what is the diff between rai and cai?

[RaceDvr50]

Ok steroids might have been an agressive comparison but a good system provides some gains. I'll agree that on a carb'd system it might not be as effective as it can be on a mass air multiport system where you have three feet of run before you get to the cylinders but like I said it has to be a well designed system and if the aerodynamics of the car create a low pressure area by the pick-up then the system would be essentially worthless. It needs to be set in an area where pressure is generated and then make use of that pressure.

 

[DocG]

I don't remember where I read this...but someone tested the heat of the air in the fender vs. the heat in the engine bay and the difference was very little. I understand colder air is better because of the density, but its not like I gain 50hp in the winter.

Maybe I'm dead wrong but I don't think the stock intake is the thing holdin our engines back. If there's a difference between the CAI's and RAI's out there, it won't be much. I'd bet 1hp.

You want big gains, get one of those tornado things...makes the air all swirly...swirly is good. The TV said so.

 

[RaceDvr50]

Yes the tornado thingy that's almost like a supercharger right?




Yes, I know you were kidding

 

[DocG]

better than a s/c...its swirly

 

[BurningRubber]

better than a s/c...its swirly

...and its blades can break off and get sucked into the engine..

 

[Y2K_MustangVert]

Shaker, with factory air box, tubing and K&N filter. We don't need no stinking Cold Air Kits.......

 

[TrueBlue03]

JLT's versions of a RAI an CAI:



JLT RAI:

JLT CAI:

 

[langod]

...and its blades can break off and get sucked into the engine..

Thatz why teh peeples who are smart do the Leaf Blower mod, Yo!

 

[hognutz]

JLT's versions of a RAI an CAI:



JLT RAI:

JLT CAI:

I bet the jlt RAI has higher intake temps than the stock air box.

 

[DocG]

That JLT RAI isn't even a true RAI is it?

 

[RoadconeTuning]

get a JLT ColdAir...
i got mine and love it, well after the install which SUCKS

but generally its the same for mustangs as it is for imports, if you want to be cool and make the intake sucking sound but actually lose hp get a "ram air", which by the way doesnt RAM anything as it has no way to build pressure, but if you want power get a Cold Air Intake.... i love teh JLT and it also gets rid of the dont put a turn before the MAF debate by moving the MAF into the fenderwell... if you are willing to devote a hour to installing a CAI then get the JLT... everyone that has one has noticed a diffrence, my friend got a BBK CAI and he said it just made it louder... i honestly think my JLT woke the car up in the upper rpms...

bottom line, Ram Air is GENERALLY pointless and unlss installed perfect using heatshields will NEVER get as cool of air as a CAI in teh fender... even if its only 1-2* cooler... that 1-2* will allow for more power so the CAI is better.

 

[5.0nmalecek]

JLT's versions of a RAI an CAI:



JLT RAI:

JLT CAI:

I dont think thats ram air its just an underhood intake. ram air forces air into the intake by having a funnel in the front of the car scoop air into the intake. at least thats what i thnk.
The concept of ram air makes sense to me...
I want to make a cowl induction hood out of fiberglass but cut the front of the cowl induction out and mount a huge filter in there. That would be at least a square foot of area for wind to pass through into the intake tubing. If it didnt work it would at least look cool... or cheesy depending on who you are
i think RaceDvr50 is right when he said a ram air system needs to be well designed to work well.
Of course that had too many I Thinks in it.

 

[White Stang]

Prove it!

I'll prove it on a Dyno

 

[Dope 97GT]

i have had a bud from a tree sit on the top of my hood going 65mph and there was no air moving to knock it off

I have a cowl hood but its only like 2 inches so i dont see a real effective mach 1 shaker idea. yeah it would be functional if air got to it but i think the aerodynamics are wrong for it to work

IMO i think the performance would be more in the filter and how straight the tubing was that the location

but im not an expert and this is my opinion so if someone disagrees let me know

 

[Pennywise2]

Ram air induction could ram a bird in your engine.

 

[Dope 97GT]

Ram air induction could ram a bird in your engine.

that is a fact and you dont want that

 

[Pennywise2]

that is a fact and you dont want that

Your engine will be going chrip chrip LOL.

 

[40oz]

Why not run a pipe to your trunk if you want cool air? Surely the air in there is cooler than in your fender on a hot day when you've been driving a while.

If you want ram air, just leave your hood up when you drive - it will funnel the air right down over the engine, and compress it as much or more than a turbo - compare the size of your hood to the vanes on a typical compressor wheel of a turbo if you doubt it.

 

[Uncle Meat]

I don't remember where I read this...but someone tested the heat of the air in the fender vs. the heat in the engine bay and the difference was very little. I understand colder air is better because of the density, but its not like I gain 50hp in the winter.

You will if you're running FI!

You are correct about the IAT's. In-fender CAI's make a big difference in IAT's when you are idling or moving very slowly. Once the car reaches 25+MPH the IAT's are within a degree or two of each other when comapired to an under hood unit. So if you need a lot of HP while idling go ahead and get one of them fancy in fender units!

U.M.