5 Legal Ways to Improve Your Car’s Performance

In Bangladesh, where the price of an automobile is dependent on displacements, big engined sports cars are a rare sight. However, like other Asian countries, that obstacle didn't stop the car enthusiasts from looking for ways to make their vehicles handle better, respond quicker, and feel more engaging to drive. 

Bite-Sized: 5 legal ways to improve your car's performance

However, the challenge lies in doing so without violating Bangladesh Road Transport Authority's (BRTA) regulations or compromising reliability. Fortunately, there are several upgrades that are both legal and effective. 

Here are five ways to improve your car's performance while abiding by the rules. 

1. Keep The Engine At Factory Peak

Something as simple as occasionally using octane cleaners or boosters can also make a noticeable difference. PHOTO: Akif Hamid

Before thinking about modifications, ensure your car is mechanically healthy. Many vehicles lose performance over time due to neglected maintenance. Changing oil regularly from reputed brands (with the correct grade), replacing clogged air filters, refreshing spark plugs, and cleaning fuel injectors can restore lost power and responsiveness.

Something as simple as occasionally using octane cleaners or boosters can also make a noticeable difference. In many cases, bringing a tired engine back to its original condition feels like a mild performance upgrade without changing a single part.

2. Tyres And Wheels

Switching to better-quality tyres with improved tread compounds can transform grip, braking distances, and cornering confidence. PHOTO: Akif Hamid

Your tyres are the only contact patch between your car and the road. Switching to better-quality tyres with improved tread compounds can transform grip, braking distances, and cornering confidence. Going slightly wider than stock is possible, but you must stay within the manufacturer's recommended rolling diameter. 

Similarly, lightweight alloy wheels reduce unsprung weight, improving both handling and ride quality. However, any change to wheel or tyre dimensions that differs from the stock specification technically requires you to get an approval from BRTA through a written application. Done properly, these upgrades enhance safety and driving enjoyment without overstepping regulations. 

3. Stronger Brakes For Better Control

Unlike engine modifications, brake upgrades don’t affect registration details and are fully legal as long as they meet safety standards. PHOTO: Akif Hamid

Performance isn't only about going faster—it's also about stopping with confidence. Upgraded brake pads and rotors provide better bite, less fade under repeated braking, and shorter stopping distances. In city traffic and emergency situations, this can make a significant difference. 

Unlike engine modifications, brake upgrades don't affect registration details and are fully legal as long as they meet safety standards. Pairing better tyres with stronger brakes is one of the smartest ways to improve your car's real-world performance.

4. Stiffer Suspension

A moderate drop, combined with quality dampers, offers the best balance between performance and practicality. PHOTO: Akif Hamid

For those who want sharper handling, stiffer suspension setups such as aftermarket coilovers or lowering springs reduce body roll and keep the car more stable during cornering. This upgrade is popular among enthusiasts who value precise steering response and better high-speed stability.

However, it comes with a trade-off. Stiffer suspension sacrifices ride comfort—Dhaka's potholes and speed bumps will feel harsher. Extreme lowering can also cause clearance issues and may not pass BRTA inspections if it's deemed unsafe. A moderate drop, combined with quality dampers, offers the best balance between performance and practicality.

5. Mild Bolt-On Performance Mods

Mild bolt-on modifications won’t turn your car into a track machine, but they can make the engine feel more eager without violating rules. PHOTO: Akif Hamid

If you want a bit more responsiveness without major engine work, mild bolt-on parts are an option. Lightweight crank pulleys reduce rotational mass, freeing up a small amount of power. High-flow panel filters improve airflow slightly without removing the stock airbox. Cat-back exhaust systems enhance sound and marginally improve efficiency while retaining the catalytic converter to remain emissions-compliant.

These modifications won't turn your car into a track machine, but they can make the engine feel more eager without violating rules—provided you avoid excessively loud exhausts or parts that tamper with emission equipment.