In regard to the blower scoop, the trade off is questionable, whether it be positive or negative. My theory is that it will be a positive effect, no trade off. I'll try to explain in the simplist way. If you were to take a piece of tubing and point it in the direction you're going, air going through and by would have little or no drag. The air scoop, in my case, has a negative pressure lower than atmospheric pressure. This is due to the square inches of the duct work intake, which is a mere 20% larger than the blower intake. At speed, say 300 mph, would be the only time that the scoop's atmospheric pressure would begin to increase. The trade off would be additional, or more than atmospheric pressure to the intake of the blower. This pressure increase would increase the boost pressure to the engines. The engines would actually increase in power at the big end, where power is needed. When the pressure in the intake duct work exceeds atmospheric pressure, this is the only time that drag is increased. The horsepower increase, in my humble opinion, far exceeds drag increase. I believe without a doubt the streamliner will be faster with the scoop than without the scoop, or any other air intake to the blower.
Had a big day at the house. Workforce included Kim Stuever (my daughter), Max Re' (my son), Clyde Varner, Ellio Gil, and yours truly. Side car and body was the plan of the day. Side car wheel scraper 80% complete. Blower duct plug design and mock up made. Kim will make the finish one at work. Belly pan of side car well on it's way. Quick removal side panel to clean salt from side car wheel 50% complete. It's all looking pretty good, and my kids promised to be here next weekend as well. Kim and her friend Clyde come over each evening at the end of their work day and put in a couple or three hours. Today we have 58 days left until I have to load up.
Max
P.S. Thank you all for the kudos on the 2012 build. The Black Lightning crew really appreciates it.