From: RicArgente@cs.com
Message-ID: <a.1798966.25f7c130@cs.com>
Date: Wed, 8 Mar 2000 09:44:00 EST
Subject: RAM Air: Every Inch Counts!
To: lancair.list@olsusa.com
Mime-Version: 1.0

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As a wise old man once said, "The male species has one thing in common with 
Lancairs, Every Inch Counts!". <G>

Hi Folks,

If you remember, last month I was experiencing a LOSS of half-an-inch of MP 
whenever I pushed to open my RAM air valve, which also closed the filtered 
air source, prompting Clark Baker to call me 'Wrong-Way' Rick.    In looking 
at Clark Baker's pictures and Hollis Helm's set-up, both of which uses the 
AirFlow Performance RAM air setup, I decided to duplicate their setup.  
AirFlow performance graciously sent me an old unit for test fitting but 
unfortunately it was way too big.  No choice here but to fabricate my own.  I 
purchased some 3-inch dia cylindrical Styrofoam and a cone-shaped one with a 
4-inch base from the local art supply store.  Cut, glued, and taped the 
pieces together.  I increased the size of the lower cowling intake hole to 3 
inches and fabricated a 1-inch lip.  I then cut the existing air box (from 
Lancair) to size and made a RAM air unit out of fiberglass (pictures to 
follow soon).    Also made a butterfly valve to open and close the RAM air 
intake, but leaving the filtered air always open.  I tried this setup 
yesterday and here are the initial results: 

Constant Values:
Alt Setting: 29.9 In Hg,  MSL Alt = 8,500 ft, Den Alt = 9,983 ft,  OAT = 
11-Deg C

RAM Air Close: 
MP = 21.40,  2,500 RPM,  IAS = 161 Knots, TAS = 187 Knots    

RAM Air Open:
MP = 23.10,  MP Delta = 6.8", MP Gain = 1.7", 2,500 RPM,  IAS = 170 Knots, 
TAS = 197.20 Knots
MP = 22.90,  MP Delta = 7.0", MP Gain = 1.5", 2,580 RPM,  IAS = 175 Knots, 
TAS = 203.00 Knots (Yipeee!!!)
MP = 22.70,  MP Delta = 7.2", MP Gain = 1.3", 2,500 RPM,  IAS = 168 Knots, 
TAS = 195.60 Knots (Butterfly valve partially closed)

Average GPS Ground Speed (westbound/east bound Average) = 201.5 Knots 
(Yipeee!!!)

At 8,500 ft, 29.9" Alt setting,  the MP should be around 21.4".   MP with RAM 
Air boost resulted in a  gain of between  1.3" to 1.7".  

Not bad at all, I guess it works, many thanks to all that contributed to this 
endeavor.

More test to follow next month at varying altitudes and settings but for now 
N360ZR goes to the paint shop this weekend.  

BTW, the TK5 shock absorbers was an absolute joy to ride on!  So far, only 
had three landings on them and I didn't hear the airframe complain once.  

Remember, Every Inch Counts!!

Rick Argente
N360ZR

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