This paper numerically compares the flow structures and thermal performance in a swirl chamber with three different inlet chambers. The cross section of inlet chambers are constant, convergent, and divergent along the streamwise direction, respectively. Parametric studies involve Reynolds number and the temperature ratio between cooling air and the wall of swirl chamber. Results indicate that shear layer vortices, corner vortices, and large-scale vortices appear in different sections of swirl chamber. Besides, Girder vortices appear in convergent inlet chamber. The alternation of the inlet chamber changes more than the value of the Nusselt number. It also changes the flow structures and the distribution of Nusselt number. In comparisons, the swirl chamber with convergent inlet chamber possesses the highest thermal performance coefficient. With the increase of Reynolds number, the intensity of heat transfer is significantly enhanced. Different from former research, the rise of temperature ratio leads to relatively high Nusselt number due to the addition of multiple jet nozzles and the inlet chamber. In addition, empirical correlation among global average Nusselt number, Reynolds number, and temperature ratio is obtained to assist relevant research and design. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.