For maximum airflow and hp gains, which do you think works better, Ram Air, or a CAI?

 

Well, for the Firebirds (and those w/ the Camaros and an Ultra-Z type hood):
IMO, that is the best setup. Air flows well into it, and doesn't have the long tube to get heated up like a CAI does. Very short, straight route into the intake. If you REALLY want it to flow well, remove the hood "rain baffle."

I don't think ANYONE could logically say the CAI could ever outflow a Ram-Air hood setup with a removed baffle. But don't get caught in the rain like that.

Some people claim the airbox gets heated up. My questions is, from what?? Not from the radiatior that is sitting under a piece of plastic and metal cross-beam. From the motor perhaps, but a CAI passes by more of the motor, including the exhaust manifold. A lot more surface area to heat up on a CAI.

As for the SS setup, I question if that is any better than a non-ram-air stock airbox.

 

The SS design is EASILY outflowed by any typical CAI, simply because of the hood scoops placement, and two 90 degree bends that the intake charge must follow before hitting the throttle body. It's in the worst possible location for anything considered "ram air" to occur, simply because it's a low pressure zone on the hood of the car. Optimal position is at the base of the windshield, a high pressure zone. This is why cowl induction hoods work so well.

The limiting factor on a WS6 setup is not the box, filter, or anything else, but the hood. The limited airflow entry (or surface area) of the nostrils of the hood is the limiting factor. Keith at ws6.com dynoed 10HP more with the hood open than closed. Removing the rain baffle is the next best thing for a WS6 style hood, but, like Joe said, you will lose the ability to drive in the rain.

I think when it comes down to it, both have advantages and disadvantages. If a CAI outflows a ram air setup by 1%, the looks of the hood alone is enough for me to forget that.

 

as these guys pointed out I would choose which ever you like best, you certainly will not feel a noticeable difference between the two, since they are about equal, so the real factor comes down to what you want, cheap cold air with stock hood, or more expensive awesome looking ram air hood

 

I think that the ram air used on the firebird is a very good set up especially at speed,the CAI works very well but the air has alot of area to cover to get to the throttle body.If i had a trams am/firebird then i say the ram air hood setup is better.