Mopar’s “Ram Airflow” Cold-Air Intake System For Ram 1500:

[ChadT]

ChadT i highly recommend a high quality high flow CAI for the 5.7 HEMI along with a quality cat-back exhaust you will be impressed with the result i know i was impressed.

I have a magnaflow full exhaust system on it for now - BUT I'm thinking real hard about getting a Borla again

 

[ChadT]

Chad, I wish you the best with your new CAI. However, there is science that says this does nothing except under EXTREME conditions that most will never encounter. Your butt dyno and thoughts will be interesting to hear. However, most folks that spend this kind of money on accessories that do nothing, by themselves, will always feel "something" to justify the insane price of this equipment. I have tried just about all brands of CAI's over the last 20 years in a FORD and multiple GMC Sierra Denali's (K&N, AirAid, Volant, etc.). I have also researched these things for years and years and have always come to the same conclusion...they all look "cool" and many make more "noise", but it's all marketing and fuzzy math. Now if you said you were going to do a tune (which is truly necessary to take advantage of any gains in increased air flow), and possibly modify your exhaust to a true FREE-FLOW system, then you may feel a bit of difference. Without a tune and free flowing exhaust, it is all in your head.....

Yes...SIGs are great guns my friend...sorry @SpeedyV

What did you have on them? I'm pretty interested to hear your personal experiences - I won't have any follow ups about dynos or anything like that. What'd you have, what'd you like, what didn't you like?
Were any of them a vararam/ram air styled "front scoop" intake style system, whereinas the air being fed to the filter would increase with vehicle/air speed? (I don't mean that as a dig, I'm actually assuming that this style design has been around before)

I agree that as of these 5th gen rams, that 5.7L Hemi has had a lot of tweaks to it to wring power out of it over the years.
The factory airbox is honestly not too shabby.
I also agree that a tune is worth some thought to wring the most potential out of the engine, along with the other parts.
I do believe that a CAI is best paired with a good exhaust system, the stock exhaust unit is just gigantic and restrictive. It's made for a quiet ride, minimize drone, and that is it.
I also agree that a ~10hp difference might be imperceptible to some drivers

HOWEVER.
I'm looking forward to finding out for myself.

Anecdotally I can say when I had the Borla XR1 on my last ram, and the magnaflow on this ram - at high RPMs on the highway at high speed, if you give it a bunch of gas pedal, I really notice this sensation that's hard to describe. I personally believe the engine is asking for more air.
I've believed that since before the ram air or vararam came out, and when I had no intention of touching the airbox at all.
It really felt like there was a bottleneck.
The air is really flowing well out through the exhaust, but the bottleneck is air into the engine.

It's a personal theory of mine, and an itch I've wanted to scratch. I gotta find out.
In terms of expectations? If it's a 5hp bump and it looks cooler? I'll be pleased.
Anything extra is a bonus.

 

[PorBoy]

Go for it and come to the drkside with us other owners lol. I’m not going to preach that doing so will propel you into the next dimension, nor am I here to argue the pros and cons of it, what I will say as I’ve continued to say unless someone else is paying for it, buy what you want for YOUR truck.

 

[securityguy]

I have a magnaflow full exhaust system on it for now - BUT I'm thinking real hard about getting a Borla again

Why?

 

[ChadT]

Go for it and come to the drkside with us other owners lol. I’m not going to preach that doing so will propel you into the next dimension, nor am I here to argue the pros and cons of it, what I will say as I’ve continued to say unless someone else is paying for it, buy what you want for YOUR truck.

Or in your exact words:



Hey I'm excited to see how it goes!

 

[ChadT]

Why?

Sound signature, pure and simple.
I like the magnaflow, I just wonder if I'd like the sound of a borla touring more

 

[kliffy77]

I have a magnaflow full exhaust system on it for now - BUT I'm thinking real hard about getting a Borla again

I have the Borla Touring and i absolutely love it and would buy it again.

 

[Twoamen]

You like it. Not for everyone. I think it is a cool looking option. But the cost for the cool look threshold is to far over the top.
Maybe if it gets around the equal to varram then yes

 

[securityguy]

Sound signature, pure and simple.
I like the magnaflow, I just wonder if I'd like the sound of a borla touring more

Understood. I have always loved Borla exhaust systems.

 

[ChadT]

Alright guys so the intake should be coming pretty soon. I have a few questions

1) Is there anything you guys wished you knew before you started? Any tips from those who installed it themselves?

2) I'm thinking that in the time frame between getting off the old intake and installing the new one, should I cover any open engine parts? To prevent debris from getting anywhere?

3) I remember the vararam having issues with the snow, though some say those were greatly overblown. ( Some going on to explain that in their experience snow ends up in engine compartments all the time, it's just easier to notice due to the vararam design). I'm thinking I might order one of those pre filter covers for wintertime use just in case. Anyone run one?

