Why did GM Bend the Air Intake Path?

libertyforall · 12-02-2015, 07:02 PM

I would really love to hear from GM's engineers, why they did not replicate the straight in air path from the 4th Gen Camaro in the 6th Gen and instead bend the airway? Seems like a bad choice. It's the first thing I think of when I see the 6th Gen's engine bay...

DenverTaco07 · 12-02-2015, 07:12 PM

Not concerned.

Bhobbs · 12-02-2015, 07:22 PM

The 4th generation pulled air over the radiator to its air box. I'm sure this set up offers cooler air to the engine.

13vertss · 12-02-2015, 07:30 PM

Cooler air = more power. You will get to much hot air coming straight on from radiator, especially when running hard.

TLSTWIN · 12-02-2015, 07:32 PM

The 5th gen was the same way.

Vararam used to make an aftermarket intake like this called a "ram air" intake.

bhavyas · 12-02-2015, 07:42 PM

A straighter route would have reduced the path and helped get the air inside faster, however it would have been hotter. A slightly larger path helps in cooling the air before it reaches the intake manifold... So I think its a trade off... am i right ?

vtirocz · 12-02-2015, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by libertyforall

I would really love to hear from GM's engineers, why they did not replicate the straight in air path from the 4th Gen Camaro in the 6th Gen and instead bend the airway? Seems like a bad choice. It's the first thing I think of when I see the 6th Gen's engine bay...

I think they did this for the following reasons:

1. To maximize heat exchanger effectiveness up front - putting an airbox up front would mean they may need to compromise on the cooling package.
2. The area they put it allows for a large air filter / airbox (with presumably low dP vs. flow)

I suspect the flow vs. dP curve for the 6th gen setup looks more favorable than the 4th gen camaro setup, where all air comes through a relatively small slit under the lid. I have no data to back up this statement though!

LesserO2Evils · 12-02-2015, 10:41 PM

The 4th Gen was a "bottom feeder". It got most of its air from UNDER the car. I dont really see that mode of induction feasible in this new setup; however, I am with you in that seeing an indirect, side-mount intake system like this just feels somehow "wrong" to me. Lol. Old habits, I guess.

Merc · 12-03-2015, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TLSTWIN

The 5th gen was the same way.

Vararam used to make an aftermarket intake like this called a "ram air" intake.

Vararam still does and if you do the research there are a lot of fast cars on the C5 fast list's that run the Vararam.

fastball · 12-03-2015, 08:15 AM

Starting with the TPI 305 and 350 engines in the mid 1980s, GM used a straight air intake tube because, frankly, there was enough room under the hood on the 3rd and 4th gen F-body platform to do so. If you look at the 5th and 6th gens, there is no way you can run a straight tube.

If you recall, the engine sat way back in that chassis. The back of the engine was under the dashboard:

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Waiting46 · 12-03-2015, 08:22 AM

engines are just fancy air pumps. doesn't matter where the air comes from, the only loss in power would be if the tube feeding the engine flexed/collapsed (restricting air flow) turbulent vs smooth air doesn't make a whole lot of difference, it all becomes turbulent once it hits the filter; and "ram-air" doesn't actually compress the air at all

SS 1LE · 12-03-2015, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fastball

If you recall, the engine sat way back in that chassis. The back of the engine was under the dashboard:

Attachment 759330

Actually the engine wasn't really back further, the huge windshield just covered part of the engine and the strut towers were further forward. The 4th gen platform was nearly the same as the 3rd gen.

BigEnos · 12-03-2015, 10:07 AM

LT1 4th gens had a long curved path from the airbox. It was horribly compromised, though, unlike the 6th gen car. The coolest place to pull air from is probably the fender or underneath which is why OEMs like to do this. That air doesn't care whether it has to make a sub 90* corner to go through the throttle body. I bet you could pull more than 600hp through that intake before it became a restriction.

EDIT: Should have said two sub 90* corners.

LionMaro · 12-03-2015, 11:42 AM

I believe European pedestrian regulations come into play as well. Bringing the air intake over the tie bar/front end module would not leave enough crush space under the hood to absorb the energy from the pedestrian test.

