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Intakes Short Ram vs Cold Air

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Old Feb 14, 2007 | 06:26 PM
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Default Intakes Short Ram vs Cold Air

I've seen some post about this topic before but I'm looking for someone who an expert on the topic. I'm going to buy an intake soon but I'm not sure which one I should buy. I've looked all over the web "E-bay, various online stores, TRD..." you name it and I'm confused on the pricing and if there is a difference.

For example why is Injen and K&N ($250 - $400) so much when I can just order an VVTi for $90 shipped..? Is there a difference or am I only paying for the name brand?

Also when it comes to Short Ram vs Cold Air intake what give you more HP? And does it really make a difference from the stock intake. I have a 5 speed and when I hit the gas I can hear the engine pull the air in. So I want to know from people that have a 5 speed does the intake make a difference? I would like to hear from both Short Ram and Cold Air people if you don't mind sharin
Old Feb 14, 2007 | 06:31 PM
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Im not too shure on the short ram but as far as cold air the reason Injen ans K&n are so redicously over priced is cause ur gonna pay for the name and Injen has the whole dyno tested proven formula on air to fuel ratio down i do have a Injen intake and honesly between that k&n and vvti ur only gonna get 15-20 max xtra hp so its all on ur budget what u decide....

chroniX
Old Feb 14, 2007 | 06:32 PM
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Please search... anyhow... I've had my injen in both, and imo don't even bother with the short ram. It makes a bad vibrating sound throughout the car at WOT toward the red line... it also doesn't pull as much at the low end. Actually, it was probably worse. The intake will definitely increase the whistle/breathing sound, and even more so in Short Ram, which I liked. Word to the wise though, don't look toward an intake to give you much in the way of HP and performance... they sound nice and may help the tiniest bit... $.02
Old Feb 14, 2007 | 08:10 PM
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Originally Posted by chroniX
Im not too shure on the short ram but as far as cold air the reason Injen ans K&n are so redicously over priced is cause ur gonna pay for the name and Injen has the whole dyno tested proven formula on air to fuel ratio down i do have a Injen intake and honesly between that k&n and vvti ur only gonna get 15-20 max xtra hp so its all on ur budget what u decide....

chroniX
15-20 hp from an intake try 4hp or so at the block!

Please put the pipe down
Old Feb 14, 2007 | 08:15 PM
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That, and I'm pretty sure that the MAF + ECU take care of the air to fuel ratio. What is this VVT-i you're talking about? That's Toyota's variable valve timing system, not an intake brand. Unless we're talking about some goofy eBay crap.
Old Feb 14, 2007 | 09:26 PM
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It's goofy ebay crap, I've seen it.
Old Feb 14, 2007 | 09:31 PM
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why is this in the forced induction section...please move to drivetrain/power section
Old Feb 14, 2007 | 10:57 PM
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Originally Posted by Scott8
Originally Posted by chroniX
Im not too shure on the short ram but as far as cold air the reason Injen ans K&n are so redicously over priced is cause ur gonna pay for the name and Injen has the whole dyno tested proven formula on air to fuel ratio down i do have a Injen intake and honesly between that k&n and vvti ur only gonna get 15-20 max xtra hp so its all on ur budget what u decide....

chroniX
15-20 hp from an intake try 4hp or so at the block!

Please put the pipe down
actually, it's 7-8hp according to dyno testing with injen...don't know about AEM.

SRI-better for turbo applications...not much gains otherwise..2-3hp maybe

CAI-a little more hp (not much), sounds a hell of a lot better, potential (but rare) for hydrolocking, and a little more difficult to install
Old Feb 14, 2007 | 11:09 PM
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to be honest if your lookin for hp go with turbo or supercharger. i've had both and i have an 07 tc 5speed also. but if you don't have the money and your lookin for hp go with injen cold air intake. with both short and cold air intakes your going to get a nice sound and your enegine sounds like it got some *****. also when you shift with a cold air intake it almost sounds like a blow off valve. with short though it is easy and faster to install also with cold air intakes you run the risk of hyrolocking (but it's a very small risk). but ya if i was you i would go with injen
Old Feb 15, 2007 | 03:17 PM
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There is a difference in intakes. Personally I would rather buy and intake from a reputable company that some fly by night ebay person. There is alot more involved in making an intake that just bending a piece of pipe to fit. Injen does the R&D on thier intakes and they have been proven to work. Just remember that Cheap and Quality don't go together.

As far as SRI and CAI goes it really depends on you. On my last car I ran a SRI in the winter and a CAI in the summer. Worked out fine for me and performed pretty much the same.
Old Feb 15, 2007 | 04:43 PM
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injen cai ftw! btw, what kind of intake costs $400?! my injen costed me $225 brand new shipping included which seemed like a pretty fair price to me.
Old Feb 15, 2007 | 04:52 PM
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TRD and Fujita are close to $400 if you actually pay retail prices
Old Feb 23, 2007 | 01:29 PM
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uh no sorry big guy. My Fujita CAI ran for about 220. I dont know where you saw one for 400 but if you did walk away becuse that's bull jive my friend
Old Feb 23, 2007 | 05:29 PM
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the only difference i saw when i had my AEM cai, was a difference in sound, and slightly better throttle response.....the gains are almost negligible, since it won't be "noticeable"....and after i got my exhaust, couldn't here my cai anyways...haha....but now i'm enjoying too much the sounds of turbo spool and the blow off valve...haha
Old Feb 23, 2007 | 05:52 PM
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Here is your question answered.

