hey guys i have a CAI which sits directly behind my drivers side headlight (standard CAI). now i removed the outer plastic on the headlight that sits flush with the hood. so my headlight is recessed, like a 66.
if i cut holes in the vent of the headlight the air would run directly into the CAI would that increase HP, or would i be waisting my time?

 

My guess would be waisting time and taking a chance that rain water could soak the element. If you look straight down below the element it should be open to outside air coming up in front of the tire. At least that is how it is with my C&L intake. I think a true "Ram Air" effect would only work if it was all sealed up and the air was being pushed into the element while being driven down the road. However, any additional cooler air might help the cause.

 

I know the WMS intake is that like that, it feeds the plenum like the ram air does on the old Trans Ams but if you took off the outer plastic on the headlights, i hope your headlights do not burn out seeing as the filiment does not have any protection anymore.

 

I just want to know how you did the plastic removal for the recessed light look. LOL.

 

my thoughts would be more air more hp, but im really not sure?

to answer your questions
1 reddragon: i sealed a piece of plastic over the actual lens itself so it is air tight just eliminated the outer cover

2 darkside: i pulled the entire headlight off the car. i than went around the edge of the plastic with a heat gun. putting the heat on the housing not the clear plastic, i slowly worked around the headlight until i could squeeze a flat head screw driver in to an opening than kept heating until i could pull it apart

 

Not worth the time IMHO.

 

Good article here: http://www.streettostrip.com/index2....do_pdf=1&id=64

 

Thanks for the reply Powers! Sorry I didn't acknowledge it earlier. Kinda busy at work. lol.

 

Hey, I am new to the site and wanted to toss my 2 cents in ... I went with the Cervini RAM Air instead of the CAIs available. It funnels the air into the bottom of the stock air box and part of the install is to drill the drain hole larger, so the water drains and you still get the increased air flow. I can take pics if you like. (The install docs are also on their site - FYI)

 

My office mate at work (Mechanical Engineer) did a study on this in college and found that it wasn't substantial gain unless you were going really fast as the article suggests.

 

Look up western motorsports intakes (WMS). they work and show the proof.

 

When Ford engineers tested the 2003-4 Mach 1's shaker hood scoop, they found it to be good for 25 horsepower, but only at speeds above 80 mph. Below 80 mph, there wasn't enough air pressure to cause a significant ram effect. I owned a 2003 Mach 1 brand new, and there was a lot of talk on this subject at the Mach1Registry website way back when with guys drag testing their own cars with it open and blocked off to chart the difference in the 1/4 mile. IIRC, it was worth about 2 tenths of a second in the 1/4 mile on a stock 305hp Mach 1. Not sure if you'd see as much with the 4.0L SOHC V6, but close?

 

well i am building up the engine, just unsure which route to go with. just thought maybe it would be worth a try