[sr71bb]

I just did my bi-monthly check with various Chevy dealers down here and now the "OFFICIAL" story is that the RamJet 502 will be available in late SEPT. (Anyone believe that??? ANYONE???).

I know Jim Pace Chevrolet is taking orders for them at around 7,100 dollars but according to GM thay haven't even priced them out yet so WTH???

I'm sure by now most of you are aware that the RAMJET 350 is available now. BUT.....anyone wanting a high HP fuel injected big block is probably going to have to go to Arizona Marine to get one (the fuel injection piece, I mean). I am a little leary of any of the systems that take a "CUSTOM" tuner to tune them for you. I can only imagine the cost and frustration involved in that DEAL!!!

[camcojb]

I can't speak for other EFI set-ups but the Fel Pro computer is trick. With an Accel DFI manifold and throttle body they're not that difficult. I will admit frustration with mine early on as I had a couple of problems I didn't understand but the adjustability is fantastic. As far as tuning cost the guy I use had the engine running great with an hour on the dyno. Total cost = $200.; $80 for him and $120 for the dyno. Now I do have a problem with needing a larger throttle body but that isn't the tuner's fault. The engine runs well; there's just a lot more in it I think. Once you get a handle on the software and a laptop computer you'll be amazed at the ease of tuning. The Accel DFI set-up is probably the next-best thing; it's only about $2500 complete but is harder to tune. The processor they use is pretty good but doesn't compare to the Fel Pro.

The thing is at $7100 the Ram-Jet 502 is a deal if it comes with the computer, sensors, etc. I have $4000. in my set-up without the engine.

Jody

[This message has been edited by Camcojb (edited 09-15-2000).]

[davidpozzi]

Do you have the Fel-Pro system that is sequential or non sequential?

What kind of power did you get?
David

------------------
Check my web page for First Gen Camaro suspension info:
David's Homepage
67 RS 327
69 Camaro Vintage Racer
65 Lola T-70 Can Am Vintage Racer

[camcojb]

I'm using the bank-to-bank; it is upgradeable to sequential. If you followed my thread on the Dynojet in the performance section I described what is happening. My 406 made 415 h.p. and 438 ft. lbs at the tires. It also ran out of air at 5000 and was all done by 6000. There's a bunch more in it. We will be changing the cam and going to a 2000 cfm throttle body next week. I am currently running a 1000 cfm and it's not enough.

As far as driveability it's great. It really mellows the cam a bunch and there is so much control with this system. Because of the amount of overlap in the cam I am running it in Alpha-N mode using the tps as your main frame of reference. The wide-band O2 helps a bunch also. The map sensor is plugged into the harness but reads just atmospheric pressure for altitude compensation; it is not hooked to manifold vacuum like in a speed-density system. I'm very happy with the running of the engine but am also very anxious to swap cams and throttle bodies to see where this engine ends up.

By the way my tuner-guy took me with him to tune an 88 Camaro for the Silver State race this weekend; 406, AFR heads, Vortech (no intercooler), dry sump, etc. This thing made 764 h.p. and 638 ft. lbs. to the ground! He's using the same basic EFI as I am. Kept it rich to give him a safety zone; pyrometer read 1200 degrees at the end of each run. He stopped it short at 6500 rpm; the h.p. hadn't even begun to taper off at all.


Jody

[Mark W. Winning]

They are now advertising these Ramjet 502's over the radio. One of our local new car dealers has a GM Performace shop. I should stop by and see 'when' I could have one.

------------------
Mark
1992 Firebird 355/Six Speed
1991 RS 350 / 700-R4
1987 Toyota Pickup 383 / 500 + HP 10.963 @ 119.95 Slicks / 11.997 @ 114.23 Radials
http://personal.lig.bellsouth.net/~racer383/

[davidpozzi]

Jody,
Thanks for the info on the injection. I've been reading about the system and it sounds great!

Those blowers scare me. Most web pages where guys have tried them also tell of blowing the engine at some point of the development.

I think it's because they keep boosting a stock engine and get it lean and burn a piston. Also the hyperutetic pistons won't take a lot of boost.
I'd rather have less power and a simpler enigne compartment.
David

------------------
Check my web page for First Gen Camaro suspension info:
David's Homepage
67 RS 327
69 Camaro Vintage Racer
65 Lola T-70 Can Am Vintage Racer

[pdq67]

Wouldn't it be simpler to go with a "big" underdriven Roots blower and "carb's" for a high speed run. Or won't the Roots hold up over the long haul.
I know that everybody is "hyping" EFI's, and centrifical superchargers but I would think that a big Roots blower would more then compensate for any fuel distribution problems that exist in a "wet manifold" system versus a dry system. Also make "pretty" much the same power, be cheaper and simpler to install and work on.

I've dreamed of having a 250 Pro-Charger on my big engine to get up in the high 700's/ low 800's hp-wise at my self imposed rpm limit of 5500 ( maybe 6000rpm just once).

Lets get some "chatter" on this. pdq67

[camcojb]

You can definitely make a bunch of power for less money with a big blower and a couple of carbs. You are correct, a blower does cover up some tuning issues.

The biggest disadvantages are that you will never match the tunability of EFI with a carb(s). Also a big 6-71 or 8-71 does give away some of the road visibility if you want a top speed and/or handling car trying to look around that blower and carbs. This is where the centrifugals have a big advantage. The centrifugals are a lot more efficient also.

You are correct however that a big blower through the hood can definitely get the job done for a lot less money. I think it looks good also. But if I was building a good handling, high top-speed car that would be driven a lot, EFI and a centrifugal would be my choice. Actually I would lean towards a turbo-EFI set-up.

Jody

[sr71bb]

Never mind!!! Sorry!!

[This message has been edited by sr71bb (edited 09-19-2000).]

[camcojb]

Sorry sr71bb!!!!!!!!!!!! This thread got completely turned and I didn't even notice it was happening! I got caught up in answering questions.

For what it's worth my friend at the local dealer also said Sept-Oct. for release.

Jody

[sr71bb]

No CAMCO,

It wasn't that. I realized I was answering a post here instead of another forum. I just had a temp case of brain lock!!!

[This message has been edited by sr71bb (edited 09-20-2000).]

[pdq67]

I apolojize to everybody for getting off the original post. pdq67

[sr71bb]

Screw that PDQ,
Good info is good info whether it pertain to my original post or not.

ROCK ON!!!

[pdq67]

SR71bb,

As Rush Limbaugh would say, we are having more fun then the law allows. Thanks, I love it.
I do tend to get off the subject and ramble on so if anybody thinks I'm getting outa line, just tell me. You won't hurt my feelings, right David. pdq67

PS. And I don't think anybody here purposely pulls anybody's chain.