Re: The truth about "ram air"
Well that starts my day.
The definition of ram may make a difference to this guy but does forward facing inlets make a power gain, yess and Helll yes.
I have had a 1962 chevy 153 cid that would only go about 78 mph at fort Hood in texas. While in the army I started PLAYING and used soda cans for tubing and fashioned a cold inlet that ran from the carb airfilter to the grill. I even had dual inlet pipes ( soda can tubing and duct tape - had no money and more time than anything else ). They looked like the devil horns of today.......
Anyway with the tubing ( additional friction) I was able to see a power gain that put it over 85 mph when it was wound out. THat was a flat road for ever winding it out and a significant power change, 7 mph on top.
So I d say CRAPPE to this article, its like religion, there are many and they all point in different directions.
Fact we are not super sonic, but cold air and the mild boost at speed will blow air into the engine improving horsepower. I have measured several inches of water column boost of ram if you will at the grill of my car at speeds at 55 mph!!!!!!. If it is free why not use it and its colder.
I dissagree with the article, there was no testing and only conjecture.
Check out wind tunnel testing for NASCAR, NHRA, and other outo interests and note that they rely on lower drag (air friction at 100 mph and up) to perform. They also design air inlets to the engine for cooling and intake to the engine to maximize horse power. Car manufactures also want to reduce the wind loading or drag that is substantial even at 55 mph. Air is thick, try standing near traffic of watch 750,000 pounds of protein and aluminum glide over your head at only 200mph.
Naw, the forward facing inlets will gain significant and MEASURABLE power gains. That is why I had to prove to ROB at needswings that the second inlet would allow MORE air into the supercharger due to less friction and greater inlet air flow. That was CAI before, the second pipe allowed more of the air pressure from the front of the car to enter the s/c - - - READ DENSER air charge. Ask a Dual CAI car owner how much he fells in the way of a gain, AKA buttometer.
QUESTION AUTHORITY and the CHURCH. WOODY.
ANd then test - test - test to be sure,