Adding performance modifications to your car can be a pretty daunting exercise. With so many parts available and so many levels of performance on the market, it’s hard to even define what people consider performance. For instance, a Corvette pretty much screams performance right out of the box. Then again, squeezing 10 extra horsepower out of 120-horse Honda motor can also be seen as major performance boost.

Some folks are after the ultimate performance, Ferrari and Lamborghini style; others simply want to improve their existing performance, Hyundai and Saturn style. And of course, performance is relative. What 155 MPH means to one man could very well be another man’s nightmare; and while one man considers 55 MPG a benchmark for performance, it’s a total waste of time to another.

The one product that all performance seekers can agree on is the aftermarket air filter. It’s a fact that engines are basically glorified air pumps. Air gets drawn into the engine where it’s heated, exploded and shot out the exhaust. Simple physics dictates that if you can get more air in, you’ll get more air out; which makes more power in the process. This extra power can be used to improve performance—speed, mileage or otherwise.

A more powerful engine not only runs stronger, it runs more efficiently. So if the mileage miser keeps his foot out of the throttle, the power will translate to increased mileage. This is due to the fact that the more powerful engine has an easier time of moving the car. And of course, any extra power gives the speed freak what he’s after—quickness.

There are many performance air filters to choose from, but most use the same basic design. About 30 years ago, K&N developed the cotton-gauze filter media which revolutionized the industry. This material lets more air pass, traps more dirt and lasts much longer than traditional paper media. Since then, most companies have taken K&N’s basic design and tweaked it a bit to gain a market foothold.

The major difference between air filter brands is going to be their list of vehicles. Large companies like K&N and Green Filters have extensive application lists that include nearly every vehicle you can think of. They also produce universal fit options as well as race-specific filters for everything from Indy cars to go-carts.

So, when you’re looking for that performance edge, whether it’s speed, torque or mileage, a performance air filter should be your first stop. Your engine will run better, you’ll experience results instantly and installation takes only minutes. You’ll feel good about the upgrade and your car will thank you for it.