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    AIR INTAKE & FILTRATION

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    COLD AIR INTAKE INSTALLATION

    An air intake upgrade is one of the most accessible entry points in the performance upgrade conversation. More airflow into the engine means more efficient combustion, which translates to improved throttle response, modest horsepower gains, and in most cases a more noticeable intake sound under acceleration. At Pickups Plus Cars, air intake and filtration upgrades are part of our broader performance services for trucks, SUVs, and cars at both our Lewis Center and Hilliard locations.

    We carry systems from AIRAID and K&N, two of the most established names in intake and filtration, and we've been installing them on all types of vehicles for 25+ years. The right intake system depends on your engine, your goals, and whether you're looking for a simple drop-in filter replacement or a full cold air intake that relocates the filter to a cooler, denser air source. We'll tell you what's worth the money on your specific platform before you commit to anything.

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    Our Air Intake Services

    Whether you want a simple filter upgrade or a full cold air system, we match the right intake solution to your vehicle and install it correctly.

    Drop-In Performance Filters

    A drop-in performance filter replaces the factory paper filter in your existing airbox with a reusable cotton gauze filter that flows more air and can be cleaned and reinstalled rather than replaced. It's the lowest-cost, least-involved intake upgrade and works well on vehicles where the factory airbox geometry is already adequate. AIRAID and K&N both make drop-in filters for a wide range of makes and models.

    Cold Air Intake Systems

    A cold air intake replaces the factory airbox and intake tube and relocates the filter to a position where it draws cooler, denser air from outside the engine bay. Cooler air is denser, which means more oxygen per volume of air, which means better combustion and measurable power gains over a factory intake. We install cold air systems for trucks, SUVs, and cars across all major makes and models.

    Short Ram Intake Systems

    A short ram intake keeps the filter closer to the engine than a cold air system, which makes for simpler installation with a more aggressive intake sound. The downside is that the filter pulls from the engine bay rather than a cooler outside source, which limits the power advantage over a cold air setup. Short ram intakes are a good choice when a cold air route isn't practical or when the primary goal is sound rather than power.

    Filter Maintenance & Cleaning

    AIRAID and K&N performance filters are reusable: they're designed to be cleaned and re-oiled rather than thrown away. Proper maintenance keeps filter flow optimal and extends the life of the filter significantly. We can clean and re-oil performance filters as part of a service visit and walk you through the maintenance process so you can do it yourself going forward.

    YOU NEED THIS IF:

    • You want improved throttle response without a major investment
    • Your factory air filter is due for replacement and you want a reusable upgrade
    • You're building out a truck or car and want to improve airflow as part of a larger package
    • You want a more noticeable intake sound under acceleration
    • You're pairing an intake with other bolt-on modifications for combined gains
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    COMMON AIR INTAKE QUESTIONS

    • How much horsepower does a cold air intake actually add?

      On most naturally aspirated engines, a cold air intake adds somewhere between 5-15 horsepower depending on the engine and the intake design. The gains are more noticeable on turbocharged engines because more air density directly affects boost efficiency. The honest answer is that an intake alone won't transform a vehicle, but it's a meaningful first step in a build sequence and produces its best results when paired with other supporting modifications and a tune. We'll tell you what's realistic for your specific platform.

    • What's the difference between a drop-in filter and a full cold air intake?

      A drop-in filter replaces the factory paper filter inside your existing airbox. It flows more air than a factory filter and is reusable, but it doesn't change where the filter is located or how the air reaches the engine. A cold air intake replaces the entire airbox and intake tube and moves the filter to a cooler location outside the engine bay. The cold air system produces more power because it draws denser, cooler air, but it's a more involved upgrade and costs more. Which makes sense depends on your vehicle and your goals.

    • Are performance air filters worth the cost over a standard replacement filter?

      For vehicles that are otherwise stock, the gains from a performance filter alone are modest but the reusability makes the long-term cost comparable to or better than replacing paper filters repeatedly. The bigger case for a performance filter is when it's part of a build: pairing better filtration with a tune, exhaust upgrades, or forced induction allows each modification to work more effectively. On a daily driver with no other modifications, a drop-in filter is a sensible upgrade but shouldn't be expected to dramatically change how the vehicle drives.

    • Will an aftermarket air intake affect my vehicle's warranty?

      Under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, a dealer cannot void your warranty simply because you installed an aftermarket air intake. They would need to demonstrate that the intake directly caused a specific failure. In practice, air intake installs on well-maintained vehicles rarely create warranty issues. If your vehicle is still under warranty and you have specific concerns, come in and we'll talk through what the modification involves and any realistic risk.

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