There's been a lot of talk on Internet chat boards lately about cold air intake (CAI) systems.
Some manufacturers will swear up and down that there's hidden horsepower in the intake system. Other âexperts' claim that it's total bunk: a myth that has easily circulated in the age of the Internet. I personally believe that the truth is located somewhere in-between. On some models, a properly engineered cold air intake kit can effectively cool the intake charge entering into the cylinders. Why do you want this in the first place? Cooler, denser air will further decrease engine detonation, and will also deliver a denser air charge which theoretically corresponds to an increase in horsepower.

First of all, the stock Boxster intake system is indeed already a cold air intake system. It sucks air from the outside and insulates this intake from the heat generated by the engine. Where it doesn't work too well is in the area of airflow restriction. The stock system is somewhat restrictive, and makes the air work its way around in order to enter the engine. Aftermarket performance intakes serve two purposes: to better inject colder air directly into the intake system, and also to reduce the restrictions that are inherent in the stock system.

Just how much horsepower can you expect to gain? It all depends on which model kit you use. It is possible that a poorly designed kit used with an aftermarket air filter will actually create more restriction in the intake, and cause a decrease in horsepower. In addition, a poorly installed intake system with leaks will also decrease performance. I have seen dyno tests where the installation of an intake system has done nothing, or has even reduced horsepower. Then again, I have seen other tests where significant gains of about 10 HP were recorded.

The bottom line is that a performance intake system is a (typically) expensive aftermarket add-on that may increase your horsepower only slightly. Some kits cost over $500, which translates into a very high dollar per horsepower ratio. Some other kits are less expensive, and incorporate reusable aftermarket filters. While I'm not a huge fan of these filters (as they tend to filter less than the stock ones--see Pelican Technical Article: Air Filter / Pollen Filter Replacement), there can be some costs savings in the long run from not having to buy multiple stock air filters.

Perhaps the only thing that most people agree on is that a performance intake system will often give you a much better engine growl at higher revs. I'm personally a huge fan of growling noises, so this would certainly be a plus for me if I were making the decision to install one of these systems. For those of you who prefer a quieter engine, you might be slightly annoyed at the new music your engine is playing...

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