Stock FAQs

how does the cold air intake differ from stock

by Frederik Denesik II Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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So, what’s the difference between cold air intake vs stock? The key difference between stock and cold air intake filters is their filtration capacity and intake air flow rate. Both filters capture contaminants from the air, but stock filters get choked with solid particles because of high pollution.

The free-flowing inlet pipe allows less turbulent air that is moving faster and contains more oxygen than stock systems. Well-built systems can increase both horsepower and torque and can improve fuel mileage as well. A cold air intake usually makes an engine louder because the larger volume of air is less restricted.Aug 7, 2019

Full Answer

Which cold air intake should I buy?

The only TRUE cold air intake is the Injen kit or any of its copies on ebay. A lot of people complain of weird idle and/or drivability issues after installing ebay intakes though. These cars are picky about their intake systems. 11-15 will fit the 16 limited. The only TRUE cold air intake is the Injen kit or any of its copies on ebay.

Does a cold air intake really make a difference?

yes a cold air intake and a set of tuned length extractors and sports mufflers can make a difference but are a bad idea on a young drivers car as it attracts the wrong kind of attention (the long arm of the law). do note many vehicles today already have cold air systems from factory.

Is the TRD cold air intake worth it?

Yes, it is legal. TRD Sparks has it listed for $379.00 (TRD Cold Air Intake, 5.7L V8 IN STOCK FREE SHIPPING at Sparks Toyota-Scion, Myrtle Beach, SC) They claim it adds +8.0hp @ 5,600 rpm and +7.5 ft-lbs torque @ 5,600 (IMO, not worth the money). If it does increase your fuel economy, it's a VERY marginal amount.

Are cold air intakes worth it?

The benefits of a cold air intake are significant. Think of it this way: your car’s factory air intake system has a cold that clogs up the head and restricts its breathing. It cannot run well under this circumstance. So, a cold air intake serves as a great “medicine” for the engine to function at full efficiency.

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Do cold air intakes make a noticeable difference?

The good news is that, although claims of actual horsepower and even increased fuel efficiency may vary, cold air intakes will in fact help increase your car's performance. By itself, you'll probably notice an increase in power when the throttle is fully open.

What is the difference between cold air intake and regular intake?

0:241:28Cold Air Intake vs Short Ram Intake - Explained - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipCool air is more dense thus carrying more oxygen allowing you to burn more fuel and thus create moreMoreCool air is more dense thus carrying more oxygen allowing you to burn more fuel and thus create more. Power the idea can also be to have less restrictive piping thus reducing the air restriction.

Is cold air intake better for engine?

Cold Air Intake Systems In doing so, cold air intakes boost engine power and efficiency. That's because colder air has a higher oxygen density. More oxygen is included in a given volume of cold air than a given volume of warm or hot air.

What are the disadvantages of a cold air intake?

The cold air intake does typically get denser air than the stock intake. However, since it is longer and more requires more complex routing, it is often more expensive. This increased complexity also leads to a more difficult and time-consuming installation.

Is a cold air intake better than stock?

The free-flowing inlet pipe allows less turbulent air that is moving faster and contains more oxygen than stock systems. Well-built systems can increase both horsepower and torque and can improve fuel mileage as well. A cold air intake usually makes an engine louder because the larger volume of air is less restricted.

How much HP do cold air intakes add?

5-20 horsepowerCold Air Intakes are said to improve your vehicle's performance by 5-20 horsepower. This number will vary depending on the make and model of your vehicle. While this isn't enough power to put you back in your seat, it will give your car or truck a little pep in its step.

Does cold air intake make car louder?

A cold air intake can make your car louder and it can also increase the performance of your car. By bringing in more cold air, your engine can take in more air and fuel, which will result in increased power and performance.

Do you need to tune your car after installing a cold air intake?

