Brian,
I have been reading a whole bunch on this topic recently as well. From
what I could gather on my own (and others who will remain nameless to
protect them from my newbieness) it seems one of the biggest benefits is
much better overall airflow. Part of that would be the hi-flow filter
and another would be the smooth path to the throttle body. In the stock
configuration, the airbox has to pull in air thru a small opening toward
the bottom, pass it thru a nasty paper filter, trek thru a corrugated
tube to the air hat and then make one last jerky curve to the TB. Thats
a whole lot more opportunity for turbulence than a smooth aluminum tube
(that looks great too :)
I dont claim to be an expert by any stretch of the imagination, but the
design of the Z tube in particular seems to be a much better path for
the air to follow.
I cant speak to the "cold" air aspect of this (or does the faster
flowing air inside keep the tube cooler?). It does seem to make sense to
have some sort of air dam to protect it from the hot air next to the
engine, but if you're doing a 60-100mph passing lane test (just to
"test" it out :) I dont think you'll have much to worry about. The cool
air is going to be flowing into the engine compartment fast and cool
enough to make an air dam more of a hinderance to free air flow (?).
Again, I could have this all bass-ackwards. I've read so many different
viewpoints on the subject of air intakes the past week my head hurts. I
just went with what I know is a performance difference - more air! In
fact, I ordered a Z tube with a 7" Big Mouth from Bernd (free plug:
http://www.speedtweaks.net) earlier today. I figure it cant hurt to give
it a try, and once I get a new TB and exhaust I'll definitely need the
extra flow.
Hope that helps!!
-adam
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-dakota-truck@dakota-truck.net
[mailto:owner-dakota-truck@dakota-truck.net] On Behalf Of Carter, Brian
Sent: Tuesday, May 28, 2002 8:08 PM
To: dakota-truck@dakota-truck.net
Subject: DML: 4.7 HO (was: RE: 5.9L 320HP in RAM)
Along those lines, I was looking at the Intense Performance website and
reading about the cold air intakes. OK, I understand the concept that
cold air is denser, and you can mix in more gas, which I suppose would
yield more pressure on ignition (?) to generate more HP. If that is
correct, wouldn't that also decrease gas mileage? One of the links to a
home-built cold-air intake system claimed their gas mileage improved,
which I don't understand.
Looking at my Dakota though, I don't really see where the temperature
difference comes in either. The Intense Performance Z tube with 7" stage
III cold air has the intake opening only a little furhter in front of
where the stalk intake is currently located. Perhaps the z tube is a
little bigger, but it appears to be roughly the same size as the
existing intake. Is there something else going on in the canister, or is
the z tube just much better insulated?
Thanks,
Brian T. Carter
-----Original Message-----
From: Stlaurent Mr Steven [mailto:STLAURENTS@MCTSSA.USMC.MIL]
Sent: Tuesday, May 28, 2002 8:27 AM
To: 'dakota-truck@dakota-truck.net'
Subject: DML: RE: RE: RE: 5.9L 320HP in RAM
The Jeep line has it already for GC model. However, the R/T will boost
another 5HP (270/350) for the tuned exhaust system.
If you haven't seen it you can on the Ram Quad with the 4.7. Check out
the size of the piping. hehehehehe
--------------------------------------
Steven St.Laurent
C4i System Engineer
C4i Engineering Branch, PSD, MCTSSA
MARCORSYSCOM, U.S. Marine Corps
Office (760) 725-2506 (DSN Prefix: 365)
"Never be content with somebody else definition
of you. Instead, define yourself by your own beliefs,
your own truths, your own understanding of who
you are. Never be content until you are happy with
the unique person GOD has created you to be."
-snip-
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