An internal combustion engine requires a combination of air and fuel to produce power for a vehicle. The air intake system pulls air from the outside and brings it to the cylinders of the engine. Every car with a gasoline engine has an air intake valve or system.
A cold air intake system is a superior version of the standard air intake system. Since the outside air might be rather hot, a cold air intake system will cool the air before delivering it to the engine. It is easier for cool air to combust than it is for hot air. Because of this, the engine can produce more power for the vehicle.
Benefits of Cold Air Intake for Your Car
Let’s take a look at the top 5 benefits of a cold air intake system for cars.
1) Reusable Air Filters
The standard air intake system uses disposable air filters to block debris from entering the engine. You would typically have to replace the air filter after every 10,000 miles of driving.
The great thing about cold air intake systems is they contain reusable air intake filters. Rather than throw away the filter, you can clean the debris off the filter and place it back into the cold air intake system. You only need to clean the filter every 25,000 miles too. That will save you time and money.
2) Increased Gas Mileage
Cold air contains more oxygen than hot air. That is why gasoline engines respond better to cold air because it needs to burn oxygen and gasoline together. When you only have hot air entering the engine, it requires a lot more fuel and air to satisfy the vehicle’s power demands. That will greatly affect the gas mileage.
If you want to increase your gas mileage, a cold air intake system is a wonderful solution. It doesn’t take much time for cold air to combust, which means your engine won’t consume as much fuel to produce power for your vehicle. As a result, you will increase your gas mileage and save money on fuel.
3) Increased Horsepower
Good horsepower means you can generate more power in less time for your vehicle. Since cold air burns more quickly, you’ll be able to produce power more quickly. A cold air intake system will increase your horsepower significantly and allow you to accelerate faster in less time.
Make sure the specific configuration of your vehicle will allow added horsepower. Some older vehicles cannot handle more horsepower, so keep that in mind. But if your vehicle was made after 2010, it should be okay.
4) Smoother Airflow
Cold air flows through the filter and intake tubes a lot faster. It creates uninterrupted airflow from the intake system to the engine. Not only does this allow the engine to generate more power, but it puts less strain on the engine too. Smoother airflow is the perfect way to increase the lifespan of your engine.
The last thing you’d want to do is end up with a faulty or malfunctional engine because it would cost you thousands of dollars to replace it. An investment in a cold air intake system is an investment to save your engine too.
5) More Vibrant Engine Sound
Some people might prefer quieter engines, but not everyone does. There is something very satisfying about an engine that roars when you step on the gas pedal. Standard air intake systems are designed to make the engine run quietly. But with a cold air intake system, the engine will roar as the cold air flows into it. This makes driving a lot more fun and exciting.
Best Cold Air Intake Brands for Chevy Silverado 1500
Chevy Silverado 1500 is one of the most realizable trucks you can find on the market. Even though this vehicle is not a new-released product, you can still rely on its performance. However, some people still find that is not enough. Therefore, they want to modify it and improve its performance. For that reason, they buy the cold air intake parts to put in its engine system. If you also need that, here we have a list of the best cold air intake you can get. These products are the best you can find on the market, today.
1) K&N 63-3082 Cold Air Intake Kit
K&N is one of the best brands you can choose for any spare parts for your vehicle. As for this cold air intake, it is optimized to add more horsepower. Once you install it, it will increase your Chevy’s performance significantly. According to the test using various vehicle dynamometers, this cold air intake can easily add around 11 horsepower to your vehicle. That amount is big enough to give your Silverado a significant change that you will feel as its driver.
Similar to other cold air intakes, a car owner that uses it aims for getting louder or wilder engine sound. And, this K&N cold air intake also can do that. The engine sound becomes much louder and thicker. Moreover, it also improves your vehicle’s throttle response.
More importantly, K&N also makes it easy to install. You don’t have to use too many tools to do it. The basic mechanical tool for your car maintenance is enough to put it perfectly into your vehicle engine compartment. With a 10-year limited warranty, we can see that this product is worth it for your vehicle.
