After many, many months of talking I finally sealed the deal on what is probably the last (and maybe only) NOS T-Ram intake around. I searched for years and finally found the one that was supposed to be with the IMSA Firehawk. He still had it setting on a shelf and unfortunately he knew what he had. It's perfect with all gaskets and the original "installation kit."

The coolest part is the 10 page instruction manual, complete with hand sketched drawings.

I don't really need 2 of them now so I might be interested in selling the other unit.









SLP Cutaway Display T-Ram Intake, NOS Firehawk only bellhousing, extremely nice used T-Ram and NOS T-Ram.

 

Uh about the other T-Ram.. I WILL be calling you sooooooon !!!

 

to satisfy curiosity, would you be willing to share the price range of the nice used condition and NOS t-ram? that's a nice collection of rare parts. I wonder where the tooling is for making them. That would be a hell of a find.

 

I just read your sig. You have some rare and expensive taste. Where do you find all these 1LE cars? Especially the Trans Ams??

 

Have I ever told you that I hate you Greg?
Ok that's just the jealousy talking, Congrats on an awesome find! Also curios to see what the price range was on an NOS piece.
Mark

 

The guy bought the NOS unit for $400 about 10 years ago. This is the unit that originally came with the IMSA Firehawk when it first was sold to the public. (the only true NOS unit that I knew still existed)

The guy was fair on the price because he felt it should go with the collection and the car it originally came with. He knew what he had and it was still pretty freakin' expensive. Esp when money is tight!

I dunno, what do you guys think it's worth? (not that I care....I just think it's pretty kool and unique.)

 

I don't know why no one has reproduced the T-Ram....

wouldn't SLP have the plans for it---or just reverse engineer it....another company could sell it under liscense...

 

It's big, bulky and doesn't flow as good as the mini-ram. It'd be much cheaper to swap in a LSx engine and go fast (plus get gas mileage) vs tryting to recreate a firehawk. Also, there are a ton of parts on those intakes and I've got to think it would be super expensive to recreate?

 

and to add, since the original molds were destroyed when the plant burned, I guess SLP figured it wasn't worth having them made again, or that they couldn't get a set of molds that were exactly the same as the originals.

 

oh wow, what plant burned?

 

Toms River NJ. Burned...

Actually Ed Hamburger still had an original unused NOS unit when I went to look at #1 and #26 back in 1999...

I guess he would not part with it either.

John

 

I have a source to have these repo'd, just because I think they are neet..
I have talked to a guy about doing some in magnesium and another guy about doing some in the same type of plastic/nylon that is used on LS1 stuff..
Yeah I know, Im the coolest..

 

Actually I think they could have gotten better power if they would have designed the intake without all of the bends that the air has to take. They look awesome so do not get me wrong, I would put one on my car if I had one. But the flow is all wrong. Ultimately it worked well, but it could have been better.

Personally I would really like to see a LS1 type intake for our the Gen 1 Engines... Nice slow curved airflow, straight shot into the cylinder...



John

 

WOW, $400 the prev owner paid for it! I think that was a big steal! I know a guy that has a used one and he was asking $2K for it, but he is a little uniformed also.

Hey I might be missing a part here and sorry to hijack the thread Greg, but when did Toms River burn? Somehow I never heard of this?

 

It was back in the 90s I believe...not sure exactly when though.

Man...I'd love to have one of those T-Rams. I don't care if they don't flow well or not. They just look cool and would garner some attention when the hood is up.

 

For some reason November of 93 sticks in my head for the fire. Most of the 92 stuff was lost if it wasn't already shipped to Summit Racing.

 

I just don't get all the knocks on the T-Ram.

It killed the factory TPI. It was good enough to make 350hp and 390lbs-ft <------thats a huge number for 5.7L!

Passed emissions and GM did sign off on the car I would think.

Could it be better? I guess----but I would still take a T-Ram over anything else

 

A super ram would do the same thing.....

 

In my opinion the T-Ram is one of the coolest intakes to ever come out of the big three. It's unique, somewhat complicated and cutting edge for the day. IMO it's right next to the cross ram 1969 Z28 intake.

Most people don't care about cool they care about performance. From a performance only standpoint there are a few choices that are more cost effective and produce just as good, if not better flow numbers for third gen fuel injected cars. That's all I'm saying. However, I am aware of no better intake that could be ordered on a car directly from the dealership as new.

 

I have to agree that the air flow takes a pretty torturous path through the T-Ram. I'm not sure one would want to modify one considering what they are selling for but after studying the pictures it looks like one could shorten the air path quite abit and substantially increase the performance.

 

Like I said, "They look awesome so do not get me wrong, I would put one on my car if I had one."

I would love to get one and put it on a car... Yes I would actually use it.

John

 

I would set it on a restored motor for awhile. Then Im sure I would have to try it out some day..

 

The Plant did burn but I believe they rebuilt it. I am friends with a guy who has an SLP equipped and modded 2002 Collectors Edition TA. Has 424 HP at the crank and is the fastest car I've ever ridden in to date. He said that SLP still makes stuff for the third gen cars in Toms River, NJ. I haven't been down to Toms River in a while but if I go down there I will check it out.

 

is there anything badass thirdgen wise that t-owner doesn't own lol props on another T-Ram

 

Just an FYI, ASC did the Collectors edition cars in 2002, and the WS6 cars from 1998 - 2002. I assume that he has some SLP equipment added to the Collector edition???

T_toner has the best collection of 3rd gens IMHO. He should open a museum and then charge people to look at his collection. . Then he could write off all of his cars... Not sure how all of that works, but it is worth a shot

John

 

Yea thats what I meant. He has a Collectors edition TA that was either sent to SLP for work or he ordered parts and did the work himself. Sorry if it wasn't clear. I don't know how much they still make for third gens though. I was thinking of getting an exhaust system from them......maybe.

Anyway I agree with you on that collection. Now he needs to add the anniversary and Recaro cars and hes got one that we would probably all kill for.

 

Thanks John, that's humbling. I never started out with that goal in mind. They were just cars I always loved.

I'd love to build a museum. I've thought about it many times and even have a piece of land I'd love to have that would be perfect for just that. Admission would be free, esp if all you guys would help pull it together!

 

I would volunteer to help out if I can. Go for it! However....I think Leno thought about that as well and I think there are public safety laws and etc that you will have to deal with if you do that. Just a thought.

 

do you still have the firehawk bellhousing ? if so do you want to sell?

 

Yes, I still have it but it's the only spare I have. About the only way I'd sale is if somone had a Firehawk and needed one for the car. Sorry. Are you doing a ZF swap? .....T56 would be cheaper and easier.

 

yes i wanted to do a zf swap. but still if you want to sell i a game.

 

I doubt you'd be game if you knew what I paid for that NOS piece......

 

well how about you email me a number or your own email then maybe we can talk? heres my email ds-z-4ever@sbcglobal.net

 

I have 4 third gen's w/ the ZF 6 speed and I really need to keep it. I'll keep looking for that contact whom may have an extra laying around. You have my contact info. Feel free to give me a holler!

Thanks,
Greg