0:000:31Do I Need To Tune My Vehicle's ECU When I Install an Intake? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe simple answer is no it does not all of our intakes are specifically designed and tested. UsingMoreThe simple answer is no it does not all of our intakes are specifically designed and tested. Using factory ECU settings of the vehicle.

Does cold air intake burn more gas?

Cold air intake - Cold air intakes will improve fuel efficiency, only to the extent that they are actually delivering colder air versus your stock intake. Air cleaners and filters - Air cleaners and filters generally don't produce much in the way of fuel economy.

Is a cold air intake a waste of money?

2:047:37WHY Cold air Intakes are a waste of money! | N/A Don'ts - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipPerformance you're sucking in hotter. Air you're going to lose performance colder air is more denseMorePerformance you're sucking in hotter. Air you're going to lose performance colder air is more dense hence why you get the most power out of your engine.

Does cold air intake increase acceleration?

Increased Acceleration Another pretty common advantage of cold air intakes is the better acceleration. You will notice a big increase in your vehicle's responsiveness. This is because cold air is denser than warm air. This means there's more air to go around for combustion.

Are K&N cold air intakes worth the money?

For those in the market for an air intake system, a K&N air intake system is often recommended, and rightly so. A popular choice not just because of K&N's extensive history and great reputation, K&N intake systems offer proven performance gains for minimal cost and installation effort.

Aftermarket Solution for Inefficient Stock Air Filters

A simple solution for many choked-up fuel-injected vehicles is to replace the factory air filter and box with an aftermarket piece called a cold air intake.

How Cold Air Intakes Work

In theory, a cold air intake can add horsepower and improve gas mileage. The added performance is a result of a colder, denser charge of air. The free-flowing inlet pipe allows less turbulent air that is moving faster and contains more oxygen than stock systems.

Things to Be Aware of Before Installing a Cold Air Intake

With most aftermarket car parts, you get what you pay for, and cold air intakes are the same. Dozens of online sellers offer really nice looking kits for cheap, and they claim some eye-popping power numbers, too.

How To Spot A Good Cold Air Intake System

Several highly popular companies sell aftermarket cold air intake systems that are better than stock filters, but they are not cheap. A good first step is to research the filters for the particular vehicle that have been popular with owners. Try to find enthusiasts online for advice on the particular make and model of the vehicle.

Air Filters for Cold Air Intake

Many companies sell performance air filters with claims of massive horsepower and torque gains. Most of this is marketing. A good system with a high-quality air filter will give most cars a 1-8 horsepower gain and about 1.5 miles per gallon extra under normal driving.

The Easiest Upgrade

The average car owner can install a cold air intake on almost any vehicle in a matter of minutes using common hand tools. Removing the stock airbox is the most difficult part. Consult a repair manual that includes information on how to properly remove the air box without damaging it should you need to reuse it at a later time.

The First Performance Step Any Driver Should Make

High-end systems can cost several hundred dollars U.S. It is possible to spend even more than that, too. A full custom cold air intake may run into the thousands. Performance air filters alone can cost $150 or more. Drivers must use a special oil to periodically clean oil-bathed air filters.

What is the Advantage of a Cold Air Intake

So, the main advantage a cold air intake will give you is denser air with more oxygen. This will provide you with more power per engine stroke and improve fuel efficiency as long as the engine is tuned to handle them better and more potent airflow.

Most Fuel Injected Vehicles Already Have One

Since a cold air intake has so many benefits, manufacturers have already implemented them in-stock vehicles. See the long black tube sticking just under the hood’s front then snaking to the air filter boxes or the intercooler?

A Good Cold Air Intake Is Insulated and Has a High Flow Filter

To get the modification right, you have to ensure that the cold air intake can suck in fresh air from the outside of the bonnet before it gets heated up under the hood.

How Much Extra Horsepower Will a Cold Air Intake Give Me?

While the air intake on stock engines might be restrictive, it already does a great job of delivering the current tune’s proper air density. If you slap on a cold air intake, you could end up gaining between three and six horsepower, depending on the vehicle.

