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Don't settle for second-best `stock' accessories on your new car or truck. `Aftermarket' suppliers offer all kinds of gadgets that can make your vehicle run smoother and look better.

As good as the new cars and trucks are, there's always room for improvement. That's where the automotive "aftermarket" comes in. Aftermarket suppliers specialize in components and gadgets designed to better the performance, functionality and appearance of factory "stock" vehicles.

Hundreds of such products are available. Insight rates the following as among the best available to "accessorize" your wheels from this $20 billion industry.

Mechanical/Drivetrain Upgrades

Computer chips/engine controllers: Fuel delivery and spark curves on all late-model vehicles are governed by the engine's electronic "brain." The factory settings usually are quite conservative, designed to economize and accommodate low octane. If you want noticeably better performance, are willing to use premium fuel and don't mind a small decrease (generally about 3 to 5 mpg) in fuel economy, plug in a reprogrammed chip or engine.

Substantial increases in peak output (10 to 20 horsepower or more) can be achieved without any mechanical changes to the engine itself. Installation is simple and requires no special tools or knowledge. A lower temperature thermostat (160-degree as opposed to the factory 195-degree thermostat) is often recommended to maximize performance by helping the engine run cooler.

Hypertech is the leading seller of high-performance chips, which are priced between $104.95 for GM vehicles to $221.95 for Ford vehicles. Available at auto-parts outlets, speed shops or directly from the supplier in Memphis (Hypertech-inc.com).

Filterchargers: To get a cheaper "best-bang-for-the-buck" upgrade, just swap your car or truck's paper air filter for a free-flowing K&N brand reusable "filtercharger." K&N filters allow more air into your car's engine than the factory filter and also deliver superior filtration of dirt and other harmful contaminants.

The K&N filter drops right in place with no modifications, providing 5 to 15 horsepower increases. Plus, the K&N filter can be cleaned, re-oiled and re-used dozens of times. Available at local auto-parts stores for most late-model vehicles. Cost ranges between $20 and $50.

Exhaust systems: Flowmaster, Edelbrock and Borla can add 15 to 30 horsepower to your engine without affecting emissions legality or compromising your new vehicle's warranty. The quality of these systems often surpasses the original equipment on your car and typically will be a direct "bolt-in," with no additional cutting necessary. In addition to the performance gain, your vehicle will run cooler and get better fuel economy.

Complete Flowmaster custom exhaust systems -- mufflers, pipes and mounting hardware -- are available for most new cars and trucks, import and domestic, with prices ranging from $128 for an Edelbrock "crossflow" muffler for a Camaro or Firebird to $249.39 for a Chevy Tahoe truck. (There will, of course, be an additional cost to have these parts properly installed by a muffler shop.)

Summit Racing Equipment in Akron, Ohio, is one of the best mail-order sources for all the above products. Technical advisers can help you chose the best add-ons. For a catalog, call (800) 230-3030. For import-car specialists, contact Generation Performance (888) 539-2002 or Steve Millen Performance Products (714) 540-9154. BMW owners can call Dinan Performance Products (650) 962-9401; they're legendary for making BMWs scream.

Other performance upgrades, such as superchargers and turbochargers, are not recommended since they put extreme stress on engine components not designed to handle the extra load. Such upgrades will void your new car warranty and almost certainly result in more problems than power.

Electronic Gadgetry

Computer navigational systems: Philips Car Systems' CARiN 520 interactive navigational computer and display monitor duplicates factory-installed satellite-navigation systems found on Acura, BMW and Lexus models. (Philips Electronics is the supplier of satellite-navigation systems to BMW and the other automakers.) Computer navigational systems can be installed in any vehicle from a lowly economy car to a beefy 4x4 truck. The cost for the complete CARiN 520 kit is $1,999, which does not include labor (add $300) or the necessary CD-ROMs (there are seven) that provide the mapping information. CARiN 520 is sold directly by Philips Car. Call (770) 821-2400 for more information.

# posted by Medical Information : 3:08 AM