Cold air intake question

What makes a cold air intake work so much better then stock?
It looks to me like you could take the stock air box, under the filter, and cut holes in it so the intake is less restricted, yet still filtered, and come out with close results. What am I missing that makes these things worth 200 to 300 bucks? Is it the washable filter, or just the pretty chrome look?

It's a little of everything the filter is washable, but also lets more air through & the system allows more cold air to be introduced to the filter. It looks cool too... I have a 2003 z-71 tahoe..installed a k&n cool air system took it to a dyno then did diablo tune on it and got 45hp & 29tq increase at the rear wheels & raised my gas mileage 15% in the city. So I'd say it works.
Alan


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Oh, I'm sure it works. But what about the rest of what I said?

I'm not sure that a stock filter will allow enough air to pass through & the K&N at least on my tahoe is placed so it allows more cold air to enter the filter. Go to K&N's site they explain this
Alan

Ok, one more question. I have a 2003 Impala, that I was thinking of puting one of these on. I opened up the stock air filter box, and inside it is a computer type part. It don't look like it's in there to get cooled, because the air intake tube passes over it, without circulating any air there. So I'm assuming it was put in there to keep it dry. So do I have to leave the stock air box in the car for that?

That is the mass air flow sensor..it will be used on any system you purchase. There instructiona will explain how to reinsall it.
Alan

This thing I'm talking about, is about 6" by 4". It is rough aluminum looking, with a large harness coming out of it. it sorta looks like an old Ford brain box, only a little bigger. I'd guess it to be a computer of some sort. I kinda doubt it's a mass air flow sensor.
The air box in the Impala, takes up a good square foot or more of space under the hood.

That probably is the mass air flow sensor..some are big & some are small..call K&N ..they'll know for sure.

Alan

ok, thanks

Cold air is denser than warm air. The same volume of air will contain more oxygen if it is colder.
That means more power in the mixture that is sucked/ pushed into the cylinder.
Also the intake kits are supposed to have a smoother and easier path for the air to travel.
That means maximum amount of mixture can be crammed into cylinder between valves opening
and closing.