.  If you don't see the exact high performance exhaust your looking for, please contact us at 1-760-942-2531. We'd be happy to help you find the perfect exhaust for your needs.

Below we have listed many common terms used to talk about Exhaust Systems and the related Exhaust components.  These are generic definitions and may or may not apply to your vehicle.  You can view our entire Exhaust Section Here.

Manifold or header

In most production engines, the manifold is an assembly designed to collect the exhaust gas from two or more cylinders into one pipe. Manifolds are often made of cast iron in stock production cars, and may have material-saving design features such as to use the least metal, to occupy the least space necessary, or have the lowest production cost. These design restrictions often result in a design that is cost effective but that does not do the most efficient job of venting the gases from the engine. Inefficiencies generally occur due to the nature of the combustion engine and its cylinders. Since cylinders fire at different times, exhaust leaves them at different times, and pressure waves from gas emerging from one cylinder might not be completely vacated through the exhaust system when another comes. This creates a back pressure and restriction in the engine's exhaust system that can restrict the engine's true performance possibilities.

A header (sometimes called extractor in Australia) another name for a manifold is specifically a manifold designed for performance. During design, engineers create a manifold without regard to weight or cost but instead for optimal flow of the exhaust gases. This design results in a header that is more efficient at scavenging the exhaust from the cylinders. Headers are generally circular steel tubing with bends and folds calculated to make the paths from each cylinder's exhaust port to the common outlet all equal length, and joined at narrow angles to encourage pressure waves to flow through the outlet, and not back towards other cylinders. In a set of tuned headers the pipe lengths are carefully calculated to enhance exhaust flow in a particular engine revolutions per minute range.

Headers are generally made by aftermarket automotive companies, but sometimes can be bought from the high-performance parts department at car dealerships. Generally, most car performance enthusiasts buy aftermarket headers made by companies solely focused on producing reliable, cost-effective well-designed headers specifically for their car. Headers can also be custom designed by a custom shop. Due to the advanced materials that some aftermarket headers are made of, this can be expensive. Luckily, an exhaust system can be custom built for any car, and generally is not specific to the car's motor or design except for needing to properly connect solidly to the engine. This is usually accomplished by correct sizing in the design stage, and selecting a proper gasket type and size for the engine.

Header-back

Header-back (or header back) is to the part of the exhaust system from the outlet of the header to the final vent to open air — everything from the header back. Header-back systems are generally produced as aftermarket performance systems for cars without turbochargers.

Turbo-back

Turbo-back (or turbo back) is to the part of the exhaust system from the outlet of a turbocharger to the final vent to open air. Turbo-back systems are generally produced as aftermarket performance systems for cars with turbochargers. Some turbo-back (and header-back) systems replace stock catalytic converters with others having less flow restriction.

With or without catalytic converter

Some systems (including in former time all systems) (sometimes nowadays called catless or no kitty) eliminate the catalytic converter, which may or may not be legal depending on place and whether the car will be driven on public roads.

Cat-back

Cat-back (also cat back and catback) refers to the portion of the exhaust system from the outlet of the catalytic converter to the final vent to open air. This generally includes the pipe from the converter to the muffler, the muffler, and the final length of pipe to open air.

Cat-back exhaust systems are a very popular aftermarket performance enhancement. They generally use larger diameter pipe than the stock system. Good systems will have mandrel-bent turns that allow the exhaust gas to exit with as little back pressure as possible. The mufflers included in these kits are often glasspacks, again to reduce back pressure. If the system is engineered more for show than functionality, it may be tuned to enhance the lower sounds that are lacking from high-RPM low-displacement engines.

Tailpipe and tip

Dual exhaust pipes attached to a car's muffler With trucks, sometimes the silencer is crossways under the front of the cab and its tailpipe blows sideways to the offside (right in UK, left in USA looking from the back of the car). The side of a passenger car on which the exhaust exits beneath the rear bumper usually indicates the market for which the vehicle was designed, i.e. Japanese (and some older British) vehicles have exhausts on the right so they are furthest from the curb in countries which drive on the left, while European vehicles have exhausts on the left. The petrol filler flap is normally on the opposite side to the exhaust tailpipe for reasons of packaging (keeping the filler pipe away from the hot exhaust) but also to position it closest to the curb. Of course, many vehicles have tailpipes on both sides, especially those with vee-type engines.

The end of the final length of exhaust pipe where it vents to open air, generally the only visible part, often ends with just a straight or angled cut, but may include a fancy tip. The tip is usually chromed, and is often of larger pipe than the rest of the exhaust system. This produces a final reduction in pressure, as well as prevents rusting of the tips, and can be used to enhance the appearance of the car. These are the least expensive parts of the system.

When a bus, truck or tractor or excavator has a vertical exhaust pipe (called stacks or pipes behind the cab), sometimes the end is curved, or has a hinged cover flap which the gas flow blows out of the way, to try to avoid foreign objects (including droppings from a bird perching on the exhaust pipe when the vehicle is not being used) getting inside the exhaust pipe.

