"Ram Air" without hood/fender body work

[gr8titan]

Challenge: To create functional "ram air" effect without destroying the perfect hood and fender lines of the Titan. Hopefully, this will significantly improve the HP/torque advantage of the Volant II over stock intake.
Compromise: Fabricate new windshield washer fluid reservoir to be relocated between the new box and the brake fluid reservoir.
Plan: Bore a big hole (4 inch or larger) behind the grill where the WF reservoir was located and fabricate a custom box to "scoop frontal air" while using the Volant tube and filter. Making the box out of fiberglass in "odd" shape and lines is a challenge in itself.
Final Finish: Carbon Fiber. Updated pics 10-16-05 more at post #32
Note: These photos are of the initial stages of the fabrication to give you an idea where the new box is relocated and how it will look in relation to the engine bay. I will update this thread as I proceed with the completion of the project.
Update:
Last 2 photos are the new version of the box with lines that flow well with the radiator top support.

[SickWhip]

Cool idea!

[RockyMtnTitan]

Fearless!

Gr8 idea, man. So will the new box take all of it's air from the front area now, or a combination of original fender source, plus front area?

Do you have to fab a new WS fluid reservoir....seems like you could find a generic one the right size to save you some hassles.

Thanks, and keep us posted.

[WazzuCoug]

I am curios too if you are taking air only from the front, or if you are also utilizing the existing side fender intake as well? Cool idea!

[gr8titan]

Originally Posted by RockyMtnTitan

Fearless!
Gr8 idea, man. So will the new box take all of it's air from the front area now, or a combination of original fender source, plus front area?
Do you have to fab a new WS fluid reservoir....seems like you could find a generic one the right size to save you some hassles.
Thanks, and keep us posted.

Air intake is all "Frontal Ram". The OE fender source appears to be very passive in nature, as air pressure may not change as the vehicle starts moving. I have a feeling that it may (?) even create mild negative pressure during motion ( just like the "one open window" principle - "my toll ticket just flew out" experience).
My concept is that at moving speeds, the "ram effect" creates positive air pressure inside the box that simulates forced induction in the lamest of terms at best. (Nothing to lose and everything to gain)

Thanks for the advice on a generic W-fluid reservoir. Might very well do that if I find one that fits.

[baseballfanz]

I can see it working already, great job man.

[Papa_D]

A fine idea and worthy of praise in regards to the ingenuity involved. Aren't we talking negligable gains though? What type of performance gains are you guessing? I'm not tryin to pee on the parade and would consider this mod if the benifit is there.

[gr8titan]

Originally Posted by Papa_D

A fine idea and worthy of praise in regards to the ingenuity involved. Aren't we talking negligable gains though? What type of performance gains are you guessing? I'm not tryin to pee on the parade and would consider this mod if the benifit is there.

Probably not measurable by dyno since there is no ram effect during the testing. I remember the 'Cudas & Chevelles in the 70s that gave credit to the Ram Air for improved HP ratings. True, 2/10th or 3/10th of a second improvement in ET is really negligible in everyday driving however, it can make or break a dream at the track. I will be going to the track before the season closes. If I break the 15 second barrier, it would be a dream come true and I'll credit the time imrovement to this mod.

[baseballfanz]

Originally Posted by gr8titan

Probably not measurable by dyno since there is no ram effect during the testing. 2/10th or 3/10th of a second improvement in ET is really negligible in everyday driving however, it can make or break a dream at the track. I will be going to the track before the season closes. If I break the 15 second barrier, it would be a dream come true and I'll credit the time imrovement to this mod.

Just have someone stand in front of the truck with a leaf blower or something and blow in the area to produce "wind" effect.

[kingoftheroad]

A behind the grille air intake is good but, I feel Titan might need a ram air hood, a shaker hood, or maybe a cowl induction hood to improve its fresh air intake. This would also have possible performance improvements and it would contribute to the looks of a sporty or performance version of the Titan. The Big3 have used these hoods through the years on their performance vehicles with a mention of an increase of HP. Also, the Big3 have learned through years its not enough just to be fast, it has to look fast also, to appeal to perspective customers. I can give examples!

[pi3yeargrad]

a ramair hood for the titan would be awesome....I love the look and power my WS6 gets with its ram air hood...

[Papa_D]

Sweeeeet, if you can get 2 or 3 ticks out of it, then I say go for it. I'll be very interested to see the track results.

[robert borsa]

hey looks good but i have the ram air from the fender i also have ram coming from the hoodi got two hood scoops from bully and modified them a bit mounted them on the hood but first i cut a 4" hole in my hood,kept the fact. air box modified it a bit also instead of putting a air intake on i cut part of the tubing going to the box kept everything stock and put a 25.00 cone on the end you talk about some gains for dirt cheep alittle bit of common sence can save lots of money. after thati put on my tailgate (yea, it eats hemis alive.)

[kingoftheroad]

Originally Posted by robert borsa

hey looks good but i have the ram air from the fender i also have ram coming from the hoodi got two hood scoops from bully and modified them a bit mounted them on the hood but first i cut a 4" hole in my hood,kept the fact. air box modified it a bit also instead of putting a air intake on i cut part of the tubing going to the box kept everything stock and put a 25.00 cone on the end you talk about some gains for dirt cheep alittle bit of common sence can save lots of money. after thati put on my tailgate (yea, it eats hemis alive.)

Thats really cool man!!

[kingoftheroad]

Straight from the source. Early 2006 - Ram Air hood for the Titan!!

Phil Alloy
1-888-575-3453 ext 1
www.keystonerestyling.com