Ram Air Induction
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 12,470
Likes: 1,548
From: Camp Verde AZ
C1 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
2017 C1 of Year Finalist
Can't answer your question, but I think I am going to borrow a water manometer and check pressure both under hood back by firewall and in front of the radiator, next to the cold air inlet to the motor at 70 and 100 MPH and see what sort of pressure build up I am getting.
Doug
Doug
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,494
Likes: 146
From: Saint John's, Florida
I don't know if the Early 60's Ford Thunderbolt can be considered a production car but it had a ram air system.
If I'm not mistaken Pontiac sold about 30 ram air kits for the tri power GTO in 66
If I'm not mistaken Pontiac sold about 30 ram air kits for the tri power GTO in 66
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,194
Likes: 27
From: Monroe Twp, NJ
Didn't they just have functional air scoops? Doesn't Ram air consist of hoses actually going into the air filter from a front location of the car? I also wonder how effective it was. I built a system on my Tran Am since the scoop was a dummy on the 79 model by using 6 inch hoses going into two inlet into the stock air cleaner. With a low restricted exhaust system and the Ram air I gained a 1/2 a second at the track. I think it was more the exhaust system than the Ram Air. that improved my time. I think Ram air is more gismo than real go. Now some of you can slap me around.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,300
Likes: 0
From: Iowa
No slapping but it is a proven power adder. It isn't really apparent till you are building pressure and that is dependent on speed and air pressure profile over the body. It won't add power at lower speeds and may actually be a little restrictive due to the ducting compared to an open element air cleaner. How much compared to a free flowing exhaust, probably alot less. For drag racing, it probable would hurt overall performance (just my guess) but for road racing, a definite improvement. This is why it is specifically addressed in the SCCA specs for all classes.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 14,640
Likes: 4,687
From: Mustang OK
2026 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2025 c1 of the Year - Modified Winner
2024 C1 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2023 C1 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2015 C1 of the Year Finalist
In a GM product, probably the 57 Corvette FI Airbox cars (which for years was regarded as the RPO579E option and is now, VERY slowly, changing to the more correct RPO579D option ) and the 57 Chevy pass cars with FI and the air scoop mounted on the radiator support.
Also, the 57 Pontiac Bonneville with FI.
Tom Parsons
Also, the 57 Pontiac Bonneville with FI.
Tom Parsons
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 14,640
Likes: 4,687
From: Mustang OK
2026 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2025 c1 of the Year - Modified Winner
2024 C1 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2023 C1 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2015 C1 of the Year Finalist
I probably should have said (but of course, Corvette people already know it) that the fresh air induction, ram air, what ever you prefer to call it on FI cars, continued through 65.
The next form of FACTORY Chev air induction was on the Z11 cars (if you don't know what a Z11 was, you ain't much of a Chevy person!!!).
Then the 67 L88 cars, 68 442 with the W30 option, the 69 Z28s and 70 Chevelles with the Cowl Induction hood option as well as the 70 442 with the Ram Air hood option.
The Buick GS Stage cars also had a Ram Air hood option (no Buick pictures).
Cowl Induction hood, available on 70-72 Chevelles.
Some of the Mopars of the mid-60s were also available with BIG, factory air scoops on the hoods (sorry, no pictures of those).
The next form of FACTORY Chev air induction was on the Z11 cars (if you don't know what a Z11 was, you ain't much of a Chevy person!!!).
Then the 67 L88 cars, 68 442 with the W30 option, the 69 Z28s and 70 Chevelles with the Cowl Induction hood option as well as the 70 442 with the Ram Air hood option.
The Buick GS Stage cars also had a Ram Air hood option (no Buick pictures).
Cowl Induction hood, available on 70-72 Chevelles.
Some of the Mopars of the mid-60s were also available with BIG, factory air scoops on the hoods (sorry, no pictures of those).
Last edited by DZAUTO; Jan 24, 2010 at 12:08 PM.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 8,897
Likes: 1,357
From: Santa Ana CA
Didn't they just have functional air scoops? Doesn't Ram air consist of hoses actually going into the air filter from a front location of the car? I also wonder how effective it was. I built a system on my Tran Am since the scoop was a dummy on the 79 model by using 6 inch hoses going into two inlet into the stock air cleaner. With a low restricted exhaust system and the Ram air I gained a 1/2 a second at the track. I think it was more the exhaust system than the Ram Air. that improved my time. I think Ram air is more gismo than real go. Now some of you can slap me around.
How many other manufacturers didn't even go to these lengths and called their scoops "ram air induction?" Plenty!
To many, any functional air scoop connotates "ram air induction."
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
Ram Air Induction
Hey Guys,
Thanks for the input as I think it is clear that these systems were available prior to the 60s and 70s as many think.
Tom, thanks for the fabulous photos as usual!
While I'll let the engineers argue this one, I suspect the increased power came more from capturing colder higher density outside air, than simply forcing more air into the engine.
bill
Thanks for the input as I think it is clear that these systems were available prior to the 60s and 70s as many think.
Tom, thanks for the fabulous photos as usual!
