Is a ram air intake worth it?
Chloe Ramirez
Updated on March 14, 2026
Is a ram air intake worth it?
To answer the question of whether a cold air intake system is ultimately worth it, the answer is yes. Even if you don’t notice the benefits, they are still present and are actively helping your car to run more efficiently.
Does a ram air intake add horsepower?
Well, yes. Installing cold air intake on your car will likely add horsepower. They won’t add as much horsepower as other engine modifications (Up to 5-20 horsepower according to the manufacturers). However, they are comparatively cheap to purchase and install at a few hundred dollars.
How much horsepower does a short ram air intake add?
You gain 0 hP with a short ram. Technically most SRI advertise you can add between 0 to 10hP and most of the time you can’t feel the difference. If your car is not tuned for short ram intake it can even lower your engine performance.
What do ram air intakes do?
A ram-air intake is any intake design which uses the dynamic air pressure created by vehicle motion to increase the static air pressure inside of the intake manifold on an internal combustion engine, thus allowing a greater massflow through the engine and hence increasing engine power.
Is cold air intake bad for engine?
Shape. It has been found that cold air intakes with a 90-degree bend can offset your car’s idle, especially when combined with other aftermarket parts. This causes problems when air is being sucked into the engine, because it causes the air to roll.
Is short ram intake better than stock?
Both cold air intakes and short ram intakes aim to bring more air into the engine. This results in better combustion and more power and torque. That makes it a little more difficult for air to reach the engine, and either type will usually be the same or better than the stock intake.
Does cold air intake make car louder?
Quick answer – Yes. The sound of your car will be louder and more aggressive with a cold air intake. Instead of loudness though, a cold air intake changes the sound of your car engine. This is a very satisfying sound that makes your car sound more aggressive and even faster.
Is a bigger cold air intake better?
But it gets even better. Not only does a cold air intake reduce the air temperature, but it also increases airflow. Aftermarket intakes remove the need for a box surrounding the air filter and instead use large diameter intake tubes that are smoother, have less bends and are often wider than the original factory ones.
Is Ram Air better than cold air intake?
A cold air typically makes more power, but costs more and is harder to install. A short ram is less expensive, easier to install, and sometimes creates less power. Some people prefer the looks of the short ram intake. Some people also like that the short ram intake is typically louder when you’re heavy on the throttle.
Is K&N cold air intake worth it?
For those in the market for an air intake system, a K&N air intake system is often recommended, and rightly so. A popular choice not just because of K&N’s extensive history and great reputation, K&N intake systems offer proven performance gains for minimal cost and installation effort.
Do you need a tune for a cold air intake?
A cold air intake is a cheap and easy upgrade that does not require tuning. It will work well, without a tune and it will not cause any damage to your car if not tuned.
Is short ram intake better than cold air?