Ram- air?

Import_sounds-of-mid-GA · Thu Oct 27, 2005 6:44 pm

Has anyone thought of making a ram air conversion? I made a fiberglass hood scoop and I am in the process of "designing" an air box (made of fiberglass also) to make my car ram air. Any tips or hints for me? I should have pics on my cardomain page soon of the scoop umounted.... http://www.cardomain.com/ride/779207/5

TR · Post by TR » Fri Oct 28, 2005 1:09 am

You might try a string test to see what the air near the scoop is doing. I am not sure how functional the stock hood scoop is, a string test may show that area to be low pressure due to the grill and hood geometry. A front air dam may have higher pressure, although more chance for dirty air. Any race car design book will have good info for you to pick ideas from...

Keep us updated as I am curious as to what you find!

DELETED · Post by **DELETED** » Fri Oct 28, 2005 4:03 pm

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TR · Post by TR » Fri Oct 28, 2005 5:14 pm

If you don't need light, of course...

Places with lots of bug kill (like the headlight) are typically high pressure zones...TR

Import_sounds-of-mid-GA · Fri Oct 28, 2005 6:15 pm

wow, i didnt think this through! So i started brain-storming on the idea (the exact reason i have low b's in school)..... I make an air box and have one inlet on top that lets air in through the scoop as ram air, then in the front have a round oulet setup for piping with a highflow cone filter behind the grill (which will hopefull soon be mesh). Link for pics of mounting the scoop, not done yet though.... http://www.cardomain.com/ride/779207/6

DELETED · Post by **DELETED** » Fri Oct 28, 2005 6:22 pm

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Import_sounds-of-mid-GA · Fri Oct 28, 2005 8:49 pm

I want to make a cold air box similar to that.... but mine will have ram air!! Im scared to ask what you mean by "that scoop is too funny!" lol..... but the funny part is I made the mold out of........ should I say?

DELETED · Post by **DELETED** » Fri Oct 28, 2005 10:48 pm

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excalibur · Post by **excalibur** » Fri Oct 28, 2005 11:25 pm

You may want to read up on performance data for "ram air" setups. The general truth of the matter, is they give you very little actual performance gain until you get above 90mph. Even then, the data I read is that a car with ram-air would only get a .1 to .2psi boost to air pressure at the carb at these high speeds, compared with 10 or more psi boost with a supercharger. So unless you REALLY like speeding tickets, the "ram" effect will not do much good.

The look, however can be really neat, and a cold air induction will definately make a difference (cold air is denser, therefore more oxygen in a smaller package, therefore more performance).

This helps to explain the performance boost you tend to see when you take your car out on a cold morning vs. a 100 degree day.

Import_sounds-of-mid-GA · Sat Oct 29, 2005 10:27 am

"So isn't this the same thing as "ram air"? What's the need for the scoop? Twice the ram?" Exactly, I would just do the cold air to the front but I really like the ram air lie pontiac does on their cars.... if you look at the Concept GTO that is equipped with the ram air that is kind of like i want it but with one scoop....
http://www.autoweek.com/article.cms?articleId=101120

Post by **dbrick** » Sun Oct 30, 2005 9:32 pm

As far as Ram Air goes, I agree with Joe, unless we are talking aircraft speeds, I think the electric superchargers on Ebay might be better. .http://cgi.ebay.com/electric-supercharg ... dZViewItem Cold dense air is the goal, more oxygen per cubic foot.

I played around with this last winter, have it about 90% worked out.
Easy thing to do, move the washer bottle to the passenger side, it fits easy if you remove the fuel filter bracket and bolt the bracket for the washer pump to the radiator support. Extend the hose and wires and drill a 1/2 inch hole where the outlet from the washer pump hits the inner fender and run the hose straight down with a grommet(you'll se it if you try it in place). Now there's enough room for an air box and inlet elbow. I have Pics I can email. If you need alot of room, relocate the rad expansion tank, I havn't worked out that one yet. If you don't mind cutting a big hole, you can pick up air in either the drivers fender well behind the headlight or go forward next to the radiator and put a 3 inch cone filter in front of the radiator. I was trying to work out a way for a long narrow inlet right below the factory hood scoop opening.

As far as an air box, Don't laugh, go to Home Depot, they sell a really nice stainless steel spackle pan big enough to fit across both carburetors, punch holes to match the factory air filter housing and fabricate a top. You can feed it with 3 inch intake hose and pipe and elbows available from all the "tuner" sites into a 3 inch cone. 3 inch pipe flows almost double of what a pair of 1 3/4" carbs need

This will be my winter project if i get bored.
Of course, just when the weather turns cold, I'm almost ready for the road again.

SLOroadster · Post by **SLOroadster** » Sun Oct 30, 2005 11:02 pm

Another thing to consider is what happens when you pressurize the box with the air being forced in. Its going to do screwy things to your mixture depending on your speed (Leaner at higher speeds). Getting that sorted out is going to be tough, and it will change depending on speed. A cold airbox will have some gains, but I wouldn't try actuially ramming air in. I could be wrong but I'd do some serious research before you try.

Will

Post by **dbrick** » Sun Oct 30, 2005 11:23 pm

I think the SU carbs pick up the air for the suction piston from inside the air filter through one of the open holes, so they would be pressure balanced. I don't know about Solex.

Import_sounds-of-mid-GA · Mon Oct 31, 2005 2:21 pm

Thanks everybody... I molded the scoop on and primed the hood. I soon plan on making the hole under the scoop. I am also designing an air box on an online designer and they will price it for me. I have already taken the w-shield cleaner res. off and relocated, rad. res. and I have a honda civic radiator which is a little smaller so i have more room. I think the elec. turbo is AWESOME, and I would try it I dont have $320 to spend!! Vortec makes a universal belt driven supercharger..... my goal!