Inframan

Okay, so if the purpose of a cold air intake is the cold air, then why is the filter and other parts sitting on top of the hot engine. On cars that I'm familiar with, the intake is on the side of the engine. Even the CGS intake goes over the engine. Why not a more direct connection to avoid heating up the air? Just wondering...

SoCalHHR

The CGS intake is not billed as a "cold air intake." Also, in our testing, the CGS "hot" air system actually made more power. In fact, if you do some research, you will find "hot air short ram" intakes almost always make more power than a cold air system. We found (on the dyno), that the HHR actually makes more power when running hotter than it does at cooler temps. If you could find a way to feed 50 or 60-degree air to the engine while it's running at 192, you would see a measurable power increase - but a "cold air" intake is not going to do that.

Remember too, that no matter how "cold" the ambient air is that you're drawing in (70? 80? 90?), it will be quickly heated up once it gets past the intake tube, throttle body, intake manifold, through the head, and past the intake valves into the already hot combustion chamber to be ignited. On a street car, cold air benefits are negligible; but it is a great way for a manufacturer to sell you a more expensive and "different" setup. Race cars - well, that's a different story completely!

Inframan

Wow thanks! I never really thought about it that way. I guess I might get the intake after all.

Dark Dreamz

Inframan, You will not be dissapointed with this intake. I do agree with Mike about the car running better when hotter. I have noticed that when i start up after a cool down time {i also always let car warm for a minute or 2} then try to touch the road with my gas foot lol it doesnt seam to have as much umphh as when its been runnin for a bit. I actually thought i was going nuts but nope. Well i am nuts but thats another story lol