Details on the building from to start to start up of a 455 bored and stroked to 497 CID with Ram Air V heads by McCarty Racing. This is a pump gas Pontiac going in a 1971 GTO convertible that will be equipped with EFI.
I got to know one .. 1978 400/400 On a highway.. Quadrajets. Flatten out pretty well Then add that 11 min Wisconsin cross over ooops 😂. The 90s last of the freedom years 😇😏
Very nice , I been running Pontiacs since the mid 70s , currently have a 1972 455 H.O. still has the 7f6 heads on it. Man I love those heads , the whole engine for that matter , hope it does well , very nice build.👍👍
the older gentleman, my father-in-law, installed super chargers on B-17's in WWII - he loves the Pontiac engines I build and fire up! He just turned 98 !!!!!!!
I'm a hardheaded Ponch Petrol head of many years and thanks for the V build. Sorry to sat the header welding may have been tasked to a professional welder.
Sounds great. Would love to have seen it in that Baby Metallic Pontiac Blue though. I love that color and have it on my 69 GTO engine. Super job on the build, bet that took a few pennies. Should put the build items in the SHOW MORE comments for us. Thanks for the great show. Best Wishes n Blessings. Keith
thanks, I also wanted the Met Blue, but this color is the correct 71 blue for 71 GTO. Its a Judge convertible clone. I'm doing another one now for my 69 and it will be metallic bluei
@@TheMitchbassman Not all 455s were HOs or SDs. Correct, there was not a RA V 455, that's why CHP said not too many people build RA V engines, especially 455s. I think that is the point he was making...
I've built several of those torque monsters back in the mid 80s and early 90s and I used to just love shredding small blocks horsepower cannot be torque
Awesome X 1000 ... Great video... Thank God you did not mess up this quality video with terrible background music. B R A V O...! Well done..... Well done indeed..!
That's going to be a really nice motor not many people can have one of those not a Ram air five super cool thanks for doing the video keeps me inspired I I used to own a 69 Firebird400 4 speed convertible oh stupid to sell it that was in the late 70s what did I know have a great day
For those wondering a factory RA V 400 dyno hp 565 hp @ 6300 RPMs that was by Pontiac techs and the factory Vs had a solid flat tappet cam not a roller but the original Vs had at least 11 to compression knowing that this engine has a lower compression ratio I would put the hp between 550 and 650 but torque would be outrageous for this big Indian. I wouldn't turn this engine past 5500 remember it's basically a stock block 455 while the factory RA Vs had a very different block that was designed to rev past 7000 rpm
@@insulman100 The block had nothing to do with the rpm limitation on the big Pontiacs; it was the rods and rods bolts that failed past 5800 rpm. Also, this motor has been upgraded with a forged crank, forged H-beam rods and 4-bolt main caps. I'd have no issue turning this to 7,000 rpm where those heads shine.
Amazing job on the video probably one of the best I've seen. You just created the holy Grail again.. could you tell me what main caps you used? Did you keep the front and rear caps stock?
I would love 2 build a Pontiac Ram Air V, all aluminum engine...or maybe a Pontiac 427 Hemi from the very early 60's. I wonder which RA-V is better, McCarty or DCI?
Put my ramir stuff into a as 455 block machine shop didn’t do a great job. Car was in hi performance Pontiac mag. Raced on gandy for quite a while. Ram air v 482.
Spotsylvania 😂 I've seen a lot of Spots builds 389s 400hundreds and 455s and everyone was a top notch build. Also he built a 455 ram air 5v in a 69 trans am i saw on video which i think was a two speed power glide and when it hit second gear it almost flipped on its roof in a split second. I don't know how he saved it but he did with.a lot of damage to the front end when it came down, even this engine he built for the g.t.o. convertible should really think about putting wheelie bars on it. And if it were my car id probably would have the ones that come straight down from the bumper for the street so Johnny law don't mess with him. Ps great video, i have a 1970 g.t.o. convertible im doing right now and i have a 72 block so you'll be hearing from me soon thanks Spots performance
Imagine what the history of racing would have been if GM wouldn’t have pulled funding from Pontiac (at Chevy’s insistence I’d bet) and Pontiac would have been able to refine the Ram Air V heads for standard production use.
spotperf so what did the motor make ? I had a 455 built out here in va with the old school ram air 4 steel heads which I hear are rare , used a flat tappet cam, sheet metal intake with dominator carb, made 636 horse at 700 ft
I love Pontiacs ! I just wonder how long it takes a real engine builder to figure out that they should NEVER use brass fittings on an engine ? Always stainless steel ! Ask me how I know !!!
Soon as the business day starts Monday morning I personally know a PMD representative in NORTH CAROLINA and find out what kind of line he has on this particular engine
The Ram Air V was a Pontiac tunnel-port engine that was completely engineered and put in limited production. Unfortunately, not mass production. They had a 303 for TransAm, 366 for NASCAR, 400 and 428 for drag racing. A few hundred were produced as crate engines.
