Ramjet 350 in 56 Vette..

[56 Texas]

anyone do this lately??? I have seen statements saying the hood brace has to be modified, the hood itself has to be modified, and that is just won't fit.. anyone shed some light.. I am about to put a fresh bullet in mine and really would like to do the Ramjet but I can't seem to find the answer as to whether it will fit ...

thanks!

 

[Muttley]

anyone do this lately??? I have seen statements saying the hood brace has to be modified, the hood itself has to be modified, and that is just won't fit.. anyone shed some light.. I am about to put a fresh bullet in mine and really would like to do the Ramjet but I can't seem to find the answer as to whether it will fit ...

thanks!

This has been discussed a number of times over on the CF; you may try a search over there. The consensus seems to be that--at a minimum--the brace needs to be notched to clear the throttle linkage. However, all these cars are a little different, so the definitive answer will probably only come from measuring your own car. Here are the Ram Jet dimensions:

Maybe you can devise a way of measuring your existing clearance from the top of the engine block at the forward end of the lifter valley up to your hood brace--I think that's the critical parameter.

If the Ram Jet 350 won't fit, Arizona Speed & Marine makes this system, which is also built for a Vortec-headed SBC (actually, I think they just modified a GM Ram Jet unit):

Note the throttle body has been moved to the side, where there would seemingly be more hood room. While I think this would look great in a C1 (certainly looks more like a vintage Rochester unit), I also have a feeling it's pretty expensive. They don't list a price for it on their site, which may be a clue. If you contact them let us know what you find!

http://www.azspeed-marine.com/cofuinsy.html

 

[Tom Bryant]

56 Texas

Welcome to the CAC.

I have wondered about the clearance of the Ram Jet too. That Arizona Speed and Marine manifold would look perfect on the early cars. From the price of their other units I would esimate it at 3-4k also. As Muttley said, let us know what you find out.

Tom

 

[DavidL]

I have a ram jet in my '65. I did have to cut the middle out of the x brace for clearance. A '67 big block hood would have worked without cutting. I don't know about yours.

 

[56 Texas]

after measuring the best I can, it appears that the brace under the hood on the '56 is in the way, I think I can cut that brace and make it flat in the middle, and that will allow enough clearance for the Ramjet, that is the approach I am going to take anyhow... if after putting the motor in and all and the hood still doesn't clear then I will modify the hood slightly to clear it..

I did contact Arizona Speed and Marine, they do offer the modified version of the Ramjet intake with the inlet on the side.. that will set you back about $3500 on top of the cost of the motor itself... more than I have budgeted ...

 

[Tom Bryant]

In the new issue (Winter 2004) of On Solid Ground , the magazine of the Solid Axle Corvette Club, there is an article called "A 62 That's Built To Drive". This car has a RamJet 350 but there is no mention of the hood brace or a picture that shows that part of the hood. Maybe you could contact the owner, Bruce Bursten, through the magazine's editor, Ken Amrick, vette5362@mail.com .

Tom

 

[56 Texas]

Tom..

thanks for the tip... I have sent a email request and I hope to hear something.. I will post here if I learn any additional information...

David

 

[dale3in98]

I know most people want to keep their cars stock and original looking, but since you are thinking ram-jet, why not buy a cowl induction hood. Vanacors Fiberglass out of Louisiana makes a nice bolt on factory looking cowl induction hood that I think would look great on these cars. I currently have some air cleaner clearance problems on my car and I am planning to install the cowl hood on my 59.

 

[56 Texas]

Dale.. would love to see your hood when it's done... sounds interesting..

fyi followup.. talked with Bruce, his '62 does have the Ramjet, did have to notch the hood brace, trimmed a little on the front rubber motor mounts, had to trim a little on the metal front motor mount itself to clear the thermostat and timing cover on the Ramjet motor, used Alan Grove belt system and threw a short water pump on there and he was good to go...

I will be doing similar on my '56 and I am also installing a Keisler Tremec 5 speed.. will report any issues here...

thanks to all for the help..

David

 

[Tom Bryant]

I'm glad you found out what you needed. This should be a fun project. I will especially be watching how the Tremec 5 speed installation goes. Keep us updated.

Tom

 

[56 Texas]

I wanted to follow up on this 'for the record' in case it helps someone else.. I now have the Ramjet 350 and tremec 5 speed in my '56 Vette... no modifications were required on the hood.. I expected that I was going to have to based on the research that I did before this project.. slight modification was required for the motor mount which is stock... as for the tremec, the tranny tunnel near the front seats had to be reshaped just a little to accomodate the larger yoke... I will post a couple of pictures... thanks for everyones help..

 

[56 Texas]

another picture...

 

[Fuelie]

Very clean looking installation. Thanks for sharing the pics and information.

Take care,
Brian

 

[67HEAVEN]

56Texas,

Wow! :eek

Nice project. It's hard to believe the hood will close.....but I do believe.

 

[56 Texas]

frankly I was amazed the hood closed.. there appears to be maybe a inch of room .. car was taken off the frame so new body mounts are under it along with new motor mounts.. everything is in there just like it suppose to be so I don't know how it fit but it did...

 

[IH2LOSE]

Thanks for coming back and showing the reults of your ram jet install.It sure doesnt look like it would work,I am sure you were very concerned the first time you closed the hood.


you sure are going to suprise alot of folks when you open that hood,What are you doing to the rest of the car? custom wheels or all stock

 

[Duntov-097]

That looks right at home in there. Thanks for the follow up.



Bob

 

[Tom Bryant]

Nice job.

 

[56 Texas]

appreciate the comments... the car will be painted the original colors of cascade green and shoreline beige with a original interior... Torq II wheels will give away that it isnt stock from the outside.. also I dont have the original gauges and that will be a giveaway... oh and that 5 speed shift indicator ... other than that it will be close to original... I am looking forward to getting the rest of the work done .. I have had the car in primer with a worn out V8 for nearly 15 years and have been looking forward to having a nice car to drive all that time..

 

[richscorvettes]

oh and that 5 speed shift indicator ...

Would you happen to be the fellow I sent the 5-speed shift pattern plate to in Texas? Nice job on the engine installation. Please post some pictures of the finished car when you have them.

Rich Lagasse