2) K&N 71-3082 Cold Air Intake Kit
As for this cold air intake, K&N did something that let you smile once you installed it. Performance-wise, this product can easily improve the airflow into your engine. According to the dynamometer test, it increases the airflow by 50%. It helps your car engine to control the temperature. Therefore, energy production becomes much more effective. Thus, it produces more power, which shows by the increase of your Chevy horsepower.
One of the best things you can get from this cold air intake is the guaranteed increase of vehicle power. And, you can see it not only from the horsepower but also the towing capability. This cold air intake improves this part significantly, so you can get better acceleration and uphill performance.
Similar to another K&N cold air intake, it also produces better engine sound. You can hear a real roar under the hood. If you want to make your truck noticeable, you can use this air part to change how it screams. And, because it is a product from K&N, you can expect good performance, quality, and service from them.
3) K&N 57-3050 Cold Air Intake Kit
This cold air intake offers one of the most effective methods to improve your Silverado 1500 horsepower. It uses the method called High-Flow Technology. Thanks to this feature, the obstruction, and instability of airflow that you found on your truck are gone. Without obstruction, the cold air will flow smoothly into your engine. Then, it affects the engine temperature, makes it stable, and eventually increases its horsepower.
The filter is the core of cold air intake parts. As for this K&N product, it uses high-quality material to improve its performance. Furthermore, they also installed a heat shield made of nonmetallic high-density polyethylene (HDPE) to protect it against the heat that comes from the engine. So, the durability of the filter is also increasing, which also improves its lifespan.
One of the best things you can find on this product is its legality. Many countries forbid the modification of the standard car engine system. However, the K&N intake system has been legally approved by the law in many countries. So, you don’t have to worry when you want to install it on your Chevy Silverado 1500.
4) K&N 57-3058 Cold Air Intake Kit
K&N makes this cold air intake with one purpose. It gives the users the most convenient way to use it. One of the best features for that is using the best filter. The filter lasts much longer than other cold air intake filters. Moreover, it doesn’t even need cleaning up to 100,000 miles of usage.
It is also easy to install. You only need to bolt it on the cold air intake frame in your Chevy engine compartment. Moreover, you only need basic hand tools to do that. The installation process doesn’t take too much time. If you properly follow its instruction, you can finish everything within one hour.
Moreover, K&N also gives you one of the best warranty offers. You get 10-year/million-mile limited warranty that will protect this part for years. With this warranty, many Chevy owners see it as one of the best investments they can use to improve their vehicle.
Overall, K&N 57-3058 cold air intake is one of the best choices for your Silverado. Buy and install it, if you want to improve your vehicle’s performance and let it howl a nice engine sound on the road.
5) Spectre Performance SPE-9006 Air Intake Kit
Spectre creates this cold air intake system to improve your vehicle horsepower and torque. Once you install it, you can easily get a 50% increase in your car performance. Now, can you imagine how much you can get from installing it on Chevy Silverado 1500? With 277 horsepower, you get almost an extra 100 horsepower that helps you to boost its power as well as performance. It won’t be your old Silverado anymore.
To provide that kind of improvement, Spectre uses a specific design for this cold air intake system. They use a washable body, which gives you a low maintenance problem. It also has a low restriction air filter (reusable). Moreover, the aluminum intake tubing with a black powder-coated heat shield also protects its performance. It will only allow the cold air to enter its system. You don’t have to worry about the unstable heat control that you can find on the old system.
In its package, you get everything that you need. Besides the cold air intake filter, you also get a velocity stack, stainless steel clamps, bracket, and other parts. You just need to install them on your vehicle, and it will work wonderfully.
6) Spectre Performance SPE-9910 Air Intake Kit
This cold air intake kit offers so many features and benefits that you will need on your Silverado. First of all, it can improve more than 50% of your vehicle airflow. The better airflow also gives more push on your vehicle horsepower and torque. The engine will be able to function efficiently. It helps the vehicle to run even faster and more efficiently.
It also uses the advanced oiled synthetic filter design. This kind of filter has the best effectiveness in protecting the inside of the air intake component from all kinds of contaminants. Furthermore, the filter also has better durability, which needs no cleaning or maintenance for a long time. You can use it for 100,000 miles without any problems.
