GM Performance RamJet 350

[78 Chevyrado]

Hey guys, this will be my what should I do thread.  I'm about to sell off one of my tractors, my van and my impala.  The 08 impala is junk and i wanna rid myself of it before something else happens..  Had bad alignment, wore out the tires, power door locks have quit on drivers side and two days ago drivers window came off the track and fell down in the door.  fixed it, gotta get rid of it...  oh yeah this car only has 24k miles on it..  eh.

So I'm gonna have some cash to pretty much finish off the truck. 

I've redone the truck entirely, except the engine and trans haven't been touched or opened in any way except adding an edelbrock carb.

I now want to see about an engine and trans.


I've been looking at the GM Ramjet 350.  I'm lazy now, and don't wanna do the leg work and mods to put an ls engine in it. 

Haven't done any pricing around yet, I like to use summit to research stuff...

Ramjet 350
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/nal-12499120

GM Serpintine Kit
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/nal-12497698

I know I'll need a flexplate and electric fuel pump.  also headers and exhaust.

What do you guys think of this setup?  do okay in my truck?  or should I get the 330hp gm crate engine and add
FAST EFI to it or something?

All ideas and comments welcome.  Just now starting to think about all this

Go here to see the other mods I've made that might matter...
http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=9090.270

I'll need another Hi-Amp Alt..  how do I go about hooking up the newer small AC compressor to my stock lines.  It's an AC truck, and I'm not changing the firewall or control parts.

Thanks guys

Kenny

[rich weyand]

I think that's a nice choice, if a bit pricey.

My favorite setup is the base 350/260 hp engine with a better cam, headers, and dual-plane manifold.  GM 10067353, Comp Cams 12-235-2, Hooker 2452 (C) or 2453 (K), and Edelbrock 2101.  $2000.

Here's the specs on the two:
Ramjet 350:          400 lbft at 3500, 350 hp at 5200.
Re-cam base 350: 415 lbft at 2500, 290 hp at 4000.

Which do you think is the better street machine?

You will get a couple mpg more with the Ramjet 350.  Figure 11-12 mpg highway/9-10 mpg city in a K truck with the recammed base engine (carbureted), and 2 mpg higher with the fuel injected Ramjet 350.  C truck ought to be a couple mpg higher yet either way.

I have the Edelbrock 1406 tuning info for the recammed 350 setup, which saves a lot of dicking around and gets you spot on easy.  Of course, with the fuel injected Ramjet 350, that is all baked in the cake with the controller.

Some people like the modern thing, some like the retro thing.  Free country (still, mostly), so you pays your money and you takes your choice.  Some other people on here have the recammed setup and like it, so it is not a shot in the dark if you want to save about $4500 all in.

[LTZ C20]

That all sounds good so far. I would suggest tho, getting a serpentine setup from a junk yard. Here's why:

1- It's gonna be a lot cheaper and the new parts (alternator, a/c compressor, idler, tentioner pulleys, power steer pump & belt) can be bought at any local GM dealer. Including any bits and pieces that may be missing when you go to a junk yard.

2- The passenger side bracket (the one under the a/c comp on the summit link) has a space for a smog pump. This is well and good if you require a pump. If not, then you need a bypass pulley.

Too me, an unused area is ugly. I used a serpentine setup also on my 350. I used the setup off of a 95 Chevy 1500 with a 350. It does not have a smog area and looks much cleaner. I had my brackets all powder coated black and all rough edges removed. I also used the water pump and crank pulleys from the donor 95. Just used a straight edge and flat surface to ensure they were not warped or anything.

3- The hardware for the kit can also be gotten at the junk yard. I used some spray paint to clean up the bolt heads and looks VERY nice.

This is just my 2 cents but worth a thought. If you like I can post a pic of my setup. I would recommend highly that you search a yard or two and find a complete setup from a either 94-95 Chevy/GMC 1500. I believe a 2500 might be the same but I went with a 1500 because it was easy to find and complete.

