If you’re wondering what a 1999-2003 Ford 7.3L Powerstroke air intake does, it’s pretty much exactly what you’d expect. It takes in air and routes it towards the engine. If you think of the engine’s cylinders as its lungs, the air intake would be the mouth or nose. While, on the face of it, an open pipe would work as an air intake, higher quality intakes like the 1999-2003 Ford 7.3L Powerstroke Banks Power Cold Air Intake Kit or the S&B Filters Cold Air Intake Kit (Dry Disposable Filter) 75-5062D do a better job of taking in air as efficiently as possible. The air intake also houses the air filter, which is vital for ensuring the air that the engine takes in is free of debris and other impurities.
Air intakes don’t really degrade like some other parts, but if they are damaged, then their performance may be significantly impacted. You should regularly inspect your air intake for damage and seek out a replacement if you spot any cracks or holes. An air intake is also a relatively cheap and easy part to upgrade if you want to give your vehicle a bit of a performance boost.