 

[RAM Patriot]

I have ordered some of this, 3M Black Super Weatherstrip and Gasket Adhesive from Amazon.

I will let you know how it works out after application.

So the 3M Black Super Weatherstrip & Gasket Adhesive did the trick.
(This stuff is very tacky and much stronger grip than silicone.)

It will also hold up to the temps in the engine bay.

The gasket is staying in place now when you take the cover on & off and I have been running it in 90+ degree weather.

Do not make the mistake of applying this without some throw away covid gloves.

(It was an effort to get this stuff off my fingers and skin.)

 

[RAM Patriot]

When you take the filter off for cleaning you will need a 10mm wrench or nut driver as shown below.

This is a dry filter.

 

[ChadT]

So the 3M Black Super Weatherstrip & Gasket Adhesive did the trick.
(This stuff is very tacky and much stronger grip than silicone.)

It will also hold up to the temps in the engine bay.

The gasket is staying in place now when you take the cover on & off and I have been running it in 90+ degree weather.

Do not make the mistake of applying this without some throw away covid gloves.

(It was an effort to get this stuff off my fingers and skin.)

I ordered some up and see why - at some point I'll have to apply this to that gasket to keep it in place!

I just got it installed.
Just onee last thing is preventing me from hooking the battery back up and driving it around.
This thing by the red arrow, that's the other end of the MUA right?

The diagram on the instructions looks like it's one for an etorque engine, it didn't show where the connection for the MUA is on the other end.
It's literally off diagram.

 

[RAM Patriot]

I ordered some up and see why - at some point I'll have to apply this to that gasket to keep it in place!

I just got it installed.
Just onee last thing is preventing me from hooking the battery back up and driving it around.
This thing by the red arrow, that's the other end of the MUA right?

The diagram on the instructions looks like it's one for an etorque engine, it didn't show where the connection for the MUA is on the other end.
It's literally off diagram.

View attachment 64864

Yes that is where you need to hook the hose and the other end goes to the bottom of the Ram Airflow.

 

[Bwsteg]

Can the ramair also be installed with the 5.7 with e torque? Sorry for the ignorant question.

 

[SpeedyV]

Can the ramair also be installed with the 5.7 with e torque? Sorry for the ignorant question.

Yep.

 

[ChadT]

So, first impressions of the Ramair intake after driving it, after the first drive.

I think the best way of describing driving it in one word, is "smooth." The engine just breathes better. If I had to describe the Ram air in one long sentence?
"The engine breathes better, it feels incredibly smooth when you get on the gas pedal, and it feels like it should have been sold this way."
I would not say the truck had any "lag" before - it doesn't have start stop, there's no turbo lag, none of that. But I personally believe the air gets to the engine a touch quicker, and in greater volume, and that I can feel it.
No it's not a hellcat engine now, and it's not a replacement for a turbo or anything dramatic and drastic. That would be wrong and irresponsible to say.
Do not get this intake thinking it's suddenly a 6.2L supercharged V8.

But, I do believe that a better exhaust and a good intake help you get the most out of the engine just as it is. It's just so smooth getting rolling, the engine gets the air it needs. That really is what kept popping into my head as I was rolling along. "Smooth".
At higher speeds when you get on the pedal? Again the engine has everything it needs to make power, real F-ing quick. It was 100% worth it. I personally believe that the magnaflow exhaust and the intake are a tag team that work together. More air in faster, flows out quicker. It just seems like it inhales and exhales better, there's a feeling that it's just got less resistance.

I can say I personally believe it was getting up to speed a bit quicker from what I can tell. Again, that's my perception and my opinion. I was pretty exhausted after installing the intake in 95+ degree heat and humidity, so my senses were not in tune with looking for super slight differences.

I can say that with the same pedal input that I'm used to, I was finding that I was a touch faster than normal. I was backing off the pedal a little bit on the same roads to stay at the speed limits. That's something I can say is incontrovertibly true. I went through my normal routine on the same roads. I kept saying, "shoot I'm doing 38 I need to back down a little." It was a 1 to 2 mph difference at those speeds.

It seems I'm getting more speed from the same effort, or less effort to go the same speed. I noticed MDS kicking in more often at greater speeds and on hills.
The MPG efficiency will be hard to tell. I like what I'm seeing, but I'm going to try to wait until at least 1 gas tank has gone by, and it's tough to say as I'm giving it more gasoline to hear the exhaust now. Time will tell on that front - I can say I don't at all think it hurt my MPG.

I personally think it's a touch louder - I wish I had a decibel meter and did before and after measurements. Instead what I can tell you is that I was a musician for about 10 years+ and my ears are extremely sensitive to that kind of thing. Think of an exhaust pipe like a horn, again a horn is a pipe with intricate bends, and some have valves or rotors or what have you. As a general rule of thumb, if you blow more air into it playing the same note, it gets louder.