While I'll let the engineers argue this one, I suspect the increased power came more from capturing colder higher density outside air, than simply forcing more air into the engine.
bill
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 14,640
Likes: 4,687
From: Mustang OK
2026 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2025 c1 of the Year - Modified Winner
2024 C1 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2023 C1 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2015 C1 of the Year Finalist
Hey Guys,
Thanks for the input as I think it is clear that these systems were available prior to the 60s and 70s as many think.
Tom, thanks for the fabulous photos as usual!
While I'll let the engineers argue this one, I suspect the increased power came more from capturing colder higher density outside air, than simply forcing more air into the engine.
bill
Thanks for the input as I think it is clear that these systems were available prior to the 60s and 70s as many think.
Tom, thanks for the fabulous photos as usual!
While I'll let the engineers argue this one, I suspect the increased power came more from capturing colder higher density outside air, than simply forcing more air into the engine.
bill
And I agree 100% with you!!!
The air intake systems, such as the 57 Airbox setup, HAD to provide a certain amount of forced air into the intake since it is directly in the high pressure (higher pressure with increased speed) area behind the grill. Also, it is well known that there is a high pressure area (again, higher pressure with increased speed) at the base of the windshield, which is where the Z11 intake is located, the 67 L88, 69 Z28 and 70-72 Chevelles with the CI hood option, as well as ALLLLLLLLL the NASCAR cars! Undoubtedly the 442s with the air scoops under the front bumper had to gain a fair amount of pressurization at speed.
For MANY years I ran the 56/FI with just the stock 57 FI air cleaner under the hood----------------taking in hot underhood air. But once I finally got the airbox installed (about 1990), it took on a whole new life!!!
Tom Parsons
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,194
Likes: 27
From: Monroe Twp, NJ
I would love to see some real numbers of a factory built car (Say the W30 Olds since its the most dramatic) doing the quarter mile with all that hardware hooked up and then running it with all the pluming taken off. I am betting 2 to 3 tenths difference at the most. The way the manufactures built it up (and charged you for it) you would think these cars had superchargers. I do think the GTO however had bigger internal stuff on its Ram Air motors.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 14,640
Likes: 4,687
From: Mustang OK
2026 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2025 c1 of the Year - Modified Winner
2024 C1 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2023 C1 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2015 C1 of the Year Finalist
I don't care how you slice it, UNEQUIVOCALLY, today's cars are better in every way---------------except one----------------THEY GOT NO MAGIC!!!!!
The cars from the 50s, 60s and VERY early 70s have a magic and mistique that today's monochromatic, cookie cutter econoboxes just DO NOT HAVE!
I will admit, that after 2-3hrs of driving the 56, I'm ready for a nice long break. But just a few years later, the cars had improved substantially and they are a joy to drive. For example, my 70 Chevelle conv is cool (and that may be an opinion on my part), has ps, pb, factory air cond (on R12), factory cruise, plenty of power and a 4sp. Almost everyone notices it and likes it. Today's cars just don't have that----------------not even the new Vettes. I can go anywhere in the Chevelle, and be comfortable when I get there. But if I drive the 56 to the natl SACC convention in July, my @$$ is going to be soaking wet and worn out when I get there!!!!!
But that's OK, I'll be cool!
Tom Parsons
The cars from the 50s, 60s and VERY early 70s have a magic and mistique that today's monochromatic, cookie cutter econoboxes just DO NOT HAVE!
I will admit, that after 2-3hrs of driving the 56, I'm ready for a nice long break. But just a few years later, the cars had improved substantially and they are a joy to drive. For example, my 70 Chevelle conv is cool (and that may be an opinion on my part), has ps, pb, factory air cond (on R12), factory cruise, plenty of power and a 4sp. Almost everyone notices it and likes it. Today's cars just don't have that----------------not even the new Vettes. I can go anywhere in the Chevelle, and be comfortable when I get there. But if I drive the 56 to the natl SACC convention in July, my @$$ is going to be soaking wet and worn out when I get there!!!!!
But that's OK, I'll be cool!
Tom Parsons
Last edited by DZAUTO; Jan 24, 2010 at 04:30 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 5,474
Likes: 16
From: Houston Texas
St. Jude Donor '10-'12-'13
I have seen some 67 Z-28s with this air induction system.
Quote:
The next form of FACTORY Chev air induction was on the Z11 cars (if you don't know what a Z11 was, you ain't much of a Chevy person!!!).
Quote:
The next form of FACTORY Chev air induction was on the Z11 cars (if you don't know what a Z11 was, you ain't much of a Chevy person!!!).
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 9,556
Likes: 288
From: Granbury Texas
Bill,
And I agree 100% with you!!!
The air intake systems, such as the 57 Airbox setup, HAD to provide a certain amount of forced air into the intake since it is directly in the high pressure (higher pressure with increased speed) area behind the grill. Also, it is well known that there is a high pressure area (again, higher pressure with increased speed) at the base of the windshield, which is where the Z11 intake is located, the 67 L88, 69 Z28 and 70-72 Chevelles with the CI hood option, as well as ALLLLLLLLL the NASCAR cars! Undoubtedly the 442s with the air scoops under the front bumper had to gain a fair amount of pressurization at speed.