It all want together just about perfectly and I have had ZERO problems. Everything lines up perfectly and runs great.

[LTZ C20]

Also, I wouldn't mind walking you thru the process and I have a list of part numbers and such to complete the project. In all I spent I think about $500. Just haven't bought an a/c comp because was winter. That's soon to come.

[78 Chevyrado]

Good points fellas...  keep em coming.

yes i always love pics LTZ...  1000 words and all that. 

to rich:  I love the body and interior on my truck.  I don't care about originality beyond that.  My perfect truck (if feasable) would be to put my body and interior onto a 2014 everything else...


I'm not dead set on the Ramjet... 

I AM SET ON ONE THING THO.  Whatever it is, it must be fuel injected, and have a roller cam.   I want it to be set up so i can only gas in it and drive it.  no tinkering later on, like i do now with my carb.  must have AC and PS.  otherwise, I'm open to ANY suggestions.   

I have an engine in MS EXCEL I've been building for 3 or 4 years...  just don't know how to post it here so yall could read it...   I've thought long and hard on this since 2009.

Only possible trans' I'd consider are TH400 or 4L80.  i love this th400 I got, ONLY auto trans I havent broken.  I'm not kidding...

[78 Chevyrado]

Also, I wouldn't mind walking you thru the process and I have a list of part numbers and such to complete the project. In all I spent I think about $500. Just haven't bought an a/c comp because was winter. That's soon to come.

I'd appreciate that immensely, Thank you for offering.  I'm all for junkyard stuff...  Gets me new toys and I get to look in the junkyard...  I love junkyards...   If I could, I would own a junkyard...  no question...

[rich weyand]

I AM SET ON ONE THING THO.  Whatever it is, it must be fuel injected, and have a roller cam.   I want it to be set up so i can only gas in it and drive it.  no tinkering later on, like i do now with my carb.  must have AC and PS.  otherwise, I'm open to ANY suggestions.   

Understood.  Given your parameters, I think the Ramjet 350 is a good choice.  Anything else with 400 or more lbft of torque will be more money. I looked at it myself, but I'm a tinkerer, so I kind of like the retro hot-rod setup.

[Dan75k20]

Also serpentine systems from s 10 s will work

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

[LTZ C20]

Ok cool. Well just lemme know when your ready. I'll dig thru all my paperwork at home and get the info.

[78 Chevyrado]

I AM SET ON ONE THING THO.  Whatever it is, it must be fuel injected, and have a roller cam.   I want it to be set up so i can only gas in it and drive it.  no tinkering later on, like i do now with my carb.  must have AC and PS.  otherwise, I'm open to ANY suggestions.   

Understood.  Given your parameters, I think the Ramjet 350 is a good choice.  Anything else with 400 or more lbft of torque will be more money. I looked at it myself, but I'm a tinkerer, so I kind of like the retro hot-rod setup.

I'd like the retro tinkering setup, and do now mostly, but the trucks about to become my one and only...  and i never want to tinker on my one and only... 

I sold my last truck off for a pretty new ford focus...  I don't regret that in the slightest, except i wish i coulda kept the truck too...  ya know...  i don't but i do...  but i went from tinkering constantly to add gas change oil drive...  id like to continue that now, ive gotten lazy...  ill admit it.

[78 Chevyrado]

Also serpentine systems from s 10 s will work

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

will the one off a 1999 4.3l v6 astro van work also?  cuz i have that onhand now... 

[78 Chevyrado]

Also...  The engines I'm looking for and would be proper for my truck all have smooth idles...  nobody likes a smooth idle...  unless yours should be idling smoothly and doesnt.  I'm no exception.

Throughout all this, Ima want a mean idle, but don't need it.  but my truck would look so darn cool with a mean idle and rims...

Yall gotta help me through this... 

I want it to sound like this...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMqBGtv4gos

but i KNOW IT'S NOT FOR THE BEST power n mileage...

