Yes, the short ram does pick up warmer air in the engine compartment. As long as the filter is located in the engine bay with a "CAI" it is not a true CAI. Although your stock air box is as efficient enough as an aftermarket CAI, it just doesnt have the same clean look or sound as aftermarket. And that sound is derived from the filter anyway. True CAIs have the filter located outside of the engine bay, normally in the fender well or right behind the bumper. Like someone mentioned the only negative thing about this is its ability to suck up water and causing hydro lock in your engine. NOT GOOD!Short rams are worthless and give no HP gains whatsoever. It's all in your mind. They're only effective when combined with a scoop and/or air box. If they arent being fed cold air directly then in reality all they're doing is introducing warm engine heat back into the intake manifold. Again the filter is what makes it sound nice and makes you believe that you've gained monster HP lol.