Performance
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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.


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Photo Guide

We begin by removing the factory air intake tube from the throttle body on the engine and the air box on the fender well. Two clamps are the only items that secure the rubber hose.

The stock air box lifts out easily once you've removed the screws that attach it to the fender well.

We raised the car on a lift to access the lower air intake and muffler (yes, muffler) Acura installed to keep air intake sound to a minimum. The tube attaches to the muffler and the muffler is held in place with a few screws.

Here is the first piece of the new Cold Air Intake system. This tube will have the air filter attached to it in the fender and this is where the cold air will come from. You'll need to feed the tube up into the engine compartment where it is held in place with a large nut.

With the lower pipe in place we installed the new high-flow air filter next. It'll reside up in the fender where it will be somewhat protected from the elements. However, if you live in a particularly wet environment prone to significant rain, you should consider relocating it directly in the engine compartment as a large amount of ingested water can damage the engine.

The second pipe is installed next. A urethane connector allows you to attach the pipe to the throttle body where it's held in place with two clamps, one for the throttle body and one for the pipe.

Here is the urethane sleeve connector for the upper and lower pipes. Before securing the lower pipe with the flange and nut we made sure our connection to the upper pipe was secure.

Here is the flashy finished product. You'll immediately notice the air intake sound since it's a noticeable growl over stock. Most power will be achieved at higher rpm where additional air is needed most.



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