RAM AIR MYTH OR TRUTH

[molloni]

Originally Posted by axis

Chilling your blinker fluid will also produce higher HP numbers since the air goes right past it on the way to the air filter.

I had to read it twice because I thought I missed something the first time around.

This is a very good read. As both a mechanical engineer, with a lot of fluid dynamics in my back ground, and a test engineer, I always encounter that line where the theory says one thing and the data says another. For years I always liked the idea of a scooped inlet that "collected" more air the fast I would drive. But I never had the time to actually go through any calculations. I just seemed to make sense. Hence "shade tree engineering".

I would like to put a scoop on my car, because I think they look cool. But, in my mind, looking cool isn't a way to justify spending the $ for a new hood - it should be functional too (just a bit old school in me - don't get me wrong, I'm not against a good cool factor, but if it can be cool and functional, that's a bonus).

So now I'm in a quandary. I would like to get a scooped hood, but I now know that it's pretty much useless (are are many CAI for that matter). They ain't cheep, that's for sure...

[SK360]

Originally Posted by SonnyakaPig

The AFE intake showed 102 KPa at 40 mph, 101 Kpa at 52 mph, 100 KPa at 63 mph, and 101 Kpa at 75 mph.

If atmospheric pressure was 103KPa at the time the AFE intake was tested then the results mean nothing.

I wouldn't bother with an intake that keeps the 90* bend... Getting good cool air and getting rid of the bend will pickup the most power out of any intake.

This is the intake I run on the GTO... (Minus the MAF now)

[axis]

Originally Posted by molloni

I would like to put a scoop on my car, because I think they look cool. But, in my mind, looking cool isn't a way to justify spending the $ for a new hood - it should be functional too (just a bit old school in me - don't get me wrong, I'm not against a good cool factor, but if it can be cool and functional, that's a bonus).

So now I'm in a quandary. I would like to get a scooped hood, but I now know that it's pretty much useless (are are many CAI for that matter). They ain't cheep, that's for sure...

No one said they were "worthless". While they don't give you positive pressure, they do provide good fresh air from outside the engine bay. A few of the scooped hoods duct the air to the factory airbox location. If you have one of the CAI's that seals to the bottom of the hood, this is a ideal setup for getting the coldest air possible to your intake.