Comments on: Cold air intake systems – More Power or more money in the manufacturer’s pocket

By: Rick

Rick — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 23:30:29 +0000

If the vehicle is equipped with a full set of mods AND you’re running it wide open above 5,000 RPM, I’ve already said that you’ll pick up some extra HP. The point of this post is that cold air intake systems aren’t advertised that way. If the majority of buying knew that they’d never bee in the RPM range, they’d never shell out the money for the system. If they’re buying it to get a more throaty sound, fine, then call it what it is. But don’t even think you can convince me that the majority of the buyers will actually get that extra HP.

By: Deb Utant

Deb Utant — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 21:31:52 +0000

I meant “I’m with Mark.”

You should be able to preview and edit your comment before it is posted.

By: Rick

Rick — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 00:44:40 +0000

I’ll allow that SOME people who install Cold Air Intakes spend time at the track. The VAST majority don’t (I’ve seen numbers from the manufacturers–their numbers support my statement, not yours). Even if we allow your point, at best, a cold air Intake gets you 10-15HP–that’s hardly HUGE.

And of course a forced induction system increases power, but a cold air intake doesn’t qualify as forced induction. A turbo or supercharger, now that’s forced air. A hood scoop is kinda forced air (ram air at the least). But a cold air intake that sits under the hood or in the wheel well—no, that’s not forced air.

I get it that you’re into racing. But the majority of people who put on a CAI are really disappointed with the results. As I said earlier in the article, the largest obstruction in the intake system is the throttle plate. Until that’s all the way open, you get nothing extra from a CAI. I said. I stand by it.

We’ll just have to disagree on whether 10-HP is HUGE.

By: Mark Vanderholden

Mark Vanderholden — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 00:30:57 +0000

Excuse me, but many people who install aftermarket intakes DO spend quite a bit of time near redline, either at the track, street racing, or just zipping about with their buddies. There are many modern cars where an intake and exhaust will make a huge difference over stock, and that’s just speaking of naturally aspirated engines. Forced induction engines can see an even bigger increase from bolt-ons, and of course huge increases from aftermarket chips that increase induction pressure.
Oh, and I think most everyone realizes that increasing a car’s power will decrease fuel economy. That’s just blatantly obvious, and I don’t think the kind of person who installs bolt-on mods really cares if they get a few less miles per gallon of gas.
This whole article is obvious, and moot.

By: Rick

Rick — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 17:20:30 +0000

You are absolutely right. Thanks for catching my clerical error. It has now been fixed.