Thread: Cold Air Intake ?

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For each 10* drop in carb inlet temperature, power picks up by 1%. That's why it's so important to run a cool air inlet from outside the car instead of picking up air that has been through the radiator and is maybe 180* going into the motor. Pick up outside air at 80* instead and you have gained 10% power for free. Of course, you may have to re-jet to take advantage of the heavier air.

This doesn't answer your question on engine heat and its relationship to drawing in cooler air and I don't know that I have ever seen any studies done on it. My initial thoughts would be that the engine may run a little warmer pulling in cool air because it's making more power. But that's just my opinion, unsubstantiated with a scientific explanation.