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Adding ram-air to the TRX?
Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2009 2:09 am
by redkiwi
I've searched but can't find any threads specifically about this.
Who has experimented with adding ram-air to their TRX? If you have could you please post pics of how you went about doing so? I've got a few ideas going through my head but as all my previous 'big' bikes came with a ram-air system as standard I haven't had to play with routing tubes or finding a setup with good airflowl!
Re: Adding ram-air to the TRX?
Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2009 3:07 am
by cobbadiggabuddyblooo
FCR's and bellmouths and a good airFilter(some pefer the ramair style singe sock as I have or individual sox over each bellmouth) over the top I'm sure you"llfind maybe it will find all the air it will need ... Maybe the Ram air Style system was more suited for 4 cylinder where the 2 inner carbbies may have been starved for air possibly ... Just as an edjumicated guess

Correct me if I'm wrong tho

Just incase your not aware ramair is also a brand name for foam filter socks as to the ones I am refering to...
Re: Adding ram-air to the TRX?
Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2009 3:58 am
by redkiwi
Haha, yeah I noticed that in my search when it kept returning posts talking about air filters.
I've heard that some bikes are getting up to 8hp increase with ram-air increase at high speed. Not really neccesary I know, but still cool to have

And if there is already a bit of an air intake at the front then why not put it to use!!!
Re: Adding ram-air to the TRX?
Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2009 4:24 am
by cobbadiggabuddyblooo
There is ultimately a length you can tune you bellmouths too. they don't increase your horsepower as such but moreso tune the torque of the motor so when it's pulling around that 4,000rpm mark ultimately the air flow is working in harmony and less turbulance or swirl... I'm sure I disscussed this with killer maybe a few mths ago... but then my memory...mmmmm what site is this again... wheres the blonde chick again... OH wrong site hang on ...

Re: Adding ram-air to the TRX?
Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2009 6:11 am
by Kayla
I suppose if you made up some kind of fibreglass effort to cover the top of the engine and enclose the carbs, using the underside of the tank as the top of the airbox (you'd need to seal the tank against the fibreglass) you could get something going on, even if it was just a larger airbox. It'd probably sound quite cool too when it ran. I think I might be having some kind of idea here...
Re: Adding ram-air to the TRX?
Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2009 8:09 am
by Quan-Time
CVs dont really like ram air, FCRs however would benefit ever so slightly.
A decent free flowing system is plenty for what the TRX is. "ramair" is inherently hard to tune, and even harder to "prove" the HP benefit claimed. I too would like to see someone attempt this.. Dunno the best way, but could prove to have some interesting results.
Re: Adding ram-air to the TRX?
Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2009 8:17 am
by phuk72
proper ram air systems involve a crap load more than just forcing air into the airbox
it's all about creating constant pressure and is very hard to achieve - the more sucessful version involve putting the carbs in the airbox
as QT says, very hard to tune as it is tricky to simulate on a dyno
Re: Adding ram-air to the TRX?
Posted: Tue Sep 22, 2009 4:04 pm
by HansJ
I've been pondering on this, thinking of building a big "open" airbox, more like a tub with the carbs in it, and the airbox should seal against the tank, i.e. using the tank as ceiling. I've not come any closer than thinking so far, but the winter is long (usually ends up with washing the bike in April; "What, spring already?" )
Re: Adding ram-air to the TRX?
Posted: Thu Sep 24, 2009 12:55 am
by bazzee
In the past I have experienced momentary power lapses when touring at speed, where a gust of wind or sudden change of wind direction seems to have left the engine gasping for air. I imagine that a ram-air intake would help eliminate this sort of effect, which may be a better result than any slight amount of supercharging. The fairing has a scoop under the headlight which appears to be intended as an engine intake but of course there is no ducting to the airbox. I suppose it could be done but frankly it's beyond my resources.
bazzee
Re: Adding ram-air to the TRX?
Posted: Thu Sep 24, 2009 1:09 am
by cobbadiggabuddyblooo
What sort of carb's and intake system are you currently running to give you this grief as such Bazzee..
Re: Adding ram-air to the TRX?
Posted: Thu Sep 24, 2009 1:30 am
by bazzee
Cobba,
My set-up is pretty much standard, the only changes are the air filter (K&N, might have to clean out the dust this weekend) and Staintune mufflers.
Mind you I haven't actually done much 'touring-at-speed' lately, having children tends to mean that you need to tour in a car in order to carry all the required paraphernalia.
bazzee
Re: Adding ram-air to the TRX?
Posted: Thu Sep 24, 2009 6:41 am
by cobbadiggabuddyblooo
Where the vaccum carbbies designed to work on the still air principal as such so a air box was therefore paramount in delivering this.. I'm sure one of the brains out there may be able to clarify this if wrong..as noticed some have fitted pod filters to std carbs...maybe this is one of the trade offs...
Re: Adding ram-air to the TRX?
Posted: Thu Sep 24, 2009 6:48 am
by cobbadiggabuddyblooo
Re: Adding ram-air to the TRX?
Posted: Thu Sep 24, 2009 12:42 pm
by Quan-Time
Mikuni do indeed prefer "still" air method. But im sure with some playing, you could tune them for more air flow.
There are some people on this forum who have experimented with drilling holes in the airbox for more flow. But i hear it provides a "dead" spot. Anyone care to comment about it ?
Re: Adding ram-air to the TRX?
Posted: Thu Sep 24, 2009 1:36 pm
by bazzee
Cobba,
yes, it's a K&N replacement for the standard filter, NOT pods. Didn't think of that interpretation.
I thought that the air box was important in providing the carburettors with a regular, consistent supply of air. Just using pods under the tank would result in all sorts of turbulent airflow affecting the carbies. But even the air box benefits from a consistent supply of air, which is where a ram intake would help (well that's my theory!)
bazzee