Advantages and disadvantages of installing cold air intakes on trucks

You don’t need to install new motors or transmissions to improve the performance and power of your truck, but they are definitely optional. One of the easy-to-install options that is gaining popularity with the truck crowd is the cold air intake option. Cold air intakes have long been a staple of racing and street racing cars, but they’re just as easy to apply to trucks. Why do you install a cold air intake on your truck? First, let’s see how they work.

Cold air intake systems replace OEM air filters and intake systems. It is usually necessary to remove the original breather box and the tube that connects to the engine. You can add horsepower to the truck by installing a cold air intake. This happens because the cold air intake brings cold air to the engine. Cold air is much denser than warm air. This means that the engine can burn fuel much more efficiently, increasing the horsepower available. The profits are not incredible, but they are noticeable.

Cold air intake systems are typically routed to the engine in a manner similar to OEM systems. However, if you move from there, it will end elsewhere. It is usually in the lower position of the engine, behind the headlights, or even lower. The purpose is to keep the intake air away from the heat of the engine as much as possible. This is the only way to get enough cold air to get the job done right.

What else does cold air intake do for your car? It can improve fuel economy under certain conditions, but this is not the reason most people install them in their cars. Of course, the main reason is to add power in the form of speed and torque. More popular brands include K & N and Volant. Also, understand that adding a cold air intake to your truck will change the sound of your truck. It doesn’t sound like a street racer, but it definitely sounds different.

Now let’s look at some of the drawbacks of adding a cold air intake.

First, it costs money. They are relatively cheap compared to other truck accessories and performance enhancers, but at least represent a modest investment. You also need to change the vehicle. Many times by myself. Some retailers do not install these devices on trucks, while others charge a significant labor cost.

However, the biggest drawback is water. This threat is much more prevalent in shorter vehicles such as passenger cars, but it also exists in trucks. Placing an air filter can cause water to splash from the road or mud holes into the air filter. From there, it is sucked along the intake tube until it reaches the engine. When you get there, it causes havoc. Sure, it takes a few drops or more of water to disable an engine, but there are threats that should be considered when considering adding one of these systems to a truck.

That said, there are some drawbacks to this, especially in exchange for the additional horsepower you enjoy. K & N has been a trusted name for years, but you can find many quality systems that work well in this situation. Their filters are designed to last a lifetime, and all you need to do to keep using them is cleaning.