Stay way far away from Ram Flo or any other foam based filters. As the
foam ages it starts to breakdown into small abrasive particles. These
particles get sucked down into the engine and I am sure you can see the
problems with that. Additionaly, unlike the Pipercross or ITG type
airfilters which flow well when new and clean, the Ram Flow filters flow
is marginal at best and even when clean presents a restriction. Due to
the way foam filtration works, as the filter gets dirty, air flow is
reduced, so even a if your foam filter flows OK when clean it will
present an ever increasing restriction as it gets dirty. It is
also too close to the throat of the carb and creates turbulence in the
carb. The proximity of the filter medium to the carb throat
has another downside. The filter medium gets wetted by the fuel fog
standing off the carb (caused by flow reversal at low RPM's and large
throttle openings primarily). If the car backfires through the carb (this
is not all that uncommon) the flame front will ignite the gas soaked foam
and as the foam burns the charred remains will get sucked into the
engine. Even if the flame goes out instantly the foam will still be
damaged and you won't even know about it. At best the damage will reduce
the filter's ability to flow air, causing you car to run rich. At worst
the fire damage will cause the foam to breakdown more rapidly than normal
which will lead to the above mentioned abrasive particles getting sucked
into the engine. Be smart use a K&N filter. And remeber you must use air
horns of some sort on the carb(s), a full radius shape is best. If the
filter you are going to use won't let you use air horns you shouldn't use
that filter. There are good horns that will work with filters as short as
1.75" thick.
Marc Sayer
Performance Engineering
1070 W. 2nd Ave.
Eugene OR 97402
(503) 484-0904 Fax 746-0863
msayer@efn.org
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