In some trucks, when the silencer is front-to-back under the chassis, the end of the tailpipe turns 90° and blows downwards. That avoids anyone working by the truck when stationary from getting a directed blast of the exhaust gas, but often raises dust when the truck is driving on a dry dusty unmade surface such as on a building site.

Headers

Switching from an exhaust manifold to exhaust headers (also known as extractors in Australia) will decrease the amount of back pressure and in turn increase the high-end power of the engine. This is done by using an individual pipe for each exhaust port that has smoother bends, decreasing airflow resistance. The pipes then merge together at a collector and then flow into a larger pipe (down pipe), just before the catalytic converter. In equal length, headers as each exhaust valve in the head of the engine is opened and exhaust gas is forced out it passes down one of the header pipes, and through to the down pipe where the exhaust gas velocity causes a slight vacuum in another header pipe. This has an effect of sucking exhaust gas from the cylinder next releasing exhaust which is beneficial for performance. Exhaust headers can be of tuned length to perform best at specific RPM ranges. Stock exhaust manifolds are usually made of cast iron, and can be restrictive. Headers may or may not increase the dB level of the exhaust, depending on the original exhaust manifold it replaces and the engine. Headers can be ceramic coated to reduce the heat radiated in the engine compartment, and to increase the temperature of the pipes which increases the velocity of the exhaust gases.

-4-2-1 Headers where 4 pipes merge into 2 which merge into 1

-4-1 Headers where 4 pipes merge directly into 1

-Shorty Headers where each exhaust pipe travels the shortest distance from the exhaust port to the collector cup

-Equal Length Headers where each exhaust pipe is the same length from the exhaust port to the collector cup

Catalytic converters

Catalytic converters are necessary to reduce emissions but create back pressure due to the exhaust gases being forced through a catalyst, and therefore decrease high end engine power. Many modern catalytic converters only produce 1-3 psi of back pressure. Hi-flow catalytic converters can replace the standard units in order to provide lower backpressure. Installing aftermarket catalytic converters is restricted by law in some countries.

Mid-pipe

The section of tubing between the catalytic converter(s) and the rear muffler on cars that have two parallel exhaust pipes. Performance mid-pipes often have a perpendicular connecting pipe or the pipes temporarily merge. This is to equalize the pressure in both exhaust pipe and keep the engine back-pressure as low as possible since back-pressure is detrimental to high end power.

H-Style Pipe where there is a perpendicular connecting pipe, resembling the letter H X-Style Pipe or X-Pipe where the exhaust pipes temporarily merge, resembling the letter X

Glasspacks

Glasspacks (commonly called cannons) employ two tubes, an inner perforated one, and an outer solid one. Between these tubes, there is sound insulation. These mufflers decrease back pressure and don't decrease the decibel level much. Glasspacks can be used to give the engine a deeper "throaty" sound.

Silencers

Silencers are a series of concentric pipes around the exhaust pipe. These concentric pipes allow sound to travel into them and cause the sound waves to bounce off the closed, flat, ends of the pipe. This reverses the direction of the sound waves making them collide with oncoming sound waves and cancel each other out. This design is usually very free-flowing but does not offer as much sound reduction as muffler.

Resonators

Resonators, also known as Helmholtz resonators are sections of exhaust pipe that expand to a larger diameter and allow the sound waves to reflect off the walls and cancel out. Resonators are mostly used to reduce raspiness and popping. Resonators are similar to an Expansion chamber, only for 4 stroke engines. They do not produce much back pressure.

Many North-American cars (and possibly cars in other parts of the world) made since the early to mid 1990's can have up to 3 distinct (but similar looking) exhaust components downstream from the catalytic convertor(s). Each of these components may be called resonators or mufflers. Usually only the last component is the actual muffler, and the other components are the resonators.

Stock mufflers

Stock mufflers typically bounce sound waves off of the back, front, and sides to cancel out sound. They also increase back pressure, but are very effective at reducing the sound levels.

Exhaust piping

The piping that connects all of the individual components of the exhaust system is called the exhaust pipe. Contrary to popular belief, the largest diameter exhaust pipe is not always better. If the pipe gets too large, the exhaust gases will cool down, and become more dense and therefore require more force to propel them out of the pipe, which consumes horsepower. And the risk of running a pipe that is too large will decrease a car's ground clearance leading to the exhaust being damaged when the car moves over an uneven surface.

Construction

While it was common for the stock or factory automotive exhaust system to be made from ordinary (and sometimes "aluminized") steel, some manufactures (such as Chrysler) have been using stainless steel for the entire exhaust system (pipes, mufflers, resonators) since the mid to late 1990's. The use of stainless steel has made it possible for the exhaust system to last for practically the entire life of an automobile. This is a considerable improvement given that in some locations (such as the North-American rust-belt) it was quite common for ordinary steel exhaust components to fail after 3 years of service.

