Your engine needs to get as much oxygen as it can in order to perform to its maximum potential. One of the best ways to maximize the amount of oxygen entering your motor is to make sure that the air coming in through the intake is as cold as possible. Cold air is denser than hot or warm air, and this extra density translates into a lot more oxygen per cubic foot.
Your sport compact car might be outfitted with a smaller, 4-cylinder engine. These engines rev fairly high, making the ability to draw in as much cold air as possible a priority. One really simply and inexpensive way to chill out the air hitting your engine is to install something called a cold air intake. This intake is designed to replace the factory air filter, and a section of the intake piping that is usually located towards the front of the car.
Boiling it down, there are three different concepts underlying a cold air intake's design. The first is the piping. Most intakes are created in order to form the straightest path possible from the air filter to the intake. Obviously, in some vehicles engine bays are cramped and some curvature is required, but in general, designers attempt to limit 90 degree curves in the pipe that may impede air flow.
The second concept is the idea of an open element air filter. Your car's stock air filter is protected inside of what is called an air box. This helps to keep it from getting too dirty, but it also muffles the noise of the air intake, making for a pretty uninspiring sound when you rev the engine. A cold air intake usually uses a cone filter which is not enclosed, allowing it to draw air from all sides. These filters, as in the case of companies like K&N, are washable and contain a thin layer of oil that helps trap dirt. The airflow of these cotton filters is also usually greater than a stock paper filter, so you end up trading a bit of engine protection for increased oxygen.
The third, and probably the most overlooked aspect of a cold air intake, is placement. You might have seen some kits installed in such a way that the filter is simply dropped directly into the engine bay. This can actually reduce the performance of your motor, because the air near an engine is quite hot, and does not contain nearly as much oxygen as air from the outside. If you want to place the filter inside your engine bay, you can but you need to take steps to ensure that it is insulated from engine heat.
You can do this by building a small enclosure that makes a seal with the hood when closed and keeps hot air from reaching the intake. You also want to make sure that there is a flow of fresh air from outside the car that is actually directed towards the filter itself. Some people install the filter outside the engine bay, in one of the front fenders or just underneath the front bumper. This can be risky, as large puddles of water can force moisture into the intake. Filters in this position also tend to get dirty much more quickly. It's really up to you how comfortable you are with your air filter's position.
Cold air intakes are an inexpensive way to add a little bit more performance and a much more aggressive sound to your compact car.
The fuel and air combine is pushed into the combustion chamber and gets compressed and ignited. An exothermic reaction occurs where powerful energy is formed with gas and heat that increases. The piston is pushed down and creates a powerful rotational energy.
The power within each stroke depends on the fuel that is burned within the combustion chamber. The fuel burns at a better pace if there is more oxygen present. The engine will increase in power. As an end result less fuel is used making it economically sufficient.
The air that goes through the intakes comes from underneath the engine bay which is normally quite warm. The more hot the air is, the less the density. Unfortunately, this works negatively against the combustion.
Therefore, cooler air is needed to increase density and oxygen production into the combustion for greater power. Cooler air has more oxygen which leads to more fuel economy and better burn of fuel. The costs are relatively low for cold air intakes, therefore making this an affordable way to improve your car.
The enhancements found in each car due to cold air intakes can vary depending on how cold the air gets that goes into the carburetor. Top manufacturers claim that the engine can go up from 8-25 horsepower depending on the function used on. You can get more mileage per gallon and eventually save yourself a great deal of money. The sound is also better when you have a cold air intake.
The standard intake systems can be installed into your car by trading the stock airbox with a short air ram intake, but the end result can vary depending on the amount of air flow. The modern designs show air coming from cooler air around the car and are able to filter any extra heat.
The best systems that you can put into your car include exchanging the body panels to put in the air ducts. With the car moving forward, the air ducts get air into the intake system, which ultimately give the engine cool air. They are more expensive but are definitely worth it and it shows with the rise of popularity.
Cold air intakes have proven to be an effective way of gaining better fuel mileage and increasing horsepower. They are relatively cheap and can put more power into your car. Check out Andy's Auto Sport and speak to a specialist to find the best intake system that addresses your wants and needs.
Both Justina Mathews & Kenneth Kwan 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.
Justina Mathews has sinced written about articles on various topics from Build Muscle, Cars and Pets. Justina Mathews writes issues that currently affect the performance car enthusiast. She also writes about issues that affect the street tuner industry, as well as import scene lifestyle. She's a staff writer for. Justina Mathews's top article generates over 8100 views. to your Favourites.
Kenneth Kwan has sinced written about articles on various topics from Cars, Sports Car and Online Business. Andy's Auto Sport has the hottest and most stylish selections of Cold Air Intakes. Click here for all of the latest styles: