carguy75's 2014 Kia Optima

2014

Kia

Optima

Black

SXL

2014 optima purchased new with only 100 miles on the odo.

I use 93 octane gas only with noticeable gains in performance over using 86 octane.

I have changed the out the factory air filter for an AEM dry performance filter which also seem to help the car perform better than when I first bought it.

I will buy a larger inter-cooler later and maybe lower the ride height with a set of new wheels in future.

The KIA Optima SXL is a good sedan that is very sporty for the money in my opinion, however I have had to upgrade some of the cheaper items used in the car like wiper blades,oil, and cabin air filter due to my own preferences from driving mostly luxury cars that come with slightly better items I have just mentioned.

AEM dry performance drop-in air filter(Seems to give the engine a bit more power and better throttle response.

NGK 1422 spark plugs( 1 step cooler than the stock Denso 22 plugs and a shorter tip which may help combustion)

5w-40 Synthetic oil( seems to quiet the engine noise and help to lubricate the turbo bearings better than the factory fill oil)

Front radiator cowl panel removed to allow better airflow into the air duct from the front grill, the Optima seems more responsive with the cowl panel removed

Charcoal cabin air filter(removes odors and outside fumes from polluted city air better than the stock paper cabin air filter)

Hella yellow H7 high beam light bulbs for better visibility in the rain/snow and at night in general.

Bosch Icon wiper-blades(which has better tension arms that hold the wiper blades flush against the windshield better than the flimsy stock wiper blades that skips more.

Swapped out the weird-looking chrome check-mark trim over the fog-lights with black check-mark trim from a SX model for cleaner look.

None, but a subwoofer is planned.

225/45-18 Michelin MXM4 Primacy tires on stock wheels.