Hey all, this one keeps coming back to me. I have been researching various components of a new project I am in the process of starting. I am currently researching parts for a 1963 Convertible. My goal is a lighter buildup, somewhere south of 2700 pounds. My question is, would the RamJet 502 with 510 hp/560 #/ft of torque provide any advantages over a moderately built LS1? The RamJet can be had for about $8500. I know I can get the LS1 cheaper, but the parts add up quick! I am sure the RamJet is several hundred pounds heavier. The car will be mainly a cruiser with occasional track runs, so fuel economey is not a top priority. I welcome any thoughts/comments/suggestions. TIA,

 

I decided on the small block route as I didn't want the extra 300+ lbs of the big block. Now, if you can afford an aluminum big block it would be an easy choice.

-Greg

 

Greg, could you email me some insider info about those totally tricked out uppar A arms you have?

Thanks,

Marck

 

Ah, the "ZL1 block". I think $5000 for the block alone is more than I would want to spend! By the time I go ahead with this, LS1's will probably be more plentiful in salvage yards. I also want to use a shot of nitrous (100-150) for the track. I am thinking that with my intentions, the big block will just be too heavy. A ZL1 Ram Jet would be sweet though :yesnod:

 

You can turn 400rwhp out of a LS1 with some good headers, ported heads, and cam. http://www.racenet.net has a great package for about $2k. The problem with an LS1 is motor mounts. http://www.moreperformanceinc.com/ has some good LS1 motor packages.

I'm not sure the ramjet 502 will clear your hood. The 502 would have more torque but you should be able to get very close track times out of heads and cam LS1.

 

Yes the all aluminum LS1 would be sweet, but there is NOTHING like a Big Block. You can get the hp out the LS1 but you'll never have the torque. And torque = FUN :D
I'd say go with the 502 because there is more potenial, but that's me.
:cheers:

 

Hey! forget the stoneage bigblock and do something different!

Bigblocks have been and done over and over again. get something wich is desinged at 90s and made aluminium. and the bestpart...its EFI!!!

:cheers:

 

Twinnie: Just go to the Speedway Motors web site and search the racing parts catalog for adjustable upper control arms. Note that you do have to ream the spindles for Crysler screw-in ball joints (though that is actually pretty easy as they also sell the correct taper reamer). Drop me an e-mail if you need more info.
http://www.speedwaymotors.com


-Greg


[Modified by GregP, 9:36 AM 1/24/2002]

 

Hey all, good suggestions and comments! Good point about the hood clearance thing. Would the Ram Jet clear a 1967 style 427 stinger hood? That is what is on the car now. How about all the extra torque of the big block? Would it be enough to justify the extra 300 pounds? Remember, I would like to keep the total weight of the car around 2700 pounds (tube frame saves a few hundred on the stock frame). Well, keep these ideas flowing! :seeya

 

Greg, wich ones do you have???

 

Twinnie: Good question. They are the "offset type", as I needed the fore/aft offset (spindle is not in the center between the shaft mounting holes), but I don't remember which length (think they may be the 8 1/4" ones). Mine are shorter than "stock" due to swapping the shaft from "inside" the mounting plates to "outside", and you should also know that the 6" bolt spacing for the shaft is different, so you can use the rear mouting holes, but need to drill new forward ones.

Drop me an e-mail (greg.page@nrl.navy.mil) if you want more info.

-Greg


[Modified by GregP, 3:22 PM 1/25/2002]

 

Go with the new iron!...err....aluminum!

 

Bryan,

I think the comments on hood clearance of the Ram Jet are correct. I recall that unit being about 11 1/2" tall from the base of the manifold and think clearance would be a problem with that version of the 502. You could go with the carb version of the 502 but even that one takes a little work to get an air cleaner to fit as the manifold is a high-rise unit. A dropped base filter housing should work though. Another option would be to use an after market FI unit which should be quite a bit lower. The difference in cost between the 502/502 and the RamJet should be more than be enough to cover the cost of the after market injection unit. The 502 might be a little more straightforward to install as the motor mounts mentioned earlier on the LS1 would be a little more difficult. Also the clutch setup is a little simpler on the big block although you need an adapter for the "Z" bar as this block doesn't have the rearward mount for the pivot ball that earlier big blocks had. Scroggins-Dickey has an adapter plate. With the LS1 engine you would need to convert to a hydraulic unit unless someone is making a mechanical unit now.

The other comments on the weight difference are also important to consider. You can account for some of that with the right spring setup but the front end will still be much heavier with the big block.

Good luck with your choice. Either one can perform fine with the right setup.

Rich Lagasse

 

Well, bowtie thinks my big block is outdated & worthless. Maybe I should just hang it up!! Hehehe.... Seriously, for driving around town I think the 502 is an excellent choice. You can keep the engine quite docile so it will last forever & won't need to hardly step on the gas to get power. To get an LS1 cranking the same power as that 502, the tolerances will be much tighter & the compression will need to be much higher. The RamJet is an excellent system - come with a great warranty, you get the cool EFI & basically you can just slap it in there. If it had been ready on time, there might have been one in my car. Nothing against building up a small block, but take it from a guy who has been waiting over 2 years to even hear his car run. There is a lot to be said for a well built crate engine. 565 pounds of torque is also more than the Viper is producing, so the car will be a force to be reckoned with - without having to make one single modification. That's a beautiful thing.


[Modified by Merlin522, 6:32 PM 2/7/2002]

 

P.S. As for clearance, it will fit under any of the hi rise hoods out there - L88, twin turbo etc. We had one at the shop & measured it. Also, check out the graph at the bottom of the link below. Try getting that flat a torque curve with an LS1 & still have it be as docile to drive. Very tough to do. Of course, I am also very partial to monster blocks...
http://www.sallee-chevrolet.com/Chev...m_Jet_502.html

 

Hey! I resemble that remark!!!!!!
:lol: :chevy :chevy :lol:

 

I still say if your going to all the trouble of making the car light, don't weigh it down with an underbuilt big block. That much torque in a light application would unusable on the street. The torque the LS motor would make in your car would fell like a big block in a 3700lbs car.

 

The 502 works just fine...