this might sound like a ridiculous question, but is there a difference and if there is what is it between an air intake and a air filter.

I know that a generic air filter replaces the stock air filter to increase hp and it looks like a cylinder cone.

P.S.
if it makes a difference I'm talking about a 1997 GXE maxima.

thanks
itsgt

 

Air filter is just refering to the actual filter its self. An intake refers to the whole system. For a auto, a cone intake will produce more high end power but decreases low end torque(some disagree). If you want the most power then get a CAI(cold air intake) which sucks the air from outside of the engine bay.

 

The main difference is a freer flow. Take your stock panel filter and bend it around in a circle. In that shape your are exposing more of the outside filter surface to the outside air than in its flat shape. By doing that, you let the air flow through the filter with less restriction,meaning more power. That's the basis of the cone type filters on intake systems. The other difference is locating the cone filter where the coldest air is. The colder the air you can get into the engine, the better.

DW