The Right Bellmouth Intake
Optimizing Airflow for Maximum Performance
Within intake manifold design, the bellmouth intake—also known as a velocity stack design—plays a crucial role in optimizing the airflow into the engine. Integrated Engineering is committed to engineering high-performance intake manifolds that maximize efficiency and power output.
Understanding Bellmouth Inlets: A Brief Intro
A bellmouth inlet is a precisely shaped, flared entrance to an intake runner. Its design is critical for ensuring smoother airflow transitions from the plenum into the runners, reducing turbulence and increasing overall efficiency. The effectiveness of a bellmouth depends largely on its shape and placement within the plenum.
Comparison of Bellmouth Designs
Through extensive Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations, IE has tested several velocity stack designs to determine the most efficient bell mouth shape for our intake manifolds.
1. Full Radius Bellmouth (Type A)
- Features an optimized curvature with a generous outer radius.
- Ensures the smoothest airflow transition and maximum efficiency.
- Used in all IE intake manifolds
2. Flush-Mounted Bellmouth (Type B)
- Retains the optimized inner curvature of a Type A.
- Installed flush with the plenum floor, which slightly restricts airflow.
3. Simple Radius Inlet (Type C)
- A basic bellmouth with a ½” radius at the lip where it meets the plenum.
- Common due to ease of fabrication but less efficient than the other designs.
CFD Simulation Insights
Our CFD studies reveal that the raised full radius bellmouth (Type A), provides the highest airflow efficiency. The flush-mounted bellmouth (Type B) also performs well but is slightly less efficient due to its placement. The simple radius inlet (Type C) shows the lowest performance, with approximately a 1% reduction in airflow, which can result in a loss of 4 to 5 horsepower in a turbocharged street engine.
Why the Raised Full Radius Bellmouth is Superior
The raised bellmouth inlet is the most effective choice because:
- It minimized low-pressure zones, preventing airflow restriction.
- It allows air to wrap around a larger radius, increasing velocity and efficiency.
- It maintains a uniform pressure distribution across the inlet, maximizing mass airflow.
Our Commitment to the Best Bellmouth Design
At IE, every intake manifold has a meticulously optimized bellmouth inlet. In applications where space constraints exist, a raised bellmouth design allows for longer runners within smaller spaces, enhancing performance without compromising on efficiency. However, it requires a sufficiently large plenum to function optimally, so the design is typically reserved for high-performance applications.
Integrated Engineering ensures our intake manifolds deliver superior airflow and power gains by focusing on advanced bellmouth intake engineering. Browse and shop our collection today to see how our dedication and commitment to making the VW and Audi cars we all love even better today.
FAQS
1. What is a bellmouth intake?
A bellmouth intake is a flared entryway into an intake runner that smooths airflow, reducing turbulence and increasing efficiency.
2. What is a bellmouth fitting?
A bellmouth fitting is a component with a rounded, flared opening designed to improve fluid or airflow efficiency in various applications.
3. What is the bell mouth in a pump?
In a pump, a bell mouth refers to a flared inlet that helps streamline the flow of liquid, reducing turbulence and improving suction.
4. What is the purpose of a bell mouth?
The primary purpose of a bellmouth is to ensure a smooth and efficient transition of air or fluid into a passage, minimizing energy losses and improving performance.