Guinns Engineering
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Cross Ram Show at the 2006 Camaro Nationals sponsored by Rick's First Generation Camaro

Unprecedented Cross Ram Show Receives Accolades From Camaro Enthusiasts

Carlisle, PA.  - June 23-24, 2006

    The First Annual Cross Ram Show and Lecture Series presented by Rick's First Generation Camaro and Guinn's Engineering was held at the Camaro Nationals - June 23rd and 24th in Carlisle, PA. The show took place under the massive Rick's First Generation Camaro tent where five very special cross ram equipped cars and ten of the most historically significant Cross Ram Manifolds in existence were assembled for the show. 

Rick's First Generation tent was the place to be at the Camaro Nationals - Carlisle 2006

    Immediately outside the tent were several other Cross Ram equipped cars belonging to Matt Murphy, Larry Christensen, and Jeff Miller, each of which were absolutely top flight. The sum of it all contributed to an occasion where the greatest amount of Cross Ram equipped cars and Cross Ram manifold assemblies have ever been gathered in one place at one time.  It was a Camaro Enthusiast's dream come true to be in the company of it all.

 Jeff Miller's 1969 Z/28 Cross Ram Equipped Camaro

    Cross Ram manifold assemblies were lined up on the dais ahead of the speakers in an stunning array that was simply overpowering in it's presence. The collection spanned from the first working prototypes to the most recent reproduction and included components used in competition by Roger Penske, Smokey Yunick, Johnny Moore and Joie Chitwood along with a modified Chevrolet unit altered by Victor Edelbrock which he used for the basis of his STR-10 design. 

An All-star Cross Ram Display

    The two day lecture series featured speakers, Jerry Thompson, the ex-Chevrolet Engineer responsible for bringing the Cross Ram to life, Wayne D. Guinn, author of Camaro Untold Secrets and Rocco Copozzi, Flow Dynamics Specialist. The scope of the discussion covered the development and functionality of the Cross Ram in conjunction with the 302 Z/28 engine. The goal of lecture was to provide the enthusiast with an enhanced  understanding of the history, development and practical application of the special intake system and to make visible the key Chevrolet Engineers responsible for the Cross Ram's existence.   

Chevrolet Engineer Jerry Thompson Engaging the Crowd

    On the second day of the series, Jerry Thompson delivered a masterful, fact filled, chronological dissertation in his most entertaining and unmatched style. Delivering several key, previously unpublished facts that had the enthusiast filled audience riveted to their seats. Jerry put the Cross Ram into perspective by bringing the audience through a comprehensive historical overview of the Z/28 leading up to the need for the specialized equipment in the SCCA Trans-Am series. 

    Some of the most interesting aspects of development came to light when he addressed the Cross Ram concept and how he fabricated the very first test manifold. Jerry delighted everyone with an enlarged photograph on a 2 X 3 foot poster board of the actual test manifold. This would mark the first time it had seen light in almost 40 years and the first time it was revealed publicly. It quickly became one of the highlights of the show as he pointed out the details regarding it's amazing construction.

Jerry Speaks to the First Test Manifold 

    The dyno numbers generated from the results of the first test manifold were crunched retrospectively on day one of the seminar by Rocco Capozzi, a Flow Dynamics Specialist. Rocco brought the audience up to speed on the topic of volumetric efficiency, CFM and tuning intricacies as they related to the flow of the initial test design as well as the final production Cross Ram. 

Rocco Copozzi crunching the numbers as they relate to the first tests

    The first day's lecture featured a "Cross Ram Lab" conducted by Wayne D. Guinn of Guinn's Engineering. Wayne went through the development stages of the Cross Ram from the Chevrolet Prototype to the aftermarket reproductions. He provided a highly detailed overview of the progression of each individual component including the air cleaners and carburetors and explained the many intricacies a prospective Cross Ram buyer should know about before buying.      

Jerry and Wayne entertaining a question from the floor

    Wayne addressed the Prototype units on display and elaborated on the history associated with each one. Then on to the production units explaining how they should appear in relationship to the specific casting dates they bare. 

    Also explained where some of the anomalies and explicit markings that are often found on the production units. Finally, the Cross Ram was described as being only one component part of a highly tuned package. A package that includes: special headers, ignition and camshaft and that it all requires specific tuning measures. 

    A tremendous amount of information was covered over a period of two days and it was felt that a good value was provided to the enthusiast though the information disseminated. We are both assured and gratified that it was time well spent based on the response from those in attendance and the kind feedback  provided. 

Stay tuned for more photos of the Show Camaros...

I'd like to thank...

Jerry Thompson, for being so kind to share his experiences, for delivering a masterful presentation, and for bringing to light the subject as we've come know and love it.  

Rocco Capozzi, for a great job crunching and talking to the numbers

Rick George, of Rick's First Generation Camaro, for the invite to come out and speak and for hosting the event. 

Bud Scolastico and the American Camaro Association, for their kind support and everything they do for the hobby.

And a special thanks to Kelley Timms, for all the support and hard work he put in to make it turn out as well as it did and for just being a heck of a great guy.