Rod Bower?s Air Induction System (with pics)

AX-O · #1 09-25-2009, 08:17 AM

All,
Just wanted to give you some feedback on the Rod Bower http://www.ramairforhomebuilts.com/contactus.htm. I contacted him and told him I was interested on fitting his system on my RV-4 (narrow deck IO-320). He said we could give it a try. I drove 3.5 hours to Visalia, CA to see him. I took my FM-100 fuel meter, my lower SJ cowling and my Superior cold air sump. I met Rod and a couple of his buds (good guys). We started looking at possibilities for the installation. Some of the existing parts he had would not work with my fuel meter. After unsuccessfully trying to find an air filter that would work without mods he decided the best thing to do would be to make an adapter. The adapter fits the current filter then reduces the ID to fit the fuel servo. We cut the cowling then he gave me 2 different units so I could play with them at home. BTW he did not take a dime. Then I drove 3.5 hours back home.

Yesterday, the adaptor showed up (he had to fabricate it). I fitted the system in about 4 hours (still have lots of glass work on the cowl). The only thing that did not go as plan was the bracket that holds the alternator. It was just a bit too long and kept the induction system from fitting nicely in its location. I called Rod and told him about it. He told me the same thing happen with his RV-8. So I carefully filled the alternator bracket. Here are some pics of the current installation. The system in these pictures is missing a couple of parts. I am really excited about this mod. I hope between the cold air sump and this induction system, I get better performance. I am trying to figure out how far forward to mount the intake ring. I think if I move it flush with the front of the cowling, I will get better MP. Figure that out later.

AX-O · #2 09-25-2009, 08:21 AM

More pics.

Don at Airflow · #3 09-25-2009, 09:14 AM

Need to put a radius on the tube that sticks out from the cowl. 1/4-1/2 inch radius will do. You will get a lot of loss and turbulence with the sharp edge of the tube.

Don

AX-O · #4 09-25-2009, 09:44 AM

Don,
The tube is there only to hold the scoop in the correct location in relation to your fuel meter. That way I can move the scoop forward or aft and know that I am lined up. The connection from the scoop to the fuel meter will be made out of wet suit material. An aluminum ring (with radius) will be attached to the front of the scoop. Thanks for telling us about the potential for losses.

Do you know what would work best? Leaving the scoop were it is in the picture or moving the scoop forward so it will be flush with the front of the cowling.

Thanks for any help or guidance.

Mike S · #5 09-25-2009, 11:57 AM

Axel, looks good, and just a little bit familiar

AX-O · #6 09-25-2009, 12:39 PM

Thanks for the gouge Mike.

yakdriver · #7 09-25-2009, 04:38 PM

Axle, I put Rod's system on my 7 and I have the intake lip about 1/2" back from the front of the cowl. I get 1 3/4" more MAP from filtered to ram air. I adapted his 8 intake scoop to my 7 and it was not all that much work with great results. Don

AX-O · #8 09-25-2009, 09:31 PM

Thanks Don, This one came from an RV-6.