Cold Air Intake VS Upgraded Drop-in Air Filter

What is a cold air intake?

​​Cold air intake systems are designed to improve engine performance by drawing in cold air and cooler temperatures. An intake enhances the flow of air into the engine, resulting in increased power and efficiency. Cold air intakes usually consist of an intake pipe and a filter, which is typically cone-shaped, and placed in front of the bumper or somewhere close-to air circulation away from engine heat.

Cold air intakes can be used to improve the performance of both naturally aspirated and forced induction engines. When used on a naturally aspirated engine, cold air intakes help increase power by allowing the engine to take in more air. That’s pretty obvious, but on a forced-induction engine, cold air intakes can help to improve fuel economy by reducing the amount of work that the turbocharger or supercharger has to do. Cold air intakes are a popular aftermarket modification for many car enthusiasts.

Some of the benefits of our cold air intakes include:

• Application-specific fitment for most aftermarket and OEM intercooler systems
• Works with a wide variety of intercooler piping configurations
• Affordable for all budgets, while performing better than many cold air intakes on the market today

Browse our air intake systems and accessories

At Modern Automotive Performance, we’ve been building our own air intake systems for multiple different makes and models. We’ve seen firsthand how the right kit can help your engine rev better and add horsepower. Check out our MAPerformance cold air intake kits, made right here in the USA.

Aftermarket air filters

An aftermarket air filter can improve the performance of your car's engine. These filters are designed to flow more air than factory air filters, which means more power for your engine. They also last longer and are easier to clean than factory air filters. An aftermarket air filter with no induction piping can be installed to replace your factory air box which sits inside your engine bay. ​​

Browse all performance air filters

There are different types of air filters, but we'll go over one of our favorites: the drop-in filter.

Drop-in air filters

Drop-in air filters are a great way to improve your car's performance without spending a lot of money. Drop-in filters can usually be installed in 5 minutes or less and are designed to flow more air than your factory filter, but they don't have the side effects that are associated with aftermarket cold air intake systems. They easily fit right into your airbox–in the same spot as your factory filter. Depending on your power goals, a drop-in filter will do you well.

Do performance air filters work?

This is what our very own Media Specialist, Erik Blume, here at MAP had to say:

"From my own personal experience with owning everything from a low-powered, essentially stock car, I would say most certainly YES! A friend of mine told me that you could get an extra 40hp from the engine with performance spark plugs and a K&N drop-in filter. Although I do believe you almost always get what you pay for, 40hp sure did sound appealing, so I gave it a shot. Along with a re-tune, I am extremely happy overall with my drop-in filter."

K&N drop-in air filter review

Read some reviews of our K&N drop-in filter products below.

“Excellent!!

There was an INSTANT difference in the way my car drove. It speeds up faster, shifts smoother, and is overall just a better drive now. 100% would suggest this for anyone. Great job K&N.”

“So far so good!

Easy installation, fit was perfect. Car seems to be breathing easier, don't have any dyno tests to compare numbers, but I trust in the name to deliver performance.”

Aside from K&N drop-in filters, we also carry the Green Filter, PRL, and Works brands.

Drop-in air filter vs cold air intake – What’s the difference?

Most people are familiar with the standard drop-in air filter. This type of filter simply replaces the existing filter, yet it can offer many performance benefits. A cold air intake, on the other hand, gives you the option to reroute your intake. This allows your intake to suck air from cooler areas, such as the side of the engine bay or under the car. Cold air intakes can offer even greater performance benefits, but they typically cost more than a drop-in filter. When it comes to choosing between a drop-in filter and a cold air intake, it really depends on your budget and your goals for performance.

Always feel free to call us at 1-888-MAPerformance and ask for advice. We are looking forward to speaking with you and we'll never steer you wrong!