CAI vs Ram Intake

m1tal1k · 09-04-2010, 04:29 AM

Okay, so my 328xi 2007 has a ram intake, of course. I have talked it over with my dad and he says he doesn't see why people do CAI, over the Ram Intake. He says that the aftermarket RI vs CAI isnt that great. I wanted to hear your thoughts on what upgrading each would do for me.

Wlew · 09-04-2010, 06:59 PM

youll get a few hp here and there, the sound is awesome, (100 times better) and your mpg probably improves a small bit

m1tal1k · 09-04-2010, 11:36 PM

It of been nice if you nominated one over the other or even specified which one you just referred to.

AlpineSwift · 09-04-2010, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m1tal1k

It of been nice if you nominated one over the other or even specified which one you just referred to.

He's talking about the CAI

m1tal1k · 09-05-2010, 12:04 AM

Injen said that if I get their RAM intake I could get 6hp at 4900rpms and 6ft of torque at 4900rpms. For some reason I can't find the CAI for Injen for my 328xi, might look elsewhere.

MaximusJ · 09-05-2010, 01:15 AM

You wont get any gain from an intake. The make makes the sound of it; but none give any gains.

m1tal1k · 09-05-2010, 10:47 AM

Which one sounds the best, and I don't believe you don't get anything out of it, cause BMW wouldn't of put it on there lol.

spdy330 · 09-05-2010, 11:01 AM

My opinion is that you will lose torque with a CIA vs a closed intake system. Your benefit is sound. Many people believe that since it sounds aggressive it must be aggressive. Again this is just my opinion.

m1tal1k · 09-05-2010, 11:12 AM

So...performance wise I need to go with a RAM Intake? In your opinion?

MaximusJ · 09-05-2010, 11:19 AM

The long ram gets colder air since its goes in your bumper. So i've you're really looking into GAINS, that 0,7hp gain can be yours with the longer ram; on the other hand, you got the short ram with no gains.

But you also have to keep in mind that filter in the bumper puts your engine more at risks for getting hydrolocks and busting your engine. Never had that kind of problem but the risk is there.

I had a Cold air intake in my previous 06 civic and I found it was a PITA compared to a short ram intake.

The choice is to be made looking at the possible long terms impacts to your car; because i'm gonna repeat myself, there is no possible gains using an intake. Period. Do it for sound; or dont do it at all.

m1tal1k · 09-05-2010, 11:30 AM

Wow...so people would pay 355 dollars just for a sound? And what kind of noticeable sound could it possibly make while you are in the car driving? Or is it to make a scene for people outside it...

e90pilot · 09-05-2010, 01:18 PM

Well... Just like an exhaust, it will be louder in the car and outside. Depending on what you buy the sound is different. HP gain is pretty much nothing. Ok yes you gain 6hp but can you really feel that?

spdy330 · 09-05-2010, 01:34 PM

The sound is noticible with a CAI even with out an aftermarket exhaust.

Wlew · 09-05-2010, 01:53 PM

You definitely have gains with a CAI and exhaust paired. more air in the engine... less back pressure (although you lose from too much loss of backpressure). As to which one I referred to, the AFE (in my signature). it is the best one out there as far as power (small amount, but some for sure) and it comes with a heat shield (keeps hot air out better).

the sound is awesome, but that is not why I bought it. I had heard a friends in his e36, and heard about the gains, that what made me get mine. once I got it, the sound was 10X more and the cone itself was huge. which I like, its my favorite mod thus far.

Injen doesnt come with a heat shield, and I think doesnt look as good. thats my opinion. AFE is a solid company.

Talk with Craven about getting the AFE and an exhaust. you wont regret it.

jeiarneec · 09-05-2010, 08:40 PM

http://blogs.superstreetonline.com/1...sri/index.html

There are inherent pros and cons of both intake systems, but the main difference between a short ram intake and a cold air intake is where the intake gets its air from. A short ram intake sits and the engine bay where the air temps are warmer due to the heat the engine produces while a cold air intake sits away from the engine bay, usually in the front fender where it can suck in cooler air from the outside. Sucking in cool air is important because cool air is denser than warm air, which means cool air molecules are closer together, so more air can fit into a given amount of space. An engine creates power by mixing and compressing air and fuel. The more air you can fit into a cylinder at one time, the bigger explosion you can create which in turn creates more horsepower. This is why a CAI is a wiser choice for making power.

