The effectiveness of cold air intake (CAI) has been a subject of heated debate since the first CAI kits were released. And although it has been consistently shown that a high-quality intake enhances horsepower, the choice of whether to get one ultimately comes down to personal taste.
The consequences of a cold air intake and a stock intake on performance, engine health, fuel efficiency, noise levels, and of course, pricing are the key distinctions between them. Stick with us as we study the complexities of air intake architecture since choosing between the two is not that simple.
Power and Performance
We have already explained that a good cold air intake will give you more horsepower than the factory air box. It does that by chilling the air entering the cylinders, which is inherently denser and allows for more fuel. It is a straightforward equation: more gasoline and air equal greater power.
Additionally, a cold air intake has a metal intake pipe instead of the conventional rubber one and a better-flowing air filter. A metal intake pipe reduces airflow resistance and friction. You also get a better throttle response as a result of it.
The kind of engine in your automobile and the brand of cold air intake are the two main factors that determine how much horsepower you may anticipate from one. By far, the largest increase in power will come from a turbocharged engine, next from a supercharged one, and finally, a normally aspirated one.
According to the Ford Focus RS, with a K&N intake, a turbocharged engine should produce between 15 and 30 horsepower. That gain may only be five horsepower for normally aspirated vehicles with smaller and weaker engines. The best course of action is to search your vehicle and model on a website, like the K&N website, and determine how much horsepower you may anticipate gaining.
Engine Health
Your engine’s improved health is due to the same cooler air it receives from a cold air intake that gives it more horsepower. Heat—not overheating, the heat produced by internal friction & general thermal inefficiency—is the primary cause of all internal combustion engines.
To further reduce its internal temperature, your car’s engine uses gasoline, lubricant, and intake air in addition to the cooling system. So it stands to reason that cooler intake air results in a cooler-running engine and longer lifespan.
The improvement in life is essentially negligible, but the crucial point is that the cold air intake will not harm your engine—quite the opposite.
Noise Levels
Here is the crucial component that, for the majority of individuals, makes or breaks a cold air intake. Not everyone will like the increased engine noise from a cold air intake. It is vital to note that the noise is most audible when you depress the gas pedal. The sound is largely stock-like in all other respects.
However, that kind of sound is not infallible since you will hear many drones traveling uphill in higher gear. This is a crucial factor to consider since it may easily get boring, depending on where you live or your daily journey.
However, there are other solutions to avoid the noise increase, like purchasing an intake kit with a closed air filter box that resembles the factory one. You must once again determine which is the preferable choice since performance increases will be lesser. But in the end, I am certain that most drivers, particularly younger ones, will not object and will even enjoy the additional noise.
Fuel Economy
The two major benefits that ordinary drivers associate with cold air intakes are better fuel efficiency and longer engine life. And unlike the scarcely noticeable increase in engine life, a CAI will significantly reduce your fuel use.
With today’s gas costs, you should anticipate 3 to 5 MPG more with cold air intakes, which is more than enticing. Once again, cooler intake air is to blame for the decreased fuel use. Because of this, the engine operates more effectively, resulting in more horsepower and better fuel efficiency.
But the aforementioned engine loudness, which will urge you to press the accelerator pedal, is a crucial factor to take into account when talking about cold air intakes and fuel efficiency. If your automobile does not have a performance exhaust, this applies to you even more.
If you are a performance-oriented driver, the temptation and brand-new engine sound you receive with a completely open throttle have the potential to ruin your fuel efficiency. That is what occurred to me, at least.
Lower Service Cost
High-quality cold air intake systems indeed cost a minimum of $200 for anything reputable like Spectre. Additionally, you will pay even less if you want anything more expensive, like K&N or AEM Intakes, for higher performance and hence better fuel efficiency.
However, very cold air intake includes a washable cotton air filter. That means you may clean it, which will be as good as new, rather than replacing it once a year. However, the cleaning equipment you need will cost slightly over $20.
Naturally, it will take about 30 years for the cold air intake to pay for itself, given that a standard air filter for nearly any automobile costs no more than $10 and has to be replaced once a year. There is, however, a difference between the two.
