The engineers who design and oversee the manufacture of our vehicles always sweat the details. They watch over every aspect of the process, from engine horsepower and transmission gearing to ride comfort and braking efficiency. While it's true that cost is a factor, these engineers are also looking for the best compromise among reliability, safety, and appeal in order to sell their products to the widest possible audience.
One aspect of your engine's performance that you may not have thought about too much is its air intake system. You might be telling yourself, "this is a rather simple system. An engine only needs an intake tube, a filter to block dust and dirt, and the connecting pieces to the intake manifold."
While all that is true, the engine compartment of a modern car or truck is a very crowded place, and there is only so much room for ducting. Intake sound (what those less interested in performance might call 'noise') must be designed to be pleasing to the greatest number of customers. The filter itself, a regularly scheduled service item, doesn't need to be more than inexpensive paper fiber. And the engine compartment's heat is just something that the air intake system is left to deal with.
Why does any of this matter to you, the automobile enthusiast? Because the air taken in by an engine is important. It's as important as fuel, because in fact, an engine burns not just gasoline, but a mix of gasoline and air. If we can feed more air (and a corresponding larger amount of fuel) to an engine, we can increase its horsepower, easily and inexpensively. Most factory setups are restrictive, due to lack of engine compartment space. Many have narrow passages, even baffles, in order to reduce noise. And little or no effort is made to funnel colder air from outside the engine compartment into the engine (cold air is more dense than hot air, meaning there's more of it).
The performance air intake systems for sale on CARiD are designed to overcome all these factory shortcomings. Even better, these kits are affordable and quite easy for the DIYer to install in their own driveway. Air intake systems can be so easy to install that they are frequently suggested as a 'first job' for the novice, as most only require some simple hand tools. Below, we'll describe some variations among the available kits and also showcase a sample of them.
Filter Design
A quick perusal of the various performance air intake systems will reveal that most of them employ larger filters than the factory design. They tend to be conical or oval in shape which helps with exposing more of the filter itself to the incoming air. The filter material, too, is of higher quality. Rather than the cheap paper used by the factory, the performance filters use a cotton or synthetic material that traps more dust particles, and is washable so that it can be reused.
With the air filter elements, you will see two differentiators. The first is "dry" versus "oiled" filters. A dry filter is just that, the same as a factory filter. The cotton/synthetic makeup, however, allows the filter to be washed and reused, saving you money in the long run. An oiled filter has a very light coating of oil applied to its surface, which helps the filter do a better job in catching and holding onto dirt and dust. While these filters are also washable, they require a reapplication of oil as part of their servicing. Some manufacturers stick to one design or the other, and some offer a choice. Be aware that oiled filters will require the purchase of a bottle of specific oil.
The second differentiator in filter design is whether the filter is out in the open, or enclosed in its own box. An open filter will take in air from its immediate surroundings, no matter the air temperature. A filter that's situated in its own housing may draw in slightly less air, but may also be protected from hotter engine compartment air. The choice may be limited by the year, make, and model of your vehicle, but do take the time to check out what's designed to fit your car.
Tube Material
Generally speaking, performance air intake tubes can be purchased in either metal, typically aluminum, or in plastic. Metal tubes may catch your eye first, as they are available polished or in a number of powder-coated finishes. The underhood bling factor is undeniably cool. Plastic, on the other hand, is almost always black, but plastic tubing is more easily formed into intricate shapes, and plastic has the added advantage of remaining cooler, and remember, we want our intake air charge to be as cool a temperature as possible. Similar to the choices for filter design, a lot will depend on exactly what's offered for your specific vehicle and engine configuration, so scan the listings before you get your heart set on one design or the other.
Short Ram Vs. Cold Air
Short Ram air tubes ARE shorter, and may be located in such a way that the vehicle's forward motion pushes as much air as possible into the tubes. Their shorter design can also make them more budget-friendly compared to more elaborate systems. Many of the Short Ram systems are designed in that fashion out of necessity, as a very crowded engine compartment can make for some design limitations. A true cold air system, on the other hand, uses boxes or baffles to isolate the filter from the hot air near the engine, or may even locate the air filter completely outside the hot engine compartment, such as behind the front bumper or grille. Whatever your budget and design preferences, if you want your performance air intake system to maximize horsepower gains above all else, then seek out a 'cold air' intake.
Product Examples
The K&N 57 Series Generation II Air Intake Kits feature large conical shaped air filters, molded polyethylene tubes, and heat shields to help isolate the filter from the hot air of the engine compartment. All K&N filters are washable, and can go up to 100,000 miles (depending on driving conditions) before service is required. All installation hardware is included, and most kits can be installed in 90 minutes or less.
Injen's SP Series Short Ram Intake System is designed to work in engine compartments with limited room. This Series utilizes a nanofiber dry filter, which unlike some of its competitors, does not require that the filter be oiled. The intake tube is made of smooth aluminum to increase airflow, and is available in polished black or polished silver. Installation instructions and mounting hardware are included in every kit.
Volant is a company that specializes in making air intake systems with cold air boxes. Their Cold Air Intake Systems with the Pro 5 filter feature an air box that completely insulates the air filter from engine compartment heat, ensuring a denser, more oxygen-packed charge for the intake. The included Pro 5 filter uses five layers of high-grade cotton, and is washable and reusable. One of the neatest features of this Volant setup is that the filter is easily accessed for service simply by removing the box's aluminum lid.
If bling is your thing, be sure to spend some time checking out all the choices from Weapon-R. Their Dragon Intake Systems feature brightly colored dyno-tuned aluminum intake tubes, at the end of which you will find their aggressive-looking dragon filter. Not only is the intake tube available in various finishes, but so is the color of the protective foam in the filter cage. Whichever color you choose, you'll improve airflow and get a nice bump up in performance.
Even though most of these air intake systems are considered to be on the affordable side of the ledger, they may still be a financial stretch for some. If you're in that category, the folks at Airaid have not forgotten you. Their Airaid Jr. Intake Kit, starting below $150, may be just what you need. You still get a quality performance filter which installs in your existing air box, and a low-restriction polyethylene intake tube to improve airflow. Airaid backs everything up with their No Hassle Lifetime Warranty.
The DC Sports Cold Air Intake System maximizes cold air input by relocating the air filter completely out of the engine compartment. Doing that requires an extra-long intake tube, and the polished aluminum tube is formed for optimum performance as well as good looks. Getting the coldest air possible to the engine will certainly maximize the horsepower bump for your engine. All the needed clamps and connecting hoses are included for easy installation.
Are you an extreme off-roader who wants a cold air intake, but whose knees are knocking at the thought of a bumper-height air inlet sucking in water as you motor through a stream? Volant has your solution with their Cold Air Intake System and Snorkel. Designed especially for Jeeps, Volant succeeded in relocating the intake near the windshield header. If you get water into THIS intake, you've got other problems!
The above is just a small sample of the air intake systems we feature. Be sure to also check out the systems from manufacturers such as AEM, aFe, Corsa, and Takeda, among many others. While you're in our Performance Air Intake Department, you'll also see performance mass air flow sensors, intake manifolds, throttle bodies, and more. We have the performance air intake goodies to make your ride (almost) fly!