Cold Air Intake vs Short Ram Intake

[Budget Tuner]

I need some help gentlemen. I know that a CAI makes more power than a short ram intake. However I hear people saying that a CAI is really beneficial to the low end while the Short Ram Intake is better suited for higher speeds. Is that true?

Another thing, which I know sounds rice but, which one sounds better, I love that intake noise. I made a real cheap short ram intake and the car pulls better and the sound is cool but will it sound better with a CAI?

 

[98_silvergs]

They don't add enough power for you to even notice honestly. With exhaust, header, UDP and a CAI, then you will notice the kick.

But the CAI sounds alot better than the short ram.

 

[guedo512]

CAI is way better. short ram is ok, but it sucks up more hott air. short is good if you live where their is heavy rainfall, but id get the CAI and just be carefull.

 

[turboeclipse008]

CAI is way better, the only way that short ram in benefical is for the 4g63t because cold air will slow down your turbo spool, and with a turbo you are get a lot better gain from short ram. cai will add about 10-15 at the fly with a nice setup. short ram will be about 3-7. CAI sounds a lot better also on n/t i agree.

 

[ericismyname]

cold air is better for HP (not really much more then a short ram but more), looks cooler, and makes a cooler sound. but like they said if there is heavy rain fall all the time, u wont want it.

 

[Budget Tuner]

I dont worry about rain that much. I live in Phoenix ,AZ!

 

[senseiturtle]

go CAI.

They'll both give you a similar sound, from the resonating within the metal intake piping, although a CAI will be a little deeper and louder due to a longer shaft.

(i'm assuming you have a 420a for the next part)
Short ram intakes end up sucking in more, but much hotter air than a stock airbox. Look at where your stock airbox takes in air... all the way to the right side, close to the wheel well. A SRI takes in air only about a foot away from your exhaust manifold, the hottest part of the engine.

All CAI's are the same, for the most part. They MAY show a slight HP difference between them all, but that can be attributed to thousands of other factors. Dyno the same car under identical conditions, and you're always going to vary by 1-3 HP, if not more. Just be sure you get a quality air filter, since that's fairly critical to the life of your internals.

 

[bastarddsm]

Save ur money and buy a turbo. cold air intakes and such are just pissing in the wind.

 

[Morel]

I'm about to buy my 2nd DSM (old one was a '97 RS(hit a tree!) upgrading to a GS, since this one is loaded already heh)

But since i've just got done shopping, and trying my best to overcome my lack of a huge bank account, and a not-so-perfect credit history Thank god for income tax returns somethings been bugging me.

I've noticed alot of Turbo owners throwing up "Save your money and get a turbo" Well that may be fine for you. But turbos cost alot more $$ for insurance (often more then 1-2 grand a year) and sometimes hard to find (I have yet to find a GSX for sale within 250 miles of me that has less then 120k miles and is under 15 grand), or maybe the person just likes his current car. Also, you have to keep in mind. Someone can buy a N/T, mod it a bit, and after a few years, have enough money to buy a turbo kit.

It's like layaway. For a great many people, it's easier for them to build up slowly over time, $600 here, $300 there. Get a N/T (which you can have a RS for under 6 grand if your lucky). Save the insurance, and after a year or two, have the money for a bolt on turbo.. and with a stage II you'll have better HP then a stock turbo.

Just remember, just because you have all those zeros on your bank statement and that perfect credit. Don't make those of us who don't feel like they're not worthy of wanting some power under the hood.

Im sure you'd like it if some moron in a fully loaded vette comes by. looks at your car, and tells you to stop wasting your time, get a real job, and get a real car..

It's our cars.. It's our hobby, it's our money, and our time. If we want that 5 Hp.. Respect it, and if you can't give advice or support. Stick to the turbo forums and leave us be.

And if anything; people who drive a N/T RS that even approches 200hp usually have worked harder, and put alot of blood,sweat and time, into their cars, we're usually the people who hook up our entire stereo systems ourselves, clean our carpets ourselves, sit all day and try to get that engine bay clean with fantasic (hehe) Just to Scrimp and save for months to get aftermarket rims for those those Z rated tires we've lusted after for a year.. then the bozo's who have 210 hp stock and think they have something to brag about

And nothing.. NOTHING in the car world is having that little secret power under the hood, and blowing away the cocky, little arrogant person driving that R-type car next to you, and knowing that you beat him because you WORKED for it.

Actually, when I hear people do that, I think of people who own hondas with big shopping cart wings. DSM owners are usually better then that.. aren't we?

(And I do know, alot of Turbo owners are great people, who help out all they can. This is just directed to a few specific people)

Just had to be said.

 

[top_end95]

That had to do with CAI vs Short Ram how?

Just let this thread die!

 

[andymoraitis]

1. Regarding the CAI vs. Short Ram: I prefer a full CAI since it draws colder air and is more beneficial to an N/T motor.

2. Regarding the Turbo flunkies telling us to save our pennies and pick up a GS-T or GS-X: If I wanted one I would have bought one in the first place. Morel's point is well stated. If you don't want to respect our decision to buy an N/T car, go hang out in the turbo forums.

Nuff said

 

[top_end95]

Originally posted by andymoraitis
1. Regarding the CAI vs. Short Ram: I prefer a full CAI since it draws colder air and is more beneficial to an N/T motor.

Don't use the thread starter's question as an excuse to post your response to Morel's complaint.

2. Regarding the Turbo flunkies telling us to save our pennies and pick up a GS-T or GS-X: If I wanted one I would have bought one in the first place. Morel's point is well stated. If you don't want to respect our decision to buy an N/T car, go hang out in the turbo forums.

Nuff said

You're acting like he's the first person to bring this up, we've heard it all already. What turbo DSM'r has told someone to just buy a factory turbo DSM recently?

This thread will be reported to be closed before another Turbo vs Non-Turbo war begins.

 

[98RedGs]

#1 - This thread was brought back from the dead why.....
#2 - Soon to turn into a N/T vs Turbo thread...
#3 - Answer was already given to the thread starter...
#4 - It was requested to be closed...

*closed*