For many of us, simply owning a vehicle is not enough. There’s always that desire to improve the driving performance so we can get the best out of our car. And while there are a lot of aftermarket systems available in the market, the upgrades can be too expensive. So, is there any economical option to boost the power of our vehicle? Introducing – cold air intake.
It’s not new and you’ve probably heard about it before, and you’re here because you want to know if it’s worth it. Basically, a cold air intake modification is when the air filter is moved outside the engine compartment, usually on the upper wheel area. That’s to give it a better access to cool air and less access to the hot air from the engine. With this setup, the engine is able to use cool air for combustion. The result is more oxygen, and thus, more power.
Cold air intakes will definitely save you hundreds of dollars compared to other upgrades. They’re easier to install too, so it won’t take up too much of your time. Here are the other benefits of installing a cold air intake:
Acceleration Boost
With CAI, you’ll notice that your car is more responsive. When you step on the accelerator, the car gets to your intended speed faster than it did before. That’s because of the cooler air that’s carried to the engine.
Increased Horsepower
The horsepower added by a cold air intake really depends on the configuration of the specific vehicle. For instance, a 5.9 cummins cold air intake would work great for Ram trucks. A good estimate of how much horsepower is added is at 5 to 12 hp. The logic behind this is that cold air is better than hot air when it comes to efficiency. So, the boost in oxygen adds more power.
Fuel Efficiency
Not only is cold air intake less expensive, but it helps you spend less on fuel too. See, engines have high fuel consumption when there’s less oxygen. But since one of the main benefits of CAI is increased airflow through the engine, it will decrease your fuel consumption. Having a better air to fuel ratio means less trips to the gas station and less money spent on fuel.
Better Filters
Another way that cold air intakes help you save money is by preventing you from changing filters too often. The disposable paper filters fitted in stock intakes require more frequent replacements. On the other hand, CAI has much longer-lasting filters compared to stock ones. More specifically, you only have to clean the cold air intake at about 25,000 to 50,000 miles. It’s definitely less hassle on your part and less money spent too.
Louder Roar
CAI increases performance. The more cool air the engine gets, the louder the growl of the engine. And some of us just love an engine with a more aggressive roar. If you’re a fan of that, then cold air intakes are definitely for you and you can find it online. Then again, there are intakes that can muffle the sound if roars aren’t your cup of tea.
