

Air intakes are simple to understand, even if you're not schooled in the automotive-ness of the automotive world.
Here's the scenario: you've heard something about needing to install an aftermarket air intake to make your vehicle run better and you're probably thinking it's too expensive, too hard to install, and too hard to find for your specific vehicle. On the other hand, you've also heard it will help you save money on gas, make your car work better, give it more power, and make it last longer.
You've already decided to read this guide, so you're right on track to learning the ins and outs of an air intake system. (Congratulations!) And now you need to learn what it is, exactly.
Basically, an air intake system is a device you install in your engine that makes your vehicle run more efficiently because it pulls in, or, takes in, larger amounts of clean air compared to the factory setup already installed.
(See, that wasn't so hard to understand, was it?)
An air intake system is just one tiny piece of a giant engine puzzle, but it's one of the most important. If your engine doesn't get enough quality air, well, you'll be taking the bus to work! Digging a little deeper into the world of intakes, you'll need to understand the structure and how it functions; there are two parts to an air intake system in addition to all the brackets and hardware that come with it: the air filter and the intake tube, which you'll have to assemble yourself. (Sorry, I think Bob Vila only works on old houses.)
The way an intake system works is that the air filter sucks in fresh air from under the vehicle's hood, filters it by removing dirt and debris, and then pushes it through the intake tube to the motor. With the filters used on these intakes, you can expect maximum airflow along with ultimate protection against dirt going into the motor. Also, with the smooth design of the intake tube, the air coming in flows much better than the stock setup, which, in turn, allows you the benefits of increased horsepower, torque, and gas mileage. Here's an example of what a complete air intake system looks like:

This particular air intake system is made by K&N, one of the best, well-known, and trusted makers of intakes. (K&N invented these products, so they're the industry leaders.) They offer several different kinds of intakes; it really just depends on the level of improvement you'll be satisfied with and how much you want to spend. Here are some examples of the different intakes available and what their major features are, in addition to all the benefits you automatically get with K&N products:
|
What It's Called |
What It Does |
|
K&N 57 Series Gen II Air Intake Kit (FIPK) |
Increases power by 10%; reduces intake restriction |
|
K&N 57i Series Gen I Air Intake Kit (FIPK) |
Larger filter size; maximizes air flow |
|
K&N 63 Series AirCharger |
Oversized filter; captures more dirt and debris |
|
K&N 69 Series Typhoon |
Made for sport compacts; improves acceleration |
|
K&N 77 Series High Performance |
Includes heat shield; adds up to 15 horsepower |
So now that you've determined which air intake you'd like to purchase (because you know you can no longer live without one), you need to find a store that will carry them at a low price. You don't have to look too far, though. TruckChamp.com has all sorts of K&N products to compliment and improve your vehicle in many different ways.
One of the great things about this particular website, in addition to their really low prices, fast shipping, and friendly customer service is that finding the right product for your vehicle has never been easier.
Say you have a 2005 Ford Ranger and you want to find an intake system for it. Just go to the website and up in the left-hand corner there's a place where you can enter your vehicle information. (Notice the website automatically enters the information into the Smart Search bar.) The search results will bring up a number of items specifically for your vehicle, in this case, a 2005 Ford Ranger. If you look at the right side of the page, air intake kits are listed right there. Just click on the blue title in that box and it will take you to an air intakes page where you can learn more about intakes and pick one that best suits your needs. (That was simple now, wasn't it?)
From there, TruckChamp.com makes it incredibly easy to order your intake. For all Air Intakes (and all other items in the store for that matter) the shipping is free! (Hey, we all like free stuff, don't we?)
You're now able to join in the conversation and impress your friends and family when they start talking “car talk.” And if they look at you confusingly, just refer them to this article and tell them they can learn just as much about air intake systems as you have. Happy shopping—and happy improved vehicle performance!
About TruckChamp.com
TruckChamp.com, a subsidiary of LOF, Inc., is a leading online retailer of discount aftermarket automotive accessories. TruckChamp.com has been providing friendly customer service since 1974 and is eager to serve automotive enthusiasts with great products at great, low prices. For more information about the company, visit TruckChamp.com.
