Tunnel Ram

[Bryce]

I want to use a Weiand tunnel ram with twin Holley four barrels on an otherwise TRaKable build - OK or not?

[zenrat]

Dunno Bryce. It doesn't feel right. More of a 70's vibe.
I had a quick squizz at the Weiand website but they don't go into their history that much.

[russb]

They were around by late '60s, I believe. Cross rams came a little bit earlier, maybe mid sixties.

[Bryce]

Thanks Russ - the info I have found suggests the same. The following came from "The Phil Weiand Story" here: www.nitrogeezers.com/Legends%20-%20Phil%20Weiand.htm

"Phil’s ground-breaking “ram” technology blossomed in the ‘60s, as the latest offerings from Detroit benefited from Weiand’s Hi-Rams. Many of the top runners in the then-new Pro Stock class, from Bill “Grumpy” Jenkins on down, made good use of Weiand manifolds."

So what's the verdict? Yay or nay...?

[RodBurNeR]

This is something I can't really put a peg on. If you find that the info works for this place, feel free!

[Bernard Kron]

Just my 2 bits on something like this. On a timeline the technology qualifies. On the other hand it depends on the context. This stuff was real new in the mid-late 60's and almost exclusively used on competition cars and not in the street/custom/hot rod world. So if someone were to build an early 60's style open-wheeled hot rod, for example, and used this carburetion setup it would be kinda weird, the trickle down to the street and show world not have begun until into the 70's, most likely (hence Bob's comment). But then again I'm kind of a purist when it comes to the holistic thing and have trouble stepping away into a more fantasy-based "traditional" build style...

[ChrisV]

Couldn't have said it better myself, Bernard.

To me a turnnel-ram intake screams Street Machine/Street Rod, and just doesn't look "right" on a otherwise traditional Rod.

[reedeezel]

I worked in a speed shop in the late '60s, and don't recall seeing a tunnel ram manifold in the shop. As for race cars, a tunnel ram may have been the "hot setup" for carbureted classes, but where fuel injection was legal (gassers, altereds, junior dragsters) the old mechanical f.i. units were king.
There was still a great variety of induction setups available in the '60s, including the cross-ram type dual four barrel manifolds made by many different manufacturers for a variety of engines, which provided admirable performance without the need for a tall, boxy hood scoop. It shouldn't be hard to come up with an interesting carb/manifold setup that meets TRAK standards.

[Bryce]

So what you're all saying is that although I could probably mount a successful argument based on lineage, it would not really be within the spirit of the place. OK - I guess I'll have to keep the hood closed!

[Deleted]

This car ran in '59-60. Possibly the first tunnel ram?

The Ramchargers High and Mighty

[zenrat]

I've always loved the fact that High & Mighty was built with absolutely no thoughts about looking good...

[Deleted]

Oct 3, 2010 2:49:57 GMT -5 zenrat said:

I've always loved the fact that High & Mighty was built with absolutely no thoughts about looking good...

Exactly...purely an engineering test bed.