Homemade Cold Air
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 346
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
Homemade Cold Air
I talked with J-Rod last night about all the Ram Air setups out. He got me thinking. How hard would it be to design a system almost like the Vararam or any of the bottem feeder cold airs? Has anyone tried something like this. Im taking my front screens out today. He said that will help my Open Air Box mod alot.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
From: Altamonte Springs FL
Re: Homemade Cold Air (NV THIS)
Not too hard probably, if you are relatively versed in fabrication and have the patience. But, as a previous Vortex owner, the efficiency and results of that intake or similar ones, combined with the price of "only" about $200 (cheaper used--I'm sure someone is selling), would make it somewhat pointless to make you're own, unless you are the creative, "let's build something" type!!!
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 246
Likes: 66
From: Daytona Beach, Florida
Re: Homemade Cold Air (NV THIS)
I came up with a no cost cold air setup that works very well. Checked temps with the autotap intake air temp readout. It runs 1-2 degrees above outside temp at idle and same as outside temp moving. Previously performed TB Bypass. Sorry, I don't have temps from before mods.
I took the LS-1 stock airbox and removed the baffles so the underside of lid is smooth and unobstructed above the filter. Leave baffles on sides so lid sits on filter properly. This opens up the airbox to flow better. Then I removed the front radiator shroud after marking the outside edges of the airbox. Using a hole saw I drilled three 2.5 inch holes in shroud on each side of where airbox sits, and then one in the front center. All seven holes are covered by airbox lid when installed and cold air feeds airbox from underneath.
Looks stock from top side. Use filter of your choice, stock, K&N or other premium filter. I never considered spending $400 on intake system after doing this mod. :thumbs: :steering:
[Modified by C5DaveC092002, 6:12 AM 3/17/2003]
I took the LS-1 stock airbox and removed the baffles so the underside of lid is smooth and unobstructed above the filter. Leave baffles on sides so lid sits on filter properly. This opens up the airbox to flow better. Then I removed the front radiator shroud after marking the outside edges of the airbox. Using a hole saw I drilled three 2.5 inch holes in shroud on each side of where airbox sits, and then one in the front center. All seven holes are covered by airbox lid when installed and cold air feeds airbox from underneath.
Looks stock from top side. Use filter of your choice, stock, K&N or other premium filter. I never considered spending $400 on intake system after doing this mod. :thumbs: :steering:
[Modified by C5DaveC092002, 6:12 AM 3/17/2003]
Racer
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 261
Likes: 0
From: Philadelphia PA
Re: Homemade Cold Air (C5DaveC092002)
I took the LS-1 stock airbox and removed the baffles so the underside of lid is smooth and unobstructed above the filter. Leave baffles on sides so lid sits on filter properly. This opens up the airbox to flow better. Then I removed the front radiator shroud after marking the outside edges of the airbox. Using a hole saw I drilled three 2.5 inch holes in shroud on each side of where airbox sits, and then one in the front center. All seven holes are covered by airbox lid when installed and cold air feeds airbox from underneath.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,453
Likes: 1
From: Iowa City, IA
Re: Homemade Cold Air (NV THIS)
It's harder than you think. I just got done with collage at Iowa State for Mechanical Engineering. The max air pressure on a car would be on the front bumper. If you reattach out you window and put your hand on your windshield when your driving you don’t have that much air pressure or air flow. If you just put your arm out the window you feel the air pressing on your hand. The air hits the front bumper first than the majority of the flow is deflected away from the car a small amount of air goes over the hood and under the car. Under the car before the front wheels will have more pressure than on the hood. As the air flows under the car the air passing under the car in the back makes a vacuum witch pulls the back end of the car down and air coming up under the front bumper pushes it up. I’ve had hole class that go over this. I’ve looked into building my own ram air box but I think the air under the car will be to turbulent and will have a smaller pressure and flow rate. Let me know if you do build something and I would like to see a picture. I just modified my air box. :steering:
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Pro
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 586
Likes: 0
From: Idabel OK
Homemade Cold Air
This cool, i was just thinking of building a thing like this the other day. Actually, my "ram air" would not be a sealed type sys.!(dont know if thats what you guys are trying to build or not?)
