GM Performance RamJet 350

[SomeTexan]

This sounding worse and worse.  Not your guys fault.  I want to do it CORRECTLY.    But $$$ means compromises.

Been talking to my dad.   He says and I feel he's correct for a DD He wouldn't have the truck with a 3 speed in it.   Dunno if i can afford the 4l80 and such.  and putting the fuel pump in my dual tanks is another huge hurdle.  dual pumps, more wiring to dual tank switch.   

plus the ramjet is the quickest n easiest but needs premium fuel...  i wouldnt have minded that when there was a 20 cent difference cheap to premium but thats gone forever...

The truck isn't worth all that.  I've already dropped at least $15k into it.  everything been done is top of the line, but dang..  I love the truck, never want to let it go, wanna keep it forever.  but its not worth all that $$$$$$$ and effort.  especially when while it's apart i have to borrow my moms car till its done.  Im almost 34.  I don't wanna borrow mommas car no more...  I will for a week or two but thats about it...  She'll let me and have no problem with it but i know shell be stuck...  i can't do that to her...  though she'd smile the whole time...  maybe thats reason more i don't want to have to drive her car ONE day.  I may not do this afterall.  may keep it like it is and keep it carbed and when the engine blows get the replacement 290hp 350 and keep it carbed. 

Been looking at selling off my van car n tractor and get an 01-02 camaro z28 or ss. 

Those are the LAST cars I've been excited about...  I used to test drive them lots when i was 21 and they were new...  they still sexy cars. 
What ya think?   Then i get a camaro and my truck...   how would my fleet pic look with my truck and an 01-02 z28 or ss next to it?  That's the only car i can think of would make me happy and excited to own.

It's just sounding more n more like this isnt a viable option for a DD.  I know im asking a lot of it.   so maybe ill keep it stock and sell the car van n tractor n get me a camaro to hotrod.

Do the blazer/burb tank swap. If you need/want more fuel capacity, keep the saddle tanks and add a small transfer pump so you can refill the blazer tank on the move. I find 6.0/4l80 low mile pull outs all the time for 2k complete with accessories, harness and ecu. I've paid 500 for the 80 with harness and ecu, but since they sold the 6.0, I got the yard to give me a 4.8 to go with it. Same yard sold me the burb tank and all the hardware to hang it for 50. 110 for mounts, 250 to have harness worked, I think 150 for walbro pump that went in tank. Simple as could be, cheap, and it gets 21mpg average. Sold it to a friend for his daughter's first vehicle. Engine had 68k miles, trans had 120k miles, has 90k+ trouble free miles since build and still going strong. And in case you think the 4.8 is a joke, after tuning, we got 296rwhp on 87 octane. The ramjet's 350 will be less at the wheels, maybe 275ish. The modified harness is easy to install, keyed power, live power and ground, lsx unlimited included the fuel pump relay, and 2 e-fan relays. Fans are run by the computer, temps can be tuned to whatever you want. I did a tuned port swap back in 97 that was way harder than the ls swap was, and it cost more.

You can go new, or go cheap, it's your choice. You may be surprised how well the cheap route turns out though.

[78 Chevyrado]

Frankly, I'm okay with the performance of my truck now.  with its OE 350 and th400.

I don't think it's worth the $$ or effort to do EFI CORRECTLY. 

I have $17k in this thing already...  I don't wanna have $29k in a 36 yr old truck dd.    Yeah the bodys and int is pretty.  i cannot put another $10-$14k in it...

I'm thinking  take the cash, buy my camaro ive loved since i saw it, and all else is held back for problems.  I can replace the engine trans in the truck  stock replacements for about $3200 total...  keep the carb.  etc...

not a DD tho

Camaro isnt the fuel economy king, but its literally smiles per gallon...  id feel like a king driving it any time.  and if i could have that camaro and my truck...  i figure I AM THE KING.  if ya know what I mean

[78 Chevyrado]

Thats why i asked.  not to waste any of you guys time or effort.  id despise doing that, but this thread will be read by many people far into the future...  so your knowldge isnt lost.  it can't possibly be

[78 Chevyrado]

Right now im at keeping it like it is.  when either engine OR trans goes south ill replace both.  there's no one or the other there.