For MANY years I ran the 56/FI with just the stock 57 FI air cleaner under the hood----------------taking in hot underhood air. But once I finally got the airbox installed (about 1990), it took on a whole new life!!!
Tom Parsons
And I agree 100% with you!!!
The air intake systems, such as the 57 Airbox setup, HAD to provide a certain amount of forced air into the intake since it is directly in the high pressure (higher pressure with increased speed) area behind the grill. Also, it is well known that there is a high pressure area (again, higher pressure with increased speed) at the base of the windshield, which is where the Z11 intake is located, the 67 L88, 69 Z28 and 70-72 Chevelles with the CI hood option, as well as ALLLLLLLLL the NASCAR cars! Undoubtedly the 442s with the air scoops under the front bumper had to gain a fair amount of pressurization at speed.
For MANY years I ran the 56/FI with just the stock 57 FI air cleaner under the hood----------------taking in hot underhood air. But once I finally got the airbox installed (about 1990), it took on a whole new life!!!
Tom Parsons
Last edited by 63Corvette; Jan 24, 2010 at 08:46 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 15,359
Likes: 2,728
From: Close to DC
C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified 2020
I don't care how you slice it, UNEQUIVOCALLY, today's cars are better in every way---------------except one----------------THEY GOT NO MAGIC!!!!!
The cars from the 50s, 60s and VERY early 70s have a magic and mistique that today's monochromatic, cookie cutter econoboxes just DO NOT HAVE!
I will admit, that after 2-3hrs of driving the 56, I'm ready for a nice long break. But just a few years later, the cars had improved substantially and they are a joy to drive. For example, my 70 Chevelle conv is cool (and that may be an opinion on my part), has ps, pb, factory air cond (on R12), factory cruise, plenty of power and a 4sp. Almost everyone notices it and likes it. Today's cars just don't have that----------------not even the new Vettes. I can go anywhere in the Chevelle, and be comfortable when I get there. But if I drive the 56 to the natl SACC convention in July, my @$$ is going to be soaking wet and worn out when I get there!!!!!
But that's OK, I'll be cool!
Tom Parsons
The cars from the 50s, 60s and VERY early 70s have a magic and mistique that today's monochromatic, cookie cutter econoboxes just DO NOT HAVE!
I will admit, that after 2-3hrs of driving the 56, I'm ready for a nice long break. But just a few years later, the cars had improved substantially and they are a joy to drive. For example, my 70 Chevelle conv is cool (and that may be an opinion on my part), has ps, pb, factory air cond (on R12), factory cruise, plenty of power and a 4sp. Almost everyone notices it and likes it. Today's cars just don't have that----------------not even the new Vettes. I can go anywhere in the Chevelle, and be comfortable when I get there. But if I drive the 56 to the natl SACC convention in July, my @$$ is going to be soaking wet and worn out when I get there!!!!!
But that's OK, I'll be cool!
Tom Parsons
Dennis
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,043
Likes: 2,592
From: Del Boca Vista FL
The car in the photo runs a Hemi and you can see that it is a 440 in the engine bay shot but the multiple carb system is the same layout on the race Hemi as the 440 staggered setup.
Rich
Last edited by BADBIRDCAGE; Jan 24, 2010 at 09:03 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 14,640
Likes: 4,687
From: Mustang OK
2026 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2025 c1 of the Year - Modified Winner
2024 C1 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2023 C1 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2015 C1 of the Year Finalist
Ever observe a Cowl Induction hood door in action on a 70-72 Chevelle? Does it provide enough additional cool outside air to make a difference? It's debatable, but it certainly is a neat option if nothing else. I always thought they were impressive-------------so here's the one on our 70.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4XnsPAdscU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xra1mG1yE8Y
Tom Parsons
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4XnsPAdscU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xra1mG1yE8Y
Tom Parsons
Last edited by DZAUTO; Jan 24, 2010 at 11:24 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 17,901
Likes: 751
From: Inverness FL
St. Jude Donor '07
Tom, I think that you will agree that a stock 1963 Fuelie motor with radiator shroud air intake does in fact run stronger (car weight not withstanding) than a stock 1962 fuelie (both 360hp 327s)??? Comment.............Oh, BTW these C5 Z06s DO "have magic";-) Drive one!
Bill
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 14,640
Likes: 4,687
From: Mustang OK
2026 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2025 c1 of the Year - Modified Winner
2024 C1 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2023 C1 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2015 C1 of the Year Finalist
My opinion regarding the better performance of a 63 360hp FI engine over the 62 360hp FI is because of the new design of the 63-65 style air meter/plenum is certainly an improvement over the 62-earlier design. Now, just how much of an improvement? Well, that may be subjective to some degree. I've personally driven both, and without question, a 63 FI car does seem to be slightly more responsive than a 62 FI car.
Also, it is possible that the new design of the 63 air cleaner contributes to improved air flow. It doesn't have the 90deg change in air flow that the 58-62 air cleaners have.
Tom Parsons