12-02-2015, 07:02 PM	#1
libertyforall Drives: '01 Camaro SS 'Vert; '02 Camaro RS Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: IL Posts: 363	Why did GM Bend the Air Intake Path? I would really love to hear from GM's engineers, why they did not replicate the straight in air path from the 4th Gen Camaro in the 6th Gen and instead bend the airway? Seems like a bad choice. It's the first thing I think of when I see the 6th Gen's engine bay... __________________

12-02-2015, 07:12 PM	#2
DenverTaco07 Drives: 2017 SS 1LE, 2017 Volt, 2013 Pilot Join Date: May 2014 Location: Colorado Posts: 4,274	Not concerned. __________________ 2017 SS 1LE \| HBM \| Vortech V3-Si supercharger (620RWHP and 575ft lbs) \| PDR \| Black Bowties \| Illuminated Front Black Bowtie \| Illuminated Door Sills \| Smoked Tails \| vented seats mod

12-02-2015, 07:22 PM	#3
Bhobbs Drives: 2015 SS 1LE Red Hot, 1970 Chevelle Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Chino, CA Posts: 6,989	The 4th generation pulled air over the radiator to its air box. I'm sure this set up offers cooler air to the engine. __________________

12-02-2015, 07:32 PM	#5
TLSTWIN Romans10:9-13 Drives: /\yes, this is me/\ Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Vermilion, Ohio Posts: 4,435	The 5th gen was the same way. Vararam used to make an aftermarket intake like this called a "ram air" intake. __________________

12-02-2015, 10:41 PM	#8
LesserO2Evils GM repeat offender... Drives: 16 2SS Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Grandview, Texas Posts: 1,474	The 4th Gen was a "bottom feeder". It got most of its air from UNDER the car. I dont really see that mode of induction feasible in this new setup; however, I am with you in that seeing an indirect, side-mount intake system like this just feels somehow "wrong" to me. Lol. Old habits, I guess. __________________ '16 2SS, Summit White. A8. MRC. NPP. Ordered:09/03/15. Received 12/22/15 INCOMING: ‘22 ZL1, Satin Steel. A10. PDR. Ordered: 03/02/22.

12-02-2015, 07:30 PM	#4
13vertss Drives: 2013 Camaro convertible 2SS/RS Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Southern NH Posts: 1,077	Cooler air = more power. You will get to much hot air coming straight on from radiator, especially when running hard.

12-02-2015, 07:42 PM	#6
bhavyas Drives: 2016 1SS Yellow Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: CA Posts: 629	A straighter route would have reduced the path and helped get the air inside faster, however it would have been hotter. A slightly larger path helps in cooling the air before it reaches the intake manifold... So I think its a trade off... am i right ?

12-03-2015, 08:15 AM	#10
fastball Banned Drives: 2017 Camaro 2SS 6MT Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 4,372	Starting with the TPI 305 and 350 engines in the mid 1980s, GM used a straight air intake tube because, frankly, there was enough room under the hood on the 3rd and 4th gen F-body platform to do so. If you look at the 5th and 6th gens, there is no way you can run a straight tube. If you recall, the engine sat way back in that chassis. The back of the engine was under the dashboard:

12-03-2015, 08:22 AM	#11
Waiting46 Drives: 1981 silver corvette,Hyper Blue 2SS Join Date: May 2015 Location: Ohio Posts: 625	engines are just fancy air pumps. doesn't matter where the air comes from, the only loss in power would be if the tube feeding the engine flexed/collapsed (restricting air flow) turbulent vs smooth air doesn't make a whole lot of difference, it all becomes turbulent once it hits the filter; and "ram-air" doesn't actually compress the air at all

12-03-2015, 10:07 AM	#13
BigEnos Planning stages... Drives: 1995 Z28,2014 Ford Focus ST Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 160	LT1 4th gens had a long curved path from the airbox. It was horribly compromised, though, unlike the 6th gen car. The coolest place to pull air from is probably the fender or underneath which is why OEMs like to do this. That air doesn't care whether it has to make a sub 90* corner to go through the throttle body. I bet you could pull more than 600hp through that intake before it became a restriction. EDIT: Should have said two sub 90* corners.

12-03-2015, 11:42 AM	#14
LionMaro Drives: 2011 Silver Ice 1SS Camaro Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Shelby Twp, MI Posts: 85 View My Garage	I believe European pedestrian regulations come into play as well. Bringing the air intake over the tie bar/front end module would not leave enough crush space under the hood to absorb the energy from the pedestrian test.

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