How to build a ram air intake cheaply

[sciko67]

This modification uses Vinyl air ducting to collect air from the grill area and feed it to the intake. Since doing the modification, I have noticed a decent increase in low end torque(below 4K RPM). Not very noticeable on the high end. The best thing about this modification is that I can run my A/C now without feeling bogged down. I barely even notice that A/C compressor is running now.

Note: You will not find vinyl air ducting with Dryer hoses anymore. They are seen as a fire hazard. I looked at Walmart and Lowes and could not find any. I finally found mine at Ace Hardware.

Another note: I combined this modification with a grill block. If you see clear tape on my grill, that is what it is from. I don't recommend using the clear tape to do a grill block like I did. It holds moisture.

What you'll need:
Vinyl air ducting(Got mine at Ace Hardware)
Mesh for front grill
Zip Ties
Duct Tape

Step 1: Cut out one of the sides of the ducting for as long as you want your air vent. I went about a foot and a half. Leave the wires to help wire it to the mesh. Duct Tape it up to increase strength and make it look better. I cut off about a 2in piece and duct taped it to the end to round it out. You can see it in the next step.
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2. Wire it to the mesh.
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3. Cut your air box
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4. Drill Holes in the bumper and zip tie the mesh to it. I took my bumper off to do this to cut the hole in the next step.
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5. Cut a hole in the metal under your air filter big enough to run the air ducting through. Throw some duct tape around the hole to keep it from cutting the ducting.
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6. Attach the hose to the air box with more duct tape.
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Finished product:
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[mechtech]

Sounds like your end result was a good supply of outside/ambient air [instead of hot under hood air].

Even with a preferred large intake funnel [which you don't have] , it would take at least 50 MPH to get any ram air effect.

[Mimino]

let the car idle and put your hand over the inlet, and see how hard it's sucking the air in. i'd be curious how well it would do when a street gets flooded.

[sciko67]

I try to avoid 2 foot high standing water.

[Mimino]

I try to avoid 2 foot high standing water.

i don't think that would be possible 100% of the time. kudos to you for taking the time, but i don't think this mod is for everyone.

[JohnP]

nicro cowl vent.jpgRamair Scoop 003.jpgRamair Scoop 004.jpgI did it back in ' 97 , changed it a few times but always maintained that the system must be sealed to be able to pressurize . There can be no hoses , holes or anything connected to the induction tube . So from the inlet to the TB , nothing from outside is connected . If you can cover the inlet an the engine dies it's good to go , if it still runs it's not going to pressurize . The Red scoop is a Cowl vent used on boats it's pretty big . The Black one is my latest venture , there again it's pretty big . I've had probably 6-8 different scoops that I've tried , the Red one(now black)I seems to always go back to as moving the most air . The Black one is larger and will move a lot of air , just have to figure how to make it fit . I use a Millibar gauge to check for pressure , a regular vacuum/boost gauge isn't sensitive enough to detect any pressure raise .

Rain heavy or light has no affect , same with snow . If you run into deep water to you know is going to get into the inlet , go around or wait . I got rained out of the house once when the street flooded , waited about a 1/2 hr till it went down . Same with snow if it's deep or drifts avoid . If you have to go a certain way , take the induction tube of the filter can then go for it , car is light so it floats pretty easy . I'll try to get the webshots to load , use to work but lately it won't load . Copy an Paste and it'll go through . From there you can check out the other albums .

rides.webshots.com/album/292893795wmbTAd

[TracerZX2]

^Very nice, the black one looks about perfect for an 03 with no factory fogs

[Defunct S/R owner]

I had fun adding ram air to mine. Dive you have a pic of the final project? Like others have said, I have to avoid deep water.

Mine is below...

http://teamzx2.com/album.php?albumid=209