Super Ram, need tips & help
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 2,629
Likes: 9
From: Drag racing junkie Va.
Super Ram, need tips & help
I picked up a '90 coupe with a Super Ram & lots of mods last Sunday for racing.
Went to the track last night and discovered its pulling oil in from the lifter valley into #1&3 at the least. Since i have no experience with removing & replacing this unit I'm looking for tips, short-cuts, suggestions and hints to make this as painless as possible. Trying to get ready for E-town this coming weekend, need to have this thing fixed, thanks in advance,
Dave :sad:
Went to the track last night and discovered its pulling oil in from the lifter valley into #1&3 at the least. Since i have no experience with removing & replacing this unit I'm looking for tips, short-cuts, suggestions and hints to make this as painless as possible. Trying to get ready for E-town this coming weekend, need to have this thing fixed, thanks in advance,
Dave :sad:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,115
Likes: 220
From: Ca.
Re: Super Ram, need tips & help (new92racer)
It all depends on what the previous installer did to mod it.....if they slotted the ends of the bolts so you can get them with a screwdriver from above it won't be too bad-but if not....well, plan on some &*%$^#
Also a ball end long hex(allen) wrench makes life much nicer....
Also a ball end long hex(allen) wrench makes life much nicer....
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 2,629
Likes: 9
From: Drag racing junkie Va.
Re: Super Ram, need tips & help (drive it)
Thanks drive it.
Do I assume right that I have to take this whole thing apart (runners & plenum off) before removing the base?
Dave :cry
Do I assume right that I have to take this whole thing apart (runners & plenum off) before removing the base?
Dave :cry
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 83,383
Likes: 87
From: Boston, MA
The hex fittings are a #6 metric. I used a Snap-On ball-end #6 metric hex and a 3/8" drive #6 metric hex socket to make things easier. I found the snap-on sockets had a long enough shank on them to get to the runners where other brands were too short and the socket part would hit.
The bottom small screws holding the plenum to the runners are 12-point 1/4". I used a 1/4" drive 12-point 1/4" socket to get a few of them on. The other ones was a tedious task with a tiny 1/4" wrench.
Pick up 2 new sets of gaskets for it just in case you break one while installing it. I used a light coat of black RTV on both sides of the gaskets to ensure a good seal w/o vacuum leaks. So far so good.
The bottom small screws holding the plenum to the runners are 12-point 1/4". I used a 1/4" drive 12-point 1/4" socket to get a few of them on. The other ones was a tedious task with a tiny 1/4" wrench.
Pick up 2 new sets of gaskets for it just in case you break one while installing it. I used a light coat of black RTV on both sides of the gaskets to ensure a good seal w/o vacuum leaks. So far so good.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 6,172
Likes: 11
From: somers, ny
Re: (new92racer)
New92, if you want to remove the base, you'll have to remove the runners and fuel rails etc. Job is a pain, but the tips above will help. Figure about 4 hours to take it off and put back on, but times can vary greatly depending how much trouble it wants to be. Another tip is to chase the threads on the plenum with a tap and clean the bolts on a wire wheel. You want to make sure they will thread in easily. Then start all the plenum bolts before even starting to snug it down. Start with the most difficult to get at bolts. The base goes on like any other intake manifold, just make sure you use plenty of sealant on the bolts (you dont want to have to do this again). The runners aren't all that difficult either...i usually glue the gasket to the base first, then start the bottom bolts so they are just loose enough to slide the runners on. then start all the others and tighten. In case it wasn't ementioned above, you'll have to remove 4 rockers to get at the bottom runner bolts. Aint this fun.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,009
Likes: 1
From: Springfield MO
Re: (ralph)
my setup had a tendency to suck oil from the pvc air hose that went from the pass valve cover to the tb. When I had the lid off I could see a path from behind the tb straight to the number 2 cylinder. So basically the oil was sucked through the valve cover into the tb and straight into the #2 combustion chamber.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 2,629
Likes: 9
From: Drag racing junkie Va.
Re: (AS84)
Ralph & AS84,
Great tips, thanks! :yesnod:
Ralph, didn't I meet you at E-town last year during the Vette race? I was pitted with Phil & Lenny and had the Aqua '92. I'll be there with the light green '90 assuming things go back together OK.
Dave :flag
Great tips, thanks! :yesnod:
Ralph, didn't I meet you at E-town last year during the Vette race? I was pitted with Phil & Lenny and had the Aqua '92. I'll be there with the light green '90 assuming things go back together OK.
Dave :flag
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 8,183
Likes: 3
From: Santa Maria, CA
Re: Super Ram, need tips & help (new92racer)
how do you diagnose it is pulling oil from the lifter valley? only #1 and 3 plugs were showing it?
btw, also: drill out to 5/16's the holes in the top of the runners. The ones that meet the bottom of the upper plennum. and make sure to connect the EGR line before the upper goes back on. Don't ask how I know that :crazy: :lol:
BTW, a ball end allen allowed me to tighten lower runner bolts without removing rocker arms.
my SR didn't come with bolts, so I ended up using lots of hex head bolts everywhere almost. I was able to use a combo wrench on the bolts that affix the upper to the runners.
btw, also: drill out to 5/16's the holes in the top of the runners. The ones that meet the bottom of the upper plennum. and make sure to connect the EGR line before the upper goes back on. Don't ask how I know that :crazy: :lol:
BTW, a ball end allen allowed me to tighten lower runner bolts without removing rocker arms.
my SR didn't come with bolts, so I ended up using lots of hex head bolts everywhere almost. I was able to use a combo wrench on the bolts that affix the upper to the runners.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 2,629
Likes: 9
From: Drag racing junkie Va.
