502 ram jet

[81shortstep]

have any of you guys ever installed a 502 ram jet in our trucks if u have what is all involved in doing this and how does it perform.i am just looking for engine options right now but i for sure want a bbc.

[liljon285]

Do you know how much one costs!!!!!?? You're crazy, but nice choice though lol.

[N2TRUX]

I have a Ramjet 350 in my 77. Not quite the same motor as a Ramjet 502. but much cheaper to buy "and" operate....

[liljon285]

yea but he wants bbc, I am dieng to build a 396 for sum reason i love that engine i guess because of the number or small block c.i. but a big block.

[Srubydo1986]

Id like to see this 502 ramjet in action. Personally I think it would be cool to put in our truck we have so much space for an engine. So i i find it to be a good idea if you got the cash.

Good luck witht he ramjet 502 idea. But woulnt the ramjet 350 basic be the same in a 502 such as computer setting/placement. Its just a bigger motor and a different computer.

[81shortstep]

im thinkin i might go with it might take a while to save up the cash but its gonna be a weekend driver and only driven 4 months of the year so i want something big enough to have some fun with.

[SanitysBane]

Go for it. But I don't think it has enough horse power, http://www.azspeed-marine.com/asminzz.html that one has 640. Thats a little better.

[49studebaker]

It's a rather sad thought, but the Ramjet 350 I bought last fall cost about the same amount that my daily driver is worth. We gotta be crazy!

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by 49studebaker

It's a rather sad thought, but the Ramjet 350 I bought last fall cost about the same amount that my daily driver is worth. We gotta be crazy!

Yeah, and the 502 is double that. I think some one is having champagne dreams on a beer budget.

[81shortstep]

you gotta have dreams dont u.id rather spend the extra money on something that i will be happy with even if it does take alittle longer.

[Malo83]

Go for it 81ss,

[N2TRUX]

Nothing wrong with dreaming, I do it all the time. I suggest while your dreaming you consider the cost of the 502 Ramjet, "and" the transmission that you will need, "and" the rear end that you will need to replace, "and".....

[81shortstep]

ya i know i have been thinking about that today but i think it might be worth it unless i change my mind and find something better and cheaper.
BTW N2TRUX i looked at your 77 with the 350 ram jet very sweet truck

[bigblock73]

Nothing wrong with dreaming, and if you want it bad enough, you will find a way to make it work.

I put in a big block in my truck because I was tired of having the oh-so-common small block. I bet 90% of the 73-87's on the road are powered by a 305 or 350...with the other 10% powered by big blocks, six cylinders, or diesels. I wanted to be a little different, and make lots of easy HP while doing so.

I don't blame you for wanting a 502, I did too...but I was able to have my 454 (now 468) built for a fraction of the cost of a crate 502.

Just something to think about.

[msgross]

Here's one...

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=223074

[49studebaker]

Don't get the wrong idea shortstep, I'm not much better, which is what I meant by my comment. I put off buying a new pickup so I can refine the ones I do own. It's an expensive hobby but I actually do drive all mine on a daily basis so it's a good trade off for me. My pickups don't look like everyone else's because theirs are all new and look alike. Also, the other thing some don't take into consideration is the fact that some of the forum members (hell, maybe you) are bringing in six figure incomes and this is actually their "cheapest" hobby(meaning $30,000 for a truck build might be affordable). Definately a wide range of incomes/lifestyles on this board.

[Malo83]

And head sizes

[87 STEPPER]

I researched this engine install a few years back and i spoke to a few guys that had the 502 RJ and they told me the engine had an oil consumption problem due to some bad rings that GM used in these engines.

They also told me that it was a PITA to get GM to honer the Warrante so that turned me off to doing the swap and the fact that my TPI SBC runs so good.

But i'v heard that GM has fixed that and now the only problem is not knowing if you will receive an older one with the bum rings in it or the new & improved one.

But the install is a straight foward one all you are gonna need is some BBC engine mounts and a differant pully sys. and you may have to fab up some linkage from the firewall to the throttle body, and a set of headers and for that theres about an endless choice.

The ECM and IF harness are a stand alone sys. and every plug only go's to it's respective component so thats no big deal.

You will have to either change your fuel tank out with one thats set up for a modern FI sys. with the internal pump or modify your tank with a return line and then get a external mounted ele. fuel pump that will support that FI sys. and a fuel filter that will handle the high pressure of that sys. and then you will need to run the necessary fuel lines from there on up to the manifold.

You will need to go with either a manual or auto tranny that will handle the 502's power and depending on what tran's you use you may need to get a custom drive shaft.

You will also need to upgrade your rear end and i was looking at a custom made one from Moser for just under 2k you get a 12 bolt POSI that read to go no BS!

Thats about it.

All i have to say is do some research on it get on the net and shop around figure out what you really want and can afford to spend on this cuz it's not gonna be cheap and if you try to skimp on the other stuff it wont work out in the long run.

Figure out what you think the total cost will be and then add 20% to it for all the unexpected cost involved in a project like this.

Then set your sights on saving that amount dont try to do it a little here and a little there because more times than not it wont ever get done.

I dont want to sound negitive but i just hate to see people start something and never finish it.

Good luck.

[81shortstep]

thx for the info on the motor. sounds like it'll be some work but thats ok.as for the fuel tank im looking to put a fuel cell between the frame rail behind the axle so ill have to look around for something that will support the FI system.the rear axle i have now is screwed i was doing a burnout and i blew up the rear end so its gotta be rebuilt anyways.i blew a tire while doing so . i gotta a guy here in town that will rebuild it for next to nothing all i gotta do is supply the parts. but ill still shop around a make a decision soon.

[Dean]

Should be a good combination. I just put the 572 in my 87 K30 and it has unbelievable power. Of course it likes gas too. Good thing I have dual gas tanks......lol

[87 STEPPER]

It's not in a 73-87 but it should get the juices flowing

Oh yeah and it's super charged too!

[82c10]

you could get a fox, and put a 460 in it for much cheaper

[Hoods69BadBowTie]

LOL, the 502 would be a bad motor in what ever you put it in. I say do some more research and find out everything you need and then go for it if you really want to. I was looking at awhile back but hope to atleast get a 454 in my Blazer down the road. Defiantly keep us posted.

[81shortstep]

hmmm supercharger eh. i got to looking tonite and i found a zz4 crate motor with a whipple supercharger makin 518 hp if i did go this way it would be cheaper then the ram jet i checked already. so im up for any opinions.

[SSC's76]

Not to be a buzzkill but it's the same engine family as my 454 gen 6. A serpentine bracket setup is nearly a must since brackets are a PITA to find and V belt BB power steering pumps and brackets are nearly impossible to get. If you have an auto your well ahead of the game since they come with the correct flexplate when you buy them. If you have a stick your in the same boat I am, looks very grim at this point. You would be much better off building a stroker 454 (496) and pecing togather a FI system.