What do cold air intakes do, and why would you want to install one on your car's engine? Read on and learn about the power benefits of this relatively simple, inexpensive yet economical upgrade for your ride.
It's POWER!
That's really all there is to it. Cold air intakes can be used to substantially increase the horsepower of automotive engines. Cold air intakes have been around since the 1980s, but have come a long way since those early days when they were little more than a plastic tube fitted to the carburetor with a cone-shaped cotton gauze air filter on the end.
Today, cold air intakes are made from a variety of materials, including powder-coated steel and aluminum that can be painted to match your vehicle's finish.
Why You Need a Cold Air Intake
As you know, motor fuel doesn't burn by itself. It requires the presence of oxygen in order for combustion to take place. In the old days (and on most vehicles built prior to 1980), the carburetor served this function, atomizing the fuel into microscopic droplets that were combined with oxygen in the air to create a fine, combustible mist.
Today, fuel injectors have replaced the old carburetor, but the air intake is still a necessary part of the equation. Unfortunately, while today's engines are still technologically far superior to those manufactured 30 years ago, they have many components that make for a very crowded engine compartment ? meaning there's little air circulation. As a result, the air that does come into the fuel mixture is several degrees warmer than the outside air.
How Cold Air Intakes Work
Hopefully, you paid attention in science class when you were in school. If you didn't, here's a short refresher on Second Law of Thermodynamics, which among other things, says that hot materials expand and cold materials contract.
This is the basic principle behind cold air intakes. In hot air, flammable oxygen molecules are far apart; this results in less oxygen in the fuel mixture, hence less efficient burning.
In cold air however, the flammable oxygen molecules are more densely packed together. This means more oxygen for the fuel mixture, resulting in substantially more efficient combustion.
While the basic method by which cold air intakes operate is the same (essentially, bringing cooler air into the fuel system from outside the engine compartment), there are some minor variations in how this is accomplished:
-large diameter: some cold air intakes have a large bore, allowing greater airflow
-smooth interior surfaces: believe it or not, a rough surface on the inside of a pipe can actually slow up the flow of air
-direct route to stock air intake: providing the shortest route from the outside to the fuel system
-optimized length: the intake is designed to maximize airflow at certain speeds and RPMs.
The Benefits of Those who install cold air intakes on their vehicles can expect:
?increased horsepower
?better throttle response
?improved fuel mileage
?a really cool new look for your engine bay
?a powerful new sound from your motor
Take a look at the many cold air intakes available for your vehicle today.
Do Cold Air Intakes
The positive effects of a cold air intake are known around the world, from commuters to hardened racers. Throttle response quickens to a hair-raising thrill. High-rev punch and pull pushes to astounding levels. The cloth filter saves cash. Fuel economy bumps up a hair. All of these benefits can be had with simple installation in less than one hour.
But some people take it too far. They feel the power of a cold air intake, and they begin to plot new and exciting places to install one, mistakenly thinking of their CAI as some kind of magic device instead of a highly tested piece of scientific equipment. Once that cranial light bulb flashes on'no matter how slight the wattage count?shakily-rigged disaster is the only possible outcome. Frightening pictures of CAIs jutting from everywhere aren't enough to deter the would-be Dr. Frankenstein.
That's why you'll see ill-fitted cold air intakes?like the ever-popular K&N FIPK?grafted onto places they never belonged. With just a couple of hose clamps, that FIPK can be crossed with a lawnmower, chainsaw, weed-eater or leaf blower. While K&N does make filters and other parts for landscaping machinery, this is an extremely bad and ineffective idea. A cutting torch can be used to transplant a second intake to the first, but the effect can be detrimental to the positive gains the original intake gave.
It gets even worse. Cold air intakes have been rigged to dryers, disc sanders, floor buffers, and pretty much anything with a motor. Rumors are abound that a cold air intake even made its way ?between two pillows? at a frat party in Big-Ten territory, searching for flatulent performance. Basically, anywhere there's a budding engineer or bored backwoods yokel with a few tools, a CAI is doomed to be abused. Gone is the intention behind such a technically sound piece of performance equipment, tossed in favor of life as a redneck freak show.
Fighting the freak show is easier than you might think. Resist the temptation to attempt a transplant of cold air intake power onto anything that's sluggish. A CAI is meant to mate with a specific vehicle with a specific engine, and will not aide other disappointments like a dishwasher or lumpy son. Follow the directions, follow the path set forth by the hundreds of hours of testing, and you'll follow the path to power. Stray from this path, and the journey toward the automotive freak show will be swift.
Both Eric Ferguson & David S. Brooks are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Eric Ferguson has sinced written about articles on various topics from Cars, Exhaust and Cars. Eric Fergusonericferguson@andysautosport.com408-263-9207 x106. Eric Ferguson's top article generates over 2400 views. to your Favourites.
David S. Brooks has sinced written about articles on various topics from Cars, Brakes and Trucks. Don't misuse a like the. David S. Brooks's top article generates over 12100 views. to your Favourites.
A Step By Step Manual Depending on the amount of remodeling to be done, costs can generally be broken down to the cost of labor, mechanical and fixtures. Put aside some extra money for unexpected costs too
