Let’s be honest: with so many aftermarket automotive manufacturers mass reproducing so many of the same mediocre performance parts, it’s as hard to recognize the differences between them as it is to tell if the performance claims they’re making are genuine. And if you happen to drive a Toyota GR86, a Subaru BRZ, or any of today’s other adrenaline-fueled Japanese sports scars, you may have concluded that there are only so many ways to build the same powertrain, exhaust, or suspension systems for the same vehicles, right? Or are there?
There’s one aftermarket manufacturer that’s done more than any other to push the boundaries on pure, high-performance parts for Japan’s most popular sports cars. Their emphasis is on R&D, not mass reproduction, which is why they’re one of the most respected names in the industry when it comes to engine components and turbo kits that are worthy of the term high performance.
HKS Gives You Aftermarket Performance That You Can Trust
If you own a Japanese sports car, and you’re getting the feeling that the market’s overcrowded by aftermarket parts that genuinely aren’t any better than OE, now’s the time to look at what premium HKS performance systems have to offer. For more than 50 years, they’ve been leaders of high-performance drivetrain and suspension engineering and manufacturing, and they’re exceptionally satisfied with their parts lineups for some of the most fleet-footed Japanese sports cars sold in Australia, including:
- Toyota GR86s, A90 Supras, and GR Yaris’;
- Subaru BRZs and WRZs; and,
- Honda FK8 Civics.
HKS’s approach to engine and component design is simple: regardless of the application, to manufacture high-performance parts that the OE’s would be proud of. It’s their unwavering commitment to quality and performance to owners whose cars spend most of their time on the street, and a line in the sand for aftermarket parts manufacturers whose parts don’t perform or last as advertised.
Competition-Level Induction Systems Built For Everyday Cars
From mild street and rally cars, to full-blown dragsters and Formula 3 race cars, HKS performance parts are as at-home on daily driven sports cars as they are on professional competition vehicles. Powertrains, above all, are their forte, and their under-bonnet systems are consistently known to be some of the best on the market for genuine performance results, including:
- Premium air induction systems. Premium HKS induction systems, consisting of high-performance ram-induction boxes and Super Power Flow air filters, are engineered uniquely to stabilize under bonnet air temperatures, while reducing ambient airflow restrictions to a minimum.
- Engine intake cooling components. When supplemented by proper air induction, pressurized cooling is one of the most efficient ways to increase the amount of air an engine is able to take in; and intercoolers are among the most advanced HKS performance parts available for street use.
- Bulletproof supercharging kits. HKS supercharging kits combine the best of their air induction and intercooling components with vehicle-specific superchargers, tubing, and brackets for effortlessly transitioning an everyday sports car to a genuine firebreather.
Make no mistake: any time you buy high-performance HKS auto parts, you can be confident that the developmental expertise behind each one is tailored specifically to your car. And at no point is this more important than when comes to the science of exhaust system design, where sub-par performance can effectively wipe away all of the advantages that you would have gained by investing in your powertrain.
Ultra-Thin HKS Exhaust Systems Give You the Performance Edge
If there’s one aftermarket system that Aussie manufacturers love to flaunt it’s exhaust systems. The problem, however, is that with everything from tube diameter to flange design having an impact on exhaust flow, installing a poorly engineered system on a sports car can leave you with noticeably worse performance than even your OE system.
Fast scavenging HKS Australia exhaust systems are constructed from ultra-thin 304 stainless steel, are tested and confirmed for their output characteristics, and come in a range of configurations consisting of:
- Straight main tube structures in an array of 4-2-1, 2-1, and 1-1 layouts;
- Low density, low resistance, 150-cell metal catalytic converters; and,
- A choice of low-restriction, multi-diameter turbo mufflers with ion-plated tips.
Together with an overall 25% weight reduction over OE equivalents, HKS online exhaust systems give your engine a performance edge that’s surpassed only by its looks and sound. With a sport-tuned HKS suspension, you can also be confident that your system will never run into ground clearance problems.
Suspension Components Designed For Maximum Strength and Stability
While engine output may be the most common metric that sports car fans think of, serious performance enthusiasts are under no illusion about the role that suspension tuning ultimately plays in overall performance. The balance of your powertrain and braking systems, and even the effectiveness of your aerodynamic package all are dependent on the behavior of your suspension setup; that’s why they’re among the HKS aftermarket parts you need to ensure that you’re getting the most from your car.
Ride height geometry and lateral stiffness are two of the most crucial contributors to stability, especially when cornering, and the high-performance HKS car parts you need to achieve them both are:
- Extra strength front and rear bracing. HKS manufacturers lightweight, full carbon braces which, by tying your car’s front and rear strut towers together, are designed to dramatically reduce the chassis sway, flexing, and rolling that can happen if your engine’s putting out more power than stock, or if you’ve mounted performance tyres.
- Hipermax shock absorbers. While most OE sports car shock absorbers are more than sufficient for daily driving, if you’ve increased your engine’s output, you want to buy HKS shock absorbers for the added sturdiness and handling that’s needed to confidently put your car through its paces.
- Hipermax height adjustable coilover springs. HKS’s proprietary, manually- adjustable coilovers are a complement to the electronic ride height- adjustments that are common on most Japanese sports cars, giving you the added advantage of being able to super tune your ride height and damping with the turn of a wrench.
HKS’s understanding of vehicle stability is as impressive as their mastery of engines. They know that not only can the right combination of suspension parts help reduce a car’s aerodynamic drag, but also open the door to a decrease in fuel consumption.
The Final Word
At the end of the day, while there’s no question that manufacturers like Toyota, Subaru, and Honda are creating some of the most exciting sports cars on the highway today, their aftermarket parts and component selections still leave a lot to be desired. Drivers need equipment whose quality, reliability, and performance are verifiably tested and confirmed, and only one aftermarket manufacturer offers that level of assurance.
With premium HKS performance systems, sports car owners know precisely what to expect. That’s because HKS doesn’t just promise high performance: they actually deliver it.
