Air Filters | Why they are important

I'm interested in more performance out of my cars, and I assume if you are reading this blog that is one of your interests also.

One of the ways to increase the stock horsepower in a car is to improve the air flow both into and out of the engine. In another blog I'll talk about the engine exhaust.

The more air that comes into the engine, the more oxygen is delivered to the cylinders. When this extra oxygen is mixed with the proper amount of fuel and burned, more horsepower is developed.

In prior blogs we discussed different types and brands of cold air intakes, and I stressed some of the features of them. The one area I did not cover in any detail was the air filter. Factory air filters, and most of them you can purchase in the local auto parts store are made out of paper. This can result in several things.

First while they trap dirt and debris they also restrict the air flow. So less air means less power. Second, they become dirty and when they do, the only thing you can do is throw them away and buy a new one. Over time you will be spending a lot of money on paper filters.

The after market cold air intake companies have answered these problems with unique design for their air filters and special materials. The designs allow more air to flow through even when the filter becomes dirty. And many of them allow cleaning of the air filter, and typically these particular companies will offer a lifetime guaranty for their filters. Let's see the stock filters offer the same.

Two of the most typical of these aftermarket brands are AEM and K&N. AEM has a filter they call the DryFlow and it can be cleaned when it becomes dirty. K&N also has a great filter, but they use a light oil bath on their filter. Both improve the air flow and even the catching of very small particles before they harm your engine.

I would use and trust either brand. Since I can use only one at a time, I'm currently running with a K&N in my Ferrari.

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Honda Accord Performance Air Filters

Honda Accord Power Air Filters


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AEM V2 Intake

The next step up from a short ram intake to a cold air intake is the AEM V2 intake. AEM has been making intakes for a number of years and has an excellent reputation. Their V2 system uses a patented design that has a dual chamber design. This they claim increases both horsepower and torque beyond their other popular systems like the cold air system.

The dual chamber uses two different diameter pipes of different lengths, which create multiple frequencies of sound waves in the incoming air. This produces the widest band of power increase of all of their products. An interesting feature of all systems is that the length of the input pipe has a major bearing on the amount of power the system can deliver, and on the rpm range where this power occurs. AEM has found that not all of their V2 systems require that the inlet be placed outside of the engine compartment, in order to maximize the power. In these cases the inlet filter is placed in the coolest part of the engine cavity to minimize the amount of hot air being drawn in.

The V2 system also comes standard with their DryFlow synthetic air filter. This filter has a lifetime guarantee and is unique in that it does not use oil to aid in filtration. If more power, deeper sounds and a great looking system are something you are thinking about, the AEM v2 is one you should check out.


AEM V2 Intake System for Honda Accord

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AEM V2 Intake System

AEM V2 Intake System

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Cold Air Intake

Yesterday I discussed Short Ram Intakes as a way to increase the horsepower output of your engine. The next step up is a Cold Air Intake. The major difference between the two products is that the Short Ram intake has it's filter and inlet inside the engine compartment. This means that it draws in hotter air, which has less oxygen and power potential than the air outside the car.

The Cold Air Intake has longer tubes and the filter inlet is positioned somewhere in the car so that it can draw in cooler outside air. Depending on the brand of air intake and the car you have, the inlet can be positioned inside a fender well or behind the front bumper.

In some cases an existing hole in the sheet metal must be widened to fit the tubes. All in all the installation of the Cold Air Intake will take longer and a little higher degree of mechanical skills than the installation of the Short Ram system.

There is another downside to the Cold Air Intake system. And that is drawing in water if you went through a very deep puddle and the filter became wet. This could cause a hydro lock and damage the engine. While very few people experience this condition it is better to be safe. Depending on the brand of Cold Air Intake you purchase there are a couple of ways to avoid this problem. Some systems offer a cover for the filter, which allows air to flow in but stops water. Another system may have an optional valve in the tubing which will also stop water. A third approach is a system that can be converted from a Short Ram to a Cold Air and back. Using this system you would run a Short Ram in the winter or wet weather and convert it to a Cold Air system in the summer when there is no danger of inhaling water.



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AEM Cold Air Intake for Honda Accord

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Cold Air Intake vs. Short Ram Intake

A question that comes up when people are interested in improving the air flow in their car and the resultant increase in power is which one should I get? A cold air intake or a short ram intake. There is no clear cut answer, unless you look at some of the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Both systems replace the stock tubes and air box of your car, because the stock system was designed with restrictions, which reduced noise, but at the same time restricted potential horsepower. So either replacement will increase horsepower and noise.

The Cold Air Intake system has longer tubes and is designed so that the inlet with the filter is positioned outside of the engine compartment. This allows colder, more dense air to be drawn in. The colder the air, the more oxygen it can carry and deliver more power. However the installation is more complicated, and may involve cutting into the car to get the tubes positioned either behind the front bumper or in the wheel well.

The Short Ram Intake has shorter tubes and fits entirely within the engine compartment. The installation is much easier. Some systems have a shield around the inlet filter to reduce some of the engine heat.

One downside potential with the Cold Air Intake is the possibility of drawing in water from the wheel well when going through a deep puddle. This water can harm the engine. Two solutions are possible, one with a cover on the filter that stops water and the other uses a valve which will stop the water. The Short Ram does not have this problem.

In many, but not all cases, the Cold Air Intake will deliver more horsepower at a higher rpm, but it might take a little longer because of the longer air flow. So if you want your power at lower rpms, the Short Ram is a better choice.

Another factor is cost. The Short Ram Intake has less parts and is less expensive.
One additional factor is a dual purpose combination. In the winter or wet weather it is a Short Ram, and in the summer you convert it to a Cold Air Intake.

Take your pick.

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AEM Cold Air Intake

AEM Cold Air Intake

How About Cold AIr Intakes?

Hi,

Still working on my web site and looking around for products that might interest Honda Accord enthusiasts. I'm thinking of starting out with some performance parts, such as air intake kits. I will be looking at both Cold Air Intakes and Short Ram devices. One of these kits will give you more power, an increase in gas millage, and improve the looks of the engine compartment. Let me know if you have any requests for brands.

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Honda Accord Special Parts

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