The kings of horsepower in the Honda tuning world are turbochargers, superchargers, and nitrous oxide. It's significantly more expensive to create a high horsepower 4 cylinder motor that is naturally aspirated. All of these methods have their advantages and disadvantages and it's ultimately up to the driver to decide what his or her, needs and goals are. Turbocharger kits are a great match with the high revving Honda motors, because it gives the turbo time to spool and crank out the boost. Small motors, like most that are found in these cars, produce very little torque and only slightly better horsepower. A mild turbo kit can add 100hp and a great deal of torque as well. The result is a power increase that can both be felt and heard. Turbo kits usually run several thousand dollars, but include all the necessary parts for proper installation. Superchargers are less popular with the smaller motors, but there are still a few viable options that are available, like the Jackson Racing and Vortech superchargers. The Jackson Racing model is a roots style blower like most found in larger displacement American cars, where as the Vortech is basically a turbo on a stick. The advantage of the Vortech over a turbo is less lag time between idle and when the turbo spools up and produces power. The total potential for big horsepower is less though because a turbo system can produce more boost that equals horsepower. Superchargers provide power across the entire power band because they are belt driven like most engine compartment accessories. Turbochargers are exhaust gas driven which is why it takes some rpms to get the felt response of the additional power. Like the turbo kits, superchargers also cost several thousand dollars to get one with everything needed to get going.

Nitrous Oxide is another power adder that is found in tuned import cars. Nitrous can be used alone or in conjunction with turbochargers and superchargers. Nitrous is stored in a tank usually located in the trunk and requires refilling once it runs out. The kits are also cheaper to get into than the other power adders, at $600 and up. Some downfalls of nitrous include the fact that it isn't permanent power, it's hard on a poorly tuned engine, and due to the frequent trips needed to refill the tank. Nitrous Oxide is one part nitrogen and 2 parts oxygen. This changes the air/fuel mixture in the combustion chambers and more fuel is needed to create the power and to prevent a lean fuel condition which may lead to detonation. For those who want safer, permanent power a turbo or supercharger is the way to go. For the rest who want more power for the occasional run at the drag strip, maybe nitrous is the answer for them.