Aftermarket Cold Air Intakes: Guarantee of the Sure-Shot Performance of your Vehicle

You would never know that how monumental a loss in the performance of car is until you switched to the aftermarket cold air intakes.  These aftermarket parts induce the horsepower and torque of the engine. The fuel economy is also increased and so does the throttle of the engine. The voice of the engine is changed to more loud and thunderous one.  The tail of your car is more beautiful as it is modified a little to install the aftermarket parts.  These are incredibly cheaper than the original air intakes and more performance oriented. 

The CAI or cold air intake is used to decrease the temperature of internal combustion engine so that the engine power is increased. An internal engine is a place where the combustion of fossil oil such as petroleum takes place in the presence of Oxygen. During this process powerful mechanical energy is produced which is used to move the parts of an engine such as pistons, nozzles and turbines. The factory fitted standard systems are designed to restrict the air flow within engine so that the engine noise can be reduced whereas aftermarket products such as AEM cool air intake never compromises on the efficiency and power of an engine. 

In the aftermarket brands, the diameter of the air intake pipe is increased whereas the length is decreased. The increased diameter reduces the speed of airflow resulting in the less loss of air. The route is more direct and targeted with the removal of muffling or silencer devices.  The air filter is more open which increase the capacity of holding the air and velocity of air flow. The aftermarket cold air intakes have some disadvantages to their credit as well. As the modified intake opening is lower than the standard parts, the chances of getting them waterlogged manifold. You have to very cautious while you drive in streams or watery roads.  Though, the cases of hydrolock engines are very rare because the filter rarely gets completely submerged in water. One can purchase bypass filters or hydro shields to prevent water from entering the engine. 

Weighing the pros and cons of aftermarket products such as AEM cool air intake, Injen, Fujita or many more, they are worth taking a chance. When gas prices are increasing on daily basis, they can be wonderful medium to amplify gas economy and engine performance.

The Key to Make Performance Car: Performance Exhaust

Performance car is not a myth.  It is very much a real concept and every car can be turn into a dream machine with right exhaust. These exhausts are superior to the factory fitted exhausts and known as aftermarket exhausts. These exhaust increase the performance of car, motorcycle or any other vehicle and add beauty to the appearance of the vehicle. They also change the sound of the vehicle. Instead of humming sound of engine, aftermarket exhaust voice is a thunderous one.  

It has been observed that majority of car or bike owners do not prefer to install performance exhausts at first until the original wears out or is out of order. As these are cost effective and have lesser market price than the original ones, they can also increase the performance of vehicle and fuel economy. The main parts of an aftermarket exhaust consist of headers, catalytic converters, middle pipe, Insulators, glasspacks, silencers or mufflers, resonators and exhaust pipe.

The performance car makers are easy to install. Though, they have seen so many ups and downs, twists and turns to look like present day avatar.  They have gone through many modifications such as until 1990 the factory fitted exhaust systems were made from aluminized or simple steel. In some geographical areas such as some North America regions known as rust belt, these were used to wear out early or failed to deliver after three years. Nowadays, majority of manufacturers prefer to use stainless steel which is durable and rust free. It has increased the life span of exhaust systems. 

Installing aftermarket performance exhausts has its pros and cons.  If you install them, you can increase the gas mileage and horsepower.  These are cheaper than the factory fitted parts and there is no harm in installing them if original parts are not available or beyond your budget.  As many Original Equipment Manufacturers or OEMs are still using ordinary or stainless steel, you can without doubt go for aftermarket exhausts. While installing an exhaust, the catalytic convertor is removed or sidestepped which is illegal with emission laws as it results in visible fumes from the outlet.  Also, the noise of engine is increased.

Why you should install Cool Air Intake?

You may have never thought that air is as important for your vehicle as it is for human beings. Proper air intake can convert your car into performance machine.  It is the deciding factor of the performance and mileage of car.  For this, cool air intakes can be installed. This air intake is used to pump cooler air to increase the power and efficiency of engine. The factory fitted parts tend to restrict the engine power as the higher amount or flow of air can increase the noise coming from engine.   The cool air intakes are very easy to install and can be found in market easily. Brands like Fujita intake, Injen, AEM and Airraid are some of the reputed brand names.

These market fitted stocks are known as aftermarket equipments. It takes some modifications here and there which can visibly increase the gas mileage and engine performance. All cool air intakes such as Injen Intakes, KN, AEM and Iceman pump in pure Oxygen which is cooler and higher in density and  used for internal combustion of fuel. The modifications of designing in CAI or Cool Air Intake are: 

1)          The air intake pipe is increased in diameter to reduce the velocity of air. 

2)      As the diameter is increased, the loss of air is less. 

3)      The air intake pipe is made smoother so that air has to face less resistance. 

The length of intake is reduced so that the direct contact route could be opted

Using CAI has its own advantage and not-so-advantages.  The installation of cool air intakes is easier than any other performance modification part. There are so many things that are used by vehicle owners to enhance the performance of their vehicles but they are mainly hooked to aftermarket CAIs such as Fujita intakes because these are cost effective and cheaper than the original equipments. The advantages of CAI include increased horsepower and fuel economy whereas the disadvantages comprise throaty noise of engine, hydrolock and voiding of the warranty from the original manufacturer.  

One can find many styles and varieties in CAI. They are made of plastic, silicone, or any composite material to make it more durable. Most of the modern cool air intakes such as Injen Intakes use air inbox and made of stainless steel which makes them even sturdier and rust free in the long run.

Aftermarket Cold Air Intakes: Now and Then

Aftermarket cold air intakes are used for two purposes. Number one, to increase the power of engine by taking air from the outside and afterwards, pumping into the engine bay for internal combustion. Number two purpose is to add appeal in the outward appearance of vehicle. The noise is more attractive and engine bay is better and upscale with aftermarket cold intakes. The cold intake or CAI is one of the most easily installed aftermarket modifications. It increases the horsepower and torque of the engine.  It is also a cost effective way to increase the performance and speed of your car.

The first model of aftermarket part was launched by KN engineering in 1980’s.  The preliminary models were consisted of plastic tubes and conical air filter named as Short ram air intake.  After that many companies which are now globally famous for aftermarket CAI manufacturing ventured into the field. Companies like AEM cool air intake, Airaid and Volant were the ones which forayed into the industry of auto tunings and earned the present credentials. Along with them, you can now see Japanese and Chinese air intakes in market. These are especially available in sports market arena.

In modern cold air intakes metal tubes has substituted plastic tube design.  To match the color of vehicle, they can be customized and painted or powder coated.  The operation of CAI is though, the same as the previous ones which is to increase the Oxygen level into the engine bay by providing the direct route for air flow. As a result, temperature inside the bay area is reduced. This also prevents smaller vehicle parts from burning.  In aftermarket parts, the diameter of the tube is increased so that the airflow could be increased. Similarly, the interiors of air intake tube are smoothened to diminish the resistance in airflow.    

Now, the development in aftermarket CAI has reached new levels. The most developed intakes are referred as Complete Cold Air intakes or CCA. Considering the benefits, if you want to install CAI or CCA in your vehicle, make sure they come from reputed manufacturing companies such as AEM cool air intake, Fujita or Injen and with complete warranty period.