Replacing Stock intake on 2005 GT. Short RAM or Cold Air?

[core2kid]

I want to replace the intake on my 2005 GT. I'm debating whether to leave it stock, switch it to a Cold Air intake or Short RAM intake. Which would be best? I know Short RAM can draw in warm air from the engine and Cold Air can take in water. Is there a Short Ram that can take in cold air?

[Kiwi-Corolla]

Hydrolocking due to water entering the pod filter in a cold air intake set-up is a common misconception. The only way you can hydrolock an engine is if you completely submerge the pod filter in water. Rain and splashes won't cause any problems whatsoever. If you're still concerned, then you can buy an AEM bypass valve which fits in between the piping. I'd highly recommend going for a cold air set-up as opposed to a short ram set-up. Warm air is bad for performance, but good for fuel economy, whereas cold air is great for performance but slightly worse for fuel economy. If you want the best performance from your intake then go for the cold air option by routing the filter outside of the engine bay.

If you do decide to go down the short ram route however, make sure you put a box type heat-shield around the filter so that it blocks most of the engine bay heat, and consider routing an induction hose from outside of the engine bay to the filter. Although the shield is more susceptible to heat soak while driving than the piping of a cold air intake. My vote is for the CAI, but it's up to you at the end of the day

[MR2Jedi]

^ Ditto what Scott said. Go CAI.
Unless you try to use your car as a submarine, water will not be an issue.
You'll get alittle better performance, and better throttle response.

[core2kid]

I mainly wanted the added fuel economy since I'm using my 05 GT for a daily commuter car. I might go Short Ram because of that. I was looking on eBay for some Short Ram intakes and I found that some were $200+ and others were $40. Is there any difference in them?

For example:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/00-05...#ht_2522wt_886

And the shield:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/CONE-...#ht_2741wt_939

If the cheap ones are significantly inferior to the $200+ ones, I might just stick with stock.

[Bitter]

read up on newcelica, very few intakes work right off the shelf and you'll throw a bank 1 too lean code from them. many need the BB mod to work right, hell some even have to be installed backwards because they're made wrong!

if you're going short ram then just pull the intake flapper from the stock air box and unplug its solenoid and cap the vac lines/ports. same basic effect for free and it draws from the front bumper not the engine bay.

[core2kid]

Originally Posted by Bitter

if you're going short ram then just pull the intake flapper from the stock air box and unplug its solenoid and cap the vac lines/ports. same basic effect for free and it draws from the front bumper not the engine bay.

I got everything until the vac lines/ports. Should I just try newcelica?
Is this gonna increase the mpg? Would it make it sound "sporty" (I actually don't want that, i feel like it'd annoy me)

[MR2Jedi]

Originally Posted by core2kid

I got everything until the vac lines/ports. Should I just try newcelica?
Is this gonna increase the mpg? Would it make it sound "sporty" (I actually don't want that, i feel like it'd annoy me)

If you end up using a cone filter, which I think they all do, it'll sound alittle "throatier" and you'll be able to hear a sucking sound when you get on it.
Not bad, but if you don't want that, then maybe get the K&N equivalent to the OEM.(the rectangular filter that goes in the air box).
Just a suggestion.

[RWCustoms]

Short Ram!