difference short ram vs cold air

[paradox]

what is the freaking difference they look exaclty the same metal tubing with a filter on the end.

[HvyMetalAvenger]

A cold air is desingned to take in cooler air from below the engine compartment, instead of warmer air from inside the engine compartment. The advantage of colder air is that it is more compact and more dense, thus you can get more air into the cylinders and when it ignites, it will expand more, making slightly more power, a short ram just gets you a higher volume of air, the cold air does both.

[paradox]

i guess that makes a small amount of sense ,but if you were running a turbo charged engine would it really matter since the air is going to be heated anyway by the turbo then cooled by the intercooler b4 re-entering the engine?

[bryan]

Wouldnt really matter on a turbo'd car. Thats why every once and a while you see a cone filter attached directly to the compressor.

[CRISTIAN]

Originally Posted by bryan

Wouldnt really matter on a turbo'd car. Thats why every once and a while you see a cone filter attached directly to the compressor.

what! cold air intake makes a BIGGER power gain in forced induction than NA

[paradox]

umm explain the physics of that and your source

[ho0k3d0nfonics]

this is rather old...but numbers are close

This posting of course applies mainly to the cars that can benefit to adding either a custom intake or a aftermarket one. If you can figure out a way to add on to your carbed car, then this post benefits you as well. I made this post as short as I could, but please read it all.

I don't think anyone will really argue that replacing the stock intake system with new piping and a high flow filter will inhance power. But which is better, a short ram, which is pretty easy to do? Or a true cold air intake, which involves more work.

In the October/November issue of Honda/Tuning they tested 7 intake systems on a new 2002 RSX Type-S. One thing they tested that I want to mention right away is this. They tested the stock intake system with a drop in K&N filter element. The stock filter flowed 237cfm, the K&N flowed 244cfm. They said this reflects how restrictive the stock intake piping is vs how the K&N can flow.
They did not see any power gain at all with the K&N filter.

And something else. Does the longer piping of a CAI vs. a short ram mean the CAI will have less CFM?
AEM SR 345.8cfm
AEM CAI 323.2cfm

DC Sports SR 330.6cfm
DC Sports CAI 322.1cfm

These are the intakes tested.

Injen short ram
AEM CAI
AEM short ram
DC Sports DAC (short ram)
DC Sports CAI
Jackson Racing short ram
K&N Typhoon short ram

Their is a assumption that because their is a fare amount of air flow under the hood of a car at driving speeds, that that will create lower underhood air temps. Meaning the short ram should then have a supply of low temp air at speed. On this test they took and drove the car at speed and measured 1. outside temp, 2. underhood temp and 3. intake temps. The results. 1.Outside 78
2.underhood temp 110!, which varied during testing from 105 to 116. 3.intake temp 122 They go on to mention that they were doing 80mph! when they took the readings.

The test numbers
stock and stock with K&N filter element. 157.8hp intake temp 122
AEM SR 163.1hp (+5.4) intake temp 111
K&N Typhoon 165.1hp (+7.4) intake temp 112.5
Jackson R (SR) 165.5hp (+7.8) intake temp 114.5
DC Sports SR 166.9hp (+9.2) intake temp 113.5
Injen SR 166.9hp (+9.2) intake temp 113.5
DC Sports CAI 177.4 (+19.7) intake temp 97
AEM CAI 178.4hp (+20.7) intake temp 96.5

Conclusions: You can't go wrong with any of the systems. All of the new pipes made power to varying degrees. The short rams are generally much easier to install, less expensive, and will provide a good dose of hp. The CAI systems are much more difficult to install, but the extra effort is well worth it considering the tremendous power gain.

[ho0k3d0nfonics]

amd also another good read,with dyno charts and pics

http://www.team-integra.net/forum/di...PagePosition=5

[paradox]

does anyone know if someone has done the same test but with a turbo or SC, b/c thats what i would love to know. I am driving a subaru 97 obs with a ej20t in it and was wondering if the turbos since its gonna be heated anyway by the turbo and cooled by the ic if it really makes much of a difference. My guess would be yes unless you have a fmic or a really big top mount.

[bryan]

I dunno......I guess if the air comes in at 75 degrees as apart to 90 degrees the intercooler would have to cool the air less. I would think that a fmic or a smic would have a part in it too. I dunno......cool air = more power. I know that, its proven. I guess a cai would put less strain on the intercooler and the overall air charge would be cooler and more productive for horsepower. Someone should do an offocial test.

[paradox]

Originally Posted by bryan

Someone should do an offocial test.

agreed
I see you reasoning the colder the air starts the colder it will end up.

[Sick srt-4]

Originally Posted by bryan

Wouldnt really matter on a turbo'd car. Thats why every once and a while you see a cone filter attached directly to the compressor.

Originally Posted by CRISTIAN

what! cold air intake makes a BIGGER power gain in forced induction than NA

Originally Posted by paradox

umm explain the physics of that and your source

Originally Posted by paradox

agreed
I see you reasoning the colder the air starts the colder it will end up.

First of the ONLY 2 differences are : Length and or filter placement.

As for Cold Air Intakes making HUGE gains on Turbo cars... That depends on MANY variables. And 99% of the time, they don't come half way CLOSE to where they need to be, to allow effective gains.

On a NON intercooled car, yes there will be some gains. On a intercooled, not so large of gains. Remember, turbo efficiency and intercooler efficency will make WAY more power then a CAI.

[Matt5745767]

Cold air intake = More high end power
Short Ram = More low end

not even to a noticeable difference though, so go with a short ram so you don't hydrolock.