What is the difference between a short ram aftermarket intake
for example:
http://focus.c-f-m.com/index.asp?Pag...ROD&ProdID=381

and a regular "hi-flo" aftermarket intake such as:
http://focus.c-f-m.com/index.asp?Pag...ROD&ProdID=381

Performance gains seem comparable. In general terms, Is there an advantage with one over the other?

Also K&N makes one:
http://focus.c-f-m.com/index.asp?Pag...ROD&ProdID=901
Seems pricey, but claims that it is quiter than competitors intake systems. This is a plus for me, I'm really not too interested in increasing noise with my performance. Is this true, are the metal intakes loud under throttle?

Sorry in advance for what may seem to be newbie questions, but
I have a few bucks (thanks Uncle Sam) so I thought I might do something fun for myself. Open to suggestions.

 

Short Ram is a waste of time. Sucking in hotair from the engine bay isn't going to do you any good. You are going to want to get colder air. My friend has an AEM intake on his SVT Focus. Routes down into the fenderwell. Isn't too loud.

 

that is not an intake i hate how people call them an intake..

a intake is what your throttle body mounts to and also is what is mounted to your head.

that is just a good damn giant ram air tube

 

Intake tubes and intake manifolds are both abbreviated as intakes, usually depending on whether the car is carb'd or FI'd.

 

The K&N is too expensive, and the only difference is a glorified heat shield. You could really just make your own intake. Search on google, there are plenty of companies that sell the necesarry parts. Do you really think an elbow metal pipe, two silicone couplers and some clamps are worth that much money.

 

I ran faster in my old se-r with a short ram intake than I did with the longer cold air intake.

 

It's all a gimmick to get the uber performance companies rich anyway.

 

Nawz!!

 

i was told by the garage where i bought my car that i had a cool air intake.. however, i was told that it was a short ram instead. ijm pretty sure, after looking at different products, that it is a short ram. is an AEM cool air intake better than a short ram, or does it just all depend on the car??

 

A cold air is better...Getting cold air to the engine is good..Hot air is bad..A short ram should be called a hot air intake