Performance

Free-flowing exhaust systems may maximize peak horsepower; this is typically accomplished by making the path as straight as possible, using a consistent diameter throughout the system and eliminating obstacles such as catalytic converters and pre-catalytic converters or by replacing the muffler with a less restrictive (and usually louder) one. In a normally-aspirated engine, this often results in a loss of back pressure which may negatively affect low-end torque. (Forced induction engines are not as susceptible to this side effect). Furthermore, eliminating catalytic converters and other emissions control hardware will often render the vehicle illegal for street use in many jurisdictions.

Advantages

-An increase in peak engine power.

-Mileage can be increased.

-Engine sound is more noticeable.

-Factory or OEM replacement part is not available (or is more expensive)

-Aftermarket part is available in stainless steel (but OEM part is not)

Disadvantages

Most modifications increase the noise level and can interfere with vehicle noise level laws. Some aftermarket systems can decrease car ground clearance and can be easily damaged. Modifications of the exhaust system can interfere with pollution laws in some countries. Loss of torque at low engine speeds on stock engines which are not re-tuned for the flow capability of the new exhaust system.

Performance Adjustable Racing Coilovers

Coilovers are a combination of a coil spring and shock absorber preassembled and matched to give your car the best in performance handling. Coilovers can have several features including adjustable ride height, camber plates or pillowball mounts, and adjustable dampening. Compared to your factory suspension, coilovers are designed to improve your handling with a stiffer setup that has a spring and shock absorber paired together to give the best reaction to the road surfaces and conditions. Depending on the damper type and its adjustability, the coilover will be able to act fast or slower to the road surfaces. Coilovers are usually available with or can be switched to different spring rates. Spring rates are what each spring is rated for. This unit of measure is sometimes in KG or lbs/in. A stiffer spring will be on the front of a car where the engine is usually. Coilovers are great for the weekend racer or the daily driver wanting the best handling and ride quality. Coilovers are a must for all road race cars.

Street-power carries Coilovers from a large selection of Manufacturers. Tein, Bilstein, KW, JIC, Zeal, Buddy Club, Stance, and Tanabe, just to name a few. Give your vehicle a better ride and a lowered apperence with our Coilovers. If you don't see what your looking for, please contact us at 1-760-942-2531.

Lowering Springs   

Lowering your car not only gives it a better look, it will enhance your vehicles handling characteristics. Factory suspension is supposed to be soft and comfortable for the everyday user. To improve your handling in turns and steering response, lowering springs are designed to be stiffer and give the car a lower center of gravity. Because your car will have less body roll with lowering springs, the car will respond quicker. Not only will your handling improve, the look of a lowered vehicle is amazing. The reduction of the wheel gap gives your car a sportier stance and aggressive demeanor. Aftermarket performance springs will be used with your factory strut assemblies. Because the spring is not as long, the strut will travel less in bumps. Most springs will then cause the vehicles ride to be a little bumpier on harsher road conditions. Racing or lowering springs are a great suspension modification for daily drivers or those wanting to improve the look of their vehicle without spending the money on coilovers.

Street-power carries suspension springs from Hotchkis, Eibach, Perrin, Tein, RS*R, Comptech, H&R, Progress, and more. If you don't see what your looking for, please contact us at 1-760-942-2531.

Aftermarket Wheels and Tires  

Wheels are what truly separate vehicles amongst enthusiasts. Different wheels can give your automotive a unique look. In addition to the look and styling of wheels, there are many functions and features of different wheels. Wheels can come as a 1 piece, 2 piece, or 3 piece design. They are available in cast, forged, magnesium, and even carbon fiber. The most common is the 1 piece cast wheel. This is usually a more inexpensive wheel. The strength is good but not the best. Weight is usually average. A cast wheel is more preferred for a daily driver. Companies such as Advan, Gram Lights, Rota, BBS, 5Zigen, OZ, Buddy Club, and others make cast wheels. A forged wheel is a better construction. Forged wheels are an intricate process which gives the wheel extreme strength and are very light weight. These 1 piece wheels are usually seen on most race cars. Multi-piece wheels are more for fashion. These are the wheels you see with the big polished or chrome lips, rivets, and colored centers. 3 piece wheels are usually seen on Porsche, BMW, Audi, Ferrari, and other high end cars. Most SUVs will run 3 piece wheels and trucks 1 piece wheels for strength. Whatever wheel you decide on, make sure it fits your needs, you like the style, and the color is something you can look at every day.

Street-power stocks and sells many different wheels and tires for your performance vehicle or truck. We sell Volk, Advan, Enkei, 5Zigen, IForged, Kinesis, DPE, Rota, Buddy Club, Work, AC Schnitzer, Demoda, HRE, Gram Lights, and many more. If you don't see what your looking for, please contact us for assistance at 1-760-942-2531.