This cold air intake is also easy to install. However, it could be tricky, if you can’t follow the installation instruction. We also recommend you download the installation manual from Spectre’s official website for a better and clearer image.
Best of all, even though you install this cold air intake system, it won’t affect your vehicle warranty. It helps you a lot when you want to modify the vehicle to get better performance. Of course, that also means you can save your budget for your vehicle maintenance.
7) MILLION PARTS 4” Cold Air Intake Filters System
MILLION PARTS cold air intake system boasts its convenience you can get from it. It uses a design that lets you install it in no time. If another air intake system requires almost one hour to complete the installation process, this product is much faster. You can finish everything within 20 minutes, especially if you are experienced in doing car maintenance service. Of course, if you want to avoid mistakes and get even faster installation time, hire professional technicians to help you with the installation.
Other than that, the high durability feature is also something that you can’t leave behind. MILLION use the anodized aluminum pipes as the core of this air intake system. This material gives it higher wear resistance and higher durability.
This air intake system adds more power to your Silverado. You also can get better acceleration with this system. More importantly, it improves the heat control feature in the engine, which can prolong its lifespan. More lifespan means you can save more money for replacement or maintenance.
8) MooSun 4″ Cold Air Intake System
MooSun stated clearly on this product specification list. It improves your Silverado horsepower by 5-10% and torque by 6-10%. You may think that it is not that big improvement. However, this number is enough to give a significant change in the vehicle performance. So, this part is not only a good choice for replacing the old or original air intake system. But, it is also a part of the upgrade you can try to improve the vehicle performance.
This cold air intake kit includes everything that you need to upgrade the air intake system in Chevy Silverado 1500. It is including the couple, elbow, and hoses that are made of high-quality silicone. It is not rubber which can easily deform because of the heat. So, you don’t have to worry about it.
Furthermore, this air intake system is suitable for both automatic and manual transmission. Moreover, the filter is also washable and reusable. With all these benefits, this air intake kit is indeed one of the best you can choose for your vehicle.
9) SUPERFASTRACING 4″ Cold Air Intake System
One of the best parts you can find in this air intake kit is the heat shield part. It is made of steel, which has a better resistance against heat. This heat shield also has a carbon-black powder coating on its surface. This layer protects it from rust and other elements that commonly become the problem on many heat shields. Moreover, this black and red coating layer also makes it look cool among other engine parts under the hood.
As for its performance, you can trust this brand for improving the cold air intake function in Silverado 1500. Instead of a small and restricted original air intake pipe in this vehicle, this cold air intake system has a bigger pipe diameter. It creates a better flow of air. And, when your car engine gets a smoother flow of air, it can use its maximum performance. On the other hand, it can even exceed its original performance.
Lastly, this product is also easy to install. It is suitable for beginners and those who have a limited budget. We can say it is a perfect addition to Silverado.
10) AIRAID 201-785 Jr. Intake Kit with Synthamax Dry Filter
AIRAID intake kit offers better performance for the vehicle. For that reason, this brand creates a unique tube shape by applying the aerodynamic concept to it. This design opens more space for air to flow into the engine. Moreover, it also increases the airflow, which reduces the turbulence in your vehicle. Less turbulence and better heat control allow the Silverado’s engine to work well and even better than its original performance.
The filter part is also satisfying. It is not only protecting the engine from any substance that can damage it. However, it provides more oxygen-dense air that flows into the vehicle engine. This part is the secret behind how it improves engine performance significantly. More oxygen in the engine cylinder allows it to burn more fuel to produce more energy.
The design is also simple. You don’t have to be an expert to know how to put it into your Silverado. Furthermore, it is also pre-calibrated. You only have to put it into the engine compartment. Then, it will work well.
11) Airaid AIR-201-382 Cold Air Inatke System
AIRAID is well-known for its superior filtration and best horsepower improvement from its air intake system product. This cold air intake system is no different. It improves the horsepower significantly. Moreover, the filtration system also protects it from all kinds of debris and damaging objects, which prolongs its lifespan.
