Ram Air?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,097
Likes: 2
From: Richfield Utah
Ram Air?
I've got a bee buzzing around in my bonnet. I don't want to go overboard. I'm looking for a little more power, and perhaps a little better milage. I do not want to get to invasive with the engine. That is something I have done before many times, but this vette I would like to be worth something when I am done. Ok here is my plan, submitted for your approval: Ram air, K&N filter, replace TB MAF coupler with nice smooth one (mostly for looks), Remove A.I.R. pump (not really for power, but it is nice to see your engine now, and again 
), 1.6 roller rockers w/new stock springs, free flow dual exhaust (no cats), electric water pump, good cleaning of throttle body, flowmaster mufflers, and a chip reprogram. Tell me, am I on the straight and narrow??? Thanks, SB 
), 1.6 roller rockers w/new stock springs, free flow dual exhaust (no cats), electric water pump, good cleaning of throttle body, flowmaster mufflers, and a chip reprogram. Tell me, am I on the straight and narrow??? Thanks, SB
Last edited by Steel Breeze; May 23, 2006 at 09:52 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 8,753
Likes: 9
From: Louisiana
Originally Posted by Steel Breeze
I've got a bee buzzing around in my bonnet. I don't want to go overboard. I'm looking for a little more power, and perhaps a little better milage. I do not want to get to invasive with the engine. That is something I have done before many times, but this vette I would like to be worth something when I am done. Ok here is my plan, submitted for your approval: Ram air, K&N filter, replace TB MAF coupler with nice smooth one (mostly for looks), Remove A.I.R. pump (not really for power, but it is nice to see your engine now, and again ), 1.6 roller rockers w/new stock springs, free flow dual exhaust (now cats), electric water pump, good cleaning of throttle body, flowmaster mufflers, and a chip reprogram. Tell me, am I on the straight and narrow??? Thanks, SB
), 1.6 roller rockers w/new stock springs, free flow dual exhaust (now cats), electric water pump, good cleaning of throttle body, flowmaster mufflers, and a chip reprogram. Tell me, am I on the straight and narrow??? Thanks, SB K&N...yes with a cut stock air lid
TB MAF coupler...waste of money (no real function)
A.I.R remove .....only for looks
1.6 RR.......yes about 20hp
Free flow exhaust.... a must for hp increase, use high flow cat
electric water pump.... never done it
cleanig TB.....reagular maintenance item
Flowmasters.....O.K.
Chip reprogram.....yes go with a custom tune and not Hypertech
What year vette?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,097
Likes: 2
From: Richfield Utah
Originally Posted by RRT vette
Ram Air...waste of money
K&N...yes with a cut stock air lid
TB MAF coupler...waste of money (no real function)
A.I.R remove .....only for looks
1.6 RR.......yes about 20hp
Free flow exhaust.... a must for hp increase, use high flow cat
electric water pump.... never done it
cleanig TB.....reagular maintenance item
Flowmasters.....O.K.
Chip reprogram.....yes go with a custom tune and not Hypertech
What year vette?
K&N...yes with a cut stock air lid
TB MAF coupler...waste of money (no real function)
A.I.R remove .....only for looks
1.6 RR.......yes about 20hp
Free flow exhaust.... a must for hp increase, use high flow cat
electric water pump.... never done it
cleanig TB.....reagular maintenance item
Flowmasters.....O.K.
Chip reprogram.....yes go with a custom tune and not Hypertech
What year vette?
Last edited by Steel Breeze; May 23, 2006 at 09:55 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 8,753
Likes: 9
From: Louisiana
Yeah, I've seen them in Mid Amer, Ecklers, ect. They might give a little improvement in air flow being in the front bumper, but not the kind of flow that would be caught on the hood (Trans AM) IMO. For the money you will see very little improvement. Most guys here just use the K&N and stock air lid with the vents cut out. Wonder why GM never installed a ram air on the C4 vettes? Just my 2 cents.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,097
Likes: 2
From: Richfield Utah
Originally Posted by RRT vette
Yeah, I've seen them in Mid Amer, Ecklers, ect. They might give a little improvement in air flow being in the front bumper, but not the kind of flow that would be caught on the hood (Trans AM) IMO. For the money you will see very little improvement. Most guys here just use the K&N and stock air lid with the vents cut out. Wonder why GM never installed a ram air on the C4 vettes? Just my 2 cents.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 6,341
Likes: 1
From: Shelton CT
AO Forced air and SLP Ram Airs (True Ram airs, not the CLAW designs), are good and tested for .1 to .2 tenths and 1-2mph over an open airfilter lid and K&N. Not sure if they are worth the cost though..
The more mods on a car, the more the gain is..
The more mods on a car, the more the gain is..
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 158
Likes: 0
From: MD
Just my $.02:
If it were me and I really wanted to wake it up, I'd skip the motor mods for now and swap out my rear gears for something taller (depending on what you have). It can really wake the car up and give you a different "seat of the pants" feel. Just don't go overboard so that you can still cruise at highway speeds. But for normal cruising around, you can't beat the feeling of more torque.
I'm not a big fan of modifying a motor, epspecially if it has a lot of miles on it and things are beginning to wear. You end up tinkering with and adjusting everything all the time.
