Cold Air Intake vs Short Ram Intake: Which One Fits Your Car

What a cold air intake does

A cold air intake pulls air from outside the engine bay, often through a long tube reaching near the front bumper or fender. Cooler air holds more oxygen. More oxygen means a cleaner burn. Drivers who want steady gains across daily driving and highway speeds tend to pick this style.

What a short ram intake does

A short ram intake sits closer to the engine, with a shorter tube and a filter right under the hood. It costs less and fits tighter engine bays. The tradeoff is warmer air on hot days, since the filter sits near engine heat. Drivers who want a bigger sound and an easier install often lean this direction.

Which one fits your driving

If you drive year round in hot weather or want the biggest gain on the highway, a cold air intake makes sense. If you want a quick weekend install, a lower price and a sound turning heads at a stoplight, a short ram intake gets the job done.

Fitment matters more than the type

Neither style helps your car if it doesn't fit the engine bay. Every kit on our site lists the exact years, makes, models and engine sizes it fits. Check your VIN or your owner's manual before you order and reach out to our team if you're not sure. Wrong fitment is the top reason customers return parts and we would rather help you get it right the first time.

How to choose in three steps

Start with your engine bay space. A tight bay favors a short ram kit. Next, think about your climate. Hot regions favor a cold air intake. Last, set your budget, since short ram kits usually run less than cold air kits with the same build quality.

Browse our cold air intake kits or our short ram intake kits and filter by your vehicle. Our team backs every kit with real support, not a script. Reach out any time at sales@rtunesracing.com or (626) 934-8888.