High performance air intake system

Abstract

An apparatus and method for a heat shield with an integrated air filter assembly is disclosed. Wherein the air filter assembly comprising a filter material circumferentially extending such that the filter material surrounds at least a portion of an interior cavity of the air filter, a distal end cap affixed to a distal end of the filter material, and a wire support extending along at least a portion of an exterior surface of the filter material; and wherein the heat shield is configured to direct cooler air into an air intake conduit extending from an intake portion of an automobile engine for combustion.

1 .- 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . An air filtration system for an internal combustion engine, comprising:
 an air filter assembly disposed within an engine bay;   a heat shield partially surrounding the air filter assembly;   a conduit coupled between the air filter assembly and an air intake of the engine;   a first gasket disposed along a top of the heat shield; and   a second gasket disposed along a bottom of the heat shield.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the first gasket is configured to contact an inner surface of a hood. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the second gasket is configured to insulate the heat shield from engine bay heat. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the first gasket and the second gasket are configured to hinder heat transfer to the heat shield. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the heat shield comprises a mount portion and a housing portion. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the mount portion is configured for mounting the heat shield to an interior of the engine bay. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the mount portion comprises a plurality of structural supports configured to increase the rigidity of the mount portion. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the plurality of structural supports comprises a plurality of ribs. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the mount portion includes a fastening means for mounting the heat shield. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 24 , wherein the first gasket and the second gasket are respectively disposed on upper and lower edges of the heat shield. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the housing portion is configured to support the air filter assembly and provide an interface between the air filter assembly and the conduit. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the housing portion comprises a plurality of structural members configured to increase the rigidity of the housing portion. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein the plurality of structural members comprises a plurality of ribs. 
     
     
         29 . A method for filtering an airstream entering an internal combustion engine, comprising:
 disposing an air filter assembly within an engine bay;   positioning a heat shield around the air filter assembly;   coupling a conduit between the air filter assembly and an air intake of the engine;   disposing a first gasket along a top of the heat shield; and   disposing a second gasket along a bottom of the heat shield.   
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein positioning the heat shield comprises partially surrounding the air filter assembly by way of the heat shield. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein positioning the heat shield includes mounting the heat shield to an interior of the engine bay. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein positioning the heat shield includes causing the first gasket to contact an inner surface of a hood. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein positioning the heat shield includes coupling the air filter assembly with a flange comprising the conduit. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein disposing the first gasket and disposing the second gasket include respectively disposing the first gasket on an upper edge of the heat shield and disposing the second gasket on a lower edge of the heat shield. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein coupling the conduit includes disposing portions of the conduit between the air filter assembly and the air intake.