Ram Air

[jump15vc]

how does ram air work, is it efficient?

[MrKipling]

It works by using shaped pipes and inlets to create a mild forced induction effect.

Kinda like pouring water slowly into a funnel, it comes out much quicker at the other end because of the smaller outlet.

It's efficient in the sense that it does work, but the ram air kit for the Caterham 7 (for example) involves fitting the air intake to the underside of the engine. Apparently it's prone to getting knocked off, but boosts power by a - claimed - 10bhp.

[Sackalack GT]

In a case like the Caterham, isn't it also prone to water intake from puddles and such? How would that affect the system?

[MrKipling]

Appallingly I should think. Although I guess they've found a way round it.

[Sweeney921]

I'm pretty sure it's almost a kind of marketing scheme now, it's never been very effective, the name just sounds good.

[johnnynumfiv]

It did make noticable performance gains on the old muscle cars that had them. Are you also asking about ram air pipes aka velocity stacks?

[h00t_h00t]

I thought that ram-air had a fan sucking more air in like a really low pressure supoer charger?

[johnnynumfiv]

Nope, none that I've ever seen anyways.

[rev440]

I'm pretty sure it's almost a kind of marketing scheme now, it's never been very effective, the name just sounds good.

On the mach1 if you add a bigger cold air intake you pick up about 20hp it just helps because cold air is ramed into the shakerhood.

[coolieman1220]

ok but doesn't that create turbulence. like if u had the air just being forced in at 100 MPH hitting the air filter. thats kinda intense

[johnnynumfiv]

It'll go through the filter. And yes, it's very intense.

[Sweeney921]

I was pretty much talking about cars like the Pontiac Grand Am. V6 WITH RAM AIR! HARDCORE

[KnifeEdge_2K1]

ok but doesn't that create turbulence. like if u had the air just being forced in at 100 MPH hitting the air filter. thats kinda intense

better then sucking at air moving at 0mph

[KnifeEdge_2K1]

ram air scoops are pretty useless at street legal speeds, the only time you can actually use the extra power u gain is at wot acceleration

[RacingManiac]

I think it's functionality is limited to high speed and we are talking about really high speed.....~7% pressure change at 200mph was quoted in one of the book I've read...

Noting that a lot of the kit out there that probably help for power are not necessarily due to Ram Air alone, as most production car comes with quite restricted breathing for whatever reason(noise, cost, or even acoustic)...