how does the cold air intake work? the k&n ones just look like tubes with a funky filter on the end... but that cont be... so what other parts are in them and how do they work?

 

A real cold air intake uses air from the outside of the engine compartment, where the air is cooler and denser, which allows the engine to make more power. If the intake is inside of the engine compartment, it is not a cold air intake, regardless of fancy plumbing and air filters.

 

so your telling me i can just buy the filter and then make/ find my own tube and route th tube somewhere?

the reason i ask is i have a 2.8 and i cant fing any cais for it... only a universal one that costs me like 400 bucks

 

What is the intake like now? Is it a FI car? Is it the tube that goes to a round container on the opposite side of the battery? If it is then you could try to make a tube that goes past that into the hole so a filter is between the body and the fender.
I have seen at pep boys universal parts to make up your own CAI

 

yes its fi i was planning on finding the optimal spot where the most air flows and its cold... then find the best flowing filter...

i was thinking... bigger filter+more air flow+ coldest air= most power

 

doesn't the factory intake draw air outside the engine compartment? Would a k&n replacement filter be a cheap yet effective way to go if the engine is heavily modified?