Why do they call it a Cold Air Kit?

[mltdwn12]

Just got my 06 Mustang and have been reading the boards on some of the simple mods. I always see the cold air kits. But when I look at pictures of kits installed, it doesn't appear to do anything beyond the stock system except have a larger conical air filter They all appear to draw there air from the same place the stock filter box does, so where is the additional "cold air"? Maybe I'm missing something that I habven't seen in other folks pictures.

Thanks,
Craig

 

[FL2005GT]

Actually, they tend to draw in hotter air than the stock system, according to most of what I've read. They're drawing straight from the engine bay instead of the wheel well. 2005+ Mustangs apparently really, really need a heat shield to isolate the filter.

 

[ponygirl75]

Just got my 06 Mustang and have been reading the boards on some of the simple mods. I always see the cold air kits. But when I look at pictures of kits installed, it doesn't appear to do anything beyond the stock system except have a larger conical air filter They all appear to draw there air from the same place the stock filter box does, so where is the additional "cold air"? Maybe I'm missing something that I habven't seen in other folks pictures.

Thanks,
Craig

from what I have heard, there is a "shroud" around most that helps it suck in air through the wheel well and not have it diluted from hot air under engine.

 

[mltdwn12]

Yeah, I've seen the shield that isolates the filter from the engine bay, but I just don't see the additional "cold air" I recall seeing some kits for slightly older Mustangs that actually put the filter in the fenderwell, which could get the cooler air.

 

[bigcat]

with the new chassis, there is not a good way to get additional cold air to the intake. this is the best that the aftermarket has to work with. you would have to cut a hole in the fender apron to make it a true cold air kit, but no very many people want to cut up a brand new car for a couple more ponies. there have been numerous debates on this topic in this forum.

 

[V8JamesGT]

check out the western motorsports intake at www.wmsracing.com/ ........they call it a ram-air intake but its the best intake I've seen for actually sucking in cold air!

 

[Rock36]

I imagine it is called a cold air kit, because modifications like this have always been referred to as cold air kits.

The gains from these "cold air" kits come from the generally larger inlet tube and the filter coupled with a tune.

There have been a few posts on this site that say the addition of a CAI prior to the tune leaned out the A/F which would indicate more air flowing into the engine.

So in reality the engine is just sucking air through a larger straw, not a colder one.

 

[red05bullitgt]

check out the western motorsports intake at www.wmsracing.com/ ........they call it a ram-air intake but its the best intake I've seen for actually sucking in cold air!

James, I have checked it out..And there's 2 area's about it, that I don't like..First, I'm not about to cut into the wiring harness, of a brand new car, and second.. I just don't see how that much air, can pass through the front grill, and then pass through the radiator in order to supply enough air to the filter and intake..Maybe, it's just me..But It's my opinion, that WMS could have done a much better job, when they designed their CAI..

 

[Pro Mod]

Although these new "cold air kits" don't actually suck in any cold air, the catch phrase "cold air kit" just basically carried over from the previous kits that really did suck in cold air. Just normal marketing procedure

Having said that, these cai's do have a benefit over the stock induction system. The OEM airbox doesn't have a large inlet opening, the OEM mass air is relatively small, and the OEM rubber intake hose just doesn't flow as much air as the aftermarket systems.

 

[JLTucker]

ProMod is right.
Cold Air Intake is just what the majority use as terminology.
Plus the 05-up has no way to get the filter out of the engine compartment without major cutting and 99.9% of people are not cool with that.

Jay

 

[Henceforward]

Cold Air Intake means that the air that is entering the intake is from outside the engine bay. Thus it is cold because it hasn't been exposed to the temps under the hood.

On the 5.0 Mustang the "cold" air filter can used on the outside of the engine bay under the fender. This air is not really cold per say, but it is a lot less hot than the temps under the hood. Actually for the 5.0 a CAI is usually a waste of money considering that the OEM stock air filter system already draws air from outside of the fender.

On the 2005+ there is no room for this, and you do have to cut a hole to allow a filter to be piped outside of the engine bay.

They are more show than go for sure, especially with the '05 because of the restricted design of the new engine bay.