Air Intake Systems - High Performance

What is a high performance air intake system?

A high performance air intake is one of the most common upgrades made to vehicles. Your engine needs air to combust fuel. An air intake that brings more air into the engine means better combustion and more power. Performance air intake systems bring more air in by having a shorter, smoother path for the air to travel (short ram air intake system) or by drawing cooler, denser air from outside the engine bay (cold air intake system). Each one of these systems has its own benefits and drawbacks. For in-depth details on the differences in terms of performance, practicality, and aesthetics be sure to check out this article by the experts at 1A Auto on cold air versus short ram air intake systems.

Performance air filters can also improve air flow. The filter at the end of your air intake keeps dirt and debris out of the engine. It also restricts the airflow somewhat. Where normal air filters are made of paper, high performance filters are made of cotton gauze, which allows more air through. They are oiled and the oil helps catch more dust particles. Another advantage of high performance air filters is that they don’t need to be replaced. A paper air filter needs to be replaced every year, or around 12,000 miles. A performance air filter can be cleaned and re-oiled (with special cleaner and lubricant) every 50,000 miles for many uses, giving you the benefit of cash savings over time.

Why would I want to install a performance air intake system?

As mentioned above, performance air intakes bring more air to the engine to increase power. Manufacturers report increases of anywhere from 5 to 20 horsepower with their products. Because the power increases come from better combustion, performance air intakes either don’t affect gas mileage or improve it. A performance air filter can also give you a power boost, although it won’t be as big as the boost from an upgraded intake.

Many auto enthusiasts also like the deeper, throatier sound that performance air intakes make compared to stock air intakes. The same types tend to also like the look of a performance intake under the hood. 

Can I install a high performance air intake system myself?

Installing a high performance air intake is one of the easiest ways to squeeze a few more horsepower out of your vehicle. A do-it-yourselfer can install a performance intake. You will, of course, start by removing the stock air intake. Start off by disconnecting any vacuum hoses or sensor mounted into the air intake. Loosen the hose clamp that holds the intake hose to the throttle body, and remove the fasteners that hold the air box in place. Then you can pull the stock intake out. 

The performance intake kit will come with a silicone tube that connects the intake hose to the throttle body. Connect this to the intake hose first. Fix the air filter to the intake hose. Then connect the silicone tube to the throttle body and tighten its hose clamp. The performance intake will have holes for all the vacuum hoses and sensors. In some cases, it may have more holes than you need. The remaining holes can be filled in with rubber plugs that come with the intake. 

Looking for a high performance air intake upgrade kit?

If you are looking to replace your current stock air intake, and upgrade it with a performance air intake, then shop at 1A Auto. Here you will find high performance air intake kits – both short ram and cold air – as well as high flow air filters from the best brands, like K&N and more, on the market today for the automotive enthusiast looking to increase acceleration and performance. These simple to install upgrades for your vehicle will save you money by improving gas mileage while giving it an extra "pep" and clean look. We carry a large selection of aftermarket high performance air intake kits for many makes and models, and at great prices, so you can shop with confidence.

We also make shopping for high performance air intake kits for your car or truck easy here at 1A Auto - we're here to help you select the right parts for your vehicle! Call our customer service toll free at 888-844-3393 if you have any questions about our aftermarket air intake systems, warranty, compatibility or to purchase, or you can buy online.