Engine Bay Aesthetics
The most attractive improvement you can make to your engine compartment is probably a cold air intake. The unsightly plastic air box and the shoddy-looking rubber intake boots will no longer be present. They are replaced with a brand-new, gleaming steel or chrome intake pipe with an exposed red, blue, or green filter.
That is not a negligible improvement and is the fundamental justification for why so many individuals spend hundreds of dollars on the cold air intake. Additionally, you may get intake pipes in matte black or powder coated in whatever color you choose. There are many options.
Before Buying a Cold Air Intake
If you decide to go down that path after examining all the differences between a cold air intake and just a stock one, there are a few considerations. Low-quality intake kits are first on the list. Even well-known cold air intake manufacturers like Spectre have been known to produce one or two poorly constructed intakes.
Low-quality cold air intakes have the drawback of often lacking a heat barrier around the air filter. Such a heat shield is essential for performance benefits when you have a cone-type air filter.
The filter will pull highly hot engine bay air without the heat shield, greatly reducing performance compared to the factory air box.
Your engine’s health is at risk because of increased fuel consumption resulting from decreased performance or a hotter air intake.
Furthermore, even if an air intake system that costs less than $100 has a heat shield, it probably will not be made with quality materials. As a result, there are spaces between the hood and the shield seal. Once again, this makes it possible for hot air to enter the filter, costing you money and harming your engine’s horsepower and fuel efficiency.
Lastly, certain nations or jurisdictions do not allow cold air intakes. For starters, I am very sure California prohibits using any kind of cold air intake. But the law differs across nations, states, continents, and even different cold air intake models and brand names. It is crucial to investigate the laws in your nation regarding exhaust and intake changes.
Installing a cold air intake is worthwhile?
Installing a cold air intake is well worth it in terms of performance, fuel efficiency, engine health, engine bay aesthetics, and sound. For such a modest cost, no other modification will provide as many benefits as horsepower increases.
What Consequences Can Cold Air Intake Cause?
The fact that certain nations and jurisdictions do not allow cold air intakes is their main drawback. Additionally, the market is swamped with inexpensive intake systems that could damage your engine and reduce rather than increase the horsepower of your automobile.
Are Cold Air Intakes Better for Car Performance?
Yes, a cold air intake helps every contemporary automobile perform better. However, if your automobile has a carburetor rather than a fuel injection system, it can perform poorly or be difficult to start.
Is a Cold Air Intake Made of Metal or Plastic Better?
The metal intake tubes are substantially more durable and marginally better at dissipating heat. In general, metal cold air intakes are superior because they reduce the friction between the air and the material.
How Can I Pick a Reliable Cold Air Intake?
Choosing a suitable cold air intake is best accomplished by purchasing one from a respected manufacturer. K&N, Spectre, AEM Intakes, and Injen Technology are just a few of them. Additionally, it is usually a good idea to read customer reviews to confirm that customers are satisfied with that certain intake model.
Where Should a Cold Air Intake Be Located?
The furthest location away from the engine is ideal for a cold air intake. With the intake, you are attempting to reduce the amount of heat the engine produces. Wheel wells and the bumper are two examples of these locations.
What Takes Place When a Cold Air Intake Is Run Without a Tune?
90% of the time, running a cold air intake without a tune will not do any harm. Having said that, if your automobile’s fuel system is already at its maximum capacity from the factory, you could require an ECU tune or stronger parts like injectors to get additional horsepower. In addition, all automobiles will benefit more from a tuned cold air intake.
Conclusion
There are several significant distinctions between a cold air intake and a standard air box. To make the greatest choice possible, go through all the differences since what is healthy for one individual is terrible for another. However, the only difference between them that you may not like is the added noise.
Additionally, the cold air intake gives you greater power, higher fuel efficiency, longer engine life, and fewer maintenance expenses. Even if performance is not your top goal, all these improvements make the cold air intake one of the greatest modifications you can do to your automobile. And last, installing a cold air intake is the greatest approach to transforming your engine compartment into the inside of a racing car.