The magnaflow is a big mellow thundercloud. If you really get on it, you get more noise, again more air is going through it at a faster rate. If you gave it more gas pedal, with more RPMS under load you'd get noise. In my opinion it moved the sound curve slightly. You get a touch more noise earlier, and I'm a big fan of that. While I was considering getting a borla touring system - and I have nothing but nice things to say about Borla's products? At this moment I'm backing off of that, I want to see what I think about the magnaflow with more air.

I can say getting on it at highway speed, the big test, was otherworldly. The engine had alllll the air it needed immediately, and it reacted like it, and it sounded like it - and I loved it.

In finale,
- Would I do it again? Yes. Absolutely.
- If I got another Ram 2019, would I install a Ram air intake on that ram too, even on a 90+ degree humid day like today? I would.
- If someone put the stock unit back on, would I be upset? I would.


Thank you to the guys who steered me to it.
And I respect the loyal opposition who tempered the expectations - it's extremely accurate to explain that a good CAI unit isn't going to make your engine add a Litre and roast your tires even in neutral It's a fair, accurate, and a responsible thing to remind people of that, when it's $1,000-ish being spent.
I'm thrilled with it and would do it again 100%.

 

[Bearman95]

So, first impressions of the Ramair intake after driving it, after the first drive.

I think the best way of describing driving it in one word, is "smooth." The engine just breathes better. If I had to describe the Ram air in one long sentence?
"The engine breathes better, it feels incredibly smooth when you get on the gas pedal, and it feels like it should have been sold this way."
I would not say the truck had any "lag" before - it doesn't have start stop, there's no turbo lag, none of that. But I personally believe the air gets to the engine a touch quicker, and in greater volume, and that I can feel it.
No it's not a hellcat engine now, and it's not a replacement for a turbo or anything dramatic and drastic. That would be wrong and irresponsible to say.
Do not get this intake thinking it's suddenly a 6.2L supercharged V8.

But, I do believe that a better exhaust and a good intake help you get the most out of the engine just as it is. It's just so smooth getting rolling, the engine gets the air it needs. That really is what kept popping into my head as I was rolling along. "Smooth".
At higher speeds when you get on the pedal? Again the engine has everything it needs to make power, real F-ing quick. It was 100% worth it. I personally believe that the magnaflow exhaust and the intake are a tag team that work together. More air in faster, flows out quicker. It just seems like it inhales and exhales better, there's a feeling that it's just got less resistance.

I can say I personally believe it was getting up to speed a bit quicker from what I can tell. Again, that's my perception and my opinion. I was pretty exhausted after installing the intake in 95+ degree heat and humidity, so my senses were not in tune with looking for super slight differences.

I can say that with the same pedal input that I'm used to, I was finding that I was a touch faster than normal. I was backing off the pedal a little bit on the same roads to stay at the speed limits. That's something I can say is incontrovertibly true. I went through my normal routine on the same roads. I kept saying, "shoot I'm doing 38 I need to back down a little." It was a 1 to 2 mph difference at those speeds.

It seems I'm getting more speed from the same effort, or less effort to go the same speed. I noticed MDS kicking in more often at greater speeds and on hills.
The MPG efficiency will be hard to tell. I like what I'm seeing, but I'm going to try to wait until at least 1 gas tank has gone by, and it's tough to say as I'm giving it more gasoline to hear the exhaust now. Time will tell on that front - I can say I don't at all think it hurt my MPG.

I personally think it's a touch louder - I wish I had a decibel meter and did before and after measurements. Instead what I can tell you is that I was a musician for about 10 years+ and my ears are extremely sensitive to that kind of thing. Think of an exhaust pipe like a horn, again a horn is a pipe with intricate bends, and some have valves or rotors or what have you. As a general rule of thumb, if you blow more air into it playing the same note, it gets louder.

The magnaflow is a big mellow thundercloud. If you really get on it, you get more noise, again more air is going through it at a faster rate. If you gave it more gas pedal, with more RPMS under load you'd get noise. In my opinion it moved the sound curve slightly. You get a touch more noise earlier, and I'm a big fan of that. While I was considering getting a borla touring system - and I have nothing but nice things to say about Borla's products? At this moment I'm backing off of that, I want to see what I think about the magnaflow with more air.

I can say getting on it at highway speed, the big test, was otherworldly. The engine had alllll the air it needed immediately, and it reacted like it, and it sounded like it - and I loved it.

In finale,
- Would I do it again? Yes. Absolutely.
- If I got another Ram 2019, would I install a Ram air intake on that ram too, even on a 90+ degree humid day like today? I would.
- If someone put the stock unit back on, would I be upset? I would.


