Free Ram Air.....The Truth Please!
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
From: Gainesville, FLORIDA
Free Ram Air.....The Truth Please! If I do this mod to my stock 2001 SS, will it really improve HP or throttle reponse? What's the long term pro's and con's to this free mod?
I cannot find a Holly Power Shot air filter..... ANYWHERE! Can anybody help here?
I cannot find a Holly Power Shot air filter..... ANYWHERE! Can anybody help here?
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 9,246
Likes: 3
From: Troy, AL
Re: Free Ram Air.....The Truth Please! Yes, it will help power.
Cons are your filter will get dirty quicker.
Check out our sponsors to the right of your screen. I bet several of them carry the Holley filters.
I'd add the FTRA kit to the free ram air mod if I were you. Great power for the money. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Cool]" src="gr_images/icons/cool.gif" />
Cons are your filter will get dirty quicker.
Check out our sponsors to the right of your screen. I bet several of them carry the Holley filters.
I'd add the FTRA kit to the free ram air mod if I were you. Great power for the money. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Cool]" src="gr_images/icons/cool.gif" />
Re: Free Ram Air.....The Truth Please! Another FRA con I've noticed when I did it was higher IATs when idling with the car not moving such as when waiting in the staging lane waiting to pull up to the line. I think it increased my 60' times a little. The FTRA is better because when stopped and idling, it will be drawing air from in front of the air dam rather than over the radiator.
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 739
Likes: 0
From: houston,texas
Re: Free Ram Air.....The Truth Please! A pro is that the FRA will give you a little boost but only while driving...because more air will be sucked up through the FRA....which is a good thing....especially if running rich...along with running a tad cooler!!...Cons are that the filter will get dirtier quicker but assumibg you get a Holley powershot filter....you'll be ok since all you have to do is clean it as opposed to having to buy another one....also...you may find different kinds of debris or even leaves or unwanted stuff stuck under your filter....which at least you'll know the filter is doing its job......But all in all do it!!free mod for some little performance help!
Staging Lane
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: Orlando, Fl
Re: Free Ram Air.....The Truth Please! </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Colonel:
<strong> Yes, it will help power.
Cons are your filter will get dirty quicker.
Check out our sponsors to the right of your screen. I bet several of them carry the Holley filters.
I'd add the FTRA kit to the free ram air mod if I were you. Great power for the money. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Cool]" src="gr_images/icons/cool.gif" /> </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Are any of these mods not useful if you have the ram-air pkg from the factory(i.e. WS6 or SS)? Seems like the FTRA kit would make the stock Ram-Air disfunctional????
Thanks
<strong> Yes, it will help power.
Cons are your filter will get dirty quicker.
Check out our sponsors to the right of your screen. I bet several of them carry the Holley filters.
I'd add the FTRA kit to the free ram air mod if I were you. Great power for the money. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Cool]" src="gr_images/icons/cool.gif" /> </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Are any of these mods not useful if you have the ram-air pkg from the factory(i.e. WS6 or SS)? Seems like the FTRA kit would make the stock Ram-Air disfunctional????
Thanks
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
From: Gainesville, FLORIDA
Re: Free Ram Air.....The Truth Please! Hey, thanks fellas...... but I don't think I need the Fast Toys Ram Air kit. I already have ram air by the factory on the hood! My SS hood.
<img border="0" title="" alt="[Confused]" src="images/icons/confused.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Confused]" src="images/icons/confused.gif" />
<img border="0" title="" alt="[Confused]" src="images/icons/confused.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Confused]" src="images/icons/confused.gif" />
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 9,246
Likes: 3
From: Troy, AL
Re: Free Ram Air.....The Truth Please! The factory ram air (I hate to break this to you) does pretty much nothing (I mean, look at the design closely!) The FTRA has been proven time and time again to work. I have an SS and I installed a FTRA on it. That ram air hood is just for looks.
