We get this question a lot. People ask us the pros and cons and
which is better daily. We decided to create an article about this topic
to better explain the differences with intakes, which we recommend, and
which would be right for your vehicle or performance needs. We will be
adding to this as new technology comes out, so please check back often,
or add a comment about how a short ram intake or cold air intake has worked for you.
What is the difference between a cold air intake and a short ram intake?
As the name implies, a short ram intake is "short". Due to it's size,
the intake pipe doesn't stretch far away from the intake manifold, so
the air filter remains somewhere near the engine. A cold air intake has
longer piping, and is designed to push the air filter away from the
engine into an area that has colder air, hence the name cold air intake.
Typically, since the cold air intake draws in cooler air it usually
makes more horsepower than a short ram. However, depending on engine
design, this isn't always the case, and we'll explain further below. A
short ram intake is generally less expensive as well, and easier to
install and service since the air filter is typically easy to see when
you pop the hood. A cold air intake is longer, and places the air
filter farther away, sometimes in a fender, so installation is more
difficult as is service, and is usually more expensive.
Short Ram Intake
The short ram intake is generally designed to replace your stock air
box. Most stock cars come with a plastic box with a plastic hose
connected to the throttle body (or directly to the turbo). A
performance aftermarket short ram intake typically has a hard pipe made
of aluminum that replaces the stock rubber pipe, and the stock air box
is replaced with a open element air filter. This generally gives you a
good power increase over stock because you are replacing the restrictive
air box with an open element air filter, and replacing the rubber hose
(which is usually accordion like on the inside) with a smooth metal
pipe. Most quality short ram intakes are calibrated through design to
keep the stock air/fuel mixtures the same as stock to not throw any
check engine lights. Sometimes a manufacture won't offer a cold air
intake when their research shows it doesn't increase power over a short
ram intake.
Cold Air Intake
A cold air intake is designed to place the air filter as far away from
the hot engine as possible. Especially important when your radiator fan
turns on, it will not blow the hot air into your air filter as with
most short rams. Some manufactures make the cold air intake so that it
places the air filter inside a fender or under a fender to try and
capture as much cold air as possible. When an engine takes in colder
air, it's packed with more oxygen, and creates more power. When a
intake manufacture tests the intake, they test different air filter
locations to see which is the coolest location. This usually creates
more power over a short ram, but due to the location the air filter gets
dirty faster, is harder to install, and harder to maintain when the air
filter needs to be cleaned.
Do I need a bypass valve?
An air bypass valve is designed mainly for the cold air intake. Since
the air filter is placed so low in the engine, it can suck up water when
driving over a puddle or in heavy rains. If your intake sucks in
water, the engine will likely hydro-lock, and be destroyed. A bypass
valve attaches to your intake pipe, so that if the air filter does
become submerged in water, the air will instead go to the path of least
resistance, and get pulled in through the bypass valve, and usually not
suck in any water. Highly recommended for rainy areas.
Which intake sounds better?
Usually a short ram intake would be louder, since the pipe is shorter in
length and closer to the throttle body. A cold air intake isn't much
quieter, but might sound a little less deep due to the air traveling a
farther distance in the pipe and the pipe almost acting as a resonator.
Both give your car a strong deep tone when on the throttle that is
undeniably a modified sound that any enthusiast recognizes.
Are air boxes better than open element air intakes?
This really depends on your vehicle. Some vehicles are designed in a way that places the air filter in front of, or near the
radiator.
The problem with this is that the air filter will get hot air pushed
into it when the radiator fan turns on. One way around this is to put
the air filter into a box that blocks the air from the radiator fan from
directly hitting the air filter. For vehicles with a design like this,
an air box would be better. Keep in mind also that sometimes an open
element air filter doesn't necessarily make more power than a properly
designed aftermarket air box. The air box can also keep the air filter
cleaner, requiring less maintenance.
Is it better to have an intake with a dry air filter or an oiled air filter?
This is up for strong debate. Manufactures that use oiled air filters
claim they capture more dirt particles. Enthusiasts say that the oil in
the air filter can get sucked through the filter, and clog the mass air
flow sensor (MAF or MAS) and cause erratic readings. Now a days, most
manufactures offer a dry filter that does not need to have oil applied
to it. We have had good luck with dry filters, and don't see any need
to go with an oiled filter if possible.
What are some short ram intake brands?
AEM Short Ram Intake
K&N FIPK Kit
Weapon R Secret Weapon Intake
Above you see an
Injen
Short Ram Intake installed on a 2007 Honda Civic Si. Notice how the
intake remains in the engine bay. This is the stock location for the
factory air box.
Above you see a cold air intake on the same 2007 Honda Civic Si.
Notice how the air filter is not in the engine bay. We circled the
intake pipe that runs from the throttle body down under the car into the
driver side fender well. The arrow shows the intake pipe.
We hope you find this useful and it helps you decide which intake you want to purchase. You can see our catalog of short ram intakes or cold air intakes and if you have any questions, please leave a comment.
