Short Ram Intake Pros And Cons
When it comes to car modifications, installing a performance intake is a highly popular choice. Not only is the procedure relatively cheap and easy, but it also brings about tangible results for your vehicle.
However, many people are still hesitant about a short ram intake pros and cons. If you are one of them, the article below is for you!
Everything You Need To Know About Short Ram Intake
What is a short ram intake?
A short ram intake is considered a compromise between the stock intake and the cold air intake. Instead of replacing the original airbox with a conical air filter and pipes, a short ram intake only calls for an open element air filter and a smoother pipe.
In one way, it is basically an upgraded version of your stock intake.
What does a short ram intake do?
A short ram intake is designed to generate airflow within the engine bay. Now that you have a short ram intake, there is no need to wait for the stock intake to suck in air from outside.
As a result, your car’s throttle response will be much quicker since air does not need to travel that much. Every time you step on the gas, you can feel the acceleration within seconds. Talking about having a faster vehicle using the most basic means!
Pros
- Low cost: A short ram intake system is built on the premise of a stock intake. Therefore, not many additional details are needed. Buying a short ram intake is an affordable option for most enthusiastic gearheads.
- Effortless installation: A short ram intake is located within the engine bay, making it pretty accessible. All you have to do is to open the capo and take care of this particular spare part.
- Sucking noise: Given the length of a short ram intake, its induction sound tends to be a bit throatier and lower-pitched. If you want to grace the streets not in silence, having a performance intake will satisfy your needs.
- Faster acceleration: As explained above, a short ram intake reduces the length needed for your airflow. Thus, your car does not need much time to start up and propel forward almost instantly.
Cons
- Not ideal in hot weather: A short ram intake sucks in air from within the engine bay. Given the high temperature, it is natural that the air will remain relatively hot.
If the radiator fan starts kicking in, you can feel how the engine gets heated up, leading to hot air being channeled into the intake. Without a heat shield, this can cause lots of damage to your car.
- Hard to notice the difference in performance: Theoretically speaking, installing a short ram intake helps to increase the efficiency of your car’s speed. But in reality, the discrepancy is rather minimal.
You are not likely to pinpoint how fast your car has become if you only put in a new intake system.
Differences Between Short Ram Intake And Cold Air Intake
A short ram intake and a cold air intake share the same function, which is to increase the quality of the airflow inside your car. However, there are certain differences in the working mechanism, the tools needed, as well as the installation.
Unlike short ram intakes, cold air intakes suck in air from outside the engine bay. They are usually positioned under the sides of the engine, in a much lower location compared to the stock intake. Its main purpose is to draw in colder air, as it is denser and more oxygenated.
Compared to the stock intake and the short ram intake, the cold air intake has more pipes and comes with a conical air filter. Hence, the replacement cost tends to be slightly higher.
You will also have a much more difficult time trying to replace the original airbox with the cold air intake, as it calls for certain expertise and skills.
Another interesting point is that cold air intakes help to minimize the generation of hot air. This is because it is far away from the engine’s heat. The distance between them ensures the impact of your car’s radiator fan will not be substantial, with or without a heat shield.
Finally, cold air intakes are not as popular as short ram intakes. Most car manufacturers have tested their models thoroughly before releasing them into the market.
Hence, the necessity of a cold air intake – which is rumored to increase the speed by a few percentages – is questioned regularly. Cold air intakes are only a thing if somehow the stock intake fails to live up to the expectations.
Otherwise, they do nothing much besides generate loud, aggressive noises.
Conclusion
Understanding the short ram intake pros and cons will provide you with better insights into how this tool works. Make sure to read more on this matter before deciding to replace your stock intake with another performance one!