Trending Topics
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 9,246
Likes: 3
From: Troy, AL
Re: Free Ram Air.....The Truth Please! </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by chikn:
<strong> I noticed one slight thing after doing this. When first started my car has a tendancy to want to idle higher around 900-1000 when cold and didnt do this before. Dont know if this was just a coincidence and symptom of another unknown problem Im haing or due to it. </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">You may have created a vacume leak behind the MAF sensor while you had all that stuff apart. Check it out closely (maybe the accordian tube isn't sealed properly to the MAF or the TB?). The FRA mod should NOT effect your idle.
<strong> I noticed one slight thing after doing this. When first started my car has a tendancy to want to idle higher around 900-1000 when cold and didnt do this before. Dont know if this was just a coincidence and symptom of another unknown problem Im haing or due to it. </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">You may have created a vacume leak behind the MAF sensor while you had all that stuff apart. Check it out closely (maybe the accordian tube isn't sealed properly to the MAF or the TB?). The FRA mod should NOT effect your idle.
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power
Verdad Gallardo
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die
Verdad Gallardo Staging Lane
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: Orlando, Fl
Re: Free Ram Air.....The Truth Please! </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Colonel:
<strong> The factory ram air (I hate to break this to you) does pretty much nothing (I mean, look at the design closely!) The FTRA has been proven time and time again to work. I have an SS and I installed a FTRA on it. That ram air hood is just for looks. </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Does this hold true for the WS6 as well?
Thanks
<strong> The factory ram air (I hate to break this to you) does pretty much nothing (I mean, look at the design closely!) The FTRA has been proven time and time again to work. I have an SS and I installed a FTRA on it. That ram air hood is just for looks. </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Does this hold true for the WS6 as well?
Thanks
Staging Lane
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
From: Granite City, IL
Re: Free Ram Air.....The Truth Please! On my old 98 T/A I did the FRA, with a K&N filter. It slightly improved throttle response,
Barely noticeable. It did help on the top-end though, it increased my mph by 1-2 mph in the 1/4. I closed off the front of the airbox's stock opening, because it was basically useless.
It never got wet when it rained, and it was my only car, so I had to drive it, and it seemed like it rained EVERY DAY last summer <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />
my buddy did it to his ram air, but i doubt it helped, since he took the baffles out.
Barely noticeable. It did help on the top-end though, it increased my mph by 1-2 mph in the 1/4. I closed off the front of the airbox's stock opening, because it was basically useless.
It never got wet when it rained, and it was my only car, so I had to drive it, and it seemed like it rained EVERY DAY last summer <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />
my buddy did it to his ram air, but i doubt it helped, since he took the baffles out.
Re: Free Ram Air.....The Truth Please! The SS hood is pretty much useless. It is better than a regular hood however in that the air that it takes into the engine is cooler. The location of the scoop is a low pressure area. This means that there isn't much airstrem at this point ramming air into the engine compartment. Pontiac had this problem on their old GTO's. The reason Chevy developed the cowl induction is that this is a high pressure area. It works very well even though it doesn't look like it would. Oldsmobiles solution in 1968 was to draw air in from under the bumper. On the 68 Cutlass 442 they have dual snorkels under the bumper. The Supersucker ram air kit is similar to this but it only has one scoop.
All the cold air inductions help. I'd recommend this mod to help your Chevy breathe better.
All the cold air inductions help. I'd recommend this mod to help your Chevy breathe better.
Re: Free Ram Air.....The Truth Please! </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by jpz28:
<strong> A pro is that the FRA will give you a little boost but only while driving...</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Umm, isnt that the point? You dont need any extra HP while your sitting still <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" />
I've done it on my SS and noticed a difference......But only while driving <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />
<strong> A pro is that the FRA will give you a little boost but only while driving...</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Umm, isnt that the point? You dont need any extra HP while your sitting still <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" />
I've done it on my SS and noticed a difference......But only while driving <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />
Re: Free Ram Air.....The Truth Please! I like FTRA over FRA, if we compare them.
