Ended up switching motors.

[Wilkinshc]

Watching all you guys with the big blocks made me size envy. :BOW So I sold the v-6 and the new motor is going to be a Ram Jet ZL1 #110. Pace Performance had a pretty good deal on it so I figured what the hey. So for any guys running a Ram Jet I would appreciate any info on what you did for throttle linkage, which pulleys you used ( I will only need ac & alt.), and anyone running a supercharger with theirs?

Thank Guys

 

[DRTH VTR]

V6????

 

[Wilkinshc]

I was building a TA Performance v-6 alum. block, capable of up to 3000 hp. I was planned on 700 - 800 hp. They are a pretty impressive motors and aftermarket parts are pretty easy to get. Just love the sound of a bigblock and figured I would just supercharge or turbo it down the road. Still want my 800hp. I still plan on running the 200r4 to get the overdrive. The 200r4's hold up very well in the Buick Grand Nationals in 9sec cars weighing 3700lbs so it should be able to hold up in my much light vette. I bought an Bowtie Overdrive 200r4 crossmember for a c-3 and it looks like it will be pretty easy to install on the 65.

Chuck

 

[tigernut]

I understand they only made 200 of those ramjet ZL1 motors.

That would be a nice/rare engine to have in your vette.

Got any pictures to share?

Doug

 

[Wilkinshc]

Not yet Doug, just wired the money yesterday and should be here next week. Yea they advertise only 200, my is 110.

 

[stepinwolf]

Yep, right choice

Congrats on your purchase Chuck, I know exactly how you feel

Stepinwolf

 

[cbernhardt]

I looked really hard at the Ram Jet ZL1 when I was choosing an engine for my 59 project. A local dealer had a ZL1 and I could have gotten a pretty good deal on it. The reasons I didn't go with the ZL1 were:
1) The fuel injection system is not user tunable. If you are planning on adding a blower, this would mean (probably) changing the entire fuel control system.
2) No O2 sensor and no retrofit kit available (at least as of about a year ago).
3) From my experience with the 350 Ram Jet and from what I have found on the internet, the non O2 equipped Ram Jets run very rich.
4) It is "only" a 454.
So I bought a 572cu.in./620hp carbureted motor.
Charles

 

[Wilkinshc]

"I looked really hard at the Ram Jet ZL1 when I was choosing an engine for my 59 project. A local dealer had a ZL1 and I could have gotten a pretty good deal on it. The reasons I didn't go with the ZL1 were:
1) The fuel injection system is not user tunable. If you are planning on adding a blower, this would mean (probably) changing the entire fuel control system."


Later down the road I figured I would switch to a FAST setup, you will be surprised how much hp you can get when the engine is tuned in. My stock Buick Gn picked up 60hp over an aftermarket chip. I have been burning chips for GN's for about 5 yrs now and its not that hard.


"2) No O2 sensor and no retrofit kit available (at least as of about a year ago)."


AS&M has a kit to run an O2.

"3) From my experience with the 350 Ram Jet and from what I have found on the internet, the non O2 equipped Ram Jets run very rich."

Again just need to upgrade to O2 from AS&M or FAST system which would be a wide band O2.

"4) It is "only" a 454."

True but you have less weight, and the cool factor of limited production, and adding a FAST setup should add close to the same hp with better throttle response, better fuel economy (not 50 mpg- maybe 22-25), and better street driving characteristics.

 

[stepinwolf]

Charles,

Congratulations on your choice of engines. There may be many reasons to go with FI or a small block for that matter, but you have to appreciate the " WoW " factor, along with the distinction of being the " big dog " on the block. There will certainly be some Forum members that would disagree with me, but I doubt very much if these same people would turn down the chance to own a " 572 " themselves , if the occasion to own one presented itself.

I must admit there will be a slight increase in the fuel usage, but if you figure out the total millage we put on these cars during the season, you will see that the difference in total dollars as compared to a small block would be negligible.

Besides, I just placed an order for one myself, so I can't dis-agree with your choices.

Stepinwolf

Thrash your big-block as if each day was your last​

 

[tigernut]

Step,

What are the dimensions of the 572 in comparison to the 502? Will the 572 still fit under the hood without having to modify the hood in any way?

