Cold air intake

Aftermarket cold air intake systems are marketed with claims of increased engine efficiency and performance.

Some strategies used in designing aftermarket cold air intakes are: Intake systems come in many different styles and can be constructed from plastic, metal, rubber (silicone) or composite materials (fiberglass, carbon fiber or Kevlar).

The intake snorkel (opening for the intake air to enter the system) must be large enough to ensure sufficient air is available to the engine under all conditions from idle to full throttle.

Some intakes use heat shields to isolate the air filter from the rest of the engine compartment, providing cooler air from the front or side of the engine bay.

This can make a big difference to intake temperatures, especially when the car is moving slowly.

Example of a Roush cold air intake system installed on a sixth generation Ford Mustang
Illustration of how the first generation Honda Ridgeline 's cold air intake system gets fresh air forward of the radiator and into its airbox using an air channel created by the bulkhead cover and rubber seals under the engine's hood. [ 1 ]