As a lifelong Need for Speed fanatic with countless hours modding rides across every NFS title, I‘ve been eagerly awaiting the chance to get my hands on a brand new street racing playground. NFS Unbound definitely delivers the goods when it comes to supplying my digital adrenaline addiction!
The team at Criterion absolutely nailed the weighty, dynamic driving physics that remind me why I fell in love with the franchise in the first place. Combine that sublime handling model with the new visual customization suite, and we have an unprecedented platform for creating our dream whips here.
And you best believe I plan on pouring every resource possible into transforming my garages into halls of gearhead glory! This guide will lay out everything you need to know to do the same in your own Unbound career. Let‘s get that upgrade blueprint rolling!
Understanding Upgrade Fundamentals
Upgrading performance parts is the key to pushing these machines from merely quick to face-melting fast. But before we start blowing cash, we need to level-set on some core concepts.
Upgrade Basics
- Upgrades become available as you progress through sponsorships and different events
- Elite parts offer best performance, but require completing end game content to unlock
- Certain upgrades may be locked to specific car types (AWD vs RWD for example)
- All upgrades directly impact Car Rating, which gates entry into different events
Rating Breakdown
Your ride‘s overall rating determines what races you can enter. There are 5 weighted characteristics that make up your rating:
- Top Speed – Max velocity achievable in miles per hour
- Acceleration – How quickly you can reach top speed from a standstill, measured 0-60 times
- Nitrous – Length and power of your nitrous oxide bursts
- Handling – Agility taking corners, higher = more grip and traction
- Drift – Angle and scoring capabilities while drifting
Now let‘s explore how to upgrade each area under the hood using my proven methods…
Engine Upgrade Guide
Giving your motor more muscle is where we‘ll start. These upgrades have the largest impact on acceleration and top speed ratings.
Engine Block
The engine block provides the foundation and largely determines the displacement ceiling. I always upgrade to the highest cubic inch option first since this scales the rest.
Going big here means all supporting mods will be amplified. My personal preference is the sweet roar of a American V8 (I‘m looking at you Dodge Hellcat), but 4/6 cyl turbos can be built up to fly on the streets too.
ECU
This specialized computer unlocks your engine‘s true potential. Higher grade ECUs ramp up parameters like boost pressure, rev limiters, air fuel mapping, and ignition timing.
I fit the best ECU possible every time – no reason to handicap a beastly motor with an inadequate brain!
Turbocharger and Intercooler
What good is a large engine without enough air to fill the cylinders? Slapping on a giant snail shell turbocharger drives huge boost numbers through the fresh side intercooler into the awaiting engine.
I always buy the largest capable turbo for the engine with an intercooler rated for just as much heat dissipation. Monster boost = monster power!
The rest of the drivetrain components (fuel/exhaust systems, internals, etc.) also must match whatever power you‘re aiming for. Build it right or don‘t build it at all!
Complete Engine Upgrade Comparison
To demonstrate the immense performance gains unlocking engine upgrades offers in Unbound, check out this chart showing stock rating numbers versus fully built:
| Component | Rating Stock | Rating Fully Upgraded | % Gain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Block | 180 | 440 | ~144% |
| ECU | 230 | 960 | ~317% |
| Turbo | 310 | 1210 | ~290% |
| Intercooler | 270 | 1140 | ~322% |
| Nitrous | 100 (sec) | 500 (sec) | 400% |
As you can see, doubling or even quadrupling current output is achievable across all major parameters! Now that‘s what I call making some serious power.
Of course, these elite end-game upgrades do not come cheap…
Budgeting for Performance
Let‘s breakdown estimated costs for full upgrades by car class tier:
| Car Class | Entry Price Range | Full Build Budget |
|---|---|---|
| D | $5,000 – $25,000 | $100,000+ |
| C | $30,000 – $75,000 | $250,000+ |
| B | $80,000 – $150,000 | $500,000+ |
| A | $175,000 – $300,000 | $1,000,000+ |
| S | $350,000+ | $2,000,000+ |
As expected, building elite level machines requires serious cash. Expect at least $100k minimum even for lower tier cars. My pro tip would be grind out early sprint races to build a starting fortune fast!
Step-By-Step Upgrade Paths
Here is the methodical part-by-part upgrade order I would recommend for Weaponizing any ride from scratch:
- Engine Block – Scale displacement to ceiling
- ECU – Enable power potential
- Turbo & Intercooler – Supply massive air
- Fuel & Exhaust – Keep her fed
- Internals – Beef up rotating assembly
- Nitrous System – Add some sauce
- Drivetrain – Lay down the power
- Electronics – Enhance control
- Chassis/Aero – Augment grip and handling
Follow those steps, and you‘ll have a road eating monster ready for the Lakeshore streets!
Bringing It All Together
Building uncompromising performance pushers requires carefully balancing your upgrade recipes to the strengths of each car and personal driving style.
For my rides, I value all-around dominance – blazing fast in a straight line with sharp cornering reflexes.
That means combining my elite engine packages with track focused suspension, brakes, tires and aero. No compromise!
I‘ll be riding on sticky rubber with maxed out anti-roll bars, coilovers, and traction control. Bonus points if it looks just as mean as it devours the road!
The most rewarding feeling is unlocking that final engine upgrade and hearing / feeling the thunderous roar of pure performance. Now it‘s ready for a true test drive! What tune will you create?
Wrapping Up with Key Takeaways
Whether you‘re just getting started or looking to expand your upgrading knowledge in NFS Unbound, let‘s recap the essential points:
- Fully upgrading your engine offers 2-5x gains over stock performance
- ECU, turbo, and intercooler upgrades have the largest individual impact
- You can expect to spend $100k minimum for entry level builds up to $2 million+ for elite exotic supercar hunters!
- Following a methodical order ensures supporting mods match your newfound power output
- Crank up parameters like boost pressure and rev limiters with high end ECUs
- Beef up internals and chassis/aero for well balanced race tuned machines
- Unlock your car‘s maximum possible rating to qualify for exclusive events
- Take pride and have fun building an absolute monster reflecting your personality!
So now you‘ve got the insider track on exactly how to turn those humble street car beginnings into the baddest top tier rockets this side of Lakeshore City! Where will you focus your build journey? Let me know and maybe I‘ll pull up at the meet spot to check out your unconventional creations…
Author: Wesley "Crowmodder" Wilson – Unbound‘s #1 Upgrade Fanatic
