some questions

[k120189]

some questions...just want to get them clear...im looking at the ramjet 350 or the 5.7L vortec for my van...now the vortec would probly be cheaper, easier to find, and easier to install. so its looking like im going that way...cause the ramjet has its own control unit....and from what i understand the ecm controls the engine and tranny in the van...so how exactly would that work...would u wire the ramjet into the the ecm and flash it for a v8? well this is all a bit down the road...money is tight for my now...so all im gathering now is info...also...im guessing all i need besides the engine and ecm and things fromt he salvage yard are engine mounts...and headers are optional?...thanks in advanced for the help

[RickU]

I've looked at going this route and dismissed it because of expense and incompatablity issues. I'm no expert, but from what I read these motors are designed for "1976 and older vehicles" (quoted from GM). I'm guessing that's for pollution control reasons. So the MEFI (Marine Electronic Fuel Injection) controller which is the ECM (Engine Control Module) for this motor is not going to be compatable with your PCM (Powertrain Control Module) which is what controls your engine and trans on your (2000?) van. You would end up needing a separate transmission controller that cost somewhere around $1000. I think the Ramjet motors FI system is a speed/density system (no Mass Airflow Sensor) like the '90-'92 TPI (Tuned Port Injection) system which has no MAS. It's completely different then the CSFI(Central Sequential Fuel Injection) system used on your truck so even if you flashed your EEPROM (Electronically Erasable Programable Read Only Memory) in your PCM for a V8 it's going to be looking for a V8 CSFI system like the 5.7 Vortec you mentioned. I'm sure it can be done, but will the performance gains be worth the effort especially if you live in a state that does any kind of testing? I could be wrong on any or all of this so anyone with any other info please chime in.

[Mr_Roboto]

I'd much rather buy the intake and cam or an aftermarket cam (yet better still) and toss em on a stock vortec long block. That intake is KILLER the torque curve is amazing. I would find someone that could flash your box and re-wire for the Ramjet intake and use it with a stock Vortec ECU. That's just my take on it however. There will be challenges presented by doing this, but IMO they will be worth it. With the ramjet intake/cam and some long tube headers you could probably come near doubling your van's current HP. That's not a bad deal IMO.

[RickU]

I belive it would be cool. I just haven't found any accounts of anyone that has done it successfully yet, but I'll keep looking. It just brings a lot more complications then a 4.3 TBI to 5.7 TBI or a 4.3 CSFI to 5.7 CSFI.

[RickU]

Well I was wrong it's been done. It's done by using the 0411 computer that came with the '02-'03 astro-safari's & '01-'02 express-savanas. You could use any 0411 computer but the express-savanas have the programing already on them where any of the others would have to be reflashed. This is the computer that runs the LS motors so there is a lot more tune-ability then the black boxes of the other Vortecs. You still need to have someone tune it or you can tune it yourself with EFILive if you know about that. There are threads about it at Thirdgen, Pacific Performance, Fullsize Chevy, & others. I'm still reading and I am definitely going this route. You are not limited to the Ram Jet either you can use the TPI, Steathram, and others. It's good news for people that want obdII and a good sequential FI system. No longer are we limited to the the congested CSFI or TBI systems. I'm psyched, like Mr Roboto said it will be easy to double your HP.

[blk lt awd]

i spoke to a gm performance tech at the 2006 SEMA show and was told that the ramjet 350 would be my best bet and that everything would work as the included module is plug and play. however when asking the same question last year......another tech said the ramjet would work but a better bet might be the 383 which comes in an emissions legal version. he then went on to say although the 383 is designed to be emissions legal it may not pass testing in your particular area due to gm not having tested the engine in every area. so as far as i'm concerned the jury is still out......

[RickU]

Where I live they don't test the exhuast anymore. They just test at the OBDII port, so I just need to have it functioning and error code free. Engine size, intake design, and emission cotrols don't matter just as long as they aren't triggering codes. I'm still trying to figure out the VIN # issue though. I don't know if the computer will let you run your stock VIN # and a V8 program or if in the testing if they check the VIN #? I'll keep looking. As far as the ram jet being plug and play it is with thier MEFI module, not with your trucks computer. That means it's not OBDII and it won't run an electronic trans(the M stands for marine). The HT383E is emission legal as long as you put all the pieces from the 5.7L Vortec it replaces. That doesn't solve the problem of the crappy vortec intake maifold.

[RickU]

Here's a quote from a member(battman) at Thirdgen.org concerning the VIN # question. "You can program any vin you like in the 0411 PCM. so yes you can change your ecm and os and still retain the original vin."