Cold Air Intake vs Short Ram Intake
We get the question all the time - "What's the difference between a short ram intake and a cold air intake?". We'll explain it here quickly, and then go into more detail. Basically, a cold air intake is designed to keep the air filter outside of the engine bay and a short ram intake is designed to keep the air filter in the engine bay. So what does this mean? The short ram intake is cheaper, and typically produces less horsepower. The cold air intake produces more horsepower, but is generally more expensive. There are also different types of short ram intakes that we will explore.
Short Ram Intake
The typical short ram intake is designed with a few key points. First, it has to be easy to install, and typically only requires standard hand tools. Second, it has to increase horsepower while being a relatively inexpensive modification. A short ram intake is called a short ram because it literally is short. The pipe typically is only about 12 to 18 inches in length, and has an air filter on the end.
Short Ram Intake: Chambered Intake Kits
There are short ram intake kits such as the Weapon R Secret Weapon that offer special technology designed to improve air flow to the engine with technology and tricks that the manufacture claims can out perform a cold air intake. These intakes however are typically as expensive as a cold air intake, except you do not need an air bypass valve. The Weapon R Secret Weapon features a built in tube that increases suction and velocity so the manufacture claims increased performance gains over standard short ram intakes. This is a chambered intake kit. Another chambered intake kit that is very popular is the AEM V2 Intake.
Cold Air Intake
The cold air intake is designed to increase horsepower by relocating the air filter outside of the engine bay, typically putting it into the fender. Because the air filter goes into the fender, the cold air is harder to install, but as it's name implies, it allows the engine to take in cooler air, producing more horsepower. Because of the extra complexity of the cold air intake, it typically has higher cost over the compariable short ram intake. Another issue for some, is that the cold air intake could sit low, and suck up water when running over water puddles. This causes hydrolock, and destroys the motor. There are air bypass valves which fix this, but that adds about another $50 in cost to the cold air intake.
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Above: Cold Air Intake
Above: Short Ram Intake
Above: Weapon R Secret Weapon Intake
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