MadHatter

Can anyone explain the difference between Ram Air & Cold Air intakes? I tried searching, but couldnt find anything. Thanks.

-MH-

mcflyguy24

Cold air intakes draw air from outside the engine bay while ram air uses the air inside the engine bay to cool the motor. Both can be effective, however cold air intakes work better on our cars. Their isn't enough air moving fast enough in the bay area for ram air or a short ram intake to produce more than a 5hp gain from what I gather. I have neither, but will rather be removing the intake resonator and using a K&N drop-in filter. Ram air would work well with an intake hole cut in the hood (much better than a cold-air intake), but looks like crap on a luxury car such as this.

mcflyguy24

Also the biggest advantage of CAI is that the air is cold and thus the molecules in the air when mixed with fuel are more combustible. This produces not only more HP, but also greater fuel efficiency.

SatinSilverTypS

iTrader: (1)

ram-air is only truly effective above a certain speed, IIRC, since it depends on the incoming air velocity to achieve maximum flow/pressure. otherwise it's only working on normal intake manifold vacuum like any other stock intake, although it may have more flow due to larger piping.

02type-s

heres how to tell the diff by looking at it, a ram-air has the filter in plain sight when you open the hood. Cold air, you cant see the filter bacause its behind the bumper. All you see is piping. Also, ram air is louder and creates less power. I would go with cold air. Wow that sounded stupid..lol

fsttyms1

Wrong. Ram air is another form of induction for the intake. Its not about cooling the motor. Look at a camaro SS, or WS6 Trans Am. Notice they have hoods with scoops on them. They are designed to force air into the intake at speed, thus producing more hp. They arent effective at low speeds, only as the car gets moving to they make a larger effect.

fsttyms1

Wrong as well. Thats a Short ram. Not Ram Air

MadHatter

Great, thanks for the info guys.

-MH-

orgnlprankster7

i have an aem short ram, it sounds like a racecar when vtec hits, tho i didnt see a huge gain. mostly higher rpm gains. i hear the AEM v2 is great cold air

MadHatter

Theres a guy on here named , he supposedly makes great intakes... Exact copies of AEM, and Comptech with the same dyno results. I'm gonna give him a try.

-MH-

mcflyguy24

Yep, your right. I meant to make the point that ram air basically force feeds the motor more air as the speed increases (thus the sccop), not nessesarilly colder air. I saw this V Dub at this show in Mannasas,Va that had the intake filter right behind the headlight and a huge hole carved through it to force the air straight into it. The light was still worked too!