So I'm pretty sure I'm gonna be taking a crack at making my own aluminum air box. My idea is that the tubular frame that's open under the gas tank could be made into a ram air tube by cutting a hole through the plate behind where the radiator mounts along the interior diameter of the tube then bracing that hole with a x brace or cross brace for rigidity. This would allow for air to flow better less restricted into the frame tuning and into the air box. If I'm over thinking this please let me know a lot of you guys are more technically minded toward this sort of thing than I am. Also I'm curious if this is a good idea would it be wise to patch the existing hole in the frame tube or leave it open?
Ram air intakes only add a little hp at very high speeds. I remember seing some things about it on sport bikes years ago. I think it only added 10 jp or so on a 150 hp engine at speeds over 150 mph.
A true ram air intake is also getting air pushed into it at the front of the bike, not behind the radiator, where it will be drawing hot air.
Even if you designed a ram air intake that actually pressurized the airbox somehow, it would probably play havoc on your jetting and overall carb operation, as the carb is designed to operate on a specific vacuum and pressure drop to meter the fuel.
I personally think its not something id spend my time on on a zilla.
Now, the aluminum airbox, id love to.see. Im interested in seeing what you come up with. Id like to have one for my quad, maybe big enough to hold and remove a larger filter and have an outerwares filter top cover on it. Looking forward to seeing your idea! You should post pics and or measurements if other members wanna try to make one. The stock airbox sucks.
I accidentally posted this in engines as well said the posting didn't go through in here so I posted same topic over there. Thanks for the info that's what I was after if it was worth it or not to do. I plan on fabing up an air box big enough to fit a 8" or 9" k&n or aem filter. The top will be outter wears and the box will be diamond plate aluminum that I plan on polishing up a bit because its been outside for about 2 years and looks dingy as hell.
MD2 hit all the points...
-Ram air only works if you're going fast
-It will be a hot air intake
Two benefits of that setup would be:
-Cooling air over the radiator any time the engine is running
-Carb ice wouldn't be an issue (not that it is now)
You might be able to redirect the intake above the radiator, like a snorkel, with a scoop replacing the hood.
That would give you some kind of ram air intake at high speeds (pavement) and you could also drop a splash guard the opening around and cross deep water.
Problem is, you're probably going to get more air to the engine by running an open element filter than you would with a good ram air setup.
I dunno man, I just don't see a useful application for it.
I love the Ram air idea and always have growing up with a dad that loved Pontiac muscle cars and had quite a few GTO's and Firebirds, but on our quads it wouldn't be utilized. I will compare it to a zx12r kawasaki ninja which uses a big ram air induction system it gains 10hp at 150mph and the numbers go down from as the slower you go the pressure drops. These gains are with a 1200cc fuel injected machine so im sure the results would be less with a 500cc with our current carb setup. Great idea for looks if done right, but for performance I dont think its the best option.
Id deffinatly go with loosing the airbox & a good filter before the ram air idea!!! Talk to rouge1970 he sells a complete kit!!
I need the airbox for certain race classes so I'm making one that's easily removable and can then be run without the box for other classes.
Gotcha!! I like the idea!! Much easier to make the changes for racing!!
That and I ride in some mud and water sometimes so I'll need the box for those rides as well.