why mushroom? haha such a cute metaphor...
my humble knowledge tells me that cold air intake allows your
engine to combust air which has more oxygen molecules per unit
volume, as compared to warmer air. [the lower the temperature, the
less the kinetic energy of the air molecules, the closer the
molecules are bonded together, and so the more of them per unit
volume.] with more oxygen molecules, there will be greater
combustion between the mixture of air & fuel in the engine,
resulting in more power more va va vroom...