Import Cold Air Intake Install

An engine is often compared to an air pump in that air is ingested, burned and exhausted. Well, human beings function anatomically much the same way. You inhale air, it enriches your lifeblood and then you breathe out the spent air (now carbon dioxide). Like you, if you restrict airflow to the engine it will struggle to perform at maximum capacity. Likewise, hot air is less effective than cool due to the density and oxygen content difference. Thus, plenty of cool, dense air promotes maximum performance from your engine as well as, uh, the engine inside of you.


Cold air intakes, also known as CAI, have recently come into vogue among sporty street rides, but no where are they more prolific than within the import scene. While imports don't ingest as much air as V8-powered musclecars or pickup trucks, they too can benefit from a CAI.

How They Work
The cool air is usually tapped from within a fender and often the factory air inlet does the same. However, factory filters and tubing are often too restrictive to promote strong performance, so using a popular high-flow air filter in tandem with larger pipe diameters can dramatically increase the flow and subsequent power. Combine this with the cooler, denser air in the fender well and you've got the makings for more power.


There are potential problems, however, that should not be ignored. Often, relocating the air intake to the fender well increases the chances for ingesting moisture during rainy weather. If you suspect your air intake could be exposed to such moisture, you should reconsider the location. If you have well-defined dry and rainy seasons you might consider changing the air intake location during the wet months. Ingesting too much water into the engine can cause it to internally "hydraulic," in which pistons and valves are bent and damaged under the pressure of compressed water.

Sample Install
We installed a cold air intake on a late model Acura Integra GS-R. The installation is quite easy while the performance improvement was noticeable. Our mid-range power and response felt crisper, but the best improvement was in the upper ranges where the Acura's VTEC kicks in.