Author Topic: Cold air vs short ram (Read 3449 times)

Rs_Stealth · « **on:** April 26, 2014, 01:16:57 pm »

So I'm trying to decide what I want to put into my 2.5 rs, a cold air intake kit or just to do a short ram kit. Why would be more beneficial?

GrantC · « **Reply #1 on:** April 26, 2014, 01:35:28 pm »

Whichever one sounds better to you, because there aren't a lot of HP gains to be had either way.

lakelouise02bugeye · « **Reply #2 on:** April 26, 2014, 01:36:43 pm »

I personally run short ram in the winter to avoid snow and ice build up, the cold air goes on the summer set up for me

e13tankbuster · « **Reply #3 on:** April 26, 2014, 01:37:13 pm »

Quote from: GrantC on April 26, 2014, 01:35:28 pm

there aren't a lot of HP gains to be had either way.

Blasphemy!

funk32 · « **Reply #4 on:** April 26, 2014, 02:39:57 pm »

Quote from: lakelouise02bugeye on April 26, 2014, 01:36:43 pm

I personally run short ram in the winter to avoid snow and ice build up, the cold air goes on the summer set up for me

I hope your maf section is the same diameter and you are tuned for it.

goldrush · « **Reply #5 on:** April 26, 2014, 02:53:08 pm »

For my application, big tubo, FMIC; I believe big, straight and short is best. Its kind of noisy but with a long curvy 3" CAI my turbo (Garrett BB) would allow oil by the compressor seal and a short almost straight 4" intake solved a lot of it. Also my used oil analysis showed a large drop in Silicon (dirt).

lakelouise02bugeye · « **Reply #6 on:** April 26, 2014, 11:36:17 pm »

Quote from: funk32 on April 26, 2014, 02:39:57 pm

I hope your maf section is the same diameter and you are tuned for it.

. Pfft who needs a tune

Rs_Stealth · « **Reply #7 on:** April 27, 2014, 10:24:12 am »

Cool cool, iv been looking in to a k&n cold air I just wasn't to sure what would be better. Then to prevent it from getting wet and have ice build up in the winter I could have a shield for it.

KennyB · « **Reply #8 on:** April 27, 2014, 10:45:04 am »

I like the idea of having something with an airbox thats fed external air to protect the filter or a short ram with a good heat shield and fed external air, even though it's in the engine bay its safer from the elements and on a daily driven car I'd rather the bit of safety and reliability over lower intake temps. I was going to go with a cold air intake but just don't like the idea of my filter in the wheel well basically, especially since I've ripped out a few wheel liners before and would be bad if I got stuck a distance from home, in the rain. I'd go with something like the COBB or K&N like you said if you're set on going aftermarket but like Grant said It's not going to help with performance a whole lot. Put a lightweight crank pulley on if you haven't already, it will be cheaper and you'll notice the benefits more, especially on a N/A motor I'd imagine.

Brianmachinist · « **Reply #9 on:** April 27, 2014, 11:08:10 am »

I got the 65mm APS CAI and it sounds great but I'm a ricer and I like to hear myself drive. The benefits will be seen best with a tune, obviously more air flowing in. Keep an eye on the filter once or twice a season, my filter was disgustingly gross after seeing it the first time and I have fender liners. And to change filter I had to jack up the passenger side so the filter would clear the front tire. 5 mins instead of 5 seconds with short ram.

jellynuts · « **Reply #10 on:** April 27, 2014, 12:30:55 pm »

Short rams will also be a lot easier to maintain.

greasemedic · « **Reply #11 on:** May 20, 2014, 09:14:43 pm »

Before you do either, read this thread:

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1471819

There are potential issues in a MAF intake with removing the hemholtz resonator that's part of the stock intake setup.

Jay89 · « **Reply #12 on:** May 20, 2014, 09:35:24 pm »

Quote from: KennyB on April 27, 2014, 10:45:04 am

Put a lightweight crank pulley on if you haven't already, it will be cheaper and you'll notice the benefits more, especially on a N/A motor I'd imagine

I installed a lw pulley this weekend on my car and didn't feel much of a difference. Maybe it's just me.

