One of the easiest modifications you can make to your car is to install a cold air intake system. This is a fairly inexpensive and relatively easy to install modification when compared to other possible car engine upgrades. A cold air intake is a worthwhile addition to your car that can improve the driving performance noticeably.
Many car enthusiasts consider making various engine modifications to improve the power and performance of their automobile. Most such improvements, such as aftermarket exhaust systems, turbo and superchargers, are expensive and will likely take more than a day to install. Whereas installing upgrades like cold air intake systems is quite economical and easier compared to other modifications.
What are Cold Air Intakes?
The benefits of cold air intakes will become more apparent once the principle of their operation is understood. Its job is primarily to provide as much cold air to the engine intake pathway as possible. The difference between this system and other air intake systems is the location of the air filter, which is located away from the main engine compartment.
As a result, cooler air is drawn into the combustion chamber of the engine. Since cold air is denser than hot air, more oxygen-rich air enters the combustion chamber. This leads to better combustion and more horsepower. In simple terms, by forcing cold air into the engine, the cold air intakes increase the flow of oxygen into it.
Since there is now a huge conical filter in place of the OEM air box, you will hear a loud roar of the engine intake duct when you step on the pedal. For many car enthusiasts, this is just an additional plus.
It’s also worth mentioning that these conical air filters use cotton gauze and synthetic filter material to make them, so these filters are much better at getting air through than stock paper filters. And because aftermarket filters don’t collect dirt on the surface like paper filters, they trap it all over the depth of the filter element, the engine gets a steady stream of cool air.
Also, you don’t have to buy a new filter when it gets dirty, you just have to rinse it out for future use. In addition to higher quality materials, the significant increase of surface area compared to the original filter allows these air filters to allow more air volume into the engine.
The improved surfaces are also the reason why aftermarket air intake pipes flow much better than the original. Most stock intake pipes have a fairly narrow inside diameter, and sharp curves that impede air flow. They also often have sound baffles to suppress noise, which also restrict airflow.
Unlike these, performance air-intake tubes have a much bigger diameter and do not have baffles. They are molded from polyethylene or carbon fiber, and can also be made from pressure-bent aluminum. This ensures consistency in diameter. Such pipes are much more efficient at directing large volumes of air to the turbocharger.
What are the Benefits of a Cold Air Intake?
To summarize the above, here are some of the benefits of performance cold air intake systems.
- Increased Horsepower
As mentioned earlier, engine power output is affected by the amount of oxygen used during combustion, among other factors. Since cold air is denser than hot air, and consequently has more oxygen in it, this leads to more efficient fuel combustion. Therefore, installing aftermarket air intakes can result in added horsepower.
The amount of horsepower added depends on which modifications of the car were made. That is, depending on the specific configuration, installing such a system can add 5-12 horsepower.
- Enhanced Acceleration
Your car’s responsiveness can improve after installing performance air intakes. Faster acceleration will be possible due to the increased cold air flow delivered to the vehicle’s engine.
- Better Fuel Economy
Using cool air intakes can result in more economical fuel consumption for your vehicle because it provides an optimal oxygen to fuel ratio.
- Cooler Engine Roar
How does the cold air intake affect engine sound? While the stock air intake system is designed to be quiet, cold air intakes are designed to increase performance. The increased intense airflow through the system results in a growl-like sound that many car enthusiasts enjoy.
- Re-Usable Filters
OEM air intake systems typically come with paper air filters, which will need to be replaced with new ones at approximately 15,000-mile intervals. Whereas cold air intakes are complete with filters that can be cleaned as needed and then reused.
Summary
By installing cold air intakes you will provide better engine cooling by increasing the flow of cold air to it. All of the above benefits will be much more noticeable once such a system is installed if some modifications have already been made to the vehicle. Even if the improvements are not clearly visible, they are still there, helping your car to be more efficient.