09-04-2010, 04:29 AM	#1
m1tal1k Private 17 Rep 86 Posts Drives: BMW 328xi black sedan 07 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado iTrader: (0)	CAI vs Ram Intake Okay, so my 328xi 2007 has a ram intake, of course. I have talked it over with my dad and he says he doesn't see why people do CAI, over the Ram Intake. He says that the aftermarket RI vs CAI isnt that great. I wanted to hear your thoughts on what upgrading each would do for me.
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09-04-2010, 06:59 PM	#2
Wlew Major 77 Rep 1,116 Posts Drives: 2011 E90 335i Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Washington, DC iTrader: (12)	youll get a few hp here and there, the sound is awesome, (100 times better) and your mpg probably improves a small bit __________________ 2011 335i Sports Package \| VRSF FMIC \| Cobb AP3 \| Dinan Exhaust \| BMS Intake \| VRSF CP \| Lux H8 Angel Eyes \| Mtec LED Fogs \|
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09-04-2010, 11:36 PM	#3
m1tal1k Private 17 Rep 86 Posts Drives: BMW 328xi black sedan 07 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado iTrader: (0)	It of been nice if you nominated one over the other or even specified which one you just referred to.
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09-05-2010, 12:04 AM	#5
m1tal1k Private 17 Rep 86 Posts Drives: BMW 328xi black sedan 07 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado iTrader: (0)	Injen said that if I get their RAM intake I could get 6hp at 4900rpms and 6ft of torque at 4900rpms. For some reason I can't find the CAI for Injen for my 328xi, might look elsewhere.
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09-05-2010, 01:15 AM	#6
MaximusJ Colonel 303 Rep 2,485 Posts Drives: 340Xi MG 2017 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Quebec, Canada iTrader: (21) Garage List 2017 BMW 340XI (F30) [9.00] 2006 BMW 325I (E90) [7.44]	You wont get any gain from an intake. The make makes the sound of it; but none give any gains. __________________ Mineral Grey '17 F30 340XI [Garage] // [Build Journal] Jet Black '06 E90 325I [Garage]
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09-05-2010, 10:47 AM	#7
m1tal1k Private 17 Rep 86 Posts Drives: BMW 328xi black sedan 07 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado iTrader: (0)	Which one sounds the best, and I don't believe you don't get anything out of it, cause BMW wouldn't of put it on there lol.
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09-05-2010, 11:01 AM	#8
spdy330 Major General 530 Rep 6,149 Posts Drives: 05 Tundra, 15 FIT, 17 CRV Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Chino Hills, CA iTrader: (163)	My opinion is that you will lose torque with a CIA vs a closed intake system. Your benefit is sound. Many people believe that since it sounds aggressive it must be aggressive. Again this is just my opinion. __________________ If you will be purchasing ANY AT&T services online or in store could you mention that you were referred by me? My Employee Referral ID is eo4489. This would be a great help and it costs you nothing, thank you!
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09-05-2010, 11:12 AM	#9
m1tal1k Private 17 Rep 86 Posts Drives: BMW 328xi black sedan 07 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado iTrader: (0)	So...performance wise I need to go with a RAM Intake? In your opinion?
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09-05-2010, 11:19 AM	#10
MaximusJ Colonel 303 Rep 2,485 Posts Drives: 340Xi MG 2017 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Quebec, Canada iTrader: (21) Garage List 2017 BMW 340XI (F30) [9.00] 2006 BMW 325I (E90) [7.44]	The long ram gets colder air since its goes in your bumper. So i've you're really looking into GAINS, that 0,7hp gain can be yours with the longer ram; on the other hand, you got the short ram with no gains. But you also have to keep in mind that filter in the bumper puts your engine more at risks for getting hydrolocks and busting your engine. Never had that kind of problem but the risk is there. I had a Cold air intake in my previous 06 civic and I found it was a PITA compared to a short ram intake. The choice is to be made looking at the possible long terms impacts to your car; because i'm gonna repeat myself, there is no possible gains using an intake. Period. Do it for sound; or dont do it at all. __________________ Mineral Grey '17 F30 340XI [Garage] // [Build Journal] Jet Black '06 E90 325I [Garage]
