Air cooling systems for snowmobiles

An air intake system for a snowmobile having a forward frame assembly defining an engine bay and an engine positioned in the engine bay, the air intake system comprising:

• an airbox having an air inlet configured to receive ambient air;
• an air filter assembly in downstream fluid communication with the airbox and positioned forward of the engine bay, the air filter assembly configured to filter the ambient air from the airbox;
• a turbocharger in downstream fluid communication with the air filter assembly and positioned outboard of a first side of the engine bay, the turbocharger configured to compress the ambient air from the air filter assembly;
• an intercooler in downstream fluid communication with the turbocharger and positioned forward of the engine bay, the intercooler configured to cool the compressed air from the turbocharger;
• a throttle valve assembly in downstream fluid communication with the intercooler and positioned outboard of a second side of the engine bay that is opposite of the first side, the throttle valve assembly configured to regulate airflow from the intercooler to the engine;
• a manifold assembly in downstream fluid communication with the throttle valve assembly and in upstream fluid communication with the engine;
• an air channel positioned forward of the intercooler, the air channel having a lower wall and a pair of oppositely disposed side walls that direct ambient ram air into the intercooler such that heat transfers from the compressed air to the ambient ram air in the intercooler, thereby cooling the compressed air and increasing the density of the compressed air before the compressed air enters the engine;
• and
• an air grill positioned at least partially forward of and at least partially above the air channel, the air grill having a plurality of veins that direct the ambient ram air aftwardly and downwardly into the air channel and toward the intercooler.

A snowmobile comprising:

• a forward frame assembly defining an engine bay;
• a steering system including a steering column and a steering component, wherein the steering column is coupled to the forward frame assembly;
• an engine positioned in the engine bay;
• a turbocharger coupled to the forward frame assembly and positioned outboard of the engine bay;
• an intercooler in downstream fluid communication with the turbocharger, the intercooler configured to cool compressed air from the turbocharger;
• and
• an air channel positioned forward of the intercooler, the air channel having a lower wall and a pair of oppositely disposed side walls that direct ambient ram air into the intercooler such that heat transfers from the compressed air to the ambient ram air in the intercooler, thereby cooling the compressed air and increasing the density of the compressed air before the compressed air enters the engine, wherein the lower wall has a contoured surface and the steering component is positioned adjacent to the lower wall.