Thank you to the guys who steered me to it.
And I respect the loyal opposition who tempered the expectations - it's extremely accurate to explain that a good CAI unit isn't going to make your engine add a Litre and roast your tires even in neutral It's a fair, accurate, and a responsible thing to remind people of that, when it's $1,000-ish being spent.
I'm thrilled with it and would do it again 100%.

I noticed all of the things you mentioned about the Ram airflow also! Money well spent in my opinion!

 

[securityguy]

I'll let you all keep drinking the Kool-Aid What I find interesting is that what some of you say you are "feeling" defies the laws of physics and engine dynamics. Starting from a stop will have ZERO impact on your ability to accelerate with any CAI and this one is no different. Might you feel something at 50+ mph? Yes, you might as more air may get into the engine than the standard intake. However, the engines computers are also designed to monitor many of the engines functions and, as another member eloquently stated in this thread, without a tune to reprogram the engines dynamics, it will have little impact on your drive. What I believe you all are feeling, which has been stated on many different forums, is the "placebo" effect...spending an unGodly amount of money on something that looks awesome and trying to justify the expense by "feeling" something different that really isn't there. Hey...don't get me wrong...if you all are liking it and feel it was worth every penny...that's all that matters and I'm happy you're enjoying your truck more then you did before! Now, with that being said, every time I wash truck, and it looks absolutely AMAZING, it does feel faster when I take it for a spin as the dirt on the vehicle prior was impacting the aerodynamics of the truck so I fully get where you all are coming from

 

[ChadT]

I'll let you all keep drinking the Kool-Aid What I find interesting is that what some of you say you are "feeling" defies the laws of physics and engine dynamics. Starting from a stop will have ZERO impact on your ability to accelerate with any CAI and this one is no different. Might you feel something at 50+ mph? Yes, you might as more air may get into the engine than the standard intake. However, the engines computers are also designed to monitor many of the engines functions and, as another member eloquently stated in this thread, without a tune to reprogram the engines dynamics, it will have little impact on your drive. What I believe you all are feeling, which has been stated on many different forums, is the "placebo" effect...spending an unGodly amount of money on something that looks awesome and trying to justify the expense by "feeling" something different that really isn't there. Hey...don't get me wrong...if you all are liking it and feel it was worth every penny...that's all that matters and I'm happy you're enjoying your truck more then you did before! Now, with that being said, every time I wash truck, and it looks absolutely AMAZING, it does feel faster when I take it for a spin as the dirt on the vehicle prior was impacting the aerodynamics of the truck so I fully get where you all are coming from

You'll "let me keep drinking the kool aid"? Really?
You'll "let me" do something?

I've been as conciliatory as I can towards your opinions, and I will now cease doing that considering how insulting, condescending and needlessly arrogant you've been with me and with other posters. You deserve to be treated with the same dismissive and snarky attitude you've shown others, and here we go.

You are not an expert. You and I have the same expertise on this, in fact I think you have less.
This design shouldn't be roped in with other "hot air intakes" and non-filtering filters, with traditional airbox designs, different tube sizes, and locations.
Your approval, doesn't matter to me, or the other owners of this intake - in the slightest, and it's cringeworthy and bizarre how you jump at people over it. We all want you to knock it off.
I think your opinion on this, is worth what I paid for it.

Aside from your excellent and fantastic tastes in pistols, I won't be responding or acknowledging anything else you've got to say about cold air intakes, unless you can reveal that you're a member of the S.A.E., or you were on the design team that built this thing.
After this send off, I will not be responding to you in this thread anymore. Your attitude is why. Your content is second to that.
And no matter how conciliatory I try to be, you start right up with the BS. There's no point in me trying to be a gentleman when you're not going to be.

I won't tell you how to be, you can quote the posts and feel free to disagree - I will not be engaging with you anymore in this thread, because I get nothing from it aside from, "hey man CAIs won't make your engine a different engine. And that part is expensive" with a ton of noise surrounding it.
Points taken.
And I agreed.

I wont' go out of my way to find you in other threads or say "hey pedal commanders are silly wastes of money", I won't want to "get even".
I won't be engaging with you further on this topic, but that won't preclude me from hearing you out on other ones. Pistols for one. People are free to disagree on things, I won't throw away the sum total of someone's experiences or opinions - because of ONE opinion I disagree with. But on THIS topic, I am done with you - as I think many are, and I think you should exit this thread.

EDIT, and added 8-21-2020:
Within about a day of this post, and a few posts of this one, security guy and I shook digital hands and came to an understanding.
Within the week we found common ground on oil change mentality, intervals and products used.
While I was plenty mad at this moment, and we had our differences, we did shake hands and drop the swords.

For those following, you may do as you like, but I wanted to enter into evidence that both he and I are better posters after this exchange, and an understanding was reached as men.