Ram Air Boxes

[steves66]

I have been looking into some sort of ram air for my 493. I ran across a web site that makes a kit, but can't decide if I should try to attempt to make one myself or just use a regular breather. How much will cool air help the engines performance? What are some of you doing to get cold air into the carb? Any tips/suggestions is appreciated! Here is the link to the Ram Air site if anyone is interested.
http://www.ramairbox.com/?

[sixty6charger]

I looked into the ram-air kits as well, but was a unsure exactly how it would install on my '66. Meaning, with my rotating headlamps I can't install the hoses through the high beams and I can't feed them to the grill... radiator and headlight buckets take up the entire grill. So the only other option was to place the intake scoops on top of the rad support but it didn't seem as if it would function very well or show any gain to using a air cleaner lid and filter as is. Plus, I don't think the hood would close properly.

That said, my wifes uncle has one on his Pontiac with the scoops on the rad support and it seems to work well for him... but I still don't think it would work so well on mine. He seems to have more engine room than I do. I don't know why, it just appears that way.

So after all that jibber, I probably offered no help. Just wanted to let you know I looked into it.

Plus, did you notice that on their website you don't see any Chargers with the set up? Might be a reason why.

[steves66]

I didn't see any Chargers, but if you look at all their inventory surely one could muster up enough stuff to route the hoses anywhere you need them. Who knows how much it would be!

[Chryco Psycho]

they are definatly worth doing most of the ones I have used have sealed to the hood scoop & help force pressurized air into the engine , but even without significant pressure colder air helps

[steves66]

they are definatly worth doing most of the ones I have used have sealed to the hood scoop & help force pressurized air into the engine , but even without significant pressure colder air helps

Thanks Chryco. The problem I am having now is that there is hardly no available place to run tubes to my grill. What size of tube would you use to get air to the carb, 4" maybe?

[Headrope]

I've got a '66 and have tried to figure out something similar. There is not much room under first gen hoods. After discussing with several people who have tried it and others that I believe to be in the know, I came to the conclusion that a true "ram air" setup would not be beneficial unless the car was run at extreme speeds (100 mph +), basically making it of little value for a street guy like me. And carb tuning would be a bitch.

Fresh air, however, would be beneficial both on or off track. There are really only two ways to go about it: hood scoop and cowl induction. A scoop similar to the attached picture looks cool, is to period and would let fresh air in and - most importantly, I think - let hot air out after you shut down the car. The scoops are available in fiberglass and steel - each has advantages and disadvantages. Cut a hole in your hood and voila: fresh air. Note: "scoop" may be a misnomer on a first gen, unless the scoop sits 4-5 inches high. The aerodynamics of the first gen's nose and hood seem to indicate low flow below four inches.

A way sure to grab some cool air is to swap to any snorkel-type air cleaner that fits, pull your wiper motor, and plumb dryer vent ducting (or something similar that looks better) between the two. Fresh air would be sucked through the cowl, just below the windshield. I believe its something the NASCAR guys did back in the day.

Again, this is all based on what I've gathered and I believe to make sense. Consider the source. Good luck.

[Chryco Psycho]

I wouldn`t use less than 1 4" tube to your engine , even 4" may be restrictive
I have to disagree with the Ram air being effective only above 100 MPH , I had a 6 pack scoop on my duster & at 70 MPH it was trying to rip the hood off the car hard , I also took a Coronet out in sub freezing temps at 70 mph using the hood scoop shown in the pic above on the Charger & the car started to misfire after 10 minutes so we popped the hood & the intake right to the heads was Ice cold on a running 440 at 70 mph ,,, we were getting carb icing & running too lean