$30 custom RAM AIR intake
07-16-2011, 08:14 PM
#1
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
$30 custom RAM AIR intake
I got tired of ill-fitting aftermarket $200+ intake/filter set ups. So after going on Hot Rod Magazine's Power Tour this year, and seeing Spectre's line of products, I went down to Auto Zone and picked up one of their conical filters for just under $30. It can be cleaned with either the K&N or Donaldson Blackwing cleaning kit (depending on which filter you purchase, red or blue) and fits nicely. I had to cut a small hole in the radiator shroud so that it would sit flush, which means that its now picking up cool air headed for the radiator.
See pics below, and let me know if you have any questions. Its all part of my update to the underhood including relocating the coils packs, SBC valve covers, removing the hood liner in favor of painting the under side flat black, and aftermarket fuel rails.
See pics below, and let me know if you have any questions. Its all part of my update to the underhood including relocating the coils packs, SBC valve covers, removing the hood liner in favor of painting the under side flat black, and aftermarket fuel rails.
07-16-2011, 08:24 PM
#2
Drifting
That's what I call using your head. It does my heart good to know that someone else knows to do a homemade mod that works as well as the brand name CAI systems.
07-16-2011, 10:41 PM
#7
Melting Slicks
nice job,
putting the filter in the radiator compartment really makes sense. i think that beyond the vararam, that encloses the air intake, your idea is as good as any.
i bet it works as good as 90% of most open element setups.
breathless has been charging $500 for the same basic design for years.
putting the filter in the radiator compartment really makes sense. i think that beyond the vararam, that encloses the air intake, your idea is as good as any.
i bet it works as good as 90% of most open element setups.
breathless has been charging $500 for the same basic design for years.
Last edited by Steve-O; 07-16-2011 at 10:47 PM.
07-16-2011, 11:00 PM
#9
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Nice job and hard to beat that price. So, how does the car perform with that filter?
07-16-2011, 11:35 PM
#10
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
ummmmmmmm.....hot air from where?? From under the car?? No hot air there. From the engine bay?? Well yes partially, but its exactly the same set up as every other open element filter system on the market. Thanks for the input though!
07-16-2011, 11:40 PM
#11
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
Ill stop by tomorrow and see if I can get you a part number...I tossed the packaging last week. At my Advanced Auto, it was the middle sized filter, although you could really make any of them work. The cool thing is they all come with multiple collars so they'll fit anything from a 2 1/2 inch inlet opening to a 4 inch opening....I think the MAF was a 3 1/2 inch on our cars.
07-16-2011, 11:42 PM
#12
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
havent had the chance to run it yet....still working on relocating the coil packs....waiting on parts....ill let you know though. Previous CAIs included the K&N FITPAK and Donaldson's Blackwing....neither of which fit as well as they should have for the price. This set up fits like stock, doesnt rub on the underside of the hood, and Im willing to bet performs as well as anything within $300 of the price.
07-16-2011, 11:50 PM
#13
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
www.spectreperformance.com P4 cone air filter #8136 for blue....red is #8132 and white is #8138. I went with the blue only because I already had the Blackwing oil kit which has a blue tinted oil. You can find them at any Advanced Auto Parts
07-17-2011, 12:49 AM
#14
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Nice DIY!
07-17-2011, 01:00 AM
#15
Le Mans Master
Give ya one big "ATTA BOY"!!!I run the Blackwing,,,'cause that was on the car when I bought it. Otherwise I'd give it a try. I DID however use the red one to fabricate a filter using parts of the stock set up on my dads 1946 ford tractor, The old oil bath filter was so clogged and corroded I could have spent days on it and still had a mess. flipped some of the parts over and clamped it in,,worked like a charm!! I bet your set up will run just fine!! Some of the first CAI's cut a hole there to pull in fresh air from there,,and had a cover over the top to isolate it from the engine compartment. Some don't get it that where you cut gets the air BEFORE the radiator,, making it a COLD air induction. Might want to fabricate a cover for the top to isolate it as well.
Last edited by itzza427; 07-17-2011 at 01:04 AM.
07-17-2011, 02:12 AM
#18
Supporting Vendor
nice job,
putting the filter in the radiator compartment really makes sense. i think that beyond the vararam, that encloses the air intake, your idea is as good as any.
i bet it works as good as 90% of most open element setups.
breathless has been charging $500 for the same basic design for years.
putting the filter in the radiator compartment really makes sense. i think that beyond the vararam, that encloses the air intake, your idea is as good as any.
i bet it works as good as 90% of most open element setups.
breathless has been charging $500 for the same basic design for years.
The setup does take advantage of cold air, but only a small percent since the opening only covers perhaps 15% of the filter area.
07-17-2011, 09:43 AM
#20
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter