How To Install A K&N Cold Air Intake For Beginners (A Complete Guide)
Replacing the stock intake with a cold air intake system is probably one of the most popular car mods for beginners. Not only is it affordable, but it is also a great way to increase your car’s induction sound.
Unfortunately, not everyone knows how to install a K&N cold air intake. If you wish to perform this procedure on your vehicle, keep reading and find out!
9 Steps To Install A K&N Cold Air Intake
Before learning how to install a K&N air filter, you need to make sure all necessary tools are available. Below is a list for your reference.
- Two sockets in 14mm and 10mm.
- An allen key.
- Two screwdrivers.
- A 10mm wrench.
- A pair of pliers.
- A ratchet.
- An extension.
- The K&N cold air intake kit.
Once you have amassed these items, it is time to get to work.
Step 1: Open the engine bay of your car. Look for the ignition and turn it off. Proceed to disconnect the battery as well. This prevents any accident from happening during your installation.
Step 2: Look for all electrical connections and disconnect them altogether. These include the EVAP vent line, crank case vent line, and airflow sensor.
Step 3: Remove the stock tube by disconnecting the hose clamps between the air filter housing and throttle body. Remove the bolt and securing clips that keep the air filter housing in place, then slowly get it out of the engine bay.
Step 4: Put the provided edge trim on the K&N air filter housing and the gasket onto the mass air sensor adapter. Make sure both of these details are secure.
Step 5: Take the mass air sensor out of the factory air filter housing and put it onto the K&N adapter instead. You will also have to put the MAF sensor onto the K&N tube as well.
Step 6: Determine where the core support or inner fender lays. Put on the air filter housing and connect it to the engine bay by installing the coupling hose.
Step 7: Put the cold air intake tube between the filter adapter and the throttle body. Make sure the coupling hose and the tube are well seated.
Step 8: Put the air filter onto the adapter using the provided hose clamp. Reconnect the crank case vent line, EVAP vent line, and airflow sensor.
Step 9: Place the lid of the air filter housing onto the system. Turn on the battery and see if your car can start functioning.
What Is A Cold Air Intake?
A cold air intake is an additional spare part that sucks colder air inside your combustion chamber. Becuase colder air is denser than hot air, the amount of oxygen available will be significantly higher.
Thus, the air flow within your engine bay will be easier to ignite, creating a slight increase in your car’s horsepower.
But it is not the reason why enthusiastic gearheads fall in love with this car mod. Most people turn to cold air intakes due to their ability to generate more aggressive sounds.
Since most stock intakes are designed to minimize the noise during starting and acceleration, drivers are not afforded the luxury of hearing their cars roar.
This changes when cold air intakes step into the picture. A simple replacement means you get to enjoy the gurgling sound coming from inside the chamber.
FAQs
1. How much HP does a K&N cold air intake provide?
The accurate answer depends on which model you decide to purchase. However, most K&N cold air intakes offer an addition of 10 to 25 HP compared to the stock intake.
These numbers might not be much, but you sure can expect to see a difference in performance if the original HP does not exceed 100.
2. Can you install a K&N cold air intake system at home?
If you are skilled enough in mechanical installation, this task should not be too demanding. As the intake system is relatively accessible given its open position inside the engine bay, all it takes is a bit of patience, meticulousness, and expertise.
3. Is K&N cold air intake worth it?
To be fair, having a cold air intake is not the best thing you can do to your car. But given its low cost, enjoying the benefits brought about by the cold air intake is definitely worth a try.
Conclusion
Learning how to install a K&N cold air intake is easy enough if you stick to the guidelines above. In case you need a bit of help, contact a local mechanic for more advice. And if you find this article helpful, do not hesitate to spread the word around!