Doug

 

[stepinwolf]

Step,

What are the dimensions of the 572 in comparison to the 502? Will the 572 still fit under the hood without having to modify the hood in any way?

Doug

There is no way the 502 would have fit under the hood without MAJOR modifications to the hood, or to the plenum ( it was a Ram-Jet ).

It will be hard for me to comment on the 572, because I have yet to receive it. I already have a new duel plane intake manifold on order from Edelbrock, to replace the factory hi-rise. It will be a vast improvement in the low end torque, compared to the manifold from the General.

I am also looking into a re-designed air cleaner, that will be much lower then any original part, so we will have to wait and see how it will all come together. I do however already have a big block hood that will be used on the car


Stepinwolf

 

[cbernhardt]

AS&M has a kit to run an O2.

I talked to AS&M about this about 6 months ago and they told me that they did NOT have an O2 kit for the ZL1. They do have a kit for the 502 Ram Jet but it will not work on the 454 ZL1(at least that is what I was told).

What are the dimensions of the 572 in comparison to the 502? Will the 572 still fit under the hood without having to modify the hood in any way?

The block is basically the same size as a "normal" big block, but it is approximately 0.5" taller because of the raised cam. I have one installed in my 59 (not yet running) and I can give you more exact measurements of the engine if you want.
Charles

 

[Wilkinshc]

Charles,

Congratulations on your choice of engines. There may be many reasons to go with FI or a small block for that matter, but you have to appreciate the " WoW " factor, along with the distinction of being the " big dog " on the block. There will certainly be some Forum members that would disagree with me, but I doubt very much if these same people would turn down the chance to own a " 572 " themselves , if the occasion to own one presented itself.

I must admit there will be a slight increase in the fuel usage, but if you figure out the total millage we put on these cars during the season, you will see that the difference in total dollars as compared to a small block would be negligible.

Besides, I just placed an order for one myself, so I can't dis-agree with your choices.

Stepinwolf

Thrash your big-block as if each day was your last​

That is an impressive motor and I did consider it very seriously but for me I was hoping to keep wieght down and I plan on driving it around 7000 miles a year so the extra mileage and driveability of the fuel injection made sense to me. I might add a supercharger or turbos at some time in the future. Turbos will need less compression or low boost but is really the best way to go but again that later on.

If you deceide to give your 572 away I will definately stand in line for it.

Chuck

 

[cbernhardt]

That is an impressive motor and I did consider it very seriously but for me I was hoping to keep weight down.....Chuck

I was a little concerned about the weight also but decided to attack that problem by eliminating those heavy non-essentials like air conditioning, heater, mufflers, and soft top. Also thinking about Lexan for windshield and door glass and perhaps an aluminum hood.
Charles

 

[Wilkinshc]

I talked to AS&M about this about 6 months ago and they told me that they did NOT have an O2 kit for the ZL1. They do have a kit for the 502 Ram Jet but it will not work on the 454 ZL1(at least that is what I was told).
Charles

Charles,

I stand corrected, I called and yes the ZL1 is different but I ended up calling Dave Kopin who was the engineer who setup the computer for the ZL1's and the computer is setup for O2's already. The calmap is setup to go to close loop over 1200 rpm if an O2 is connected or it is setup not to give an error code if no O2 is there. So I guess that is better then the 502's calmap.

Chuck

 

[Wilkinshc]

I was a little concerned about the weight also but decided to attack that problem by eliminating those heavy non-essentials like air conditioning, heater, mufflers, and soft top. Also thinking about Lexan for windshield and door glass and perhaps an aluminum hood.
Charles

Charles,

I went to your homepage and you have some really nice cars. WOW I agree on the wieght, I have switch to tubular arms, alum. calipers, manual rack & pinion, composition leaf springs, manual brakes, but I do plan on a/c since it's a coupe and I live in the heat belt. Talking with Dave, he believes the boost would really bring the engine to life consider the main restriction is the manifold. Time will tell.
Oh yea, I love the cold air setup on the ram jet. I might even try to copy it if you don't mind.


Chuck