So, Do Cold Air Intakes Make a Difference?

Yes. They do. The amount of horsepower you gain (or lose) depends on how better the new intake is than the stock one. If you can improve airflow and lower the air temperature better, then you will get denser air with more oxygen for a better bang.

Why Does Cold Air Make More Horsepower?

Cold air is denser. It has more oxygen molecules than an equal volume of hot air at the same pressure. The more oxygen in the cylinders in the ignition cycle, the more intense the explosion hence the horsepower per combustion cycle.

Is a Cold Air Intake Illegal?

Some states in the US and other countries prohibit any modification that alters a car’s intake or exhaust system. This is common in jurisdictions with common emissions control. Adding a high flow of cold air intake could affect your emissions. Sometimes the mod is shrugged upon.

What Does a Cold Air Intake Do?

The factory air intake pulls air from the engine bay, which gets hot quickly. A cold air intake kit moves the airbox further away from the stock location, thus pulling cooler air in. Since cold air is more oxygen dense than hot air, it creates stronger reactions in the engine. In other words, colder air equals more horsepower.

Does a Cold Air Intake Make a Difference?

In short, yes. Most vehicles' factory cold air kits do a good job of pulling oxygen-dense air into the engine. That said, aftermarket CAIs often have larger diameter tubing, smoother bends, and a high-flow filter. A new cold air intake can improve horsepower and torque, as well as throttle response.

Do You Need a Tune for a Cold Air Intake?

Needing a tune for your car’s ECU is dependent on which intake you decide to install. Intakes are divided into two categories. A tune-required intake, as the name suggests, requires you to tune your ECU on installation. A no-tune-required intake is a bolt-on upgrade that doesn’t need tuning.

Can A Cold Air Intake Damage Your Engine?

A no-tune-required cold air intake, if properly installed and maintained, will not damage your engine. However, you have to be more careful with tune-required cold air intakes.

Will a Cold Air Intake Void Your Warranty?

It's good to be familiar with your car's warranty information. However, it's even more important to be familiar with the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act of 1975. This law states that if an aftermarket part isn’t related to the repair, then the warranty is still in effect.

Which Type of CAI Is Right for You?

The table below is a basic comparison of a tune vs no-tune cold air intake. After you read through the detailed run-down of each option below, you can use the table as a quick reference while you shop.

Can You Install a Cold Air Intake Yourself?

If you’re buying a cold air intake that’s specific to your vehicle’s make and model, installation is straightforward. The process is the same for tune-required and no-tune-required intakes, with the exception of engine tuning. Depending on the intake you choose and your skill level, installation should take less than an hour.

What Are Intakes?

Let’s get one thing out of the way first, what are intakes? If we define it technically, it’s an opening or a duct that allows fluid to enter.

Cold Air Intakes

Hence, this brings us to the topic of cold air intakes. A cold air intake by its very definition is an intake that, overtly, delivers cold air to the engine.

So, Do Cold Air Intakes Work?

The big question remains, do cold air intakes actually work? From what I’ve said, the reasoning and operating principle of a cold air intake are plain to understand. It’s also easy to see why cold air intakes can indeed increase engine output.

Do Cold Air Intakes Work – Proper Cold Air Intakes

As long as you’re spending your money on an actual cold air intake, it’s safe to assume that they work. They might not necessarily introduce perceptible gains in torque and power, but they will keep intake temperatures down.

Cold Air Intake Alternatives

Other than the aforementioned short ram intakes, there are companies out there innovating and developing other intake systems for some cars.

Do Cold Air Intakes Work – Verdict

The answer is yes, cold air intakes work. Even if they do not provide overt gains in torque, they keep intake temperature cool. It’s critical for cars people bring to a track-day.

Approved Tools

These tools have been tried and tested by our team, they are ideal for fixing your car at home.

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