Cold Air Intake / Air Filter--Are They The Same Thing Or Different?

[Mega-Man]

Hello Again,
I'm a little confused here... I understand how the standard / stock air filter works, I understand how the K&N and Steeda air filter kits work. What I don't understand is the difference between a cold air intake vs. a regular air filter system. Can they be combined? Are they totally different? Do you have to do one or the other?

Pictures, anyone?...

Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[Defleshed]

cold air is denser and heavier than warm air.. meaning that their is actually more air in a cold cubic foot then in a warm cubic foot... so in theory you'd be delivering a higher volume of air into the engine. And the more volume of air you can cram in the cylinder walls the more powerful the explosions are going to be hence more horsepower. Make sense? would you perform better running a mile in cold 50 degree weather, or at 110 degree weather?



IN ACTUALITY, the piping (usually chrome plated, stainless steel, sometimes plastic, ect.) heats up because it is next to the engine in the engine bay, thus dissapating the effect of inducting cold air.

To GET the "cold air", usually the air filter is placed inside the fenderwell (traditionally) or away from the engine's heat.

now don't forget, K&N and Steeda's kits come with performance FILTERS TOO! The performance filters allow for better breathing.

a regular air intake system is just that... an air intake system. a cold air intake system, theoretically, intakes colder air for more power.... i dont see how you could combine them.

 

[Mega-Man]

Got'cha. So basically, folks go with either one or the other. And from what you have mentioned, it looks like it's a wash in terms of performance gains (they're about the same)--correct? Thanks much for the reply!

 

[crew_dawg16]

You can combine them, sort of. You can use the stock tube and just replace the front portion with a cold air intake elbow. Like this one:

Or, you can get the whole set up like this one:

 

[Mega-Man]

Got'cha--thanks for the pics, they really help me put things together and understand what I'm trying to talk about.

Too bad you can't just have a regular K&N / C&L / Steeda high-flow air system and hook up some sort of device which would pump cold air directly from the air conditioner to the air filter--that way, you could have the best of both worlds. LOL

I could picture it now, if you want a "boost", just flip on the AC and it would be like a mini-nitrous system. What a way to impress friends! LOL

 

[crew_dawg16]

haha, "hey man watch this" But the a/c pump would probably rob any gains.

 

[Venom_Nitrous]

Actually, when I was at the chicago auto show, two years ago I think, they had a prototype for a new lightning and the AC was plumbed into the intercooler. When it was at WOT a charge of cold air was added. The announcer said it was good for an additional 50 hp. I am not saying it does work. But it has been tried and can be done. Gains? Have to wait and see if the new lightning has it. BTW What kind of CAi is in that yellow roush car that crew_dawg** posted?