Since I am off of work due to a pinched nerve in my neck, I have had some time on my hands to surf the net.

I noticed that most cold air intakes with the heat shields around the filter are black in color (I am talking specifically about the heat shield being black)

I have always been told that black absorbs more heat than lighter colors. I read a few studies and the results of testing this theory. Darker colors do absorb more heat than lighter colors.

My question is, would it be beneficial to have the heat shield around the air filter painted white as opposed to black? Such as cooler temperatures entering the intake?

I also read from some of the studies that the temperature difference between black and white was around 5 degrees, but this test was performed on fabric and not metal....just thought I would add that also...

Chime in and tell me your thoughts...I am just really bored right now as I am stuck in the house for a few days with an ice pack on my neck...

 

wow you must be really bored. It is true that black absorbs more heat than white. I dont know if it would make a whole lot of difference with the whole setup being connected and being underhood, but it seems like something that could be tested(although it would be hard to get same and constant conditons)... but test not only color, material as well.

 

OK..... no think of it this way...... The heat shield is absorbing it so it doesn't get absorbed through your filter and into your motor.....



You would have to test the IAT to see what temperature the air is going in at

 

Uhmmm - I think your confusing something here - Like, UV light absorbing colors maybe? No worries, unless your driving around with the hood open

 

Paint it what color looks good to You.
Not going to make any difference!

Phil

 

Makes sense. Like I said previously, I was really bored....

 

Black also looses heat faster than any other colour.

JMC

 

Your factory intake is black. If there were horsepower to gain by painting it white, you'd think it'd be that way from the factory.