Do Cold Air Intakes Really Make More Power?
In the world of aftermarket upgrades, opinions about cold air intakes vary. Do they actually work? Some drivers report noticeable improvements, while others remain skeptical. When engineered and manufactured with expertise, cold air intakes can benefit a range of vehicles, from daily drivers to full performance builds.
FL5 Honda Civic Type R Takeda Momentum Intake (Part Number: 56-70062)
Benefits of Cold Air Intakes Include:
- Improved airflow
- Increased horsepower and torque
- Improved throttle response
- Improved engine sound
- Improved engine protection
Why aFe Intakes Outperform Stock: Filter and Airbox Design
Enlarged airbox, overside high-quality filter, high-flow tube, and quality clamps and hardware make an aFe Cold Air Intake
Better Filtration Than Stock: Why the Filter Matters
Factory paper filters are restrictive, so replacing them with a high-flow filter can make a significant difference. aFe’s Pro 5R air filter features five layers of progressively finer cotton gauze, oiled to trap particles while maintaining strong airflow. Hand-made in-house and built to last the lifetime of your vehicle, aFe filters are available in multiple media types to match your lifestyle and eliminate the need to keep buying disposable paper filters. Even as a drop-in replacement for the stock filter, this simple upgrade improves airflow. If the filter alone can outperform stock, imagine what’s possible with an optimized airbox and intake tube.
Maximized Airflow Through Smarter Design
Stock airboxes are designed for cost efficiency, emissions compliance, and basic functionality. aFe engineers use 3D scanning, advanced CAD, and in-house 3D printing to develop enlarged airboxes and tubes to optimize airflow. Our rotationally molded housings and tubes are shaped for maximum volume and allow for a perfect fit for each time. This process also allows for a sleek one-piece design, with less moving parts for a more secure seal and more durability. The heat-resistant crosslink-polyethelyne material keeps hot engine air out and cool air in. Cooler air is denser, which means more oxygen enters the engine, leading to more horsepower and torque you can feel at the pedal.
This is where you start to see real improvements in airflow, throttle response, and even sound—all benefits drivers look for in a cold air intake.
So, Do Cold Air Intakes Actually Work?
Yes—when they’re engineered, tested, and built correctly. At aFe, we spend months in research and development to ensure not only perfect fit, seamless integration to your engine for no CELs (check engine lights), and durability for real world testing. We don’t release an intake unless we can prove it makes a difference. As an engineering based company, every intake system we develop goes through in-house flow testing and dyno testing before it ever reaches our customers. On every intake’s webpage, you’ll find published flow charts, dyno charts, and horsepower and torque gains of our testing compared to stock.
2nd Gen Toyota Tundra tested on the in-house dyno in aFe Research & Development shop
Intakes: Just One Piece of the Puzzle
By upgrading your vehicle’s components one restrictive element at a time, you can unlock the full potential of your build. The best way to get the most power out of a cold air intake is to couple it with other components like exhaust systems, charge pipes or aFe’s safe alternative to ECU tuning, the Scorcher Power Module piggyback tune.
Momentum GT Cold Air Intake (Part Number: 50-70119) for 4th Gen Toyota Tacoma
70mm Factory Throttle Body Versus aFe 76mm Billet Throttle Body (Part Number 46-39102) for 3rd Gen Toyota Tacoma
Aftermarket Aluminum Intercooler Pipes (Part Number: 46-20724) for 4th Gen Toyota Tacoma
Vulcan Series 304 Stainless Steel Cat-Back Exhaust (Part Number: 49-36078) for 4th Gen Toyota Tacoma
Real Data, Real Gains: Examples
- GMC Sierra 1500 / Chevy Silverado 1500 2.7L (t)
- Momentum GT Cold Air Intake (Part Number: 50-70042)
- Dyno: +25 HP horsepower and +30 lbs. x ft. torque
- Flowbench: +12% increase in airflow
- Ford Powerstroke 6.7L Diesel Trucks:
- The Momentum HD Cold Air Intake (Part Number: 50-70007t)
- Dyno: +21 HP horsepower and +54 lbs. x ft. torque
- Flowbench: +32% increase in airflow
- Dodge Charger 6.4L:
- The Momentum GT Cold Air Intake (Part Number: 58-10003R)
- Dyno: +16 HP horsepower and +15 lbs. x ft. torque
- Flowbench: +22% increase in airflow
- Toyota Land Cruiser J250:
- Our Momentum GT Cold Air Intake (Part Number: 50-70127)
- Dyno: +15 HP and +17 lbs. x ft. torque
- Flowbench: +30% increase in airflow
- Honda Civic FL5 Type R
- The Takeda Momentum Cold Air Intake (Part Number: 56-70062R)
- Dyno: +19 HP horsepower and +15 lbs. x ft. torque
- Flowbench: +19% increase in airflow
