Short Ram vs CAI

[Alladin]

Is there a difference in performance and sound between the 2? I have to take into consideration that I live in Houston and the summers get very hot and humid. But I would like a nice sound from whatever I add.

[TX Speed 6]

I don't have a SRI, I have a CAI, but in Houston, with the amount of rain you'll probably get I recommend the SRI for safetys sake. From what I understand the SRI is louder. The CAI you'll just hear some whoosing from air entering the turbo, not too loud but sounds good.

[coyfish]

Not really . . .

Both will sound similar.

Just get the SRI. wont have to worry about hydrolock which is nice.

[SilverSquish]

So will Mazda replace your engine if you hydro-lock it using the MazdaSpeed CIA? I much prefer a CAI, but from everything I'm reading it seems like most people here suggest a SRI for safety's sake. That makes me very hesitant about buying a CAI.(nervous)

[TX Speed 6]

So will Mazda replace your engine if you hydro-lock it using the MazdaSpeed CIA? I much prefer a CAI, but from everything I'm reading it seems like most people here suggest a SRI for safety's sake. That makes me very hesitant about buying a CAI.(nervous)

No they will not... from first hand experience... my wife hydrolocked the car with the Mazdaspeed CAI. Insurance covered it, but Mazda will not. From what I understand its discontinued now, but I don't remember. I got the MS cai so my dealership wouldn't bug me when it comes to warranty repairs, but I would prefer an SRI once the warranty is gone.

[Alladin]

After doing some more reading I'm not sure I want to replace the stock airbox now. Seems like alot of people are saying it's really loud with an aftermarket intake. Do you hear the growl of the engine at all or is it just loud wind noise from the air being sucked in?

[Igve2shtz]

Loud wind/sucking noise. If you want a growl, get an exhaust

[coyfish]

Yeah if you hydrolock your car its your fault. Similar to if you burn up your clutch or brakes. The mazdaspeed intake has been re-released with the air straightener.

And yes the wind sucking noise is quite loud when you step on it. If your just cruising you wont really hear it. You can still hear the engine but the intake is definately more noticable. Most people like the air noise but if you decide not to get the intake think about a drop in K&N filter. Not as good as an intake but free's up a couple ponies.

[Mistersix]

sport compact car did a very interesting analysis on the cai vs short ram.
it explains how the length of the intake affects the frequency at with the air is charged and put into resonance. its at this resonance in which the intake is most effecient at increasing power.
the frequency of the resonance also dictates where in the power band the intake makes its largest gain.
longer pipes have a lower internal resonance, this lower frequency will effect the lower portion of the power band. shorter pipes have a higher frequency, thus giving larger gains in the upper portion of the power band.
this resonace is only a small part of intake design, but nonetheless signifigant.
the article explains it much better than i however i cant find it on their website. they used and 08 wrx as their test bed, and it was k&n short ram vs stock vs fujita i think.
its worth digging up and reading twice.
particularily, the part about how the aftermarket intake flows less, and fools the ecu, yada yada yada. i think i need to read it again as well.
(excuse my spelling)

[TX Speed 6]

Yeah, I have the issue (their last sadly) basically... CAI better for low end torque, SRI better for high rpm horsepower given a stock ecu/maf. Its a really good article, I'll miss sport compact car


sport compact car did a very interesting analysis on the cai vs short ram.
it explains how the length of the intake affects the frequency at with the air is charged and put into resonance. its at this resonance in which the intake is most effecient at increasing power.
the frequency of the resonance also dictates where in the power band the intake makes its largest gain.
longer pipes have a lower internal resonance, this lower frequency will effect the lower portion of the power band. shorter pipes have a higher frequency, thus giving larger gains in the upper portion of the power band.
this resonace is only a small part of intake design, but nonetheless signifigant.
the article explains it much better than i however i cant find it on their website. they used and 08 wrx as their test bed, and it was k&n short ram vs stock vs fujita i think.
its worth digging up and reading twice.
particularily, the part about how the aftermarket intake flows less, and fools the ecu, yada yada yada. i think i need to read it again as well.
(excuse my spelling)

[lanny709]

I'm running an SRI and it's great. It is loud but only when accelerating or at high rpm. Makes the car sound muscley if you will. Great mod, sounds badass and steal a little hp while you're at it :)

[Mistersix]

Scc (rip)

[rapter]

i have a CAI in my protege, love it, and we had some nice floods hear, never had a problem just didnt step on the gas too hard when go through a LAKE.

than its fine, and plus has to be at least like 1 to 2 feet of water.

[lanny709]

same here. and evenif you are still afraid of waterlocking you can buy a bypass valve from AEM to eliminate the problem :)

[TX Speed 6]

aem bypass valve does not work on turbo cars

[lanny709]

it was not stated whether the car was turbo or not :)

[TX Speed 6]

it was not stated whether the car was turbo or not :)

You got me there..... sorry, I always forget the 6 section isn't just for the Speed 6 so I assume too much!

[Alladin]

My apologies, it's an 06 Speed6

[ringolake]

The CAI would bring in cooler air and I assume help reduce the possiblity of knock. My question is about the article that said the SRI did more for the higher RPMs where my MS6 seems to really need it. How much of a difference is there between the two?

[TX Speed 6]

If your asking about the Sport CC article, it was only a difference of 3-5 hp and or lb tq between the two either way. This was tested on a wrx, though, so I'm not sure what it might do on the MS6.

The reason your car needs help at higher rpms is cause the turbo is past its efficiency past around 5500 rpms, either intake won't help much with this

[Sparky_86]

I Just Bought a Cold Air Intake for my speed6. Is it pretty hard to install? And Do they make a bypass valve for a car that has a turbo?

[TX Speed 6]

Depends on how handy you are with a wrench. I think it took me about 2-3 hours? (I know... slow) The hard part was taking out the stock intake.... installing it took maybe 20 min. If you mean bypass valve like the AEM one, no, you can get a pre filter, I have the Injen one. Its basically like a sock or condom for your filter, it works great and is very cheap. If you mean bypass valve in reference to a "blow off" valve set up in recirculating mode... well, theres plenty, but I imagine you mean the aem bypass valve to keep water out.

[Mistersix]

yes the difference in the article was 3-5 ponies here or there but never the less thats the point. your not getting a whole lot from an intake to begin with so where the bulk of the improvement, or lack there of, is, is what the whole idea is.

could you tell a difference between the two on the road, i doubt it.

my 2 cents is go with the SR for simplicity sake, and no hydro lock worries.

[coyfish]

Yeah this shouldn't even be a debate :). Even if a CAI managed to give you 1 more horse (which it wont) its still not worth the ease of mind an SRI gives. Im thinking about selling me CAI and getting a SRI. I just dont wanna lose money.

As for the CAI install. It took me about 45 min the 1st time I did it. Also was the 1st time I ever even looked under the hood of a car :)