Re: Super Ram, need tips & help (89 Paul in Cal)
89 Paul,
I pulled the plugs and #1 was almost oil fouled and #3 was heading there. Oil is seeping around the manifold bolt in front of #1 port. I'm pulling the entire intake to see if the gasket is mis-seated there, it also has a slight bit of seepage in the front & back rail area.
BTW, have any of you run Diacom and/or an EGT sensor with the SR? I'm curious what your O2 & temp readings are running during a full throttle 1/4 mile pass.
Thanks for the help guys,
Dave :cheers:
I pulled the plugs and #1 was almost oil fouled and #3 was heading there. Oil is seeping around the manifold bolt in front of #1 port. I'm pulling the entire intake to see if the gasket is mis-seated there, it also has a slight bit of seepage in the front & back rail area.
BTW, have any of you run Diacom and/or an EGT sensor with the SR? I'm curious what your O2 & temp readings are running during a full throttle 1/4 mile pass.
Thanks for the help guys,
Dave :cheers:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,012
Likes: 1
From: Bowie MD
Re: Super Ram, need tips & help (new92racer)
I sent ya an email attachment with original installation instructions as well as hints given to me by the fellows on the forum. Hope it helps.
:cheers:
Chris
:cheers:
Chris
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 2,629
Likes: 9
From: Drag racing junkie Va.
Re: Super Ram, need tips & help (corvette1990)
Hi Chris,
Thanks for the hints & install files, I did get them both printed, lots of great info.
AS84,
I think you may have hit on it with the PCV! I just pulled the lid and the whole inside of the plenum & lid are covered in clean oil! Did you eliminate the PCV with breathers? Since this is a track only car I just might do it.
Dave :cheers:
[Modified by new92racer, 11:34 AM 7/24/2002]
[Modified by new92racer, 11:35 AM 7/24/2002]
Thanks for the hints & install files, I did get them both printed, lots of great info.
AS84,
I think you may have hit on it with the PCV! I just pulled the lid and the whole inside of the plenum & lid are covered in clean oil! Did you eliminate the PCV with breathers? Since this is a track only car I just might do it.
Dave :cheers:
[Modified by new92racer, 11:34 AM 7/24/2002]
[Modified by new92racer, 11:35 AM 7/24/2002]
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,500
Likes: 0
From: Holliston MA
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Re: Super Ram, need tips & help (new92racer)
Go find a 1/4" GearWrench - thats the brand name. It'll make the 4 inner bolts from the runners to the plenum a piece of cake.
Also if the PCV is pulling oil, my guess is that there isn't a baffle in the valve cover. You can buy baffled grommets if you're not using stock valve covers.
[Modified by SloRvette, 5:58 PM 7/24/2002]
Also if the PCV is pulling oil, my guess is that there isn't a baffle in the valve cover. You can buy baffled grommets if you're not using stock valve covers.
[Modified by SloRvette, 5:58 PM 7/24/2002]
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 2,629
Likes: 9
From: Drag racing junkie Va.
Re: Super Ram, need tips & help (SloRvette)
SloRvette,
I wish I colud find a 1/4 Gearwrench, I have everything but that one. I did have an old Craftsman 12 pt. racheting box that I took off the black plastic and ground down the outside until it fits almost every bolt. :D
I'm thinking that PCV was the problem now, I'll block it off at the TB, put the thing back together, give it a go, then pull the lid back off and look see.
Report back later,
Dave :yesnod:
I wish I colud find a 1/4 Gearwrench, I have everything but that one. I did have an old Craftsman 12 pt. racheting box that I took off the black plastic and ground down the outside until it fits almost every bolt. :D
I'm thinking that PCV was the problem now, I'll block it off at the TB, put the thing back together, give it a go, then pull the lid back off and look see.
Report back later,
Dave :yesnod:
Instructor
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 155
Likes: 30
From: Manchester, TN
Re: Super Ram, need tips & help (new92racer)
Chris,
If you could I would like to see those files too. Mine has a tendancy to pull oil fromt he passenger side cover too. Motor is fresh and runs strong so I doubt it is too much blowby. Any help or thoughts would be appreciated.
If you could I would like to see those files too. Mine has a tendancy to pull oil fromt he passenger side cover too. Motor is fresh and runs strong so I doubt it is too much blowby. Any help or thoughts would be appreciated.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,500
Likes: 0
From: Holliston MA
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Re: Super Ram, need tips & help (new92racer)
I got mine off the Snap-On truck. At first I had a 12 point combo wrench - $23 cuz of the Snap-On name. Then my dealer remembered the GearWrench - $10 for it. :cool:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 6,172
Likes: 11
From: somers, ny
Re: Super Ram, need tips & help (SloRvette)
New92, i think we DID meet last year...come to think of it. Hopefully we'll see you there again on Sat. Bring Lenny and Phil with ya too :)
as for the oil. This is what i did:
the PCV should connect to the base on the drivers side about mid way (not the plenum). As Slow mentioned above, baffled valve covers are a must. The stock valve covers are actually very good...functionally speaking. Then on the passenger side i just let the valve cover breath...didn't connect it to the throttle body like the stock setup. Actually i did at first, but was starting to build up oil residue and got rid of that. Try that before you pull that sucker apart.
Good luck and maybe we'll see ya Sat.
as for the oil. This is what i did:
the PCV should connect to the base on the drivers side about mid way (not the plenum). As Slow mentioned above, baffled valve covers are a must. The stock valve covers are actually very good...functionally speaking. Then on the passenger side i just let the valve cover breath...didn't connect it to the throttle body like the stock setup. Actually i did at first, but was starting to build up oil residue and got rid of that. Try that before you pull that sucker apart.
Good luck and maybe we'll see ya Sat.