Performance Air Intake Systems

One of the easiest ways to get more power from your engine is to dump the OE air filter and air intake system and replace them with high-flow aftermarket parts. Factory systems are designed with priorities other than performance, like low intake noise and cost. As a result, most vehicles come from the factory with restrictive air boxes and intake tubes, and cheap paper air filters. Choose a system from our vast selection and make your engine come alive.

An inexpensive way to start is just by replacing that paper air filter. It filters the air OK, but the small passages are very restrictive, and as dirt builds up, flow gets even worse. A typical aftermarket performance air filter has several layers of filtration material like cotton gauze, which traps dirt without restricting airflow. What’s more, aftermarket filters can be cleaned and reused, so you get increased engine power and save money to boot.

But to really get an increase in airflow, you need to increase the size of the air filter. The typical conical air filter that is included with an aftermarket performance air intake is not only made of better material, it is larger and has much greater surface area than the OE filter, for much greater airflow. An economical way to get the benefits of a larger filter is with one of our kits that attaches the filter to a flexible, universal intake tube, or attaches it to the factory air intake tube. The next step up to greater airflow is to replace that restrictive OE air intake tube.

Most factory air intake tubes are constructed with the goal of keeping air intake roar to a minimum. They usually have awkward bends and have sound baffles, which may reduce noise but can also restrict airflow. Aftermarket intake tubes are constructed from mandrel-bent aluminum or molded polyethylene, with larger diameters and smoother bends, for better airflow to the throttle body. And if you’re a hot rodder, you’ll consider the increased intake noise music to your ears when you stomp on the gas. A basic performance air intake will replace the factory air box and air intake tube, and install in approximately the same location.

The next step to more power is to feed the engine cooler air, which is denser and contains more oxygen, for better combustion. We offer systems that employ varying methods to shield the filter from engine heat so it can take in cooler air. Some systems have barriers that seal against the hood, to separate the filter from engine heat. We also have systems with an air box, which not only shields the filter from heat, but is much larger than the OE unit so it can hold a much larger filter. For exposure to the coldest air, some systems locate the air filter outside the engine bay, or use a scoop to funnel air to the filter.

To get the most horsepower, airflow should be increased all the way to the cylinder head intake ports, and we have the performance MAF (Mass Air Flow) sensors and throttle bodies, and high performance intake manifolds to make it happen. Our MAF sensors are not only larger in diameter to pass more air, but they’re also calibrated to ensure the PCM (Powertrain Control Module) gets an accurate signal so it can properly control the air/fuel ratio. And whatever your engine’s state of tune, from mildly hopped-up street machine to an all-out track beast, we have the right size throttle bodies to increase airflow and horsepower, and provide crisp throttle response.