When VW was being conceptualized, their primary goal was to build a people's car. Something that ordinary people can afford and yet be functional enough for their lifestyle. Hence the VW beetle was produced. Adolf Hitler one of the people who supported the concept of the beetle. VW has been making quality cars since then. As the vehicles were continuously upgraded to suit the people's needs, various car parts were also enhanced to fit the vehicles design. One innovation that have helped the engine is the VW cold air intake.
A VW cold air intake is a system used to bring down the temperature of the air going into a car. Its primary purpose is to increase the power of the internal-combustion engine. A secondary goal is to increase the appeal of a car by changing the appearance of a car's engine bay and creating an attractive intake noise. All VW cold air intakes operate on the principle of increasing the amount of oxygen available for combustion with fuel. Because cooler air has more density for a given volume, cold air intakes generally work by introducing cooler air from outside the hot engine bay. However, the term cold air intake is often used to describe other methods of increasing oxygen to an engine, which may even increase the temperature of the air coming into an engine. The make of cold air intakes has a direct effect on the type of performance one wants or needs. One strategy used in designing cold air intakes is increasing the diameter of the air intake, that allows increased airflow. Another way is smoothing the interior of the intake to reduce air resistance. Providing a more direct route to the air intake, can also result to a better VW cold air intake.
Intake systems come in many different styles and can be constructed from plastic, metal, rubber or composite materials like fiberglass, carbon fiber or kevlar. Due to the limited time, air actually remains inside the intake tubing. The materials often do not impact a kit's ability to deliver cool air. The most basic cold air intake replaces the stock airbox with a short metal or plastic tube leading to a conical air filter, called a Short ram air intake. The power gained by this method can vary depending on how restrictive the factory airbox is. The placement of the filter is usually directly in the engine compartment. The overall benefits depend on the specific application. Power may be lost at certain engine speeds and gained at others. Because of the increased airflow and reduced covering, intake noise is usually increased. This effect is usually amplified on applications where a resonator, a part intended to reduce intake noise on some vehicles, is replaced by the intake.
Though the can really help the engine, there is still some potential risk when using it. One thing is to avoid getting water in the engine by installing a water shield in the intake or not driving in the rain at all.
VW cold air intakes can really have a powerful effect on the car. But considering the possible risk, it should also be properly maintained just like any regular car part.
