A Guide to Air Intake Systems: Everything You Need to Know
Contents
The air intake system is responsible for bringing fresh, cool air into the engine so that it can perform at its best. Over time, your vehicle’s air intake system may become clogged or damaged, which will prevent enough cool air from entering the engine and causing problems such as stalling or over-heating. If you notice that your vehicle is not running well because of a lack of cool air, it is time to consider having the air intake system inspected and repaired by a professional.
Types of Air Intake Systems
Although there are many different air intake systems available on the market, most engines use one of three basic configurations: short ram, single pipe, or dual pipe. Each configuration has its own distinct advantages and disadvantages which will determine which is best for your vehicle. The short ram system uses a shorter length of tubing to bring fresh air into the engine.
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This reduces the loss of coolness that occurs in longer tubes but provides less volume than other configurations. The single pipe system uses one main pipe to deliver fresh air into the engine while dual pipes have two separate pipes that supply cool air. Although it is not as common, some engines use a side draft configuration which uses a separate intake manifold and carburetor for each cylinder.
Parts of an Air Intake System
Air intake systems are made up of many different parts including an air filter, throttle body assembly and ductwork. The air filter is in charge of keeping dirt and debris out of your vehicle’s engine. If the air filter becomes clogged, it will not be able to perform its duties of bringing cool air into the engine and your vehicle will suffer as a result. It is important that you change your vehicle’s air filter on a regular basis in order to prevent clogging from occurring and ensure optimal engine performance.
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Your vehicle’s throttle body assembly is another crucial part of the air intake system that affects how your vehicle runs. The throttle body assembly regulates the flow of air into the engine by controlling the opening and closing of the throttle valve. If the throttle body assembly becomes damaged or clogged, it will prevent enough cool air from entering the engine which will cause problems such as stalling and over-heating. If you find that your car isn’t performing optimally due to a lack of cool air, it is time to consider having the throttle body assembly inspected and repaired by a professional.
Ductwork is another important aspect of an air intake system that allows fresh air to reach the engine and flow through it. The ductwork can become clogged with dirt and debris over time, which may prevent cool air from entering the engine. If you notice that your vehicle is not running well because of a lack of cool air, it is time to consider having the ductwork inspected and repaired by a professional.
Turbochargers and Superchargers
Upgraded air intake systems come in the form of superchargers and turbochargers. A supercharger is an air pump that uses a gas engine’s power to generate increased horsepower and torque. A turbocharger is similar to a supercharger in that it also uses the gas engine’s power but instead of creating more horsepower, it generates more torque. Both of these systems are installed on top of the engine and use their own separate piping system to deliver cool air into the engine.
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When choosing an aftermarket turbocharger or supercharger, it’s important to consider the type of vehicle that you have and whether or not it will be able to support the added horsepower. If you have a car, truck or SUV with a large engine and weight then a supercharger or turbocharger may not be the best option because it requires additional power in order to run. A smaller vehicle such as a motorcycle is better suited for these types of air intake systems because they don’t require much power in order to run properly.
Conclusion
If your vehicle’s air intake system needs to be repaired or replaced, it is best that you have this work done by a professional mechanic. An air intake system can become very complicated and therefore require extensive knowledge and experience in order for it to run properly. In addition, the engine itself may need to be removed so that the repair work can be performed quickly and accurately.
You can buy replacement air intake parts online, where you’ll find a wide selection including air filters, throttle body assemblies and ductwork. You can also find superchargers and turbochargers that are designed to fit your vehicle’s specific needs. After you have purchased the replacement air intake part, all you will need is basic knowledge of how to install it on your vehicle. Most replacement parts come with installation instructions, but if they don’t then you can refer to an online guide or manual for help.
