I'm Doing The Free Ram Air Mod Right Now On A '98 Ss. Installuniversity Says To Cut The Second Baffle (the One That Hangs Down In Front Of The Radiator And Condenser), But I'm Wondering Why I Shouldn't Just Remove The Whole Baffle. I Don't Think It's Actually Protecting Anything, As The Whole Front End Of The Car Is There. Thanks Guys.

 

That piece is there for a reason. I don't remember off the top of my head what it is exactly, but they wouldn't have put it there if it didn't serve a purpose (maybe to provide support for something or a spot to mount something). I cut mine and didn't worry about it too much because it shouldn't be too much trouble getting a new one if you wanted to. That's my 2 cents.

 

Thanx for the input. Isn't all of the stuff we remove/modify on our cars there for a reason?

 

That plastic panel is there to help guide air through the radiator. Removing it could hurt cooling performance. I just cut a 1" by 12" or so slot in the top with tin snips. However, I'd not do the free ram air mod again (if I could do it over). I'm getting water in my mass air meter and mud is caked into my K&N filter so badly, I'm thinking of replacing it (it won't come clean). So, I'm not so sure it is really a good idea. I've been considering ways to return mine to stock or to install a baffle to divert the mud, dirt and water that is going through my filter.

Just my experience.

Have fun!

 

Where do you live? On a dead end gravel road off of a gravel road? Or a swamp. Never got any mud or water in mine.

 

Columbus, OH. Most refer to it as the "city".

I don't know why I am seeing water in the intake, mass air meter, etc. But, I am. And, that water is packing my K&N with "road dirt" a greasy nasty goop that is caked into the screen badly enough that it won't come out. My car is lowered and I'm guessing that is helping me pick up road spray and forcing it through the filter.

Beats me, just what I've seen personally, and I didn't cut nearly as much out of there as most people have.

 

I don't plan on doing the FRA mod on my SS. Heard of too many cases of people getting a bunch of water and dirt in the air filter much less the MAF, and at this point that is not something I want to take chances on over maybe 5hp.

Jason

 

I made a filler panal for mine, it's out of tin, it's the width of the air box and about 6" deep, I curled the front edge down so it grasps the front edge of the metal before the air box.
Bad discription, but it sorta bridges the gap that I cut and the front edge that is bent keeps it from sliding anywheres. it's been theri for 2 years now and no complaints.

 

I removed that plastic piece and have had NO cooling problems. I'm sure it gets much hotter here in Texas than it does up north too. I have also had no issues with water in my MAF and mud on my filter.

 

I did the mod but left the stock filter in. I thought it may be harder for water to work its way through the stock style filter.

 

Nope, its harder for it to get through something that is oiled over paper.

 

You can buy a new filter bed that already has the bottom out of it... forget who makes it.

 

I did the same thing . I gained 3 tenths on the quarter when I did this " 109 " With everything else being stock .

You wont regret this . I live on a country road" mass dirt and stuff " never ever had one cooling problem or water in anything and Parts of my roads flood .