Almost any intake will give you better airflow into your engine from the stock airbox. Key word here ALMOST.

Short Ram Intakes - These intakes are usually very small in length compared to the CAI, they also usually have the filter located within the engine bay.

Pro's - Less area for air to travel (it is easier to suck a short straw than a long one), Usually less bends to decrease air resistance into your engine. Slightly larger low end power when compared to the CAI, and this is only because less length of pipe to suck from.

Con's - Warm/Hot air from engine bay is sucked into engine, i.e. higher intake temps, lower oxygen content, lower hp. Greater throttly and sometimes clicking sound from engine bay, i.e. just because there is a open pipe with filter on it, less capable of reducing internal engine noise.

Cold Air Intakes - These intakes usually have longer length in pipe when compared to a short ram intake, they also usually have the filter located outside from the engine bay, like the wheel well or lower bumper.

Pro's - Colder more dense air is taken into the engine from outside the engine bay. Slightly larger high end power, due only to the colder air in high rpm conditions.

Con's - It is a little harder to suck air from a long straw than a shorter one. Slight throttly and sometimes clicking sound from engine bay, i.e. just because there is a open pipe with filter on it. If your filter is too low to the ground and your area is subject to flooding you have a greater chance of getting "hydroblock" where the water just messes up your whole internals. (about hydroblock, I have driven filters that have been soaked with water before and the car will bog down until the filter is dry, I would severely reccomend not driving your car with flooding, its like a straw to the water. Water vapor and droplets clearly do a ALOT less damage than a full on glass of it.)

Review - Obviously the ideal intake would be short, minimal bends, have cold air, reflect heat easily, and have an easy breather filter. However sometimes mechanical limits and engine accesories do not allow for such an intake.

Do not buy ebay intakes, I have found from personal expirence than in the automotive world, you get what you pay for. Stick to NAME BRANDS like K&N, INJEN, TRD (true trd not a copy) FUJITA, ETC... Check out the manufactuers website and see if they are legit. Use the Search function above and see the different posts regarding that brand, and also look in the tC parts catalog and read reviews we have all written for specific intakes.

From all this knowledge choose wisely
Old Feb 23, 2007 | 06:30 PM
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Originally Posted by Sly_dawg19
Here is your question answered.

Almost any intake will give you better airflow into your engine from the stock airbox. Key word here ALMOST.

Short Ram Intakes - These intakes are usually very small in length compared to the CAI, they also usually have the filter located within the engine bay.

Pro's - Less area for air to travel (it is easier to suck a short straw than a long one), Usually less bends to decrease air resistance into your engine. Slightly larger low end power when compared to the CAI, and this is only because less length of pipe to suck from.

Con's - Warm/Hot air from engine bay is sucked into engine, i.e. higher intake temps, lower oxygen content, lower hp. Greater throttly and sometimes clicking sound from engine bay, i.e. just because there is a open pipe with filter on it, less capable of reducing internal engine noise.

Cold Air Intakes - These intakes usually have longer length in pipe when compared to a short ram intake, they also usually have the filter located outside from the engine bay, like the wheel well or lower bumper.

Pro's - Colder more dense air is taken into the engine from outside the engine bay. Slightly larger high end power, due only to the colder air in high rpm conditions.

Con's - It is a little harder to suck air from a long straw than a shorter one. Slight throttly and sometimes clicking sound from engine bay, i.e. just because there is a open pipe with filter on it. If your filter is too low to the ground and your area is subject to flooding you have a greater chance of getting "hydroblock" where the water just messes up your whole internals. (about hydroblock, I have driven filters that have been soaked with water before and the car will bog down until the filter is dry, I would severely reccomend not driving your car with flooding, its like a straw to the water. Water vapor and droplets clearly do a ALOT less damage than a full on glass of it.)

Review - Obviously the ideal intake would be short, minimal bends, have cold air, reflect heat easily, and have an easy breather filter. However sometimes mechanical limits and engine accesories do not allow for such an intake.

Do not buy ebay intakes, I have found from personal expirence than in the automotive world, you get what you pay for. Stick to NAME BRANDS like K&N, INJEN, TRD (true trd not a copy) FUJITA, ETC... Check out the manufactuers website and see if they are legit. Use the Search function above and see the different posts regarding that brand, and also look in the tC parts catalog and read reviews we have all written for specific intakes.

From all this knowledge choose wisely

Nice post. "You told them". lol
Old Feb 24, 2007 | 03:10 PM
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Originally Posted by Benman9245
uh no sorry big guy. My Fujita CAI ran for about 220. I dont know where you saw one for 400 but if you did walk away becuse that's bull jive my friend
I think you should tell everyone where you got the Fujita for that cheap!

Also, How much is the TRD one at the dealership?
Old Feb 26, 2007 | 03:03 PM
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TRD intake was almost 400. I'm selling my TRD intake if anyone wants it.
Old Feb 26, 2007 | 05:44 PM
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buy injen...it converts to a shortram if your really that worried about hydrolock
Old Feb 28, 2007 | 04:40 AM
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don't worry about hydrolocking, it can't happen with the tC unless ur completely flooded... Injen is the best and it can go either SRI or CAI, CAI gives you the most power...



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