Furthermore, it uses Synthamax technology for its air filter. This dry synthetic air filter provides the best protection compared to other filter types. Moreover, it doesn’t obstruct the airflow to the engine. So, if we have to mention the air filter that has exceptional performance, this air filter is the only answer.
However, the best part about this air intake system kit is the easy-to-install feature. You don’t have to use a complicated process to put it into your vehicle. AIRAID makes it with the bolt-in-and-go concept. You only use simple tools to install it and it won’t take too long to finish the installation process.
AIRAID also provides a no-hassle lifetime warranty. This feature protects the customer and provides the best after-sale service. It is indeed one of the best investments you can make for improving your Silverado 1500 performance.
12) Rough Country Cold Air Intake 10551
Rough Country cold air intake system has one purpose that comes from its design. It is to bring more oxygen to the engine’s combustion chamber. The cylinder tube design allows better airflow than the original air intake system of Chevy Silverado 1500. More oxygen means your engine will get enough elements that help it to burn more fuel and turn it into energy. Because of this system, you can feel that your vehicle will have more horsepower and acceleration. And, according to the test, it is indeed improving Silverado horsepower.
Furthermore, it also uses a premium class air filter. Rough Country uses the best material to build this air filter. It prevents any dangerous substance from entering your engine interior. These substances can cause many problems, from blockage to the airway and even damage the engine material. Moreover, the filter is also reusable and washable. So, you don’t have to change it regularly and save maintenance costs.
13) Volant 15153 Cool Air Intake Kit
The Volant’s cold air intake system provides the best improvement for vehicle throttle performance. First of all, it increases the throttle noise. When you rev your Silverado, you can hear how loud it is. It is different than the original throttle noise. However, in a normal driving situation, you can’t hear that much difference.
Best of all, the air intake system also improves the throttle response. It helps you to get more control over your vehicle. Plus, with more power from the engine, you can easily maneuver in various conditions and roads.
Furthermore, your engine also works more efficiently because of the better airflow from this air intake system. Because of that, you also can feel that your vehicle has better fuel economy. In short, installing this air intake system will improve your Silverado performance, plus let you save more money for maintenance purposes.
14) Rtunes Racing Short Ram Air Intake Kit
Rtunes Racing offers one of the best air intake systems in this product. This kit gives you all parts you need to rebuild the air intake system of your Silverado. Once you get this air intake kit, you won’t need other things to install it. Put it into the engine compartment with simple tools, and you are ready to use it.
For easing the installation process, this kit also includes all mounting hardware. You get vacuum hoses and reducers. Other accessories are also available in the package. Make sure you follow the instruction to install and integrate it into the previous engine system.
It also has quite a satisfying performance. Your engine gets more cold and rich in oxygen air to improve its combustion function. Therefore, you can expect higher horsepower from it. Also, get a better throttle response thanks to this function. With a bit of kick, you can feel a big push on the road. The washable and reusable air filter also helps you to save more budgets for your car maintenance.
15) Flowmaster Cold Air Intake Kit
Flowmaster offers the most advanced performance product that follows the latest automotive technology development. This cold air intake kit is one of those products. It uses the cross-linked polyethylene intake tube to create high-flow-type airflow. This type of airflow allows the engine to get more oxygen from the outside.
Moreover, it uses aircraft-quality black anodized aluminum fittings to provide the best durability. With the high-quality reinforced silicone couplers and stainless steel components, this air intake system will survive in any condition. This high durability feature is a perfect choice for trucks like Silverado 1500.
The tube is not only designed in a large diameter. It also uses the conical shape with 8-layers of a gauze air filter. This combination allows it to get more air and protect the engine from dirt. It also uses the 6-panel design for easy installation. You don’t need an expert to help you with that. However, if you think you don’t have proper knowledge and skill, asking a professional is a good idea. All in all, you get everything from this product, good performance, and beautiful appearance.
Read also:
Conclusion
The original air intake system of the Chevy Silverado 1500 may not provide the most satisfying performance for you. If you have that situation, choose one of the air intake products we mentioned above. That will give you what you need.
