Maybe (probably) I'm missing something here, but how will the air in an aftermarket intake system be any colder than that in the stock box? Do they all draw from the windshield area vent or what? I understand the theory behind a less restrictive filter design, but the "cold air" thing is escaping me.

I understand Cold Air concept on a normally aspirated motor but, won't the air temp change to equal that of the intercooler temp? ie: air temp entering the intercooler will be cooled (or heated) to the actual intercooler temp as it leaves the intercooler. SOOOO isn't air volume more important in making more HP than temp at the air filter?

I understand Cold Air concept on a normally aspirated motor but, won't the air temp change to equal that of the intercooler temp? ie: air temp entering the intercooler will be cooled (or heated) to the actual intercooler temp as it leaves the intercooler. SOOOO isn't air volume more important in making more HP than temp at the air filter?

You can say that again.

Honda's suck in hot, nasty air from behind the radiator. Prevents water and such from damaging the engine but not so great for power production. Circuit City and many other places sell ductwork that re-routes the intake path to a colder source in front of the radiator or inside the wheelwell. And henceforth, any alternative air filter system for any car will be called a "Cold Air Intake" regardless of plumbing.

The air temp does not equalize with the intercooler -- it is always warmer. That's how it's able to be cooled. Within a reasonable range, the cooler the intake, the cooler it comes out of the intercooler.

>>You can say that again.
>>
>>Honda's suck in hot, nasty air from behind the radiator. Prevents water and such from damaging the engine but not so great for power production. Circuit City and many other places sell ductwork that re-routes the intake path to a colder source in front of the radiator or inside the wheelwell. And henceforth, any alternative air filter system for any car will be called a "Cold Air Intake" regardless of plumbing.
>>
>>The air temp does not equalize with the intercooler -- it is always warmer. That's how it's able to be cooled. Within a reasonable range, the cooler the intake, the cooler it comes out of the intercooler

I understand that but, since the intercooler is on top of the engine, at slower speeds around town, won't the intercooler temp be warmer than the outside temp, therefore actually warming the air temp coming from the intake. At speed on the highway the air temp going into the intercooler will equal the ambient temp which will be the same temp as the air entering the intake sooo if the intercooler temp is about the same as the intake air temp, where is the advantage of the "COLD" air intake except for better volume & flow?

Unless otherwise, it looks to me like the air still comes in thru the front ductwork and these systems just use a different airbox and larger filter element. So if that's true, the air won't be any cooler than with the stock airbox/filter.

Yes REDREREFDEREDERK, no colder. They're just called "cold" 'cause the ones for Hondas are cold.

Apexer: PV=nRT. As the air is compressed into the intercooler the heat within the air is sorta "concentrated". At high pressure, that 70 degree air becomes maybe 200 degrees. The intercooler then cools it to say, 150 degrees. If you were to let the air return to normal pressure it would now be, maybe 40 degrees.

The intake system does not, however, allow the air to return to normal pressure but rather keeps it under fairly high pressure all the way to the engine. Therefore the air going into the engine is not 40 degrees, nor 70 degrees, but more like 120 degrees. Hot, but not as hot as it would be w/o the intercooler.

>>Yes REDREREFDEREDERK, no colder. They're just called "cold" 'cause the ones for Hondas are cold.
>>
>>Apexer: PV=nRT. As the air is compressed into the intercooler the heat within the air is sorta "concentrated". At high pressure, that 70 degree air becomes maybe 200 degrees. The intercooler then cools it to say, 150 degrees. If you were to let the air return to normal pressure it would now be, maybe 40 degrees.
>>
>>The intake system does not, however, allow the air to return to normal pressure but rather keeps it under fairly high pressure all the way to the engine. Therefore the air going into the engine is not 40 degrees, nor 70 degrees, but more like 120 degrees. Hot, but not as hot as it would be w/o the intercooler.
>>
Thanks vespr, confirms my thoughts on "Cold Air" intake. All you really want (or need) is better volume with less restriction than oem set-up.I kind da like the Alta without the extra cost blue tube.