However, if the cross-sectional area of the new intake is larger than the original, then it will not cool the air but would provide less restricted air-flow, especially if the aftermarket intake filter is larger.

They may also be smoothing the airflow inside the duct, as well as sizing it so as to be tuned to particular rpm ranges of the specific engine.

Or….there were originally such kits that actually did move the air inlet location away from the engine, thus providing cooler air, but were followed by aftermarket performance kits that just look good and are labeled “cold air intakes”.

I drove that car once and was quite impressed at the peppiness of the engine and the close-ratio transmission. It appears to have dual overhead cam.

Now, given the picture, how would the air coming through that metal pipe, which sits in the hot engine compartment, provide any cooler air than the plastic tubing which basically occupies the same space and draws air from the same location? Wouldn’t the metal conduct heat faster than plastic? It seems like this would be a good setup for pre-heating the air coming into the fuel injectors.

Any other insights?

There was a fellow at work who would drag his ’55 Chevy. He ran his air intake through tubing that was wound inside a a coffee can which he would fill with ice.