Gearheads: if cold air intakes work, why wouldn't manufacturers install them as stock?

Question

Im just curious, Im thinking about putting in an AEM CAI, and an exhaust system, and I've read how they can improve torque and hp. thanks

Answer 1

Cold air intakes like cowl induction on Chevrolet and ram-air on Buicks and Pontiacs were optional equipment on many older muscle cars and some modern ones also.....the issue is that from an engineering standpoint, cars that are sold in cold weather climates need heated intake air in winter to prevent carb icing and most car companies only want to design one intake sytem to cover the majority of weather systems throught the country to reduce costs... much like why do southern cars come with a heater.
A cold air intake will definitely increase horsepower because colder air is denser than warm air and will support more fuel charge which is why some cars feel more powerful when driving on a cool day versus a hot summer day. Some racers even use a "cool can" for their fuel lines to increase horsepower...it's basically a coffee can size container with fuel lines wound around the inside of it and they put dry ice in it just prior to a race to boost the density of the fuel charge and thus add horsepower.
Hope this answers your question, Paul

Answer 2

Fuel consumption is better with a cold air intake. Same with a performance exhaust. An engine that breathes easier requires less "strain" to move a vehicle. Just dont be hard on it, because at full throttle it will suck more fuel than before.

Noise is one reason
Air filter longetevity or maintainence
Temperature of air and other weather conditions
Wet driving, snow/icy conditions (snowmobiles dont have air filters at all, for a reason. Air filter gets wet from melted snow, water freezes, bad news)

Answer 3

the reason why you get a CAI is to improve your engine hp, tq, and MPG, whoever is buying CAI and gettin worse gas milage that what they were gettin before, must not know how to put on a filter or buy some off brand...some companies do offer CAI on there vehicles as an option but it will cost you more. and car companies arent allowed just to add a CAI not sponsored by the acutally car company, if its not OEM its not goin on unless you have that performance upgrade/package, im sure you get the point

Answer 4

I always assumed it was because the open element filters would tend to get dirty faster and need replacement sooner than ones sealed in a box. Most average people are probably less concerned about performance and more concerned with making the air filter last another few thousand miles.

Answer 5

Manufacturers have fuel mileage and pollution perameters they have to work within. If you want a performance vehicle off the lot, you will have to pay for it. Not everyone is like us in their need for quick acceleration and hard shifts.

Answer 6

because aftermarket companies wouldnt have anyproducts to sell and make more profits out of for the government to make more tax money off of. but cold air intakes are optional for more "foot power" think bout it. not everyone has the "need for speed"

Answer 7

Three reasons they're not installed by default:

-increased cost
-lower mileage per gallon
-increased noise

There may be other reasons as well, but those three are the first to come to mind.

Answer 8

I think they increase petrol consumption making the car less economic for the domestic market.

Answer 9

most car companies build a car to have the best fuel economy possible. A cold air intake will hurt your fuel economy a bit.