But i might take the money and get me a hot rod camaro.  God i love thos cars.  dang theyre sexy.  if i could have an 01-02 camaro z28 or ss AND MY TRUCK.  I AM THE KING.  whatever yall say...  least in my mind...   

[rich weyand]

There ya go.  The thing about big money builds is, there are other places you could maybe use the money.

That said, I hate to say how much I have in my truck, given that I had the heavy work shopped and always went new parts or better-than-OEM parts, but it's the way I want it, and will be for a long time.

And the thread wasn't a waste.  That Dart heads/12-238-2 combo alone was well worth learning.

[SomeTexan]

I can replace the engine trans in the truck  stock replacements for about $3200 total...  keep the carb.  etc...

That's about what an ls swap costs, fuel system and all.

No offense, but you quote some outrageous prices. Remember, crate engines are for people with no time but plenty $$. You can get your stock bottom end rebuilt with good pistons, throw bad heads on it, cam, the whole nine yards, and have a race rebuild done on the trans for less than that. Stock rebuild on a trans shouldn't be more than a couple hundred bucks, and you can get rebuilt longblocks for less than a grand. If you quit looking at new stuff online, and started pricing rebuild work, you would be happily surprised. You quoted a crazy price on a 4l80, $500 at a salvage yard, and a 3-500 rebuild and you would be good for years. Most people don't mess with rebuilding them, just run them as is. 2k gets a built to handle high hp/high traction launches rebuild. Something that is a waste of money for a mild build.

[LTZ C20]

Decisions decisions. Lol your welcome.

[LeftysRodandCustom]

I'm with texan here. Everything that you've said just SCREAMS ls swap to me. In my area you can pick up a 6.0 out of a wrecked truck for a shade over $500. Call up the folks at Texas Speed, tell them what its going in , send them the ecm and they send it back with a cam and new brain and you've got more power than you can put on the ground coupled with turn the key and go dependability and 20mpg. The harness isnt any tougher to do than putting efi in a carbureted truck anyway.

[SomeTexan]

I don't like "mail order" tunes. I would look for a local tuner to handle tuning it on a dyno or a driving tune. Sometimes transmissions act a lot different with the same electrical inputs. Plus, the one size fits all tunes don't appeal to me. It may be close, but it can still run a lot better.

[SomeTexan]

Another thing, with the original poster not looking for outright performance, a 4.8/4l60 would be fine. The 80 is good to have if stupid power is your game, but isn't needed for a stockish driver.

I would recommend that Chevyrado get on ls1tech, find the state/regional forums, and look for local shops. Find out who is trusted in your region. See where people in your area find their drivetrains for a good price, what junk yards have good parts for decent prices, stuff like that. Having local help is always nice.

[78 Chevyrado]

There ya go.  The thing about big money builds is, there are other places you could maybe use the money.

That said, I hate to say how much I have in my truck, given that I had the heavy work shopped and always went new parts or better-than-OEM parts, but it's the way I want it, and will be for a long time.

And the thread wasn't a waste.  That Dart heads/12-238-2 combo alone was well worth learning.

Sorry yall I was being all pissed off cuz it wasn't gonne be what i dreamed.  with a capitol dream.

[78 Chevyrado]

I can replace the engine trans in the truck  stock replacements for about $3200 total...  keep the carb.  etc...

That's about what an ls swap costs, fuel system and all.

