I was wondering what(if any) the difference is between a CAI and a Ram air intake?

 

the CAI like K&N and what not are not "true" CAI, but rather an a highly improved flowing system that sucks air as the engine needs it.

a true ram air actually rams the air into an enclosed filter box, which is then sucked in by the engine. a ram air usually has a forced induction hood that compliments a higher flowing intake.

this doesnt mean that so-called CAI's like the K&N, airaid, etc. are not any better than stock. in fact they are drastic improvements over stock. they just function in a different yet similar way than a true ram air.

true ram air
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...%3Den%26sa%3DN

CAI

 

so is there a difference between a "true CAI" and ram air?

 

true cai "sucks" ambient outside air, which is cool, while the ram air literally "rams" the cool air into intake, although for a true ram air, you have to be moving

to tell you the truth, as long as you have cool air coming into your intake, your good, at driving speeds the under-hood temps drop due to air coming in from the front of the truck, allowing your open filter "CAI's" to work like intended.