OEM GM Air Intake Systems

An engine must burn a mixture of gas and oxygen to produce the power it runs on. An air intake draws part of that mix -- the air -- into the engine's combustion chamber. In GM vehicles, OEM air intakes are also known as induction systems.

How Air intake Systems Work

It's straightforward. Your fuel injectors start by spraying fuel through intake valves into the engine. Usually, the process is controlled electronically. Your intake manifold then spreads oxygen throughout the engine's cylinders, which also helps keep them cool. An engine air filter helps remove airborne contaminants in the process. Relocate it to above a wheel well or near a fender, and it transforms your induction system into a cold air intake. That cooler air is denser; therefore, your air intake can pull in more of it, giving your engine a power bump. Three different parts of your induction system tell it just how much air to use: a mass airflow sensor, an air metering system connected to an engine control unit or ECU, and an oxygen sensor or sensor array. The last figures out the right air levels in your exhaust, thereby telling your engine how to adjust its fuel consumption. The result: your engine keeps running as well as it can.

Recognize the Symptoms of Air Intake issues

The most obvious sign of air intake problems is a lit Check Engine light, telling you that you've got engine performance issues. Induction system failure, however, has two symptoms: fast engine rev in park or neutral and idling much faster or slower than normal.

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