Cold Air intake

[OrrieG]

Remember that an engine is just an air pump, it will only move so much volume of air, 350 cubic inches per rotation in your case. If that air is denser or compressed before it gets to the carb (blowers and compressors) then you get more oxygen and power per cubic inch. That is why bigger carbs do not automatically make bigger HP, all you are doing is increasing the fuel to air ratio, anything over the most efficeint is just wasted. Fuel metering devices (carbs, injection) just add more fuel as the speed and volume per minute increases. Ramming air down the carb only works if everything else is set up to take it, metering system, intake, valves, cam and exhaust system. As you mess with air volume, you also will end up messing with the carb metering valves or injection system to avoid leaning out the mixture too much, which can lead to burned valves and bad things happening in the combustion chamber.

On my desk I have a piston from a 2004 Vette trying to hit 200 mph in the Silver City Classic Road race. He got to about 190 then nailed throttle thru the time trap to get to 200. Something when wrong with the computer, it leaned out the mixture which cause instaneous piston meltdown. Engine seized, back tires locked up for a few seconds until he got the clutch in, but he coasted to a stop ok except for soiled undies. The year before he had blown a back tire that blew off the complete body from the rear fender wells back. I was offered a ride in the passenger seat year three and declined, did not like the odds. My employee connection to the guy left me and I have never asked if he got the 200 mph patch.