Am I stupid or what?  don't answer that...  or do...  I want all your opinions...  don't hold back...


I DO have a 7500lbs trailer I have to haul like once every year or two.  I normally drive it alone and dang fast.  I go 80-90mph on the freeway when I can...  Truck is smooth and tight at those speeds so thats how fast i expect to go.  90 is about the limit before it gets wandering n such...  110 is tops but scary tops... 

I wanna go 75mph to 85mph  i know thats not fuel efficient, but its what i do... 



That being said...  how much power could i expect to have if my truck idled like this
279 thumpr
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMqBGtv4gos

vs building it for max torque n economy.  torque first economy second.

I have a th400 trans, 3.73 gears, and 33" tires.

I'd be willing to give up a lil bit of power for the sound I love the most on the earth...  I grew up around lumpy cams n no cats...  thats the best sound n smell on the earth for me at least...ya know...

[78 Chevyrado]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMqBGtv4gos

0:27.  That sounds makes me feel good n fat n happy, thats the minimum of loping i acknowledge.   I'd feel good every day without feil and at every redlight having that idle.  I kinda want that idle more now cuz all the supercars now idle smooth...  just to be different.   

Have you ever heard a certain song that shot right through your soul?  me too.   well that kind od idle does that to me.  maybe a lil spiritual man...  i dunno...  I do know idles like that or rougher are like harps for angels i have to assume.

[rich weyand]

I AM SET ON ONE THING THO.  Whatever it is, it must be fuel injected, and have a roller cam.   I want it to be set up so i can only gas in it and drive it.  no tinkering later on, like i do now with my carb.  must have AC and PS.  otherwise, I'm open to ANY suggestions.   

Understood.  Given your parameters, I think the Ramjet 350 is a good choice.  Anything else with 400 or more lbft of torque will be more money. I looked at it myself, but I'm a tinkerer, so I kind of like the retro hot-rod setup.

I'd like the retro tinkering setup, and do now mostly, but the trucks about to become my one and only...  and i never want to tinker on my one and only... 

I sold my last truck off for a pretty new ford focus...  I don't regret that in the slightest, except i wish i coulda kept the truck too...  ya know...  i don't but i do...  but i went from tinkering constantly to add gas change oil drive...  id like to continue that now, ive gotten lazy...  ill admit it.

Working Girl is my daily driver.  I don't have another vehicle, unless I want to borrow hers, and that costs me. 

Even when Working Girl needs a bit of a tinker, she's never not run.  Even blowing anitfreeze from three cylinders, she ran.  The only time she's been towed in four years is the time the brake pedal was fading toward the floor.  That was due to the age-hardened rubber cup on the master cylinder piston.  I didn't take any chances with that.  But otherwise it has been very reliable, if by reliable you mean "Got me there and back just fine."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMqBGtv4gos

0:27.  That sounds makes me feel good n fat n happy, thats the minimum of loping i acknowledge.   I'd feel good every day without feil and at every redlight having that idle.  I kinda want that idle more now cuz all the supercars now idle smooth...  just to be different.   

Have you ever heard a certain song that shot right through your soul?  me too.   well that kind od idle does that to me.  maybe a lil spiritual man...  i dunno...  I do know idles like that or rougher are like harps for angels i have to assume.

You realize of course that that kind of idle means the engine doesn't want to run at low rpm, so there goes the torque.  And gas mileage.  Great for a racer, as long as the race is a parade lap start and not a standing start like Formula 1, or you have a 3000 rpm torque converter and like rebuilding transmissions.  But for the street?  That's not a daily driver, that's a play toy.

[LTZ C20]

I have a Comp Cams 12-238-2 in my engine. I LOVE that cam. It's from the extreme energy line. Stock converter friendly, good torque for towing and doesn't beat my gas tank up to bad. I just put a beefed up 4L60 behind it too. Capable of 500 hp or so. I'm currently putting out about 360 hp. Just for comparison, that's the same as a 2015 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD with a 6.0 Vortec.