My idea is to simply attach some mid size hose(probly dryer hose) to a hole in each fog light cover thingy and then run the hose right up to the filter (i have a Vortex box). This would NOT actually "ram" pressurized air into the filter, but rather make it more readily available to the filter. Also, like the ad for "Vararam" says, why not take advantage of the "air trap" formed by the Fog light cover thingy, its not doing anything else?
To cover the hole that you made, just use some nice looking Z06 grills. Also, i was planning to use a grommet that i found at Home Depot that is intended for house guttering to make the job a little cleaner. If you would like, i have a pic of this grommet on my site. Just click on Camaro pics and you can see it, its not a good pic, but you can kinda make it out.
My idea is to simply attach some mid size hose(probly dryer hose) to a hole in each fog light cover thingy and then run the hose right up to the filter (i have a Vortex box). This would NOT actually "ram" pressurized air into the filter, but rather make it more readily available to the filter. Also, like the ad for "Vararam" says, why not take advantage of the "air trap" formed by the Fog light cover thingy, its not doing anything else?
To cover the hole that you made, just use some nice looking Z06 grills. Also, i was planning to use a grommet that i found at Home Depot that is intended for house guttering to make the job a little cleaner. If you would like, i have a pic of this grommet on my site. Just click on Camaro pics and you can see it, its not a good pic, but you can kinda make it out.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 246
Likes: 66
From: Daytona Beach, Florida
Re: Homemade Cold Air (allegro)
Seems to have better throttle response. I don't have any dyno or quarter mile figures. I posted some pictures of this mod.
[Modified by C5DaveC092002, 7:30 AM 3/18/2003]
[Modified by C5DaveC092002, 7:30 AM 3/18/2003]
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,453
Likes: 1
From: Iowa City, IA
Re: Homemade Cold Air (C5DaveC092002)
So did you just cut a square shaped hole in the top of the air box? K&N has this lid for sale for 160.00 I did it in about 10 minutes and I put the aluminum air housing on a lathe and cut that aluminum center pillar that runs top to bottom out. I in large it by 3-4mm also. Runs great.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 246
Likes: 66
From: Daytona Beach, Florida
Re: Homemade Cold Air (AN1313)
I took the LS-1 stock airbox and removed the baffles so the underside of lid is smooth and unobstructed above the filter. Leave baffles on sides so lid sits on filter properly. This opens up the airbox to flow better. Then I removed the front radiator shroud after marking the outside edges of the airbox. Using a hole saw I drilled three 2.5 inch holes in shroud on each side of where airbox sits, and then one in the front center. All seven holes are covered by airbox lid when installed and cold air feeds airbox from underneath.
I would love to see some pictures of that mod of yours. It sounds like a very good idea. :cheers:
I would love to see some pictures of that mod of yours. It sounds like a very good idea. :cheers:
Heres some snapshots of the Homemade Cold Air Mod.
One correction only five holes were made, not seven.
http://home.bellsouth.net/coDataImag...6/DSC01891.jpg
This is modified airbox lid. Do not remove ribs on sides.
http://home.bellsouth.net/coDataImag...7/DSC01892.jpg
Assembled airbox, note the side air passages this is where holes in shroud will provide cold air.
http://home.bellsouth.net/coDataImag...8/DSC01893.jpg
View from front of car looking towards radiator. Remove shroud to cut five holes with 2.5 inch hole saw. Place shroud on piece of wood.
http://home.bellsouth.net/coDataImag...0/DSC01896.jpg
Shows shroud with outline of lid drawn near holes.
http://home.bellsouth.net/coDataImag...2/DSC01901.jpg
Shows all assembled. Not very noticable until you look closely behind airbox.
:party: :cheers:
[Modified by C5DaveC092002, 6:39 AM 3/18/2003]