I think FRA can help, I have two airboxes and noticed a .5 mph gain from FRA, but all my friends with FTRA picked up more than that.
I've got a used FTRA I am selling FWIW, I can't use it with a turbo setup.
I think FRA can help, I have two airboxes and noticed a .5 mph gain from FRA, but all my friends with FTRA picked up more than that.
I've got a used FTRA I am selling FWIW, I can't use it with a turbo setup.
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
From: Gainesville, FLORIDA
Re: Free Ram Air.....The Truth Please! Damn, what would I do without you guys? What's the bill for all this knowledge? Just kidding! But really..... now I'm somewhat more confused. You guys say do the "Free Ram Air" and your also saying buy the "Fast-Toys-Ram-Air kit? Where do you buy the FTRA kit? How much ($$) is it? Is installation a breeze or a PITA? Will it void my warranty? Any long term con's to the FTRA? How does the FTRA work? Picks up air under the car? Hell, I thought I was good to go with my stock factory hood SS ram air!
<img border="0" alt="[bang head]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_banghead.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[bang head]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_banghead.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[bang head]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_banghead.gif" />
<img border="0" alt="[bang head]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_banghead.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[bang head]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_banghead.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[bang head]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_banghead.gif" />
Re: Free Ram Air.....The Truth Please! You can get the FTRA kit, by clicking the Fast Toys link over to the right, and then purchasing it from them...
As to the other questions...hell if i know lol
As to the other questions...hell if i know lol
Teching In
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Orlando
Re: Free Ram Air.....The Truth Please! I don't think the SS hood its useless at all. I put my Volant with the sealed airbox on the car and now the hood hisses out of the scoop. Maybe its useless when you have the stock airbox. My filter is ALWAYS ice cold when I lift the hood. With the FRA my filter got filthy, now all that sand and dirt collects in the plastic airbox instead. I drove my car with the FRA through a rainstorm, when i got home my Holley had turned white from being soaked and all the blue oil was gone. I have no more hydrolock worries, which was the main reason I ditched the Lid/FRA combo. I know if I hog out those openings on the hood it will pick a few ponies, those 4 tiny holes are all the car breathes through. The car's performance with the Volant/GMMG is IDENTICAL with the to the performance with the LID/FRA/Cutout. And I know the cutout flowed more than the GMMG. One of these days I will get around to running/dynoing the car with the lid/fra , then Volant, then the hogged out hood and settle these questions.
Re: Free Ram Air.....The Truth Please! </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Bass98WS6:
Does this hold true for the WS6 as well?
</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">The WS6 hood is much more functional than an SS hood. With a little work to open up the nostrils or by using a BG Ram Air kit, the modified WS6 set-up is a better overall solution than FTRA, IMO.
!FRA does suck in heat at idle and can hurt 60' time. The FTRA system is much better and worth the money.
Does this hold true for the WS6 as well?
</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">The WS6 hood is much more functional than an SS hood. With a little work to open up the nostrils or by using a BG Ram Air kit, the modified WS6 set-up is a better overall solution than FTRA, IMO.
!FRA does suck in heat at idle and can hurt 60' time. The FTRA system is much better and worth the money.
Administrator
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 45,841
Likes: 5
From: Earth
Re: Free Ram Air.....The Truth Please! The whole "Ram Air" seems like a marketing ploy if you ask me. It looks badass though.
If you choose to go with the FTRA or the !FRA mod, both will help. It's just a matter of money.
On a side note, why in the hell would GM locate the air box directly over the core support? It looks like 50% of the possible air induction is blocked. <img border="0" alt="[bang head]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_banghead.gif" />
If you choose to go with the FTRA or the !FRA mod, both will help. It's just a matter of money.
On a side note, why in the hell would GM locate the air box directly over the core support? It looks like 50% of the possible air induction is blocked. <img border="0" alt="[bang head]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_banghead.gif" />