whats the difference between ram air intake and cold air intake?
LOL holy crap! lol I am an experienced ASE Master Tech. I have about 40 endorsements over 22 years experience, some addendums include Team ASE Racing as well as 6 other Nascar Tech certificates not to mention my EDU endorsement. I teach at Cal State for two years now since I was commissioned to be an educator. Now that I have introduced to you my credentiality. I have to say something. Whoever this Mike guy is that answered the question is either one fully educated to a master level, or he can cut and paste like a pro when it comes to finding a proper answer for his search. I cannot answer the question better than Mike did, nor could I really say that he missed or omitted anything. There are different types of Ram-Air systems however, but they all basically perform the functions as he said. Some are designed to increase input pressure at lower ground speed (the given vehicle's velocity), and some at higher. One hell of an answer Mike. I wish all my graduates could do that good.
Ram is Pontiac. Cold is Ford and Olds. Pontiac's Ram air was to take advantage of the forced air (wind) coming over the hood. Included; hood scoops with air cleaner tub, bigger cam, better distributor. And in latter years. better intake and heads. The parts did more for power than the 2 PSI of air pressure. Cold air used a (dryer) hose running from behind the grill or bumper to duct cold air up to the air cleaner. The colder, denser air has more power than hot under hood air.
Short ram intakes are on the top of the engine bay Cold air intakes are down lower most commonly under the headlights or in similar areas where there is often some metal to be cut out. Short rams have the advantages of not getting wet if you go down a flooded street and they are easier to install, cheaper and weigh less.
