saturnstyl
Nov 26th, 03, 6:34 PM
I have learned a lot so far but am still gathering info and reluctantly full of doubt. The car has a 454 with a turbo 400, and after 1 year the #4 intake lobe has gone flat on the cam. Tired of polishing the proverbial turd that this motor is, Dad and I have been smitten by a Ramjet 502. Roller lifters, short valve covers, fuel injection, and more power. It should fix all the problems we have encountered with the old set up. I have learned that phone calls work far better than E-mail. Calling gets answers and results. I have learned that getting phone numbers can be difficult. I have learned that no matter what you need, chances are it will have to be shipped from afar. And will take 2-3 weeks. And you don't have everything you need to complete the job. And you have to wait some more.
So far we have settled on an engine, we have provided for the correct 7 quart oil pan to fit a chevelle to be installed. The engine will be dynoed before it is shipped so we don't have to sweat with the break in. Its getting a set of Hooker competition metallic ceramic coated headers also. This will all come from Sallee chevy. They tell me the motor comes with throttle linkage, air filter, and manual already.
I have ordered a TPI in tank fuel pump and sump from Rock valley. They say that thier pump which is rated at 33 GPH will work even though the motor calls for 35 GPH. He told me to talk to the guys at Street and Performance, and he said that particular pump is what they have used and have had no problems with even on modified engines. Rock valley stated using the larger pumps offered would result in difficulty with the fuel return, and resulting richer idle mixture and poor drivability. So standard pump it is. We will need to have this welded in the tank.
The hood will need to have some bracing cut from underneath according to 3 sources. The stock hood will fit though.
Dad has ordered a DTS 12 bolt posi with 3.08 gears. It will replace the 10 bolt 3.73 posi that makes the motor cruise at 4000 rpm. Couldn't have helped the cam or fuel economy that way. He is having the driveshaft balanced and new u-joints installed to help deal with all this power. We plan to break in the gears with the old engine so its one less thing to worry about later.
This is all I can think of right now, and I hope I have covered all bases. For those considering the swap, I honestly think you could to worse. I am not having to worry about building a motor, matching components, breaking it in, and how much power it will make. For some getting there is most of the fun, for us driving and showing is where the fun is. Thanks in advance for suggestions and input!
So far we have settled on an engine, we have provided for the correct 7 quart oil pan to fit a chevelle to be installed. The engine will be dynoed before it is shipped so we don't have to sweat with the break in. Its getting a set of Hooker competition metallic ceramic coated headers also. This will all come from Sallee chevy. They tell me the motor comes with throttle linkage, air filter, and manual already.
I have ordered a TPI in tank fuel pump and sump from Rock valley. They say that thier pump which is rated at 33 GPH will work even though the motor calls for 35 GPH. He told me to talk to the guys at Street and Performance, and he said that particular pump is what they have used and have had no problems with even on modified engines. Rock valley stated using the larger pumps offered would result in difficulty with the fuel return, and resulting richer idle mixture and poor drivability. So standard pump it is. We will need to have this welded in the tank.
The hood will need to have some bracing cut from underneath according to 3 sources. The stock hood will fit though.
Dad has ordered a DTS 12 bolt posi with 3.08 gears. It will replace the 10 bolt 3.73 posi that makes the motor cruise at 4000 rpm. Couldn't have helped the cam or fuel economy that way. He is having the driveshaft balanced and new u-joints installed to help deal with all this power. We plan to break in the gears with the old engine so its one less thing to worry about later.
This is all I can think of right now, and I hope I have covered all bases. For those considering the swap, I honestly think you could to worse. I am not having to worry about building a motor, matching components, breaking it in, and how much power it will make. For some getting there is most of the fun, for us driving and showing is where the fun is. Thanks in advance for suggestions and input!