Rs_Stealth · « **Reply #13 on:** May 26, 2014, 10:35:26 pm »

Quote from: Brianmachinist on April 27, 2014, 11:08:10 am

I got the 65mm APS CAI and it sounds great but I'm a ricer and I like to hear myself drive. The benefits will be seen best with a tune, obviously more air flowing in. Keep an eye on the filter once or twice a season, my filter was disgustingly gross after seeing it the first time and I have fender liners. And to change filter I had to jack up the passenger side so the filter would clear the front tire. 5 mins instead of 5 seconds with short ram.

I'm not to worried about cleaning it cause I would probably end up cleaning it every two months or something like that haha. Does it change the sound quite a bit?

Rs_Stealth · « **Reply #14 on:** May 26, 2014, 10:39:12 pm »

Quote from: KennyB on April 27, 2014, 10:45:04 am

I like the idea of having something with an airbox thats fed external air to protect the filter or a short ram with a good heat shield and fed external air, even though it's in the engine bay its safer from the elements and on a daily driven car I'd rather the bit of safety and reliability over lower intake temps. I was going to go with a cold air intake but just don't like the idea of my filter in the wheel well basically, especially since I've ripped out a few wheel liners before and would be bad if I got stuck a distance from home, in the rain. I'd go with something like the COBB or K&N like you said if you're set on going aftermarket but like Grant said It's not going to help with performance a whole lot. Put a lightweight crank pulley on if you haven't already, it will be cheaper and you'll notice the benefits more, especially on a N/A motor I'd imagine.

I was thinking I might do a short ram and a light weight crank pulley, see what I can get out of this little rs

Claw · « **Reply #15 on:** May 27, 2014, 01:14:57 pm »

You'd notice more taking out the spare tire and back seat. Also, lighter wheels.

Rs_Stealth · « **Reply #16 on:** May 27, 2014, 05:43:52 pm »

Quote from: Claw on May 27, 2014, 01:14:57 pm

You'd notice more taking out the spare tire and back seat. Also, lighter wheels.

I already got lighter wheels and maybe I'll take out the spare tire. But I have a few people in my car at a time lol so I can't take out my back seat.

Zaider · « **Reply #17 on:** June 05, 2014, 10:35:36 pm »

Quote from: GrantC on April 26, 2014, 01:35:28 pm

Whichever one sounds better to you, because there ~~aren't a lot of~~ are no HP gains to be had either way.

Fixed.

OP - You're not getting more power using a CAI or SR intake on a naturally aspirated motor. If you want to spend the money for some sucking sound, then great, but don't fool yourself into thinking that it'll be beneficial.

Have a read through the threads here: http://www.westernsubaruclub.com/smf/index.php?topic=5933.0

From someone who used to have an RS, trust me when I say that you'd be better off spending the money on aesthetics and suspension than on anything to do with "power".

Way-do · « **Reply #18 on:** June 17, 2014, 08:45:30 am »

If you want to do it despite all the nay-sayers have a read through the hybrid intake thread on NASIOC. MY 07 2.5i had it, and I actually noticed a difference in 5th up hill. It would actually hold its speed instead of falling off. That's the only time.

If you really want to wake the car up a bit, a set of reground cams from the great folks a Delta does wonders.
The 1500 grind is just super.
Best FtLbs/$ there is.

I think my for sale thread is long gone, but I've got lots of stuff for your car taking up space in the garage. Shoot me a PM.

ChanceSkeleton · « **Reply #19 on:** August 20, 2014, 11:37:51 am »

Uhhh... hmmm...

I did a ganzflow, but I'm not sure if they work for 02+. I diy'd mine out of some flexible couplers and ABS piping. Costs like 25 bucks. But I also have a 00 2.5 RS, which is really easy to mod.