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ramjet: opinions wanted (update)

neverendingproject

neverendingproject

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Im wanting to change to a multiport sytem over my aftermarket tbi. I have a 383 with vortec heads. My tbi sucks for reasons I dont want to get into and the ramjet is what Ive been eyeing.

1. Anyone have experience with the systems?

2. Pros/Cons?

3. Im looking looking for a powerband around 1500-4000. What are some cam options? Im looking at maybe zz383 cam or lt4 hot cam.

I would enjoy ANY opinions.

Thanks guys
 
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For that powerband, a TPI with aftermarket base and runners would work very nicely.
 
Also, I have the 383ht cam now, which is also the cam they use on the ramjet350's, but it doesnt seems to have upper rpm (4000+) but that could be the 750cfm tbi. I would like to be able to wind it to 5000 if I wanted to.
 
neverendingproject said:
Im wanting to change to a multiport sytem over my aftermarket tbi. I have a 383 with vortec heads. My tbi sucks for reasons I dont want to get into and the ramjet is what Ive been eyeing.

1. Anyone have experience with the systems?

2. Pros/Cons?

3. Im looking looking for a powerband around 1500-4000. What are some cam options? Im looking at maybe zz383 cam or lt4 hot cam.

I would enjoy ANY opinions.

Thanks guys
Click to expand...

I'm going to a Ram Jet 502 simply because I'm not mechanically-inclined and the Ram Jet is pre-packaged and ready to go :D !

chevyin said:
<<<<<<<<<<hows about the 502 version:D
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X2!
 
i got the ramjet for the power and easy install it has plenty of power at any range for me


i think you can now get the intake as a kit and send off the get a chip made to run a 383 but i have never dun it
 
neverendingproject said:
Im thinking that pricing is similar, that the ramjet would flow better and less electronics. Maybe im wrong?
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I'm not sure on pricing, as I have never priced the ramjet setup. I do know that the TPI will produce gobs of torque and a very flat power band. Complete setups can be had used for $100-$400, but once you start adding in better base, runners, and injectors, the price starts to quickly climb. Universal harnesses are easy to come by, and there is also a company out there that will modify a stock TBI harness to work with the TPI setup. The ramjet, I basically know nothing about.
 
The Ramjet injection system is a little expensive at $1,450.00 WITHOUT the computer and harness. By the time you buy a computer (the 350 ramjet computer will not work with your 383!)and harness you're over 2 grand easy and you still have to buy incidentals like fuel line fuel pump etc etc. The other downside to the ram jet and the TPI system is the front mounted throttle body gets in the way of brackets and makes intake ducting a little more difficult.

I would recommend an Edelbrock setup ($2,300.00) a Holley system or something similar. They sell complete with lines, pump, filter, brackets and just about everything else you need for the same price as a ram jet without all the little stuff.

You could also stay with a TBI system, (modified G.M., Holley digital etc.) they work very well and are a whole lot less money. When you factor in the horsepower per dollar for a port system the returns are a little marginal.

Camshaft selection depends on which injection system you go with. Generally speaking a cam with about 205-210 duration (@ .050") .440 lift and 112-114* lobe seperation will work very well for your combination and powerband requirements.
 
Ive got the harness and im in the process of getting the ecm cheap too. The harness, module and software, im getting for less than the module itself. I also have part numbers to get the manifold pieces individually, which is a bit cheaper. Im not sure that the specs are on my 383ht cam but Ill look it up.
 
You don't want to get into the TBI issue, but without knowing, (ok, checked the post, doesn't change my mind) all I can say is why would you go to another injection setup if you can't make yours work right? Just because it has less sensors doesn't mean it's that much easier to troubleshoot when something goes wrong.

My opinion, stay with what you've got, figure it out, make it work, or go to a carburetor. (and I hate carbs BTW, so that's the worst option IMO)

I don't mean to be harsh, just that I've had problems with my injection setup that took me a LONG time to figure out, but the end result is, I did. If I had spent $2000 for another setup because I couldn't figure them out, and another problem cropped up, I would have been a little upset. Even carburetors are a pain, look how many can't figure those out.
 
In a jist, my tbi runs like crap cold. Its a holley 670 cfm and doesnt flow well above 3500. Ive had a chip programmed like 3 times, results never change. It tends to want to bog down when I gas it, even just a little, then it takes off. My setup makes no power whatsoever. It makes the same as my 305 did, just a bit better mileage. Overall, im not happy with the setup. Theres a few other things it does every now and then that just get on my nerves. I want nuts on my truck and my motor gives me cashews.
 
I'm currently running a 383 with plain jane heads and it pulls hard in the RPM range your looking for.

I did chip it though because it had stock chip when I got it and how could a computer possibly run a 383 worth a crap, when it's thinking the motor is a 350? :doah:

I believe bigger/better injectors would help some in the higher RPM range but for now I think it runs pretty sweet for having the stock injectors.
 
vtblazer said:
I believe bigger/better injectors would help some in the higher RPM range but for now I think it runs pretty sweet for having the stock injectors.
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Problem is, unless its been hooked up to a wide band O2 sensor, you really have no idea if the injectors are maxxed out at wot, which could mean you are running lean.

Not relevant to the OP's post, I'll stop now.

I do suggest trying a known good TB though, holley has had some qc issues on injection stuff.
 
dyeager535 said:
Problem is, unless its been hooked up to a wide band O2 sensor, you really have no idea if the injectors are maxxed out at wot, which could mean you are running lean.

Not relevant to the OP's post, I'll stop now.

I do suggest trying a known good TB though, holley has had some qc issues on injection stuff.
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Your right, that's what the chip was 'supposed' to take care of, that exact issue.

Not the place to hash out here though as you stated.

I also agree with trying a TBI before spending the big bucks on an entire new set of problems/issues too.
 
Ive set my pressure up with a higher psi pump, so I think injectors are fine. Everytime I got a chip burned, I datalogged it for 15 minutes or so with all kinds of driving, and he said only minor adjustments were needed. Im not sure if I have a wideband 02 sensor or not, but it is a heated one from late 90's model chevy.
 
Increasing fuel pressure is a band aid, and a bad one at that. You dealt with Brian, did he give you advice based on previous experiences on engines like yours, that you took, and still didn't solve the problem?

Mechanically is the engine sound? You don't have a bad cam lobe or broken rocker do you?
 
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