I was looking on installuniversity.com's description of it and it sounds pretty easy. I wasn't sure if anybody was happy with doing it though.. Let me know your opinions. By the way, I'm talking about the mod where you take a dremel and cut out the 2 big pieces of plastic that are directly below your air filter. Thanks

 

many have done it and many are pleased with it..


I am not fond of hacking up my new car though...

 

I did it and am very happy with the results. Take your time and make it clean. Only thing is your air filter will get like 10x dirtier then if you didn't do this. I found out that the side toward the engine gets very dirty real fast, but the side away from the motor stays the same as if you didn't do the mod (this is understandable since the FRA mod is focused on that side). I just take my filter out about every 2 months flip the filter around, then after that side gets dirty, clean it (if you have a holly or K&N, mine is a K&N). If you keep the stock filter then it might cost more then you would want since you will be replacing the filter a lot more. Say about every 3 or 4 months.

 

Do it!!! Its worth it. Did Free Ram Air Modification when I bought Blaze One in 2000 with 560 miles on it. In addition, I added a K&N Filter (part no. 33-2118) at the same time and she kicks.

I instantly noticed the accelerator felt alot looser!!! In other words a bit more sensitive.

I find just after dusk is when you can really feel it. Perfect conditions include low moisture in the air, on a foggy night or just after a rain she might bog just a hair. Best time of day, IMHO, 2-3am in the morning, I can feel the nose suck down and shes hungry for that air and it pulls like a vacum cleaner.

On rainy days when its severe, you might be cautious about water although ive had no problems thus far. She currently has 46,000 miles and 2 filter cleans at 20,000 miles apart.

The key element here is colder air. Colder air is denser allowing more oxygen into the combustion chamber for a better explosion. Thus adding a few ponies around 15-20hp.

The radiator does not heat this air either. Ive driven about 200 miles and then put my hand on the radiator where the air is forced up and shes as cool as can be. Also pressurized air also aids in a more efficient combustion. The air forced against the radiator dam drives it with greater velocity into the intake. The Corvettes are based on this same principle.

Cutting the plastic above the radiator is no problem. However I would use a saw with a blade made for plastic when cutting the air filter plate or you might crack it in the process, also take a 1/8 inch drill and round out the corners of the cut so your fresh cut wont weaken the plate. If you screw up on either, they are both inexpensive replacement parts at dealer.

Hope this helps!!!

Blaze One
2000 Z28 Pewter A4
!FRA, K&N Filter, Mobil 1
http://www.blazeone.cz28.com

Check out the Southern California Camaro Connection, an organization of Camaro enthusiasts and hobbyists at:

http://www.southerncaliforniacamaroconnection.cz28.com

 

I didn't notice a "seat of the pants" difference. But it should make some kind of differece. And this mod will dirty your filter much faster as stated above.

 

I just did the fra mod to my 99TA I already had the whisper lid and K&N in there and figured why not give it a shot. After doing this mod it seems that the engine breaths alot deep than just with the lid. Only problem besides the dirt factor is when it is damp. The engine really bogs out at full throtle. But my input on this mod is a great idea and really helps the intake on what I like to call my own little rocket....

 

I did it and it took maybe 30 min. Pretty easy to do. I never noticed my filter getting much dirtier than normal. It does get damp on occasion but it dries quickly. I noticed a little bit more high end acceleration and a cool air sucking sound.