Why Do I need a heat shield for my cold air intake?

If you have installed a cold air intake, your next priority is to protect your cold air intake to get the best out of it. You ask, do I need a heat shield for my cold air intake? A heat shield is necessary for your cold air intake, it is needed for not only protection but for other reasons as well.

 In this article, we will explain why it is necessary to have a heat shield for your cold air intake, and how exactly a heat shield works. You may find this article helpful if you are skeptical about installing a heat shield.

How Does A Heat Shield Work?

A heat shield is a thin piece of aluminum or a thermal mat that is wrapped around a cold air intake to prevent warm air from being sucked into your cold air intake. You can also consider using a heat shield to make your cold air intake colder.

When wrapped around your cold air intake, a heat shield works by reflecting heat off it. Heat shields are usually purchased separately from a cold air intake kit, but they can easily be found in your local garage or online.

Do I Need A Heat Shield For My Cold Air Intake?

If you find yourself asking “do I need a heat shield for my cold air intake?” you should know that you need a heat shield. Not only does it protects your cold air intake it also improves your car performance. Your CAI is supposed to take in cold air to your engine, if warm air gets to it, it does not deliver the cold air necessary to cool your engine, and this can reduce the power and performance of your car.

However, with a heat shield your cold air intake is kept cool, a cooler cold air intake means more oxygen content, and the higher the rate of oxygen the higher the rate of fuel combustion, and a high rate of combustion means more power for your vehicle. Installing a heat shield may only add a small amount of horsepower(about 6.8HP) to your vehicle, but it’s still a boost.

Installing a heat shield during summer or got period may prove to be harmful to your cold air intake instead of helpful. During very hot days it is recommended that heat shields are not used.

How To Make A Heat Shield For A Cold Air Intake  

The following steps will guide you on how to make a heat shield for your cold air intake.

1. Cut a piece of aluminum sheet that measures 5 by 5 inches, cut out the aluminum sheet as it would fit around your air filter
2. Smoothen the edge of your aluminum sheet using sandpaper, then cut a small hole at the center of your aluminum foil.
3. Bend your aluminum sheet in a way that it forms an angle around your air filter.
4. Pass your intake pipe through the heat shield and install your air filter the way it was.
5. Make a hole on your aluminum sheet, such that this hole matches the drill holes of the L-bracket
6. Using screws, ensure that the L- the bracket is secure to your heat shield.
7. You can now install your cold air intake by fixing the intake pipe to the mass airflow sensor.
8. Drill two holes in your engine bay for your L-brackets to be fastened to, then use bolts to secure it in place.
9. Be careful not to make holes in the wires and other delicate parts of the car.

Where Do I Install A Heat Shield?

Your insulating heat shield should be installed on the path where air travels. A good start is to install your heat shield where the air enters, then you should proceed from there. You can wrap a heat shield on your air intake filter, on your air intake pipe, or on your intercooler pipe.

Best Heat Shield For Cold Air Intake

Our top picks when it comes to insulating heat shields are the AF dynamic heat shield cover and the T.R.U heat shield.

AF dynamic heat shield cover

Key features

1. Made of high-quality stainless steel
2. It is lightweight 
3. Easy to install
4. Suitable for cone air filters

T.R.U heat shield

Key features

1. 3.6 millimeters thick
2. Rubber adhesives adjust to both smooth and rough surfaces
3. Resistant to moisture, weather, smoke transmission, flame, and some chemicals
4. Suitable for intake pipes.

Conclusion 

A heat shield is an insulating material that helps your cold air intake absorb only cold air. Do I need a heat shield for my cold air intake? Yes, it is necessary to get the most out of your cold air intake. Installing a heat shield for your CAI improves your car horsepower and torque due to an intake of cooler air.