Like I said, just my $.02.
If it were me and I really wanted to wake it up, I'd skip the motor mods for now and swap out my rear gears for something taller (depending on what you have). It can really wake the car up and give you a different "seat of the pants" feel. Just don't go overboard so that you can still cruise at highway speeds. But for normal cruising around, you can't beat the feeling of more torque.
I'm not a big fan of modifying a motor, epspecially if it has a lot of miles on it and things are beginning to wear. You end up tinkering with and adjusting everything all the time.
Like I said, just my $.02.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,658
Likes: 4
From: Clifton Park NY
I'm gonna chime in here with my 2 cents. When I hear the term RAM AIR I think more of the mod that I've got on my hood. The air scoop on my car. When I purchased it, it was non-functional. Since I have the CFI the air duct for it is build into the hood. After carefully measuring and looking we found that we could cut it out and turn it into a functional unit. The air passes directly into the CFI. It was and expensive mod and we did prove during my dyno the other day the when we plugged the inlet I lost 7 hp. An expensive mod, for a very low gain. Was it worth it? NO, not for the amount of money I've got into it, but I do like the looks of it.
When we tested the K&N filter to see how much HP we gained with that, I think it only changed maybe 1hp. But at least with the K&N you won't have to buy filters anymore, just recharge it. Those units that go behind the liscense plate, don't waste your money.
When we tested the K&N filter to see how much HP we gained with that, I think it only changed maybe 1hp. But at least with the K&N you won't have to buy filters anymore, just recharge it. Those units that go behind the liscense plate, don't waste your money.
with qws
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,097
Likes: 2
From: Richfield Utah
Originally Posted by qws
I'm gonna chime in here with my 2 cents. When I hear the term RAM AIR I think more of the mod that I've got on my hood. The air scoop on my car. When I purchased it, it was non-functional. Since I have the CFI the air duct for it is build into the hood. After carefully measuring and looking we found that we could cut it out and turn it into a functional unit. The air passes directly into the CFI. It was and expensive mod and we did prove during my dyno the other day the when we plugged the inlet I lost 7 hp. An expensive mod, for a very low gain. Was it worth it? NO, not for the amount of money I've got into it, but I do like the looks of it.
When we tested the K&N filter to see how much HP we gained with that, I think it only changed maybe 1hp. But at least with the K&N you won't have to buy filters anymore, just recharge it. Those units that go behind the liscense plate, don't waste your money.
When we tested the K&N filter to see how much HP we gained with that, I think it only changed maybe 1hp. But at least with the K&N you won't have to buy filters anymore, just recharge it. Those units that go behind the liscense plate, don't waste your money.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 6,341
Likes: 1
From: Shelton CT
Originally Posted by qws
I'm gonna chime in here with my 2 cents. When I hear the term RAM AIR I think more of the mod that I've got on my hood. The air scoop on my car. When I purchased it, it was non-functional. Since I have the CFI the air duct for it is build into the hood. After carefully measuring and looking we found that we could cut it out and turn it into a functional unit. The air passes directly into the CFI. It was and expensive mod and we did prove during my dyno the other day the when we plugged the inlet I lost 7 hp. An expensive mod, for a very low gain. Was it worth it? NO, not for the amount of money I've got into it, but I do like the looks of it.
When we tested the K&N filter to see how much HP we gained with that, I think it only changed maybe 1hp. But at least with the K&N you won't have to buy filters anymore, just recharge it. Those units that go behind the liscense plate, don't waste your money.
When we tested the K&N filter to see how much HP we gained with that, I think it only changed maybe 1hp. But at least with the K&N you won't have to buy filters anymore, just recharge it. Those units that go behind the liscense plate, don't waste your money.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,658
Likes: 4
From: Clifton Park NY
Originally Posted by MrNuke
You can't dyno a ram air system, as you are not moving at 60mph or more, which will create the required pressure for the ram air effect.
Please explain to me why and how I lost 7 hp when we blocked the air scoop?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,097
Likes: 2
From: Richfield Utah
Originally Posted by qws
I see your point. We had a rather large fan in front of the car and the pull began at 63 mph to 123 mph.
Please explain to me why and how I lost 7 hp when we blocked the air scoop?
Please explain to me why and how I lost 7 hp when we blocked the air scoop?
Don't forget stickers! 
Racer
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 487
Likes: 0
From: Huntsville AL
When I bought my car a few yrs ago, it luckily already had the forced air induction scoop from Mid America and K&N. I've since ditched the K&N, it wasn't cleaning up too well anymore and was falling apart. I'd rather buy a cheap fram and change it out once a year. It's very easy to tell how dirty it is since it's white. The air scoop adds 100hp at 150mph.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,721
Likes: 1
From: Beautiful Down Town "SWINDLEHURST" Long Island NY
Posted awhile back was a vid, were two dyno pulls were done on different vehicles. One pull with nothing on the intake the second with a electric leaf blower jamed on the intake. Every car from the F-150 to the 2 ldr. ricemobile made more HP. On my "84" I cut a hole in the top of the rad. cover to match the oval hood opening---
I do feal a difference at top end. As soon as I can measure the air flow I'll post it.
I do feal a difference at top end. As soon as I can measure the air flow I'll post it.