No offense, but you quote some outrageous prices. Remember, crate engines are for people with no time but plenty $$. You can get your stock bottom end rebuilt with good pistons, throw bad heads on it, cam, the whole nine yards, and have a race rebuild done on the trans for less than that. Stock rebuild on a trans shouldn't be more than a couple hundred bucks, and you can get rebuilt longblocks for less than a grand. If you quit looking at new stuff online, and started pricing rebuild work, you would be happily surprised. You quoted a crazy price on a 4l80, $500 at a salvage yard, and a 3-500 rebuild and you would be good for years. Most people don't mess with rebuilding them, just run them as is. 2k gets a built to handle high hp/high traction launches rebuild. Something that is a waste of money for a mild build.

You can't offend me, unless you make me climb to the top of a water tower to defend my sister's honor... 

Thats kinda why i wanna crate, I have no time to complete this...  I know for a fact the LS swap is the best thing period, no question.  but if I do an LS, I have to borrow my mom's car till the truck is roadworthy again.  One:  I dunno how long that'll take (thinking of bugs)  two:  (pridefully)   I don't ever want to borrow "MY MOMS CAR" ever again... 

[78 Chevyrado]

Another thing, with the original poster not looking for outright performance, a 4.8/4l60 would be fine. The 80 is good to have if stupid power is your game, but isn't needed for a stockish driver.

I would recommend that Chevyrado get on ls1tech, find the state/regional forums, and look for local shops. Find out who is trusted in your region. See where people in your area find their drivetrains for a good price, what junk yards have good parts for decent prices, stuff like that. Having local help is always nice.

If I do an LS   I want a 5.3 minimum.  would love to have a 6.0 VMAX.  i think smiles vs fuel economy smiles-per-gallon would win.

I obviously don't require 35MPG, or this truck would be scrapeed immediately...   I'd like to get 20 if i can tho.  I get like 12 now with the varying crappy E10 fuels now...

[78 Chevyrado]

I know the LS swap is the best possible.   I was trying to halfass it for speed.

Thank you guys for talking me out of it.   That's why i continue to come here and ask yall your highly valuable opinions.

As of now.  I don not have the time to do an LS swap and work out the bugs.  I'll keep the truck as it is, and when it breaks ill redo engine as trans like stock...  better 350, and bullet proof th400.

I'm gonna go hunting my camaro, hey whats sexier than having my truck and an 01-02 camaro SS?   I can't think of one thing.  and it took me 3 minutes to type i can't think of one thing.

I could go get a newer car, but I'm selling off my car,van and one tractor.  If i also sold off the truck, I could go a huge way further, but i think I could cut my pinkie off before i sold this truck off to anyone...

Nothing in here was a waste.   excellent knowledge.   And I thank all of you who chimed in, your knowledge is invaluable to me.   Why year after year I continue to be a site supporter is, this to me is the best 73-87 site on the net...  PERIOD.  Ive been here a good while, and nowhere else has come close to having the quality of people Chris' Site does.  So I thank you all for helping me with minimizing headaches.

And I take any post that begins with (no offense but...)    as hey dude you missed something big...  Offend me.  tell me what i need to hear...  you'll never get yelled at for that.  i may not like what you say, may take me four days to reply, but tell me what you think, I DON'T NEED YES MEN, EVER.  Besides what am I gonna do spank you and take away your birthday?  Tell me guys...  and you guys did...  I THANK YOU FOR THAT.   Thank You the most. 

You guys responded here are part of the reason i support this site and always will long as I have my truck.  and probably after it.  this is the single BEST car community Ive ever been a part of and Ive been on lots of sites. 

Rant over

Thank you guys,
Kenny

[78 Chevyrado]

I found one just like this, with 23k on it for $14k.  I may have it soon if somebody doesn't get to it first.  T-tops, SLP upgrades, Six speed manual.  God what else could ya ask for...  And I can upgrade it to the stars...

This car would be beautiful next to my truck in a MY FLEET PIC.   Don't ya think?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eB_LrDmZBwA&list=PLxH3O68Uy3hbwLGZnq1MvjRV9av57nzaj&index=12