On a pontiac trans am, what does ram air do from a technical standpoint and how much does it help perfomance?

Question

The WS6 package

Answer 1

An internal combustion engine's power output is directly related to the amount of air and fuel packed into it. With gasoline engines, a narrow range of air to fuel ratios must be maintained. So more air requires more fuel and vice versa.

The point of a ram air system is to allow the engine to suck in colder, denser outside air as opposed to the hotter air in the engine compartment. The denser air allows more fuel to be burned, which produces more power. The faster you drive, the more pressure builds up and forces even more air into the engine. Kind of a poor man's supercharger.

The effectiveness of this type of system depends on many factors. These include the location of the air intakes, size and routing of the ductwork to the intake manifold, and design of the engine and fuel delivery systems. Also, the temperature of the outside air will have a large impact. On a cold, moist day, you will gain the most as opposed to a hot, dry day.

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

Some good answers above, I'll address the Trans Am specific part...

The shaker hood T/As in the early years had a vacuum operated flap that opened at heavy throttle to suck outside air into the engine. Since the scoop faced backwards and was in the middle of the hood, it really didn't have much of an effect other that a deep howling noise when you stepped on the gas hard. Plus, you could watch the flapper open, and feel like you were doing something.

Later, they closed off the intake on the shaker, but it was still cool to watch the engine go back and forth under acceleration.

Ram Air died for a while and was brought back towards the end of the Firebirds life cycle. The scoops were now up front, in a much better position to suck air. The effect of ramming the air into the engine works as some have described above. How much practical HPs were developed vs reduced drag will be the subject of bench racers for years to come. But, ducting cold air from outside the engine compartment vs. hot underhood air is an old drag racing trick, and is a viable way to make more power.

Answer 3

in 1970, the Ram Air III was a "factory option" in 1970 1/2 the Ram Air IV was an option in the Trans Am. (from the FACTORY) They are a rare car and highly sought after in the Trans Am crowds. There never was a Ram Air V made, and none of the Ram Air motors put out anywhere near 500hp, 375hp was about it. In the years these cars were built, the Government was placing very strict restrictions on fuel mileage, so performance took a huge hit. Also the Trans Am was introduced in 1969, not mid year 1970, and the Firebird was introduced in 1967, two years before the Trans Am. production numbers for the Ram Air III cars in 1970 was 3108 cars built, in mid 1970 (88) were built with the Ram Air IV motors. Inaggada....your noggin needs to do some more research

Answer 4

Ram Air has 2 air filters and air inlets verses a single air induction An engine is basically an air compressor. Air and gas is compressed in a cylinder and ignited for a downward force on the piston and thats where you get your power(compression) More air in / more power out. The orginal backward scoops were positioned that way on early T/A's was so that water wouldn't come into the intake and early FirebirdFormulas had their scoops in the front and the filter in the hood that dropped onto the intake(air cleaner)to prevent moisture going into the breather Later they were enclosed to prevent taking in rain water by putting the air inlets at the bottom of thre front bumper. The Camaro SS and the Firehawk(which were souped up and had their suspensions highly upgrade had 4 air intakes with 4 aircleaners up front to allow even more air in to the cylinders

Answer 5

Very little! It was more aesthetic than functional, the idea is to ram the moving air into the intake thus increasing fuel air mix. Problem is you need to be going +100 mph or better to get results. Race cars on a track ma by, not cars for the road.

Answer 6

On the real muscle Cars of the 60's and 70's with carburetors, If it had functioning Ram Air, it would let cooler outside air directly into the carb which would give a little extra jolt..The new ones are just for looks....

Answer 7

The idea is to increase the intake manifold pressure due to compression of the incoming air stream at speed. The effect is slight, and does not even exist unless the throttle is open all the way.

Answer 8

Ram air forces the cold air in to the intake to help with combustion to give a bigger bang in the chamber for more power.

Answer 9

Ram air induction helps horsepower when the car is in motion becuase it forces more air into the cylinders when the intake valves are open.

This effective increases compression which increases effiency, horsepower and fuel economy.

Answer 10

The ram air allows for better air flow and a cooler running motor and everybody knows the cooler you keep the engine the better it runs.