"The Ultimate Ram Air System"

[4vettes]

In the latest (November) Vette Magazine, there is an advertisement for a Vararam. Looks interesting. Haven't seen it mentioned (unless I missed it). Looked up the web site (www.vararam.com) but is under construction. Anybody know anything about this?? They claim up to 35bhp from a C-5...I know, I know, probably I also wonder about water injestion. In the Pacific NorthWet, that could be a problem :(

[ZeeOhSix]

If its a 'true' ram-air system that actually raises the pressure in the airbox at speeds, then it could theoretically produce 35 HP at high speed (like 160~170 MPH).

[N4C5S]

There was a thread on this awhile back and I recall the result was depressing.

Even if exposed to high pressure air in front of the nose, at 150+ it only amounted to about .3 to .4 psi.........

JC

[FRC Tom]

I also have a bridge and a statue for sale in New York.

[BADASSZ06]

The only ram-air is forced air N20,blower,turbo. Dont belive the ram-air . Cold air no probem ram-air. I dont think so.

[ZeeOhSix]

At 170 MPH the stagnation pressure is ~0.5 psi which is ~1 inHg. The stagnation pressure is calculated from some good old fluid dynamics equations .

If you run this added 1 inHg pressure through the SAE HP correction factor equation, it comes out to a 3.8% increase in power. If a Z was putting down 350 RWHP on a dyno (no ram-air) then it would theoretically put down 350 x 1.038 = 363.3, a difference of 13.3 RWHP due just to the ram-air effect. So you see, it DOES make a difference.

If the mentioned intake system gave a gain of say 22 HP due to its better breathing, then added 13 more HP at 150 MPH, then they could claim it adds 35 HP at 150 MPH.

Sure, ram-air is peanuts compared to forced induction, but it does work.

[SMFCPACFP]

Originally posted by BADASSZ06
The only ram-air is forced air N20,blower,turbo. Dont belive the ram-air . Cold air no probem ram-air. I dont think so.

BadAssZ06 has it right on the money. There are a lot of these aftermarket ram air, or just free flowing intake systems that only serve to suck money from your bank account. I have a Blackwing, and although it is a better filter than the stock filter, it does little, if anything to improve performance.

:o

[ZeeOhSix]

I've only see one real ram-air intake system for the C5 -- forgot who made it -- it was discussed some time ago on corvettforum.com with pics of the setup.

It had a separate dedicated intake duct that air coming into the nose went directly into, which took full advantage of the stagnation pressure that is developed at high speeds.

I agree that any intake that simply shares the same cavity as the radiator (without its own dedicated, sealed intake duct) will NOT get any built up air pressure because the radiator is not a closed surface (its a sieve). These type of intake systems are basicly just good cold air systems, not true ram-air systems.

True ram-air intake systems really do make a difference at high speeds. All the hyper performance motorcycles (Hayabusa, ZX-12, etc, etc) all use true ram air systems.

[N4C5S]

SMF, bring your car over to VA and I'll show ya what a Halltech can do :eek:



JC

[IMA Z06]

4vettes


Welcome to theForum , as you can see you woke are old dogs up , Good people here and lots of right on pertinate info....................

[4vettes]

[quote]Originally posted by IMA Z06
[b]4vettes


Welcome to theForum , as you can see you woke are old dogs up , Good people here and lots of right on pertinate info....................


Thanks for the welcome. I've been lurking for a while now in anticipation of getting my car and have been filling my brain with as much info "from the old dogs" as possible. My car has been on order since 3-19-01. I must appologize to you IMA Z06....In trying to come up with a custom plate, I stole your sig line as my 3rd option. I suspect that is what will get put on the car since my 1st choice was Z0-6 (which I saw on a car last Tuesday) and my second choice was ZEE 06, also somewhat obvious. Hope you don't mind.

[FUBU69]

FRC TOM knows his stuff! It is not the amount of air but the cool quality of the air. FUBU69/LES:smile:

[IMA Z06]

[quote]Originally posted by 4vettes
[b]

Originally posted by IMA Z06
4vettes


Welcome to theForum , as you can see you woke are old dogs up , Good people here and lots of right on pertinate info....................


Thanks for the welcome. I've been lurking for a while now in anticipation of getting my car and have been filling my brain with as much info "from the old dogs" as possible. My car has been on order since 3-19-01. I must appologize to you IMA Z06....In trying to come up with a custom plate, I stole your sig line as my 3rd option. I suspect that is what will get put on the car since my 1st choice was Z0-6 (which I saw on a car last Tuesday) and my second choice was ZEE 06, also somewhat obvious. Hope you don't mind.

4vettes,

No problimo, just dont try it in CT as that is my plate:-D :-D :-D

[BADASSZ06]

At high speeds the air bubble formed around you car is about 1.5-2 feet above you car like the windshield. most of the air is moved around the car not underneath. The only postion that would be able to gain ~.5psi (doubtful) would be a couple of feet in front of the car or a couple of feet above the car. Then you have to take into effect the size,shape etc..of the opening. As I said NO ram Air effect.




JC, come to 75/80 the 15th and you can show what that haltech does. Im sure we will see atleast a couple different setups. Plus you could bring your Dig cam and get pics of the time slips, cars etc..

[dsinned]

4vettes, you should retitle this post, "ulitmate patience". Did you say, you ordered your Z06 on 3-19-01, but you are STILL WAITING for it to be delivered??? Oh man, you are one patient dude!!!