Everyone knows that vehicles need gasoline to function, but lots of good, clean air is just as critical to the functioning of your car, truck or SUV. Indeed, the air intakes for trucks and cars have a huge impact on the power and performance of the vehicle’s engine. Quite simply, when your engine gets cleaner air and more air, it operates better.
The air filter is just a small part of your overall air intake system. To increase engine performance even further, consider replacing your air intake system with a replacement air intake to further increase the volume of airflow to your engine and produce a significant power upgrade. By replacing your air intake, you will see immediate benefits such as increased horsepower, torque and gas mileage.
The brand that stands out above all others for air intakes and cold air intakes for trucks and cars is definitely K&N. That is why Truck Champ is proud to carry K & N air filters, K & N Oil Filters, K & N Air Intakes, and K & N Cold Air Intake Kits. K&N is the original inventor and industry leader in cotton gauze air filters for vehicles and they remain the sales and brand leader for performance air systems. Click here to view our product line of K&N Oil Filters, K & N Air Filters and K&N Air Intakes, and Air Filter Cleaning Kits.
Replacing your OEM air filter with a K & N performance air filter is the quickest and easiest thing you can do to improve your engine performance.
If you want take it a step further, and kick up your horsepower, torque and fuel economy even more, you can replace your air intake.
Air intake replacements are a significant power upgrade for your vehicle. Air intake systems consist of a performance filter, and a replacement air intake tube that has fewer bends and twists than your OEM air take, thus enabling a greater volume of airflow to your engine.
When your engine is able to take in more air, or more precisely, more oxygen, the fuel/air mixture helps your engine deliver more horsepower, torque and better gas mileage.
Your air intake is located in your engine compartment. It is made up of the air box, the air intake, the air intake tube and the air filter.
The OEM air intake tube usually has quite a few twists and turns in it, to dissipate noise. While a more twisted air intake might mean your car or truck runs slightly quieter (trapping noise as well as air) the restricted airflow compromises your engine’s performance. Coupled with the inefficient OEM paper air filter, your engine is not running at capacity.
Optimum combustion to power your engine means the right mixture of fuel and air, and the cooler and cleaner the air, the better. Your OEM air intake does not provide either the maximum amount of air nor the cleanest air nor the coolest air, so nothing is working at maximum power and efficiency.
That’s where a replacement air intake system can make a big difference. With an increased air volume of cleaner and cooler air, your engine’s performance and response will significantly improve immediately.
A replacement air intake has a number of benefits, but because it takes air from inside the engine compartment, the air is still hot air. Cold air intakes, on the other hand, take air from OUTSIDE the engine compartment, providing your vehicle with not only more air and cleaner air, but cooler air as well. Installation of a cold air intake is more challenging than installing regular air intakes, but the trade-off is that you’re giving your engine cooler air.
However, cold air intake systems are not available for all vehicles. Further, cold air intakes are NOT recommend for vehicles that must drive through heavy amounts of water as the external intake could result in water being sucked into the air system. Appearance might be another consideration when deciding on a cold air intake versus a regular air intake because a cold air intake locates the air box outside the engine (to allow for access to outside air) which means it is visible from outside the vehicle (usually in a wheel well). Also, some vehicles don’t benefit from a cold air intake versus a regular one, so check with your car’s manufacturer before making a decision, or feel free to call us.
Either way you go, The Benefits of Replacement Air Intake Systems are significant!
And since we only carry K & N Air Intakes, K & N Cold Air Intakes and Cold Air Kits, you can rest assured that you are getting the best quality and performance available. To see our prices for your specific vehicle, go to the K&N Intake Purchase Page.
The many benefits of K&N Air Intakes, K&N Cold Air Intakes and K & N Cold Air Kits include:
If you’re ready to order an air intake for your vehicle, visit our main K&N Air Intake Performance Kits.
K & N air filters, air intakes and cold air intake kits are the best quality, durability, performance and warranty in the industry. Upgrade your vehicle with K & N today and you’ll be glad you did. In fact, you’ll be sorry you waited so long!