How to Choose the Length of Car Intake Pipes

Improve your car's performance by increasing the amount of cold air that reaches your engine. Purchase a short ram or cold air intake system to achieve this goal. Short ram systems use shorter intake pipes to improve performance. The fine-tuned pipes of a cold air intake system provide better results.

Instructions

1

Select a short ram air intake system to keeps costs down. Short ram air intake systems are less expensive than cold intake systems and are easier to install. Find a wide variety of short ram intake systems online and after market car parts retailers.

2

Purchase short ram car intake systems to keep your car legal in all 50 states. Find short ram systems that are California Air Resources Board exempt or pending CARB exemption. Many cold air intake systems are also CARB exempt but hybrid systems may affect the legality of driving your car.

3

Ask your mechanic or car parts retailer if a short ram intake system is the best system to increase your car's performance. Short ram intake systems are the best choice for certain car engines. Ask several after market retailers what system is best for your engine.

4

Install a cold air intake system or complete cold system to increase performance in most cars. Get the length and diameter of the intake pipe tuned to your engine to maximize air flow. Expect to spend significantly more money on a cold air intake system.

5

Consider the conditions you drive in before choosing an intake system. Evaluate both intake systems if you drive in rainy conditions. Cold intake systems increase the possibility of water seeping in and damaging the car engine.