When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I was thinking about getting an SSRA/FTRA, or maybe at least doing the free ram air mod. The LS3 is going to have a hard time breathing through those tiny slits at the bottom front of the airbox!
But I have a Dewitts radiator, which AFAICT eats up pretty much all of the space where those things go. I imagine any of the big radiators (ECP, whatever) would create this same conflict.
I guess the free ram air mod would be better than nothing, as it would create some additional slits for air to come in. I could also open up the lower front of the airbox -- basically open up as many paths to the bottom of the filter as possible.
Looking for ideas/suggestions and/or photos of what you've done in this situation.
I ran the SSRA with an LT1 radiator (which is bigger than LS1) and the big *** Summit Racing fin+tube trans cooler. But obviously my A/C was deleted. Do you have A/C? Maybe your radiator is too big for this IDK but on the other hand doing the free ram air mod would suck because you'll be sucking hot air which does make a difference.
Your radiator is about double thickness. You'll need to get a good measurement to see if it would even fit in there. Even if it does, your A/C condenser wont work as good. That's the down side to blocking airflow. That's why I took my ac out, was more interested in performance vs comfort at that time.
Ah, good call -- I hadn't considered that the ram air products would block airflow to the condenser. I'm not super worried about that, because I live in Michigan and, while this summer was stupid hot, that's not normal and typically even mediocre AC is plenty -- but still, worth considering. I'll pop off the upper core support again and have a look at what space I'm working with.
I suppose, if there's room to get an SSRA in there at all, I could cut slots in it so that some of the cool, fresh air gets routed through to the condenser (and radiator). Probably still an improvement over the tiny factory slots.
Does SSRA installation involve cutting a hole in the lower airbox, basically the same as the free ram air mod, but then you add the ducting? I'm just assuming it does.
ADoes SSRA installation involve cutting a hole in the lower airbox, basically the same as the free ram air mod, but then you add the ducting? I'm just assuming it does.
Cutting the hole in the lower airbox assembly is easy.
SSRA is a great CAI mod. It was good for a couple MPH and a couple tenths or so. The IAT is cooler right off the line with the SSRA vs sucking in hot engine air. I used to watch my IAT with and without the SSRA CAI. The car was more consistent with the 60'.
Yeah, I know — just trying to figure out if it’s worthwhile in conjunction with a 3” radiator.
I opened things up tonight to take a look:
There’s pretty much zero room. I assume with SSRA that you are supposed to remove the black plastic shroud that brings air up to the AC condenser, and the SSRA goes there? If true, then I think it might fit, but we’d be compromising flow through the condenser and radiator somewhat heavily.
The megamouth will fit with an lt1 radiator. Trim the stupid tabs off of it that rub against it. No way it will fit with a 3" rad without serious mods. The ac version may fit though.
So now I'm kinda thinking about hollowing out some channels in the bumper foam and creating a passage from there to the front of the airbox. I don't have any of the details worked out yet beyond that as a conceptual idea.
What's the difference between the AC and non-AC version?
non-ac is way bigger because it takes up the space that the condenser was occupying. the ac version is designed to occupy the space in front of the condenser much like the factory plastic pieces do.
What's the difference between the AC and non-AC version?
Lol, the big one (non-ac) = you must lose the ac and with your 3" radiator I'm not even sure it would fit.
I had the big one once and it brought up water temp too much for my liking on the street. Track car yes I wouldn't of cared but I didn't like it for street. So I went back to using the smaller a/c version with the a/c deleted. Very efficient with the condenser gone with the big trans cooler.
Bottom line is you'll either have to give up the a/c or no SSRA with that big *** radiator. Other than that, you'll have to figure something else out. You're just worried about the airbox inlet size correct? Would a taller WS6 lower airbox fit under your hood? That's just a thought.
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.
SSRA/FTRA with 3" radiator? 
