Cold Air Intake Pros And Cons – Key Takeaways For Beginners

If you are a car enthusiast and have your own vehicle, chances are you would want to modify it to your own tastes. Among the most beginner-friendly modifications, replacing your stock intake with another cold air intake is probably the easiest and cheapest. But is it really worth your time and money?

In the article below, we will break down the cold air intake pros and cons, as well as determine the necessary steps should you wish to install one.

What Is Cold Air Intake – Its Pros & Cons?

A cold air intake is a spare auto part that channels cooler air into the combustion chamber. Scientifically speaking, cold air is denser and thus becomes more oxygenated. 

Hence, it makes for an excellent power source and can be a useful addition to your car’s airflow.

A cold air intake bypass valve operates based on two main body parts, namely a conical air filter and a tube. The tube is made from either plastic or metal, which directly connects to the air filter. 

This entire duo replaces the traditional airbox inside the car, creating more space for the air to be sucked in properly. 

At first glance, using cold air intakes seems to be a smart solution for avid gearheads. That being said, you still need to look at their pros and cons before determining whether you want to proceed or not.

Pros

• Better sound: A cold air intake sucks in air violently to fill the combustion chamber. This procedure will undoubtedly create more induction sound, thus satisfying the primal need for speed inside car owners. 

• More horsepower: Cold air intakes ensure the level of oxygen remains relatively high, which leads to faster starts and better performance. Using the right models, you can increase up to 6% of your car’s horsepower.
• Less fuel needed: In most cases, having faster cars means you need to burn more fuel. But cold air intakes simply reach out to colder air through the relocation of the engine air filter. 

This means you get to save the fuel that otherwise would have been needed.

• Low cost: While there are some highly expensive models, most cold air intakes do not cost much more than $100. Given their functions, the expense involved is surprisingly small.

Cons

• Risks of hydrolock: Hydrolock refers to the situation when water, moisture, and road debris get sucked into your engine bay. 

Since a cold air intake is positioned in a much lower place compared to the stock intake, the percentage of your car experiencing a hydrolock is unusually high. If this happens, then catastrophic damage is bound to ensue.

• Installation needed: Removing the stock intake and replacing it with the newer one is no easy task. If you are reckless, you may end up tampering with other parts inside the chamber. 
• Not the best car mod: Admittedly, cold air intakes are a popular choice when it comes to car mods. But if you want to get serious and customize your car to the maximum of its potential, these items are not optimal. 

The increase in performance tends to be rather fickle, making it an unstable investment.

FAQs

1. Does cold air intake improve sound?

Yes. Cold air intakes can improve the induction sound of your vehicle significantly. This is because cold air is rushed inside the combustion chamber, resulting in more aggressive and louder noises. 

This feature is especially favorable now that most vehicles operate in silence. The ability to rev and listen to how the engine burns the air remains one of the most distinct advantages brought by cold air intakes. 

Further watch: Are aftermarket intakes even worth it? 

2. Why disconnect battery when installing cold air intake?

Disconnecting the battery before installing cold air intake is highly recommended by experts. Firstly, it helps to minimize the chances of accidents where you accidentally electrocute yourself. 

Secondly, the lack of electricity inside an active engine bay means the two alternator terminals will stay intact. Overall, it is a precaution that should be taken for your own sake. 

3. How does a cold air intake bypass valve work?

A cold air intake bypass valve operates using a smaller filter positioned at the top of the main filter. Should water and debris flood the main filter, air will instead be redirected through the bypass valve. 

This mechanism prevents hydrolock from happening, so you can drive through the most flooded streets without worrying. 

Conclusion

Now that you have understood the cold air intake pros and cons, it is time to make your own decision. Make sure to have a look at your car and decide whether the stock intake is good enough before replacing it with anything. 

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