I know this sounds dumb, but im sure over the years GM has improved their engines, so they dont do the notorious blue smoke as easy, and other things.. Im just wondering how well they hold up? for instance, I have a brand new RAMJET 350 crate engine, ( 3 months old ) and it works nicely, but of corse I have the need for speed like everyone else here.. I have built my car to go pretty dang fast, and when you go fast, your engine is working harder.. so thats my question, how much is too much for an engine? what really hurts them? what makes them start smoking the horrible blue smoke like my old 305? Are GM crate engines built better than say V-tecs? do you think they will hold up to the road racing? what should we be concerned about? let me know your thoughts guys..

Nate

 

They are about the same as they ever were. There is no difference in the valve guide construction, so the startup smoke thing is about the same as ever, although the materials available to make seals out of have improved over the 45 years the SBC has been in production. The things that ultimately determine how much "abuse" the motor can take are all about the same as ever; the bearing surfaces are the same size, the crank has the same dimensions, the rod hardware hasn't changed, etc. etc. Basically, there's no difference in that aspect of reliability between a new "crate" motor and an older one, starting out at birth.

As far as comparing it to other mfrs motors, it's hard to say... partly that depends on how they're taken care of, and what they're expected to do. It's meaningless to talk about "built better". Vtec is merely Honda's tradename for their system of creating automatic RPM-dependent variable valve timing, it has nothing to do with how "well" it's built.

The things that kill a motor are: poor maintenance, especially overheating and poor oiling; excessive RPMs, which would be over 5500 or so for any typical SBC; and lack of maintenance.

Oh, did I mention not taking care of it, like changing the oil regularly? That will shorten a motor's life for sure.

As far as how it will hold up to an activity like that, it depends on how it's treated. The car as a whole takes so much abuse from road racing that I doubt the engine will be the first thing you wear out.

 

i see you have a ramjet 350 in your car. in your signature it says your putting out 390 hp. i also have the ramjet 350 and am wondering how you got the motor to 390 hp without having to send the ecm to be recalibrated. just curious because i heard that those ecm's can't be easily recalibrated. also how do you do on emissions. i can't get mine to pass for the life of me.

 

Hey there.. You cant get it to pass emissions? I dont have to test mine until may... I sure hope it passes.. I didnt think it would be a problem, since its the state of the art injection system.. now that is troubling me!... as far as HP... When I got the engine, I had a machine shop do some head work, and they done a couple other misc mods to it. Im not sure what they did with the ECM or anything, I just know they told me it comes stock with 350 HP, and its right around 390 now, including other external mods, That does not mean 390 on the block itself.. what you think of it? I love my ramjet, I think its a mean little engine.

Nate

 

My friend has a ZZ4 with LT4 hot cam and sprays 175 shot of nitrous a few times a week. He runs low 12s. No problems after almost 2 years of abuse.

 

i love my ramjet. believe it or not my 89 use to have a 2.8L in it.the motor has plenty of power for me. i failed emissions four times on the dyno. i failed on carbon monoxide. the HC's and NOX were fine. did the motor fit under your stock hood or did you get a cowl hood like i did. and do you have any times on it yet

Brian

 

I will have to post some pics later on for you guys.. I went all out when I did it.. I am over 11K within 2 months.. New tranny, suspension, engine , shift kit, stall, ( you get the point, read my sig) And all that was new as of couple months ago.. Its way awesome.. I better pass the dang emissions, I have a nice 3" exhaust, etc.. You would think that the engine would have no problems passing.. as far as my hood, it clears but BARLEY! I had to remove the flap assembly on it, which was for the crossfire injection that was on it before, ( and you thought your 2.8L was bad, my 5.0 Sucked! ) but it looks pretty nice.. Ill post some pics later on.. its an awesome engine, Thats good to hear, I hope my engine lasts, I hate the thought of blue smoke. What are good engine treatment additives? You see all this engine cleansing stuff on the shelves, etc.. what have you guys tried, and what do you believe in?

Nate

 

For you right now, one of the most important things may be to break the engine in (its still necessary, right?) And keep up on the oil changes.