Question for oemtech (Dale), on his CAI

[Bob (WA0MQE)]

Dale... I have a question about your home brew CAI.

I noticed in your photo's you fed the large hose (by the way, what's the diameter of the hose?) with a scoop under the front cap (bumper area). Did you notice much difference in noise and/or did you get a change in pitch when you accelerate?

I built a similar, although shorter scoop that brings the air from the grill opening directly to the air cleaner. But I tested the noise before and after and I get a rather obvious whistle like noise when I goose the throttle. I haven't tested it on the highway yet, so I don't know if it will be all that obvious or not.

Anyone else, chime in if you've done anything similar or just have any thoughts.

[Bob (WA0MQE)]

Dale... I have a question about your home brew CAI.

I noticed in your photo's you fed the large hose (by the way, what's the diameter of the hose?) with a scoop under the front cap (bumper area). Did you notice much difference in noise and/or did you get a change in pitch when you accelerate?

I built a similar, although shorter scoop that brings the air from the grill opening directly to the air cleaner. But I tested the noise before and after and I get a rather obvious whistle like noise when I goose the throttle. I haven't tested it on the highway yet, so I don't know if it will be all that obvious or not.

Anyone else, chime in if you've done anything similar or just have any thoughts.

[oemtech]

Bob,

Funny you should ask... as I am working on version III as we speak So, standby film at 11!

Back to your questions.
1) The tubing is 6" expandable aluminum vent ducting. I leave it unexpanded as much as possible so it is a bit more rigid but still flexible.

2) Under normal driving the sound is now no more than stock. The added tubing and ram air made for less noise. It still gets a bit loud if you put your foot in it. But, with UltraPower I very seldom get over about 3200.

I have found that I can run 65 mph and get the same gas mileage as I did at 60 mph. I use cruise about 90% of the time and if I am pulling a long grade or small steep hill I force it out of OD and bring the RPM's to about 3000 or so and let off when I reach the crest.

[Bob (WA0MQE)]

Thanks, I may be in the same boat, working on a Version II, that is. I'll get some pictures taken and show you what I did. I'm not real crazy about how I put it together. Made a frame out of 1/2-in. aluminum angle iron and covered it with a heavy black plastic material. Which of course gives it squared edges, etc. This is the piece of the puzzle I don't like. Although the stock CAI from Brazel's is a square box shape also, though the edges are rounded a bit.

In any case what I'd like to do is make a mold out of something and then casting my own fiber glass or polyurethane intake.

Have you had any experience in molds, fiberglass, polyurethane, etc?

[TandW]

My filter is oem using only the base and enough of the cover to clamp in the filter. I raised the fuse and relay panel above the cool pack enough to allow 4 inch semi rigid aluminum dryer duct to pass straight back to the throttle. To aid with the straight run the ecm was flipped over and mounted to roof of the transition boxclosest to driver's side. The entire tuba and all the restrictive turns with the potential water injestion at the wheel house have been gone for three years now. I like how the intake resonates under increasing load.

[TandW]

I guess I forgot to mention that the filter is mounted right above the cool pack. The tubing length is only about 2 feet.

[oemtech]

T&W,

You have the ideal setup. But most of us don't have the luxury of moving various parts around do to the OEM construction.

Don't remember if you have posted any photo's. If not please do. I am sure that Bob wouldn't mind if you posted them in this thread.

[oemtech]

Bob,

I have not done much with fiberglass molds. When you only do 1 off projects it is almost cheaper and less time consuming to just buy a box that fits the application.

[TandW]

oemtech, my current username isn't accepted by the photo gallery sign up page. What to do?

[oemtech]

The forum registration and the photo gallery registration are completely separate. You must register for ach and login to each.

[TandW]

The sign-up page doesn't allow T&W for a username. What then?

[oemtech]

The "&" is a reserved symbol. Try using T_W or select another sign in.

[Bob (WA0MQE)]

Dale here's some images of my DIY Ram Air for my Pace Arrow. I wanted to see if it will make any difference to get the direct flow cooler air from the front without it being a turbulent bunch of air being sucked in behind the grill and possibly a mixture of warmer air being radiated from the engine/radiator, etc.


This is before



This is after



Another angle


Look close you can see the air intake



Version 1 of the air intake horn.


IF, and I say IF, it seems to help and/or make a little difference I'd like to start on Version 2 which would make it rounded and streamlined. Which was the question I had about working with fiberglass or polyurethane molds. It may not look like it but I made sure the opening is at least as large, or a little larger then the stock S&B opening was.

[Corkey]

Bob, looks good. I have a question though. Have you driven in heavy rain with this system. I ask because I have had problems with a couple of previous coaches with water ingestion. The filters would become saturated with water, blocking airflow and collapsing, and causing a sudden loss of power.

I'm still looking for the "perfect" solution, so I've followed this thread closely. So far I've seen some pretty good stuff. Thanks for the R&D.