Discussion
I guess it depends on your front spoiler/series but has anyone used the spare holes beside the aux driving lights in the front for ram air?
My friend and perhaps restoration coach, Jay, has been dreaming of running the air intake from the spoiler to the plenum. Has anyone done it?
I've done a little envisioning myself and I think If I tilt the rad forward I can plumb overtop.
Anyone done it?
My friend and perhaps restoration coach, Jay, has been dreaming of running the air intake from the spoiler to the plenum. Has anyone done it?
I've done a little envisioning myself and I think If I tilt the rad forward I can plumb overtop.
Anyone done it?
Not quite the same.... but I used the space on an early Tasmin to get air into the intercooler on my Cosworth Turbo. Basically grafted 2 scoops into the spoiler with 3 1/2 inch pipe going to a plenum on the intercooler. I don't know how efficient it really is as I have no monitoring stuff, but it was certainly a big improvement from the secondary warm air the intercooler received from the radiator. I've also seen the space used to cool the brakes. Cheers Steve
Yeah it might be useful to get a cool air intake into the engine. I'm not sure whether there would be sufficient pressure difference to give any significant advantage from a ram effect, especially if the pipe is convoluted. I would also be worried about sucking in water.
So what I would do is feed the pipe to where the air filter is, into an open-ended cylinder surrounding it. That way the engine will suck air in though the path of least resistance, and any water going up the pipe should drop out before hydraulic lock is an issue. Once you are moving you'll start to get nice cool air.
So what I would do is feed the pipe to where the air filter is, into an open-ended cylinder surrounding it. That way the engine will suck air in though the path of least resistance, and any water going up the pipe should drop out before hydraulic lock is an issue. Once you are moving you'll start to get nice cool air.
adam quantrill said:
Yeah it might be useful to get a cool air intake into the engine. I'm not sure whether there would be sufficient pressure difference to give any significant advantage from a ram effect, especially if the pipe is convoluted. I would also be worried about sucking in water.
I read something about ram air effect and it only works on race car's (e.g. F1) as there isn't sufficient speed hence pressure on a road car to give any useful supercharging effect (bit like the e-bay fan in the inlet gives an extra 50hp rubbish). cooling the intake charge will improve things a bit as Adam said make sure you don't build a really efficient snorkel 
Edited by B@man on Wednesday 15th July 17:39
Ram-air wont work unless you are doing F1 speeds or faster, and even then its marginal. Far better is to pay attention to the temperature of the inlet air. Getting a nice cool charge into the plenum can make ~30BHP difference compared to hot air from the engine bay.
The old chap's M5 3.6l conversion rose from 290BHP to 320BHP on the rollers at AmD when we shielded the air filter from the cooling fan exhaust stream with a bit of corrugated cardboard. The gaffer was the only one not surprised...
The old chap's M5 3.6l conversion rose from 290BHP to 320BHP on the rollers at AmD when we shielded the air filter from the cooling fan exhaust stream with a bit of corrugated cardboard. The gaffer was the only one not surprised...
SEvans said:
I've also seen the space used to cool the brakes. Cheers Steve
On the 390SE those ducts WERE for brake cooling. Quite how they managed it is a mystery seeing as the radiator blocks half the holes, but I have a pic somewhere of my car that shows the flexi ducting they used, visible below the spoiler.grahamw48 said:
Did that insulator do anything Ian ?
...Suppose I should get one put on, if it makes any noticeable difference.
Go for a nice drive. Then pop the bonnet and rest your hand on the plenum. About 5 minutes after you stop screaming I'll still be gently warming my mitts on mine ...Suppose I should get one put on, if it makes any noticeable difference.
That's the empirical test; I don't have any hard rolling-road figures but it's safe to say it's doing 'something'
Suppose I could borrow the FLIR thermal imaging camera from work... 
grahamw48 said:
Did that insulator do anything Ian ?
...Suppose I should get one put on, if it makes any noticeable difference.
It's most dramatic effect will be changing runner length, perhaps desirably, perhaps not. Any so called improvement needs to factor that in....Suppose I should get one put on, if it makes any noticeable difference.
I'm inclined to disagree with the notion that F1 speeds are needed. Stick your hand out the window flat to the wind some time at 60mph and feel the force. Surely that has to stuff more air into the engine than under bonnet air traveling as fast as the car.
I can't see any harm in more air. My car's an over fueled burbling, burping, farting machine as it is.
Brap_Brap said:
I'm inclined to disagree with the notion that F1 speeds are needed. Stick your hand out the window flat to the wind some time at 60mph and feel the force. Surely that has to stuff more air into the engine than under bonnet air traveling as fast as the car.
That's true, but when you work the ram pressure out it's still very very small relative to the total pressure, until you're well into three figures. Getting cold air in is very important. Having a fraction of a percent extra ram pressure is not so important.grahamw48 said:
Did that insulator do anything Ian ?
...Suppose I should get one put on, if it makes any noticeable difference.
From memory I had at least a 20 degree temp difference after a run. Using a temp gun pointy at hot bits thingy. Will check again sometime this summer but yes, hand on top, no hot....Suppose I should get one put on, if it makes any noticeable difference.
Brap_Brap said:
grahamw48 said:
Did that insulator do anything Ian ?
...Suppose I should get one put on, if it makes any noticeable difference.
It's most dramatic effect will be changing runner length, perhaps desirably, perhaps not. Any so called improvement needs to factor that in....Suppose I should get one put on, if it makes any noticeable difference.
grahamw48 said:
Thanks Ian.
This is typical of me....blows £380 on the rolling road and yet begrudges
a few quid on an insulator.
How much to make one up and fit ?
Weeeell, since it's you... £100,000. Anybody else, a fiver This is typical of me....blows £380 on the rolling road and yet begrudges
a few quid on an insulator.
How much to make one up and fit ?
Just kidding: dunno really, think I have 6mm and 10mm material in stock, 10mm may need your trumpet base milling down (or you'd need longer plenum bolts too). Only ever made one 6mm and that was donated as a raffle prize at one of the Wedgefests... I don't think the guy who won it actually had a working wedge at the time! Made a 10mm one for the Thor injection manifold on Chassis33's race car, dunno how he got on with it...
Wedg1e said:
grahamw48 said:
Thanks Ian.
This is typical of me....blows £380 on the rolling road and yet begrudges
a few quid on an insulator.
How much to make one up and fit ?
Weeeell, since it's you... £100,000. Anybody else, a fiver This is typical of me....blows £380 on the rolling road and yet begrudges
a few quid on an insulator.
How much to make one up and fit ?
Just kidding: dunno really, think I have 6mm and 10mm material in stock, 10mm may need your trumpet base milling down (or you'd need longer plenum bolts too). Only ever made one 6mm and that was donated as a raffle prize at one of the Wedgefests... I don't think the guy who won it actually had a working wedge at the time! Made a 10mm one for the Thor injection manifold on Chassis33's race car, dunno how he got on with it...
Just need to work out a way to get cold air to the filter all the time and not draw from the hot air under the bonnet on the SEAC as I dont have the same hold up from to feed air like the SE boadies have.
Cambelt
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