Cold air intake, definition, design and advantages

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Duck Commander
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Joined: Wed Dec 08, 2010 2:09 pm

Cold Air Intake system is a device used to bring cold air into the car combustion engine to increase power and efficiency.

OE air intakes are usually very restrictive sacrificing the power and efficiency of engine just to eliminate the noise of engine. All cold air intakes work on the principle of increasing the amount of oxygen to combust with fuel.
The filter for this system is enclosed in a very well insolated box to prevent heating up the air inside due to engine heat.
The temperature in engine bay is approximately 20 degree more than the ambient temperature, By installing the cold air intake the temperature is usually 5 degree more than ambient temp.

Cold Air Intake design based on the following philosophies:

1) By increasing the dia of the air intake.
2) Shortening of the length of the intake tube.
3) Smoothening of the intake tube to present less resistance to the air flow.
4) Less restrictive filters.
5) Elimination of muffling devices (as on OE) to provide direct route to air.

All types of open filters are not CAIs. Basically they increase only the amount of air(hot) directly from engine bay.

Advantages:
1) More horsepower and torque.
2) Fuel economy
3) Efficient throttle response.

Disadvantages:

1) Noise
2) Can void engine warranty.

Enjoy:028::028::028:
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