As a car enthusiast or professional in the automotive industry, you may have thought about how to improve your car's performance. Whether your car is a pickup truck, muscle car, SUV, etc., your original parts are holding your vehicle back from unleashing its true power. As one of the best performance modification options, a cold air intake system has a lot of benefits for the driver and the vehicle - economical and easy to install. A cold air intake is one of the most effective and economical upgrades you can make to your vehicle. But why do they help improve engine performance? Read on to find out why cold air intakes do what they do and why you should consider installing a cold air intake on your car.
What is A Cold Air Intake?
Here are the basics. A cold air intake system replaces your vehicle's stock air intake, which usually draws in warm air from under the hood, with a unit that draws in cooler air from outside the engine compartment. This cooler, denser air carries more oxygen, which is important for the combustion process. More oxygen means more power - it's that simple. The fundamental purpose of a cold air intake system is to modify your stock intake system - taking the hot air from under the hood and feeding it directly back into the engine and filling it with cooler, more saturated air from outside the engine compartment. Cooler air can bring more oxygen into your combustion chambers, which means your engine will have more power and you can have that push-back feeling of a sports car!
Increase Horsepower
One of the most well-known benefits of installing a cold air intake is increased horsepower (hp). Now, you may be wondering, just how much more can a cold air intake add? While the exact number can vary depending on the vehicle and the specific cold air intake system, most drivers can expect an increase of about 5 to 20 horsepower.
Here's how it works: Colder air is denser and contains more oxygen molecules. When this oxygen-rich air mixes with fuel, it burns more efficiently and produces more power. Think of it this way - you're literally pumping fresh air into your engine. This enhanced combustion process translates directly to more power at the wheels with a lot less heat loss.
My Friend's Mustang GT
Let's look at an example. My friend Muffey, on his 2018 A cold air intake was installed on his 2011 Mustang GT. Before the upgrade, his dyno results showed 420 horsepower at the wheels. After installing the cold air intake, he saw a horsepower increase to around 440 horsepower. That's a solid 20 Horsepower Gain, Just by Replacing the Stock Air Intake. Put it this way, you're only one cold air intake away from a performance car.
Improved Acceleration
Besides raw horsepower numbers, one of the first things you'll notice after installing a cold air intake is the improved acceleration. When you step on the accelerator, your engine needs a lot of air to mix with the fuel. A cold air intake provides a larger diameter intake duct and smoother airflow, allowing your engine to breathe easier and respond faster, and you'll feel the difference when you hit the accelerator.
This responsiveness is especially noticeable during rapid acceleration - whether you're cruising on the highway or passing a car on a back road. Improved air delivery means your engine can reach optimal power output sooner, giving you a satisfying increase in speed. Honestly, slow acceleration to pass a car can be uncomfortable and feel like constipation.
Personal Experience: Camaro SS
I remember my first time in a 2017 Camaro SS. When I installed a cold air intake on my 2011 GT3, the difference in acceleration was like night and day. Before the upgrade, the car was barely fast enough for my trips, no question about it. But after the cold air intake, I was able to get off the gas at 3,000 rpm and start faster. I won't doubt the role of the intake, but it made a difference in my driving. The throttle response was more sensitive and the car felt more alive.
Better Fuel Economy
Now, this may come as a surprise to some, but a cold air intake can also improve your vehicle's fuel economy. Why? When your engine gets a steady supply of cooler, denser air, it can more easily maintain the optimal air-to-fuel ratio. This means your engine doesn't have to work as hard or burn as much fuel to achieve the same power output.
When your engine is starved of air, it needs to overcompensate by burning more fuel. The new air intake lets your engine breathe better, and the cold air intake helps it run more efficiently. Over time, this can translate into noticeable fuel savings.
Actual Savings: F-150
One customer, Kevin, drives a Ford F-150, and I don't think any man would resist taking it off-road, a truck known for its gas-guzzling V8 engine. After installing a cold air intake, he reported an improvement in fuel economy from 15 miles per gallon (mpg) to about 18 mpg. While that may not seem like a huge jump, over the course of a year, that jump can add up significantly, especially for those who drive a lot.
Better Engine Sound
For many car enthusiasts, the sound of an engine is just as important as performance (especially if there's a girlfriend in the passenger seat). One of the benefits of a cold air intake is improved engine sound. Most stock intake systems are designed to be as quiet as possible, which often means sacrificing some of the engine's natural, deep roar.
A cold air intake features a more open design that allows the natural sound of the engine to pass through. This makes the engine sound more powerful and satisfying, especially when you step on the accelerator, and the sound of air rushing into the intake and the deeper exhaust note can make every drive feel more engaging and enjoyable. Do you choose to keep the stock intake or do you want a clearer engine roar?
Improved Air Filter
Another often overlooked benefit of a cold air intake system is upgrading to a better air filter. The original air filter does a good job of keeping debris out of the engine, but it needs to be replaced frequently—usually every 15,000 miles or so. Maintenance costs add up over time, and as you can tell based on the mileage you drive, it will cost you about $80 every few months to replace a simple paper filter.
Aftermarket cold air intake systems often come with reusable filters that can be cleaned and re-oiled rather than replaced (which is less time and money efficient after all). Not only are these filters more cost-effective in the long run, but they also provide better filtration and airflow than the originals, which you can consider all together.
Improve Throttle Response
In addition to improving horsepower and acceleration, a cold air intake can significantly improve a vehicle's throttle response. Throttle response refers to how quickly the engine reacts to accelerator pedal input. With the stock intake, the engine will often feel a little sluggish the first time you push the pedal, especially when pulling in warm air. Cold air intakes change this by providing a constant flow of cool and dense air. Your engine's response speed to your depressing the pedal can be increased by 15%-20%. You can feel the change brought about by this change the moment you wait for the red light and prepare to start.
Experience the Advantages of Cold Air Intake System For Yourself
At Bevinsee you can immerse yourself in the benefits of a cold air intake system. Our cold air intake systems are designed with simple pipe connection fixation technology and are unmatched in terms of cost performance and energy saving potential. If you want to improve your vehicle's performance with a modified air intake system - discover the true capabilities of your sports car, SUV, sedan or off-road vehicle with Bevinsee now. In addition, you can also choose a cold air intake kit with protection cover to protect this system (especially for users who like to go off-road to block flying sand and rocks)
The Bottom line
So, why does a cold air intake help improve engine performance? The answer lies in the science of combustion and airflow. By drawing in cooler, denser air, a cold air intake can improve every aspect of your engine's performance - from horsepower and acceleration to fuel economy and throttle response. It can even make the sound of your engine better, making your driving experience more enjoyable. Cold air intakes are relatively easy to install, usually requiring only a few basic tools and a little time. They're also one of the most cost-effective upgrades you can make, significantly improving performance without breaking the bank.
Unleash the True Power of Your Car With Bevinsee
With Bevinsee's products, you can enjoy after-sales service provided by professional engineers, and our automotive experts are ready to serve you at any time. You'll also find that every time you drive, you get more power, improved fuel economy and improved performance than the original parts. For more than ten years, we have focused on creating high-performance products that meet the needs of users. Here you can find out what makes Bevinsee the reliable brand for performance automotive products today. If you have any questions about our products, please feel free to contact us.