Short ram vs cold air intake sound

Cai has better performance ggains compared to an sri(miniscule) , but risk of hydrolock is greater

Sri aesthetically looks better in the engine bay. A nicely custom built heat shield is an bonus option. More heat soak,

Or just remove your butterfly valve from your sstock airbox. Its free and yyou'll have some top end gains + better WOT sound.

Remember Sri,Cai ,and the stock airbox can all hydrolock,but u have a greater risk with a Cai

I'm just starting to venture into minor performance mods for my 2000 GTS. Would I be better off getting a short ram intake or a cold air intake? I'm looking for a slight increase in horsepower to have a little bit more fun with the car. Does anyone have any recommendations as to specific models that I should look at? I don't want to have to worry about the check engine light coming on.

Also, after doing some research, it appears as if these are bolt on parts that take an hour or so to install if you have a basic idea of what you are doing. I this the case?

CAI has better MPG, performance (though minuscule), and sound gains than SRI. If you get CAI make sure you get a 2.75" air bypass valve from eBay or Amazon. It's like $40 for the AEM valve. It will help prevent hydrolock. Hydrolock is caused when the engine sucks in too much water, which will only happen when the filter is completely immersed in water. If the CAI won't fit behind you plastic wheel well then cut a hole in it and make your own splash guard to keep water and junk from flying off your tire into the filter. I recommend getting a dry flow air filter. Easier maintenance and doesn't sound ricey, but it's your choice.

Just keep the factory air box, then you don't have to worry about anything ever going wrong with it... :gap:

i think the factory air box was designed very well, CAI like everyone mentioned has the greatest risk of hydrolock (much driving in wet conditions), a short ram intake can get heat soaked (driving too long in traffic, or idling for a long period of time.) Stock airbox, less risk of the two. Just drop in a K&N panel filter imo.

Everyone has addressed most of your questions already. As far as installation, it CAN take an hour if you know what you're doing. It took me a few hours working by myself and with no prior knowledge. It'll help to have an extra pair of hands to help you out.

What exactly would just dropping in a K&N Panel filter do? Would I get any small HP and/or sound gain out of it? I'm not looking to sound ricey, just a littler "deeper".

The filter breathes a little better than the stock one but you're unlikely to get any real HP/sound improvements by dropping it in. A very minor one, maybe. They're very easy to install (just open the stock airbox, unclip the stock air filter and put the new one in) and cost maybe $40, but they don't do much.

Even a short ram or cold air intake won't give you that much of a deeper sound. The only time that the sound is really noticeable is when the throttle is wide open, but if you're driving around like that all the time then you're wasting a stupid amount of gas. If you want sound, get an exhaust.

A drop in filter will provide no noticeable gains or changes in sound. I ran a K&N filter for some time until I switched to a SRI, and then later went with a CAI.

I still put the K&N back in every now and then when switching back to the stock airbox for one reason or another. It holds up well and is easy to clean. Not certain it's worth the price tag, but mine came with the car *shrug*

I would recommend an SRI with a heatshield. Sounds better, provides a bit in the way of gains and fuel mileage and virtually no risk of hydro-locking short of driving into a lake.

Though honestly I've never had an issue with my CAI. Unless you are driving through 2 foot deep puddles, you are unlikely to have issues. Especially if you still have the wheel well plastics.

I'm not looking to sound ricey, just a littler "deeper".

get an exhaust then

If you do the drop in k&n filter, if you remove the butterfly valve in the stock box, you get a "deeper" intake sound at WOT. Just search for it on the forums.

i have the injen and i love it, but your not going to feel any sort of changes with just a cold air intake. you need to open up both ends and at least do a header with it, thats when i could actually feel the gains. instalation is easy i did it with a buddy in couple hours. like they said before your not going to have problems with water unless its sitting in a puddle of water.

^you can find a heat shield on eBay. At least I did with a quick search. But IMO, its better to make a more efficient one yourself. Sounds like fun to me,I like making things. U just need some sheet metal,cutter,welder,and cardboard to make templates

Would I be better off saving the money, removing the butterfly, slapping in a k&n filter, and calling it a day? SRI's look neat, but I can't seem to find a heat shield.

i had a buddy who had a gt and he wanted an intake, not really for performance but for sound, and i let him use my old k&n drop in and removed the BV and he was happy with just that; didnt get anything else after that. youre only paying for a filter really (less than $50) instead of a whole kit which can run you $200+. might be worth a shot. :shrugs:

Have you seen my thread? Selling a K&N cai with everything for 200$ and shipping I still haven't check but will prob be like 20$. Has various mounting brackets and original box.

If you get CAI make sure you get a 2.75" air bypass valve from eBay or Amazon. It's like $40 for the AEM valve. It will help prevent hydrolock. Hydrolock is caused when the engine sucks in too much water, which will only happen when the filter is completely immersed in water.

:laugh: Completely false. The ideology behind this is correct and in fact works for "most" all AEM CAI, however with the specific design for our cars the bypass does not work. The intake tube length is too short from filter to TB and the water gets through regardless. I live is AZ, so personally I don't worry about hydrolock. I've had AEM V2 on for three years now and no issues what so ever. If you live in an area with moderate to heavy rain I would advise against it. The risk is there but not as high as everyone claims. For the filter to suck any sufficient amount of water to harm the motor it needs to be partially to fully submerged, which means your driving through something your shouldn't be.

Personally, if it were me I would get a Injen SRI. Gives you a noticeable audible increase in sound, specially in lift, slight gains and will kick your MPG up a few. You aren't going to get much less gain then from a CAI and you still stay safe if your scared of hydrolock. No to mention you will prob never need to purchase another filter as long as you own the car being you can just clean it every 6 or so months with simple green and a bucket of water. :thumbup:

Just my .02 But wtf do I know... :chuckles: