Anyone ever try putting a fan on Ram Air?...
Anyone ever try putting a fan on Ram Air?...
I have ram air in my IROC, it sucks the air from two 'plumber' pipes, courtesy of previous owner. The pipes suck their air from behind the fog lights (btw, is that a good place for them? if I were to remove the fog lights would I get more air in? or is there no difference if fog lights are there or not?). Any way though, with ideas of how superchargers work and turbochargers, it got me thinking. How bout if I put a fan in the pipe, so as I go faster and feed more air in, instead of it just being forced in by physics, the fan would shove that air in their, and also give better sucking force. Would this work? Any one ever try it? I was wondering what type of fan, I was thinking maybe a computer fans (ya kno the one ur probably hearing churn away as you read this), that might work. So whatchas think, will it work? Or will there be no difference, with or without the fan?
Senior Member

Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 762
Likes: 2
From: Riverside, CA
Car: 1987 Camaro IROC-Z
Engine: 305TPI
Transmission: 700R4
oh my GOD..
TELL me you're joking. I won't even waste my time thinking about why you'd want to do something like that
btw: have you tried rigging up a blowdryer yet?I think that works..
TELL me you're joking. I won't even waste my time thinking about why you'd want to do something like that
btw: have you tried rigging up a blowdryer yet?I think that works..
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 20,981
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From: Mercedes Norte, Heredia, Costa Rica
Car: 1984 Z28 Hardtop
Engine: 383 Carb
Transmission: 4L60
Axle/Gears: 3.54 Dana 44
Don't bother, it won't make any difference. If anything performance will be worse from the restriction of the fan in the air stream.
I dont know, i think its a good idea!
A computer fan wouldnt do it though.
U would need something that really pushed a lot of air....maybe a small fan and somehow rig up a belt to go around it so it puses more air as speed increases....like a poor mans supercharger!
A computer fan wouldnt do it though.
U would need something that really pushed a lot of air....maybe a small fan and somehow rig up a belt to go around it so it puses more air as speed increases....like a poor mans supercharger!
We've all thought of these things. The truth is any power you create with something like that would only cost you power to run it. Im actually tired of telling people why it won't work. Maybe you can design something that makes us all look stupid. Please don't call people names here, even if they are asses. We are only here to help.
Yeah, I know a computer fan can't really push much. Using an electrical fan would be great, but I'm thinking of something more practical for the time-being. I was thinking of just putting a fan in there (not electrically operated), I figured a computer fan is small enough to fit. So when the car starts moving, instead of just sucking in air, the fan would start to accelerate, as the car got faster and the fan got faster, the fan would then suck in more air and force more air in also. See what I'm saying. It would almost be like a turbo charger, cuz the fan would take a while to start moving, than Bam, it starts accelerating, sucking and forcing more air in.
But making a electrically controlled fan, is another story, a great one at that, but I would need a lot power to really get it going, and it delves into more of wiring and powering. I was just looking for a simple mod, that according to physics, and turbo and superchargers, should work right? Thanks again.
But making a electrically controlled fan, is another story, a great one at that, but I would need a lot power to really get it going, and it delves into more of wiring and powering. I was just looking for a simple mod, that according to physics, and turbo and superchargers, should work right? Thanks again.
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Supreme Member
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 1,431
Likes: 1
From: Huntsville, AL
Car: '00 Chevrolet Corvette
Engine: LS1
Transmission: 4L60E
Axle/Gears: 2.73
Turbo/Super chargers work by feeding more air into the intake than it can use which builds pressure in the intake. For your fan idea to work it would have to move more air than the engine would normally draw at any given RPM. If it couldn't do this then it would not be increasing horsepower, but just acting as a restriction in the intake path. I don't think that you're going to be able to find a fan that can push/pull that much air. Even if it could push that much air you'd have to seal it good so that the pressure could build up rather than just bleed off.
Supreme Member
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 1,431
Likes: 1
From: Huntsville, AL
Car: '00 Chevrolet Corvette
Engine: LS1
Transmission: 4L60E
Axle/Gears: 2.73
If, in your last post, you were suggesting just putting a non-powered fan in the intake path it would be nothing but a restriction. The fan would only spin as fast as the air that the engine pulled past it. It wouldn't ever build any pressure since it wouldn't ever actually push any air. All you would have is a neat looking spinning restriction.
Have you seen the advertisement on TV for a product called a "Tornado". It has fan-like look to it. They have a product for carb and FI. I did't really pay much attention but you put that in the intake tube and it spun or something like that. They dyno'd an Impala SS and they got 20hp. I myself didn't really believe it though.
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
From: Philadelphia, PA USA
Car: 1989 Firebird Formula
Engine: 350
Transmission: 700R4
The tornado doesn't spin...it just has fins which are supposed to move the air in a tornado like motion. If anything all it does is clog up the intake.
As far as a fan goes, it is not bad to come up with new ideas. However, most superchargers spin at about 20,000+ rpm. Most electric fans won't even come close to that. There is a product out called the e-ram which is an electric supercharger. The only problem with that is it only puts out about 1 psi of boost which is nothing. And for $299 it isn't worth it and it doesn't work on anything bigger than a 5.0l engine.
As far as a fan goes, it is not bad to come up with new ideas. However, most superchargers spin at about 20,000+ rpm. Most electric fans won't even come close to that. There is a product out called the e-ram which is an electric supercharger. The only problem with that is it only puts out about 1 psi of boost which is nothing. And for $299 it isn't worth it and it doesn't work on anything bigger than a 5.0l engine.
I don't think a fan (computer fan) would help, it would most likely hinder. Just think of the CFMs moving through your setup when your doing 45 MPH. I did a lot of testing with my ram air this summer. I don't have EGR or the coolant running throught the TB, I have to 2 big 90 degree elbows where the fog logs were. I noticed a +20ish degree drop in temp in the plenum (120 without ram air/ 90ish with. Well that's what the computer read. I don't like it that it's a "bottom feader" system, I needed to clean my filters twice this summer. I also added a bit of fuel in the prom with the ram air installed. To be honest I realy didn't see much HP improvement.
c-luv
i have thought of this idea my self and all u have 2 do is get creative.
what i have done is use a 4 inch pvc pipe with a splitter that looks like an r ok now u take a leaf blower (craftsmam i.e) and take out the motor mine was 4in. in d. install it 2 the hook side on the r pipe seal and add a k&n. on the straight side just add the filter.
now u have no in line restrictions just mabey doubling your air flow
if u would like me 2 b more in general let me know.
and this is on a firebird also but will work on cam also just get 2 r's and 2 blower motors
i have thought of this idea my self and all u have 2 do is get creative.
what i have done is use a 4 inch pvc pipe with a splitter that looks like an r ok now u take a leaf blower (craftsmam i.e) and take out the motor mine was 4in. in d. install it 2 the hook side on the r pipe seal and add a k&n. on the straight side just add the filter.
now u have no in line restrictions just mabey doubling your air flow
if u would like me 2 b more in general let me know.
and this is on a firebird also but will work on cam also just get 2 r's and 2 blower motors
Supreme Member

Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,136
Likes: 2
From: Costal Alabama
Car: 1989 Iroc-Z
Engine: 350, ZZ4 equivalent
Transmission: Pro-Built Road Race 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.23 Dana 44
If you want hook up a "ghetto" intake use a leaf blower. I tried this in one of my other cars just using an extension cord to test it. Squealed my tires all the way up the driveway it was pretty funny. Never fully hooked it up, just did it as a joke and was surprised at how much more power I got.
Originally posted by 89 Iroc Z
If you want hook up a "ghetto" intake use a leaf blower. I tried this in one of my other cars just using an extension cord to test it. Squealed my tires all the way up the driveway it was pretty funny. Never fully hooked it up, just did it as a joke and was surprised at how much more power I got.
If you want hook up a "ghetto" intake use a leaf blower. I tried this in one of my other cars just using an extension cord to test it. Squealed my tires all the way up the driveway it was pretty funny. Never fully hooked it up, just did it as a joke and was surprised at how much more power I got.
u dont know me nor my eye 4 uniformity,so please dont knock if u dont want 2 come in

(LEAF BLOWER MOTOR) take off everything but the motor & elec. wires.
the power source is runned by the batt. of course but with a relay switch. on off anytime.
Last edited by ONEFORMULAOVERALL; Dec 20, 2001 at 09:44 PM.
Supreme Member

Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,136
Likes: 2
From: Costal Alabama
Car: 1989 Iroc-Z
Engine: 350, ZZ4 equivalent
Transmission: Pro-Built Road Race 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.23 Dana 44
Originally posted by Joshua Leslie
how did you drive around with a leaf blower? what was the power source?
how did you drive around with a leaf blower? what was the power source?
I did have a big power boost; I did it on a 98 Malibu V6. Makes me want to buy a supercharger for my camaro.
For one thing, this is freaking retarded. Even if you did get boost it would only last in the lower rpms, and that v6 doesnt need as much air as a 350. I think that it was a kind of interesting but funny test, but anyone who considers seriosly doing this I have to wonder about. When you get into the higher rpms the motor is going to need more air than it did just taking of from idle in the driveway. When you need the more air, the (leaf blower) motor is not going to be able to keep ahead of the air needed by the engine much less give it extra boost. It will then just be a restriction.
Ben
Ben
Oneformula overall, I dont understand how you would run a leaf blower of an automotive battery.
for 1 thing, it is DC. for another, its only 12 volts, a leaf blower takes 120. and proly several hundred watts.
Does anyone know how many Watts a car puts out? I have never heard this discused anywhere.
for 1 thing, it is DC. for another, its only 12 volts, a leaf blower takes 120. and proly several hundred watts.
Does anyone know how many Watts a car puts out? I have never heard this discused anywhere.
Originally posted by Joshua Leslie
Oneformula overall, I dont understand how you would run a leaf blower of an automotive battery.
for 1 thing, it is DC. for another, its only 12 volts, a leaf blower takes 120. and proly several hundred watts.
Does anyone know how many Watts a car puts out? I have never heard this discused anywhere.
Oneformula overall, I dont understand how you would run a leaf blower of an automotive battery.
for 1 thing, it is DC. for another, its only 12 volts, a leaf blower takes 120. and proly several hundred watts.
Does anyone know how many Watts a car puts out? I have never heard this discused anywhere.
Well... if the batteries in our cars are 12 volts rated at about 800 amps, that means the battery can put out around 9600 watts. This isn't sustained very long, of course.
Supreme Member

Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,136
Likes: 2
From: Costal Alabama
Car: 1989 Iroc-Z
Engine: 350, ZZ4 equivalent
Transmission: Pro-Built Road Race 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.23 Dana 44
Originally posted by Joshua Leslie
Oneformula overall, I dont understand how you would run a leaf blower of an automotive battery.
for 1 thing, it is DC. for another, its only 12 volts, a leaf blower takes 120. and proly several hundred watts.
Does anyone know how many Watts a car puts out? I have never heard this discused anywhere.
Oneformula overall, I dont understand how you would run a leaf blower of an automotive battery.
for 1 thing, it is DC. for another, its only 12 volts, a leaf blower takes 120. and proly several hundred watts.
Does anyone know how many Watts a car puts out? I have never heard this discused anywhere.
If you ever want to try it for fun or if your bored just try it on a smaller engine car like a V6, like I did. You will get it much better results, very very funny too!!
ok this is definatley possible and in fact they sell it. Just a few minutes ago i was watching tv and they sell this thing called the tornado that spins the air and increases hp. It added like 10hp to a 2000 impala. its like $75 though so not really worth it. but it definatly does work.
it will do nothing, a fan moves on average about the same speed of 30 MPH air, so if your going over 30 MPH you'll be putting a drag on the air, plus one of my buddies got real into the ram air stuff to see what it can do. he has a 69' firebird that runs mid 11's he took one of those ram air box ram air kits, put the tubes into the headlights and right into the carb, a straight shot, and from all his efforts he came to the conclusion that every 10 MPH over 40 will make a average 1-2 HP and this is on a very deep breathing 455 so figure probley less on smaller engines. after he saw the poor results ram air actually gives he took it all off,....but cowl induction on the other hand is about twice as effective (notice how nascar uses cowl induction and not ram air?)
Senior Member

Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 762
Likes: 2
From: Riverside, CA
Car: 1987 Camaro IROC-Z
Engine: 305TPI
Transmission: 700R4
all i can do is laugh, lol.. we used to joke about this kinda stuff amongst the guys when I worked at AutoZone, never thought someone would actually try to do it
Originally posted by ChevyKen
I think ya'll be better off with a vacuum cleaner your the tailpipes

Ken
I think ya'll be better off with a vacuum cleaner your the tailpipes

Ken
Actually if you do both you could double the effect. Who needs nitrous anyway when we have home appliances. I like to travel with a washer dryer in my back seat incase I spill anything on my shirt in mcdonalds drive through.
TGO Supporter
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 6,775
Likes: 27
From: So.west IN
Car: 87 Formula/ 00 Xtreme
Engine: TPI 305/ v6
Transmission: struggling t-5/ 4l60E
Axle/Gears: 3.08/ 3.23
My sides hurt lol
My eyes are watering too
... ahhh,,, the good old days of the infamous Deckercharger
LoL
It never fails to be funny...
... ahhh,,, the good old days of the infamous Deckercharger LoL

It never fails to be funny...
Supreme Member
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 4,969
Likes: 0
From: USA
Car: yy wife, crazy.
Engine: 350, Vortecs, 650DP
Transmission: TH-350
Axle/Gears: 8.5", 3.42
Originally posted by Momar
For one thing, this is freaking retarded. Even if you did get boost it would only last in the lower rpms,........
Ben
For one thing, this is freaking retarded. Even if you did get boost it would only last in the lower rpms,........
Ben
That's caused from the waste gate, but it still has the same effect as what you're saying.
You're then saying that a turbo decreases the airflow into the engine at higher RPM? No. It just stops boosting. It has lost the resistance it needs to build pressure, and therefore no more boost. But it doesn't hinder flow after that.
Now an electrical powered booster might do that, but that's a big "MIGHT". If the incoming air is moving faster than the electricity can spin the impellers, then the electricity isn't gonna hold it back.
Of course you'd need a diode to keep the blower from then producing more elec than it's getting. But the elec. motor would never put a load on the airflow.
It can (and has) been done. (Not with a leaf blower though.)
I think Eaton makes one. But it uses a lot of electricity. Enough to build up the load in the alt. to add more resistance and rotating mass to the engine. But then again, so does a roots type or centrifical supercharger.They all have there downfalls, it's just a matter of personal choice and use.
AJ
Yes but with a turbo even though it stops making boost that is not because it is spinning to slow to flow the ammount of air needed. It is still spinning faster at higher rpms and therefore flowing enough air to not be a restriction. And I have driven a turbo car sort of. I dont know what is typical of most turbo cars, but on my old f*rd turbocoupe it would run 10 # of boost untill it hit about 4400 rpm and then would jump to 15 #. I dont see why a turbo cars boost would drop at higher rpms. It should stay steady because the wastgate should let everything out after a certain amount of pressure(not airflow) if I understand correctly.
Thanks
Ben
Edit: I know that it is not directly the rpm that caused the boost to go up, it was the computer controling the wastegate but the turbo was still spinning fast enough to not cause an obstruction in the intake. The boost was still available when the wastgate was adjusted.
Thanks
Ben
Edit: I know that it is not directly the rpm that caused the boost to go up, it was the computer controling the wastegate but the turbo was still spinning fast enough to not cause an obstruction in the intake. The boost was still available when the wastgate was adjusted.
Last edited by Momar; Dec 24, 2001 at 11:05 AM.
Why not just use a gas powered one?
tap into the gas tank and run it to the blower and make a feed for 2 cycle additive to it and you are set... get atleast a 1 HP one.. other wise it will not do much help..
I saw atleast a 75 hp gain from doing it to my 455
EDIT: I almost forgot... for more of a punch adda 50 shot to the leaf blower.. you will not be dissapointed!
tap into the gas tank and run it to the blower and make a feed for 2 cycle additive to it and you are set... get atleast a 1 HP one.. other wise it will not do much help..
I saw atleast a 75 hp gain from doing it to my 455
EDIT: I almost forgot... for more of a punch adda 50 shot to the leaf blower.. you will not be dissapointed!
Last edited by PMD Power; Dec 24, 2001 at 12:10 PM.
Supreme Member
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Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,638
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From: Greenwood, Indiana
Car: 1984 Trans Am
Engine: Vortec 355
Transmission: TH-700R4
Axle/Gears: GM Axles and GM 3.73
hahaha you gotta check this out
goes alont great with this subject!!
http://www.bimmers.com/m3/hoax/index.html
goes alont great with this subject!!
http://www.bimmers.com/m3/hoax/index.html
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