Most Popular HKS Car Upgrades Explained

Founded in 1973, HKS is Japan’s most reputable brand for aftermarket performance car products. While the company started out developing engines and manufacturing engine parts, it later expanded to produce turbochargers, coil springs, and exhaust systems. Everything that affects handling, performance and efficiency is what the company specialises in, from the fuel tank to the exhaust tip. However, choosing the right product from the now more than 50-year-old brand is not as straightforward.

HKS Performance Upgrades

HKS performance parts cover all major areas of vehicle tuning, from power and airflow to handling, braking and efficiency. This makes it easier to choose upgrades that fit your driving needs.

Exhaust

The lungs of a car are best kept simple, and the fewer and smoother the bends your exhaust has, the better the airflow it will provide for engine fumes. With the right exhaust, you can improve both acceleration and fuel efficiency of your engine, especially if you go for a solution made exactly for your model car. 

Turbocharger

With a new turbocharger, you can either introduce the power of forced induction to your NA engine or improve it over what your stock turbo produces. HKS offers everything from complete turbocharger kits to individual nuts and bolts needed for installation. The range also includes bolt-on kits, which are easier to fit but offer less customisation. If you’re building a track-focused setup, make sure the kit includes a wastegate.

Supercharger

If the level and timing of boost provided by a turbo aren’t to your liking, then a supercharger is something you’ll enjoy more. It’s essentially a turbo with a constantly supplied air, which can then be sent to the engine at a much faster speed and in greater amounts. Just keep in mind that the size of the supercharger should fit the needs of your engine to prevent it from what is known as overboosting at higher RPM.

Intercooler

The introduction of a supercharger or a bigger turbo calls for the installation of a larger intercooler, too. That’s because all that pressure building up in the turbo creates a lot of heat, and an adequate intercooler is able to keep it cool and running for longer than a stock one. You can also get HKS’s differential, transfer oil, SST fluid, DCT, and oil coolers as kits. 

Body Kits

While not as advanced as some other components of the brand’s diverse lineup, body kits can help with both performance and styling. They help make your vehicle more aerodynamic and easier to propel even at higher speeds, which also contributes to lower fuel consumption and more stability. The latter can be achieved if you go with a wide-body kit.

Fuel Injectors

If you want stronger performance, especially at higher speeds, you should consider upgrading to more capable fuel injectors. The Japanese brand offers kits with both larger fuel injectors and more powerful fuel pumps. However, if your vehicle’s fuel pump is powerful enough, meaning it generates enough pressure for the new injectors, you might not need to replace it.

Brakes

HKS’s lineup also offers full braking systems which include new discs, callipers, pads and brake lines. In this case, bigger is better, since the increased surface area delivers stronger braking performance even without fully pressing the pedal to the floor. You can never go with larger brakes, which are one of the most overlooked HKS performance parts.

Clutch

You can find performance clutches on HKS’s website, known as LA or light-action clutches. These are lightweight HKS car parts that can make shifting at high speeds much quicker and less taxing on the transmission. Because they are so light, you won’t experience as much power loss and make quicker lap times as a result.

Coilovers

HKS’s Hypermax G, S and R coilovers have you covered, no matter how you use your vehicle. Hypermax G coilovers are made for OEM ride comfort, while the S’s are made for a balance between more aggressive and daily driving. With Hypermax R, you get the best handling and comfort possible for track-focused vehicles.

Intake

For better acceleration and a more efficient fuel burn, you can choose from the brand’s Racing Suction, Carbon Racing Suction, Premium Suction, and Super Power Flow intake systems, along with various cold air intake kits. All of these HKS performance parts improve airflow velocity and CFM, while also enhancing intake sound compared to a stock system.

Benefits of Performance Aftermarket Car Upgrades

Price

The biggest advantage of aftermarket upgrades is their price tag. They are, more often than not, a more cost-effective purchase than a stock replacement. Even if you don’t get the same price, you are getting a much more fitting and optimised solution.

Availability

Aftermarket parts are more readily available than OEM ones because they are produced by third-party manufacturers. This way, you can get exactly what you need for your car much quicker, so it’s ready for the weekend run at the track.

Options

There is a much wider selection of options in terms of colour, design and size when it comes to aftermarket parts. You can pick exactly what you need without making any compromises, or in the worst-case scenario, very few.