Maybe it's a dummy question, but eh, I'm a newbie !
What's the difference between a Short Ram Intake (like AEM does) and a Cold Air Intake (like Injen does) ???

Performance ? Sound ?

Which one is louder ?

Thanks ...

 

Looking at the AEM website, the CAIs seem to offer a small, but noticeable bump in WHP, and especially in the lower RPM ranges. (They make both CAI and Short ram for a few different vehicles.)

 

try doing a search.

 

I noticed that you live in Canada... so something else that you may want to consider when choosing between the CAI and the Short Ram is that during the winter it is going to take longer for your engine to warm up if you go witht the CAI...

 

Do you mean that it can do harm to my engine or just that I'm gonna be freezing in my car longer ?

 

It's not going to harm your car... but it is always a good idea to let your car warm up before driving it in the winter.. and therfore you are going to waste more gas... plus your heater doesn't start to really pump out the heat until after the engine block has heated up, so yeah you will be freazing in your car a little longer too....

Not Trying to convince you not to get the CAI...
It is still going to give you a little more power
Just trying to give some more info to help you make your decision on your purchase...

 

Is a P-FLOW a CAI, SHORT RAM or something else ?

Thanks !

 

Ok Thanks ...
Now, I also heard about K&N Filter ! What are the difference between does and a CAI or SHORT RAM ?

Thanks ... again

 

K&N filters look very similar to your stock air filter. However, instead of using a restrictive paper element, K&N uses a 3-ply cotton gauze element. This allows less restrictive air flow through the filter, slightly increasing power.

However, using a K&N drop-in filter still requires that the intake air pass through the long stock intake, which has many "twists and turns" and resonator boxes to practically eliminate intake roar (the sound made from the engine sucking in air). Take a look at this pic to see what the stock intake system looks like removed from the car:



Look what the air has to pass through to get to the engine!! This is why aftermarket intakes improve power. Through a short ram or cold air intake, the engine can suck in air much easier.

A short ram is basically a short tube that extends from the throttle body with a cone-type filter attached to the end of it. The mass air-flow (MAF) sensor and intake air temperature (IAT) sensor are attached to allow the ECU to properly tune the engine. This significantly reduces the effort required to get air into the engine.... hence "better breathing."

A cold air intake (CAI) takes this one step further. The short ram sucks in hot air from the engine compartment. Hotter air is less dense, meaning it contains less oxygen. A cold air intake extends down to the front bumper or fender-well to draw in cooler air. Cooler air is more dense, meaning it contains more oxygen. And since oxygen is what is required for the fuel to burn, the more oxygen the better.

In terms of price, the K&N drop-in filter is the cheapest, but provides the least power increase. The short ram is more expensive, but provides more of a power increase. The CAI is the most expensive, but provides the most power. However, the differences between the three are pretty minor. On the Protege, the CAI's generally add about 5hp.

 

Thanks a lot jstand6 ...
Let's just say that you clearly explained me all in one post !
To continue, I searched the net and saw a picture of an INJEN CAI installed on a 3rd gen protege. The tube goes through the metal on the top of the driver front wheel, but there is no filter like the cone-type filter on the SHORT RAM !???

It does not need any ?

 

The filter is located in the wheel well area ahead of the wheel itself. This is why some people will use the AEM Bypass valve on their CAI, in case the filter/intake sucks up water during heavy storms or flooding.

 

But, the bypass is restrictive and will practically negate any power gains from the CAI. You would probably get more power from a K&N drop-in filter with the stock intake than you would with a CAI with a bypass.

Here is a pic of my Injen CAI on my 1.8L:



And here's my dyno results:

 

For the most part, the Injen CAI is putting out slightly more power (1-3hp) than the AEM Short Ram. But, when you are talking about a 5hp increase with the CAI, 1-3hp is fairly significant.

 

HOLD ON GUYS DID YOU SEE WHAT THE COOLING FAN BLOWS HOT AIR ON.....

THE CONE OF THE SHORT RAM!!!!

So what if the car is moving still that aem short intake is getting hot air blow on it by the cooling fan.

And the dynoes are fu**** worthless because the hood is open!!!!

 

well i found out from some dudes on the board that the AEM shortram for the auto tranny doesn't fit too well...in fact, some of the hate it. i guess i won't be getting an AEM...
i heard that the Ractive intake wasn't that great either...what do u guys thing about it? it is a short ram correct? i heard about rattles and some other problems have occured in other people's experiences....plus, does it fit on an auto?
the injen CAI is the most expensive intake for our cars and i don't really want to spend so much plus the bypass valve costs quite a bit as well.
it looks like my last resort is the HKS super megaflow...unless i hear some good things about the Ractive. the megaflow isn't exactly an intake...more like a filter right? does anybody got pics of it installed? it looks like im in a hole right now, someone please help!