Short-Ram vs CAI

[AutobahnRacer]

Just quick input, on my first Prelude I had a generic all metal short-ram intake. I now have the choice to by a AEM Cold Air intake.

Anyone share to give pros cons of each? I know I could use Google, but with you guys I will get actual experiences and not the bull$hit wagon comments.

[mckpat03]

On a basic car, it really won't make any real difference aside from noise. The theory, though, is cool dense air makes more power than less dense, warm engine bay air.

[JSpecV03]

I personally dont see any benefit to using a cold air versus a short ram. the main reason is because the by the time the air hits your mass air flow sensor, its the same temp as the air coming in from using a short ram. plus with a short ram, there is no threat of hydrolocking your engine by sucking water into your air filter. i have a short ram and been using it for years on my car, i have an AEM one. the gains are approx the same on the spec v using the short ram or the cold air. i say approx cuz no to engines are the same.

[Rush]

I had both on my MSP, with the CAI first. I wound up going with the SRI for three reasons -- it came with my FMIC kit, it took up less room in the engine bay, and it sat my air filter directly beneath the vent in my hood.

Did it really make a big difference? I seriously doubt it.

[DocWalt]

I don't think the CIA cares about you using a short-ram intake.

Seriously though, the CAI isn't enough of a performance benefit to bother, IMO. Unless, of course, the short-ram is sucking air right off of the exhaust manifold.

[AutobahnRacer]

Originally Posted by DocWalt

I don't think the CIA cares about you using a short-ram intake.

Seriously though, the CAI isn't enough of a performance benefit to bother, IMO. Unless, of course, the short-ram is sucking air right off of the exhaust manifold.

Ah $hit, fixed thought something looked funny.


As for price, I am gonna get one or the other but my friend is selling it for the same price as a generic SRI. So I figured if I did not like the CAI, I cut it to size and use it as SRI, and if I want to go back I use a rubber or silicon cupping.

[JSpecV03]

Originally Posted by Carministrator

Ah $hit, fixed thought something looked funny.


As for price, I am gonna get one or the other but my friend is selling it for the same price as a generic SRI. So I figured if I did not like the CAI, I cut it to size and use it as SRI, and if I want to go back I use a rubber or silicon cupping.

yeah exactly. alot of people do that. of usally where the elbow is, is a coupler and you cold screw the filter on there. is it for the vw 2.0 you have listed in your avatar?

[AutobahnRacer]

No, its for 5gen Prelude I am picking up tomorrow. I use to have a SRI on my previous Prelude years ago, but never asked about any of this. So I thought with a fresh start I might as well.

[JSpecV03]

oh ok. yeah as a matter of fact i read that in the first post but forgot lol. i fail at reading

[AutobahnRacer]

It happens I fail at abbreviations. I said CIA. But anyway I think I am actually gonna go with the Short-Ram. The CAI I saw is 4gen CAI and I don't know if it will fit properly in the 5gen. AEM website has two different products numbers for 96 and 99.

[O2SpecV]

going against everyone else, i would get a cold air intake i had one on my sentra and i have one now on my s2k and to me i can tell a bit of difference between cai and a short ram, you will notice heat soak a good amount with a short ram.

[OutToWinPAHC]

Cold air.... that way you can hydrolock when hitting a unseen puddle.

[AutobahnRacer]

I've decided F'it. Short-Ram again. Reason? Too complicated to test fit on the spot, and everyone I know stopped using their CAIs. Thank you for everyones input.

[zuki19]

ran a 15.5 with a cai in my ga, kid had a stock one with short ram and he was running 15.8s i mean really not much of a diff to be honest... car is a helluvalot loud though. and i wouldnt say hydrolocking is bull**** i had water pooring out of my intake and i had a k&n a real one... oiled properly, but the rain we got was rediculous. this was a long time ago though. by time water hits your maf it pretty much will make ur car run like crap and will not run until you clean it so hydrolocking is sortve impossible unless you drive through it with filter submerged

[AutobahnRacer]

Which was louder? The short-ram right?

[BigWhiteTodd]

No intake.....

[AutobahnRacer]

What you mean no intake. Has to be something there, not gonna run open manifold.

[Fujito]

There's no difference, especially on a NA Honda. Overall you may see what? A gain of 5-7 HP?

[AutobahnRacer]

Well, I may gain minimal power, but it will deff add some overall volume.

[Fujito]

That's how you attract the racers!

I have a 5th gen too. No one bothers me because it's 100% stock. No noise except vtakkkkkkk.