What does Ram Air on a Trans Am do?

Question

Call me a girl and all, but I really don't understand it.
My friends Trans Am has it, but I don't know what it does...
Does it give it more horsepower or speed or mpg?

Answer 1

Denser, colder air means more air, more air means more fuel, more fuel equals more power. Ram air not only funnels cool outside air into the motor, instead of hot under hood air, but also uses the movement of the car to give a slight pressurization of incoming air, allowing for slightly more air than just pulling air through the filter. (thus "Ramming" the air into the motor) gains are small, and only happen at higher speeds compared to a normal cold air intake. It does work though.



All of the above can contribute to more hp, which enables more speed, and can mean that the car has more power for the same amount of fuel (through efficiency), resulting in greater mpg. (sometimes)

Answer 2

How Does Ram Air Work

Answer 3

just to add to the first answer



At normal speeds the cooler air from the ram will also add improved throttle response, slightly increased gas mileage, and a better sound (just my opinion). This is all on top of the slight increase in horse power!

Answer 4

Yes all of those

because more air goes in the engion

To make it simple

Answer 5

Most of the factory systems like on the trans am, and grand am are kinda jokes. There are so many turns, and bend in the intake tube that there will be little to no pressure from the air being rammed into the filter. Plus they have filters that don't flow that well. You could improve on the stock ram air system some. I had my grand am dynoed with the ram air on, and then with a cold air intake with a k&n filter installed. The cold air intake gave 4 more horsepower, and 6 ft lbs torque more. I know that's not real world conditions with air being forced into the scoops, but I don't think there would be much difference. I though it was cool when I bought my grand am and it had ram air. Everyone on every forum told me it was a joke. Its a neat idea, but the systems they have on there just won't perform like there suppose to. If you had a big scoop with a straight piece of intake tube with a high flow filter right before the throttle body, then yea it would work a little better.

Answer 6

Ram air started quite some time ago on the trans ams (30 years ago)



The idea behind it, was/is that as you drive down the road, cold air side air is forced into the engine under pressure for a gain in power.



Its well been proven that "ram air" doesnt have any effect on power under 90+ MPH but drawing the air in from outside of the engine bay can be worth anywhere from 10-30 HP



Chevy done this with their cowl induction system



Intake inlet temp is worth 1% of power for every 10* drop in temp

Answer 7

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ram-air_intake