Thoughts on Cold Air Intakes?

[theblet]

It's all personal preference. I chose to trim mine to keep the RAM letters. Then used a hear gun to massage it up some do it didn't block flow. I used a jigsaw to cut it out. View attachment 154201

So if you don’t do this last part you’re not getting cold air?

 

[HSKR R/T]

So if you don’t do this last part you’re not getting cold air?

If you do t trim the radiator cover it partially blocks the airflow. Most people just cut it straight across and there is no need to use a heat gun, but I wanted to keep the RAM lettering

 

[LITTLEREBEL]

Unpopular opinion, but I lost mpg after my varam intake. I did buy it used (could possibly be the issue), but my mpg definitely went down 1-2 mpg's. It's also flimsy. I have varam and a borla exhaust that's averaging mid to low 14's. Thats as of last week with stock wheels back on. Maybe a tune would help. idk

 

[Darksteel165]

Unpopular opinion, but I lost mpg after my varam intake. I did buy it used (could possibly be the issue), but my mpg definitely went down 1-2 mpg's. It's also flimsy. I have varam and a borla exhaust that's averaging mid to low 14's. Thats as of last week with stock wheels back on. Maybe a tune would help. idk

Either you didn't install it correctly or the filter is dirty.
It's not possible to lose mpg with a bigger filter area. Both use cold air.

 

[theblet]

Either you didn't install it correctly or the filter is dirty.
It's not possible to lose mpg with a bigger filter area. Both use cold air.

Unless his foot is heavier

 

[LITTLEREBEL]

Either you didn't install it correctly or the filter is dirty.
It's not possible to lose mpg with a bigger filter area. Both use cold air.

I'm not saying you're wrong. but I think it is possible if the factory tune isn't happy with the added air.

 

[LITTLEREBEL]

Unless his foot is heavier

I drive like a old man with poor vision

 

[HSKR R/T]

I'm not saying you're wrong. but I think it is possible if the factory tune isn't happy with the added air.

There isnt added air. The engine will only suck in as much air as it needs. the only time the Vararam may make a difference is at wide open throttle. Did you disconnect the battery when you installed it?

 

[LITTLEREBEL]

There isnt added air. The engine will only suck in as much air as it needs. the only time the Vararam may make a difference is at wide open throttle. Did you disconnect the battery when you installed it?

Yes, I upgraded to a group 31 battery since my factory battery crapped out. After the intake install.

 

[HSKR R/T]

Yes, I upgraded to a group 31 battery since my factory battery crapped out. After the intake install.

That reset your adaptives in the PCM and will effect mileage.

 

[theblet]

That reset your adaptives in the PCM and will effect mileage.

So it will prob get better after relearning driving habits?

 

[Rick3478]

Either you didn't install it correctly or the filter is dirty.
It's not possible to lose mpg with a bigger filter area. Both use cold air.

Less restrictive intake makes it possible to pass more air, which the ECU will mix with more fuel. And colder air is denser, which the ECU will mix with more fuel. These things are intended to make more power, so isn't it silly to expect the same MPG?

 

[theblet]

Less restrictive intake makes it possible to pass more air, which the ECU will mix with more fuel. And colder air is denser, which the ECU will mix with more fuel. These things are intended to make more power, so isn't it silly to expect the same MPG?

It wont, unless you use WOT a lot. Regular driving will use way less air than even what the factory air cleaner provides.

 

[HSKR R/T]

So it will prob get better after relearning driving habits?

It's possible

 

[Nascar Tommy]

It's all personal preference. I chose to trim mine to keep the RAM letters. Then used a hear gun to massage it up some do it didn't block flow. I used a jigsaw to cut it out. View attachment 154201

Have you ever seen the available vynil graphics for the letters? Many colors to choose from. I chose B5-Mopar Blue.

 

[CalvinC]

They call them Cold Air Intakes because...
Hot Air Sucking, poor-fitting tube that filters like a screen door and gunks up your TB & MAP sensor with "cleaning" oil but it might sound cool
...is kind of a mouthful.

It's quite disingenuous that they calll them a Cold Air Intake. If you haven an open element filter, it's anything but cold, though you do get a cool induction noises. If you have it in a closed box, then you're back to a colder intake (like stock) but loose the sound?

The ECM and MAP in the engine will regulate the throttle to hit a target load, and the throttle is hardly ever actually 100% open. A stock engine won't target anything the stock airbox can't satisfy - that would be poor engineering. Forced induction is another storry, but you'd need to be pushing 500+ whp.

If one is honest with oneself and wants one for looks and/or sound and are aware that it nets no power or mpg difference, that is totally understandable.

That said, if I were to buy one I'd go with S&B.

 

[HSKR R/T]

Have you ever seen the available vynil graphics for the letters? Many colors to choose from. I chose B5-Mopar Blue. View attachment 165123

Yeah, I had purple on mine for a while, but they never stuck good. Was probably more to do with the type of vinyl.

 

[Mopar_maxi]

My intake gets air directly from the grill so not much “hot” air is getting introduced. Also being made from carbon fiber, heat soak is a lot less likely.

 

[LITTLEREBEL]

My intake gets air directly from the grill so not much “hot” air is getting introduced. Also being made from carbon fiber, heat soak is a lot less likely. View attachment 165201

Can you share more information on this intake?

 

[HSKR R/T]

They call them Cold Air Intakes because...
Hot Air Sucking, poor-fitting tube that filters like a screen door and gunks up your TB & MAP sensor with "cleaning" oil but it might sound cool
...is kind of a mouthful.

It's quite disingenuous that they calll them a Cold Air Intake. If you haven an open element filter, it's anything but cold, though you do get a cool induction noises. If you have it in a closed box, then you're back to a colder intake (like stock) but loose the sound?

The ECM and MAP in the engine will regulate the throttle to hit a target load, and the throttle is hardly ever actually 100% open. A stock engine won't target anything the stock airbox can't satisfy - that would be poor engineering. Forced induction is another storry, but you'd need to be pushing 500+ whp.

If one is honest with oneself and wants one for looks and/or sound and are aware that it nets no power or mpg difference, that is totally understandable.

That said, if I were to buy one I'd go with S&B.

The Vararam is sealed from engine heat once hood is closed and only air coming in, comes from in front of radiator. You will get heat soak sitting still, but any intake will have that.