What is the difference between a AIR INTAKE AND A RAM AIR INTAKE?
The air intake is the area where air is introduced into the engine, such as an air cleaner. A Ram air intake is simply a style of intake that involves a duct that is located near the front of the car. When the car is moving, this duct scoops air into the engine and is called a Ram air intake for that reason. A hood scoop is a form of Ram air intake, where the scoop is open at the front and collects air from that position.
You seem to want to just buy something that will not make much difference, it will only make a decent sound. Why don't you go with the cold air intake that your car comes with. If you go for the aftermarket CAIs make sure you drive slow when it rains or risk your engine. Oh yeah, your MPG will go down because the computer compensates for more air.
The two most common types of aftermarket intakes are 1) Cold Air Intake and 2) Short Ram Intake. The Cold Air involves plumbing that places the air filter away from the engine bay, usually down behind the bumper, lower to the ground. This is where the cold comes from, since the air is cooler down low and out of the engine bay. Cold air is more dense, meaning you get better combustion. The Short Ram intake is a small pipe that comes off the intake manifold. The air filter is under the hood, not far away from the intake manifold. The theory is that there is less restriction, and therefore better airflow. Which you choose depends on the car and your pocketbook. A short ram typically runs about $175, where a cold air intake is at least $250 or so. Turbocharged vehicles (like my 1.8T GTI) don't typically benefit from a Cold Air Intake.
