Introduction
Unveiled in the early 2000s, the Hyundai Coupe 2.7 V6, also known as the Tiburon or Tuscani in some markets, was a bold statement from the brand, showcasing their design prowess in the form of a sleek coupe. The V6 engine distinguishes this car from other Hyundai coupe models, which feature 4 cylinder engines with lesser power outputs. Many people complain of the other models being underpowered.
Under the hood, the Coupe 2.7 V6 is equipped with (you guessed it) a 2.7-liter V6 engine, which delivers 165 horsepower and 245 Nm of torque. While torquey and providing adequate power for daily driving, some owners may crave more power and performance from their coupe. In this post we’ll take a look at some of the ways you can modify your V6 coupe for power gains.
Intake Upgrades
A vehicle’s performance and sound are two key aspects every car enthusiast loves to enhance. One modification that can significantly improve both is the installation of a cold air intake system.
Cold air intake systems are designed to provide a more direct route for cold air to flow into your engine. With a cold air intake system in place, your engine will receive a more continuous flow of cold air, reducing any restrictions that may hinder its performance. This means your engine can respond more quickly when you step on the gas.
In addition to improved performance, the unrestricted flow of air produces a throatier, more aggressive tone that you’ll find very addictive!
Injen have manufactured a fantastic cold air induction kit for the Hyundai Coupe that has proven gains of 8hp on the dyno. This is a bolt on mod that doesn’t require any additional tuning or remapping to take advantage of the power gains.
The Injen intake is one of the best performance enhancing intake mods available for the Coupe/Tiburon. It is designed for maximum airflow and will produce a nice deep induction sound when you put the foot down.
Injen Intake
For the 2.7 V6 Coupe
Headers
We’ve talked intake mods, now lets move on to another great value mod for increasing both performance and sound.
The standard exhaust manifold can restrict the true potential of the Coupe’s engine. Aftermarket headers, on the other hand, enable a smoother exhaust gas flow by creating an efficient pathway for the gases to escape.
This allows the engine to breathe more freely and generate additional horsepower and torque throughout the rev range making your Coupe much more responsive.
Aside from the performance benefits, you will also be able to hear that V6 engine a whole lot better. Aftermarket headers, by virtue of their design, can significantly alter and improve the sound of your Coupe. They create a more aggressive, resonant note that turns heads and encourages you to rev it out.
When you replace the standard exhaust manifold for aftermarket headers, you will lose the catalytic converters that are part of the standard system. You still have the 3rd catalytic converter which is part of the Y pipe however this on it’s own may not be enough to pass an emissions test depending on where you are in the world.
Depending on your model’s year, this may or may not trigger a check engine light (CEL). This won’t negatively affect performance or the health of your car, however for an MOT or yearly checkup, it may fail on this.
To get around this, you may need to fit a sports cat in the 3rd cat’s place in order to get rid of any check engine lights or harmful emissions caused by the lack of cat’s where the exhaust manifold was.
Aftermarket Exhaust
Aftermarket exhaust systems are often known for amplifying the auditory experience, however they can also provide good performance gains. While the highest performance gains from the exhaust tend to come from turbo’d cars, there are still gains to be had with the naturally aspirated engines.
Swapping your Coupe’s stock exhaust system for an aftermarket version can lead to a noticeable increase in horsepower and torque. The factory-installed exhausts are often designed to be cost-effective and compliant with various regulations, which can restrict the engine’s ability to breathe.
An aftermarket exhaust system, on the other hand, is built to optimize your engine’s performance by allowing for a more efficient flow of exhaust gases. This enables your engine to generate more power, giving you the extra oomph you desire on the road or the track.
Of course, you will also get some lovely sound benefits from upgrading the exhaust as well. The standard exhaust on the Coupe muffles the V6 underneath, which is a shame. By replacing the factory-installed exhaust, you can unleash the true roar of your engine. This new, deep and throaty tone will undoubtedly give your Coupe a distinctive, sporty presence on the road.
Additionally, aftermarket exhaust systems are often lighter compared to their factory-installed counterparts. By shedding some weight from your vehicle, you can improve performance and increase your power to weight ratio.
Weight Reduction
If you’ve exhausted power boosting mods such as headers/exhausts and intakes, then you can turn your interest to a different approach which is weight reduction.
When it comes to boosting your Hyundai Coupe’s performance, reducing its weight can make a significant impact. A lighter car accelerates faster, corners better, and brakes more efficiently.
The performance gains you will get from reducing the wight will depend on how far you want to go with weight reduction. You’re not going to get massive gains, but when tuning naturally aspirated engine cars – every pound counts to extract maximum performance.
Here are some effective weight reduction methods to knock some kilos off your car.
- Lightweight Seats – Replace the stock seats with lightweight racing seats. This not only reduces weight but also offers better support and comfort during high-speed cornering. If you don’t use the back seats, you could also remove these for additional weight saving.
- Aftermarket Exhaust – As touched on earlier in the article, an aftermarket exhaust can not only provide direct performance gains – but also free up some additional weight by being lighter than the stock exhaust.
- Replace Stock Wheels – Replace stock wheels: Opt for lightweight alloy wheels. These wheels not only reduce unsprung weight, enhancing handling and performance but also give your Coupe a sportier appearance.
- Lightweight Battery -Replace the stock battery with a lightweight lithium-ion one. These weigh less while still providing ample power for your car’s electric needs.
Finishing Thoughts
While the tuning potential for this engine and car isn’t amazing without spending big bucks, there is still performance gains to be had that can enhance your driving experience. It isn’t all about the HP gain. Aftermarket mods can improve the drivability of your V6, making the power delivery more responsive and smooth which can make your car feel a lot faster.
If you’re looking for other ways to modify your Coupe/Tiburon, check out our guide on the best interior mods and upgrades for the car.
Happy modding!
