Short Ram vs Cold Air Intake

**SubieDoo0531** · 11-13-2012 12:30 AM

Hello everyone! I'm brand new to the forums, despite being an avid reader for a few years now. I figured since I picked up a 2012 WRX I'd have to finally join!

Anyway, as the title suggests, I'm looking into getting an intake for the car. I'm unsure which route to go, as both short ram and cold air intakes have their pros and cons. I know the power gain from the CAI is supposed to be a bit more, but I wanted to know if it was worth the risk. Is the short ram a more reasonable alternative?

Could anyone offer some insight, and possibly some too notch brands to look into as well? I'd greatly appreciate it!

Thanks in advance,

Steve

**lytlec** · 11-13-2012 02:25 AM

Hmm, honestly I don't think any kind of intake would be best at stock power levels. My tuner once told me that Subaru did a really good job at designing an intake and unless you are pushing alot of power you don't really need one. I do have a short ram intake, I couldn't really tell you if it makes a difference though...is there a reason why you want to start with an intake?

**Rambo** · 11-13-2012 02:28 AM

Originally Posted by lytlec

Subaru did a really good job at designing an intake and unless you are pushing alot of power you don't really need one.

This, with the qualifier that the 3rd gens do seem to be more responsive to intakes than the older cars. For an otherwise stock car, though, I'd get a Stage 1 tune to start.

**sxcrxy** · 11-13-2012 03:50 AM

Originally Posted by SubieDoo0531

Hello everyone! I'm brand new to the forums, despite being an avid reader for a few years now. I figured since I picked up a 2012 WRX I'd have to finally join!

Anyway, as the title suggests, I'm looking into getting an intake for the car. I'm unsure which route to go, as both short ram and cold air intakes have their pros and cons. I know the power gain from the CAI is supposed to be a bit more, but I wanted to know if it was worth the risk. Is the short ram a more reasonable alternative?

Could anyone offer some insight, and possibly some too notch brands to look into as well? I'd greatly appreciate it!

Thanks in advance,

Steve

changing the intake may skew your maf causing you to run lean or rich so best to get a tune right after,

short ram-

pros- slightly quicker spool
- may be a little louder ( depending on intake)
- easy installation

cons- sucks hot engine bay air
- power loss due to compensation of different temps , i know people were after thy install there short ram in hot days siiting in traffic it feels like it has no low end power and the temps arent that stable

cai-
pros- cool air from the gaurd
- stable temps
- higher power output

cons- due to some,location beware of water entering
- spool not as quick (although it will still be abit quicker than stock box)

remember the stock air box is effeceint uptoo 300- 320 whp or so

these stats are fro what i know do abit more research to figure out what you really want brands i not to familiar with your model but checkout some sights and youtube to see how some sound hope this helped

**Donkey** · 11-13-2012 05:16 AM

Lord............this is a topic that has been beat to death on every single Subaru forum.

**SubieDoo0531** · 11-13-2012 05:36 AM

My apologies if it has been beaten to death here. I assure you I did some research for a thread before I decided to post. I genuinely appreciate everyone's response and will gladly take that intake money and reinvest it elsewhere. Thanks again for your input everyone!

-Steve

**Ying** · 11-13-2012 05:48 AM

Steve, have you thought about what you're going to do for engine management yet? That'd be the first thing to do before any other engine mod.

That being said the 3rd gen cars are, in fact, pretty responsive to aftermarket intakes compared to the older models so an intake could still be a viable consideration. I've heard nothing but good reviews about the AEM CAI. Cobb seems to make a decent intake with an airbox as well but some people don't like the oiled filter. With a turbo in the stock location, most will advise you not to go for a short-ram.

I, myself will probably get an AEM later but my next objectives once I hit 30,000 miles are a downpipe and a Stage 2 tune. Then I'll consider an intake.

Again, I will say that none of these bolt-ons are advisable unless you've got some engine management ready to go. Just keep that in mind.

**SubieDoo0531** · 11-13-2012 06:43 AM

Ying, thanks so much for your input. To be quite honest I haven't really thought much through yet. I was just feeling around for possible mods, so I just figured for the sake of funds around this time of year, an intake was a decent option but I'm glad I brought it here to the forums for opinions and I was steered in the right direction.

**Methodical4u** · 11-13-2012 12:06 PM

I got the AEM, I am careful in the rain... careful in the sense that I don't hit big puddles on the right side. The AEM is really a good fit though and once you install you, you will see how it would be next to impossible to flood the CAI unless it was submerged. It has also been shown that it must be submerged in almost all cases in order for it to cause any sort of engine issue.

**SubieDoo0531** · 11-13-2012 12:10 PM

Originally Posted by Methodical4u

I got the AEM, I am careful in the rain... careful in the sense that I don't hit big puddles on the right side. The AEM is really a good fit though and once you install you, you will see how it would be next to impossible to flood the CAI unless it was submerged. It has also been shown that it must be submerged in almost all cases in order for it to cause any sort of engine issue.

I'd assume you also have a BPV installed as well?

**Methodical4u** · 11-13-2012 01:08 PM

Originally Posted by SubieDoo0531

I'd assume you also have a BPV installed as well?

The stock one.... why do I need that when i'm not pushing that much boost or it's not leaking?

**SubieDoo0531** · 11-13-2012 01:18 PM

Originally Posted by Methodical4u

The stock one.... why do I need that when i'm not pushing that much boost or it's not leaking?

It almost eliminates the chance for hydro-lock in the event your intake filter becomes submerged in water. From what I've read, it's almost a necessity if you get a CAI.

Check it out
http://www.aemintakes.com/air_bypass_valve.htm

**Methodical4u** · 11-13-2012 02:42 PM

Originally Posted by SubieDoo0531

It almost eliminates the chance for hydro-lock in the event your intake filter becomes submerged in water. From what I've read, it's almost a necessity if you get a CAI.

Check it out
AEM Air Bypass Valve for Cold Air Intakes - Prevents Hydro-lock

actually never heard that once tbh.

**D-WRX** · 11-13-2012 03:42 PM

Originally Posted by SubieDoo0531

Hello everyone! I'm brand new to the forums, despite being an avid reader for a few years now. I figured since I picked up a 2012 WRX I'd have to finally join!

Anyway, as the title suggests, I'm looking into getting an intake for the car. I'm unsure which route to go, as both short ram and cold air intakes have their pros and cons. I know the power gain from the CAI is supposed to be a bit more, but I wanted to know if it was worth the risk. Is the short ram a more reasonable alternative?

Could anyone offer some insight, and possibly some too notch brands to look into as well? I'd greatly appreciate it!

Thanks in advance,

Steve

I got tuned last month and tuner said biggest restriction to my setup was stock tmic and stock intake. He wan't specific on CAI or short ram.

**Donkey** · 11-13-2012 04:48 PM

Originally Posted by SubieDoo0531

It almost eliminates the chance for hydro-lock in the event your intake filter becomes submerged in water. From what I've read, it's almost a necessity if you get a CAI.

Check it out
AEM Air Bypass Valve for Cold Air Intakes - Prevents Hydro-lock

Clearly says in the description "The AEM Air Bypass Valve is NOT for use on forced induction vehicles."