Why Should You Change Your Cold Air Intake

4x4 enthusiasts are no strangers to the endless pursuit of performance. But as you will likely already know, increasing the performance of certain parts of the vehicle, especially in the engine department, can be an expensive affair. There are so many potential avenues you can go down in order to increase horsepower, but one of the most often neglected is the air intake.

Air intakes are an inexpensive, yet highly effective way, of adding more ponies to your engine. It’s a simple mod that can usually be added without the need for a tune, although this can help to get the most performance out of your vehicle. In this blog, we’ll be going over the many reasons why cold air intakes are a worthy investment, and how your 4x4 can benefit from this excellent upgrade.

Understanding the Basics of an Air Intake

So that we’re all up to speed, let’s first talk about what an air intake does. When it comes to combustion in an engine, air is just as essential as fuel. Getting the opportune mixture of air and fuel is the key to maximising engine power.

The air intake system is best thought of as the lungs of your vehicle. Aside from helping to generate power, it also serves the purpose of filtering out potentially harmful contaminants to your engine, keeping the ingested air clean and combustible.

Cold air intakes have the added benefit of - as the name suggests - providing colder air to the engine. Cold air is denser. Denser air means you can fit more of it in the same space, which means more fuel can be injected, leading to a bigger and more powerful bang.

As far as components are concerned, the air intake system is fairly simple. It usually consists of an air filter, mass flow sensor, throttle body, and intake manifold.

When vehicles come fresh from the factory, they are generally fitted with a stock intake, the purpose of which is to maximise fuel efficiency and mileage. This leads to a leaner air-fuel mixture that produces less power than can be expected from aftermarket options.

The Difference Between Stock and Aftermarket Cold Air Intakes

Most vehicles roll out of the factory with stock intakes designed primarily for quiet operation and fuel efficiency. These stock systems often take in warmer air from the engine bay. Enter aftermarket cold air intakes: purpose-built to draw in cooler air from outside. Not only do they offer a direct path for colder air but they're often less restrictive, ensuring a consistent flow. This means a heftier dose of oxygen-rich air, primed for combustion. For the discerning 4x4 owner, the choice is clear: if performance is on your wishlist, an aftermarket air intake is the way forward.

Benefits of Upgrading to a Cold Air Intake

Switching out the stock intake for an aftermarket cold air version isn’t just about chasing that horsepower bump – though let's be honest, it's quite the perk. It’s more about unlocking the hidden potential of your engine, letting it breathe freely and efficiently.

The cooler, denser air not only amplifies combustion but can also boost your engine’s overall efficiency, resulting in more bang for your petrol buck And don’t get us started on the delightful growl that comes with it – music to any 4x4 enthusiast's ears. With such a straightforward modification, you're not just enhancing performance but also enriching the driving experience.

S&B Cold Air Intake From Offroad Industries

A prime example of a high-quality cold air intake is the S&B Cold Air Intake for the 2019-2023 Chevrolet Silverado. This piece of kit provides all of the aforementioned performance benefits for your Silverado. Here are a few reasons why.

To start with, its air filter is monstrously large. This provides a much easier path for air to journey into your engine while still excelling at the crucial job of filtering out harmful air particles. Truly the best of both worlds.

We mentioned earlier that cold air intakes are a simple install, and this is very much the case with the S&B cold air intake. Thanks to the new snap-in lid design, no screws are required to secure the intake to the airbox. This air intake also benefits from a relocated mass airflow sensor, which can be done simply, thanks to the provided MAF (Mass Air Flow) extension harness.

Contact Offroad Industries for Expertise on Cold Air Intakes

If you’re looking to get more performance out of your Chevrolet Silverado, the S&B cold air intake is a brilliant choice. But even if you drive a different make and model, there are plenty of similar options available for most 4x4s. Contact us at Offroad Industries to find the best one for you!