i was just wondering how much of a diffrence there is between these two.... also do u have to intake cold air so that it comes out in your wheel well?

 

A CAI will net you about 2-4 horsepower. A Short air intake wont do anything, mayby 1 if your lucky. SAI's are usually used by people with forced induction who are afraid of hydrolocking their engine. My CAI is down in the fender well.

 

That little eh... i don't want to put cold air in wheel because i drive my car alot al year don't have a second so i have to drive ran or shine..... so is it even worth it getting a air intake? even AEM

 

You can get the exact same performance making your own out of aluminum piping. I run mine in the rain all the time, just make sure your car has an inner fender skirt. Forced induction generally takes in a lot more air, so if you are N/A it should be ok.
One thing that does make a difference is the air filter itself. One of my friends has seen (on a dyno) a K&N air filter add 4 HP.

 

if u get an aem cold air get a 2pc setup & buy their air bypass valve --what it does is if pressure drops because of puddlesuckin it closes a valve & sucks air thru external orifices on the valve --i think its about $50--better than hydrolock[:@]

 

Personally, I still think its safer to just get a Short air intake if your afraid of hydrolock.

 

the AEM V1 has a water bypass valve (er...u can buy one), in other words if water gets into the intake the valve turns, causing air to enter the intake away from the road and the wetness. some company did a test on it when it first came out. they started the engine normally, then submerged the entire filter in a 10 gallon fish tank full of water. there was no water in the engine at all.