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09-05-2010, 11:30 AM	#11
m1tal1k Private 17 Rep 86 Posts Drives: BMW 328xi black sedan 07 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado iTrader: (0)	Wow...so people would pay 355 dollars just for a sound? And what kind of noticeable sound could it possibly make while you are in the car driving? Or is it to make a scene for people outside it...
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09-05-2010, 01:18 PM	#12
e90pilot Freight Dawg 104 Rep 2,103 Posts Drives: E90 325i Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Oakland, CA iTrader: (3)	Well... Just like an exhaust, it will be louder in the car and outside. Depending on what you buy the sound is different. HP gain is pretty much nothing. Ok yes you gain 6hp but can you really feel that? __________________ --Marcelo '06 Arctic Metallic 325i \| Sport Package \| 6MT \| Dinan Stage III suspension \| Dinan exhaust \| 330i manifold swap! Click here! \| Active Autowerke tune \| 135i Brake Calipers \| Deiselboost caliper brackets \| E46 M3 front rotors
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09-05-2010, 01:34 PM	#13
spdy330 Major General 530 Rep 6,149 Posts Drives: 05 Tundra, 15 FIT, 17 CRV Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Chino Hills, CA iTrader: (163)	The sound is noticible with a CAI even with out an aftermarket exhaust. __________________ If you will be purchasing ANY AT&T services online or in store could you mention that you were referred by me? My Employee Referral ID is eo4489. This would be a great help and it costs you nothing, thank you!
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09-05-2010, 01:53 PM	#14
Wlew Major 77 Rep 1,116 Posts Drives: 2011 E90 335i Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Washington, DC iTrader: (12)	You definitely have gains with a CAI and exhaust paired. more air in the engine... less back pressure (although you lose from too much loss of backpressure). As to which one I referred to, the AFE (in my signature). it is the best one out there as far as power (small amount, but some for sure) and it comes with a heat shield (keeps hot air out better). the sound is awesome, but that is not why I bought it. I had heard a friends in his e36, and heard about the gains, that what made me get mine. once I got it, the sound was 10X more and the cone itself was huge. which I like, its my favorite mod thus far. Injen doesnt come with a heat shield, and I think doesnt look as good. thats my opinion. AFE is a solid company. Talk with Craven about getting the AFE and an exhaust. you wont regret it. __________________ 2011 335i Sports Package \| VRSF FMIC \| Cobb AP3 \| Dinan Exhaust \| BMS Intake \| VRSF CP \| Lux H8 Angel Eyes \| Mtec LED Fogs \|
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09-05-2010, 08:40 PM	#15
jeiarneec Second Lieutenant 24 Rep 294 Posts Drives: 06 330i Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: SD iTrader: (1)	http://blogs.superstreetonline.com/1...sri/index.html There are inherent pros and cons of both intake systems, but the main difference between a short ram intake and a cold air intake is where the intake gets its air from. A short ram intake sits and the engine bay where the air temps are warmer due to the heat the engine produces while a cold air intake sits away from the engine bay, usually in the front fender where it can suck in cooler air from the outside. Sucking in cool air is important because cool air is denser than warm air, which means cool air molecules are closer together, so more air can fit into a given amount of space. An engine creates power by mixing and compressing air and fuel. The more air you can fit into a cylinder at one time, the bigger explosion you can create which in turn creates more horsepower. This is why a CAI is a wiser choice for making power. __________________
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