Re: Which is better K&N or RAM??

["Justin Hughes" <ka1ult@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

K&N and ram air are NOT mutually exclusive mods - you can have both,
either/or, or neither!  You already know what a K&N filter is - no need to
explain there.  Ram air is not a brand name.  It is a system that involves
having an air scoop on the front of your car that collects fresh air at high
speeds and literally "rams" it into the engine.  The scoop at the front of
the car is the key, since at high speeds more air will get crammed down the
intake than the engine would pull on its own.  It's similar in principle to
a turbo or supercharger, but without the mechanical bits - the car's speed
alone determines how much extra air gets shoved into the engine.

Getting back to your question, it's not an either/or thing between ram air
and a K&N.  In fact, probably the best system would be to have ram air AND a
K&N!  That way you'd get the ram air effect, and the K&N filter would allow
far more of the air to flow through it than a stock filter.  Ram air is not
strictly a track mod, but it will only have an effect at high speeds.  It
will help you on the freeway, for example, and it will definitely give you a
boost as you speed down the front straightaway at a drivers school due to
the even higher speed you achieve on the track.  It won't do much for you in
slow, stop & go city driving.  Arguably it will still help a little - you
will not get a ram effect, but you're always pulling air from outside, which
is cooler than the engine compartment.  Cool air is denser, therefore you
get more bang for the buck.  But the only real improvement will be seen at
high speeds.

Hope this helps!

    - Justin
      '83 320i

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