@@andyharman3022 it was straight off the ford. Designs. I seen one tunnel port head back in the 80s. In the article about it. They only made a few for testing thought it was cool a few pieces survived
Yep. The strip is where it counts. I've seen many dyno queens NOT run the numbers on the strip. I am not insinuating that this engine is anything like that.
600 plus HP, but very streetable with AC and power brakes I was able to get it to idle at 700 RPM. Hopefully the customers fuel injection will work as good as my 950 Quick fuel carb does!
This may be a dumb question as I’m not up to speed on Pontiac engines but why doesn’t anyone reproduce the RA-5 heads ?? From what little I know of Pontiac the non ra-5 heads have the #3,5 exhaust ports and the 4-6 exhaust ports too close together causing too much heat build up ….. just from what I can see of the RA-5 it looks like it would be a much better head design or am I completely stupid cause I’ve been around ferds too long ?
They Do . There are 2 places in the USA 🇺🇸 that u can purchase brand new ram air 5 heads. Kauffman Racing 🏁 have there's in Billet & the other chap cast . . Awesome Heads from both sides
great effort. one thing- the headers should come straight out for a few inches off the heads, not bend back like that. those bends are costing HP, if you're going to dyno it. Eagle Chinese forgings in a RA V....was not a good choice- because of where they are made. it's a big detractor. you don't want so much as a single non-USA part in a RA V. but it's great to see a factory block in the build.
The first pictures of the test fitting of the heads are not Ram Air V heads. They are Ram Air IV heads. The 2 center ports are next to each other. Ram Air IV.
@THEWEIM Yes, you are correct. I was looking at the intake ports. I glanced at the picture. You need to go back to school and learn how to structure a sentence. I quote," You looking intake ports." Great job . You really got me there.
@THEWEIM Great excuse. 👍 it only takes 1 finger to type a key. Nice try, though. I have no problem admitting I'm wrong. I'm sure it's a concept you don't understand.
It needs equal length 180* headers and ITBs. Any flywheel is too much flywheel. It needs more cam duration. It needs more valve spring. It needs to turn 11k RPMs. And the vehicle it’s going into is too heavy.
Due you build these engines for sale? If so how much? I would love an engine like this in my 67 got! I don’t have the extensive know how to build one of these engines, least of all what to ask for? Ram Air 5 is an enigma to me!
The 303 was created for racing in the trans am series.The RA 5 heads proved to flow to much for the 303 engine.So the racing engines used modified RA IV heads. In NASCAR, the RA V heads were used on the 366 cid. engine.
NEED HELP ive got a 455 in my 79 c10 and want to know if someone has done the same and can tell me what headers/exhaust manifolds that you are using. There's not much room from the exhaust port to the frame
Solid roller lifters require less oil than hydraulic lifters and restricting the oil flow also keeps more oil going to the bearings which is very important on those big main journals.
Ram Air V. The stuff that dreams are made of.
Slick isn't it
Heads are a copy of the Ford 427 Tunnel Port heads of the 60's
Love the old man admiring the motor at the end. He reminds me of my great uncle Tony
Man, nothing better than a Pontiac!!!
Barcrrt Amen to that!!!
I disagree; there is something way wayy better than a Pontiac...
TWO PONTIACS!
Luv my ponchos. Even with the bent pushrods
Amen to that brother (million times better than any EcoBoost engine Ford makes).
I got to know one .. 1978 400/400
On a highway..
Quadrajets. Flatten out pretty well
Then add that 11 min Wisconsin cross over ooops 😂.
The 90s last of the freedom years 😇😏
Very nice , I been running Pontiacs since the mid 70s , currently have a 1972 455 H.O. still has the 7f6 heads on it. Man I love those heads , the whole engine for that matter , hope it does well , very nice build.👍👍
Pontiac Power Brother hold on to it. Love all muscle cars but man owning a Pontiac specially a T/A it's just beautiful.
@@sergiojacquez2277 I agree I have a 67 and 68 firebird
I agree I've got 67 and 68 firebird
so glad to see the two old guys checking out the engine = dad and grand par !
the older gentleman, my father-in-law, installed super chargers on B-17's in WWII - he loves the Pontiac engines I build and fire up!
He just turned 98 !!!!!!!
Wonderful video-nice build.Thank you for putting out another poncho!
He explains it well. I think I would greased a timing chain
I'm a hardheaded Ponch Petrol head of many years and thanks for the V build. Sorry to sat the header welding may have been tasked to a professional welder.
Don't blame Paul, Its Ray Charles welding with his feet again! A Roadkill zinger!
Great job awesome build, Attention to detail’s.
Sounds great. Would love to have seen it in that Baby Metallic Pontiac Blue though. I love that color and have it on my 69 GTO engine. Super job on the build, bet that took a few pennies. Should put the build items in the SHOW MORE comments for us. Thanks for the great show. Best Wishes n Blessings. Keith
thanks, I also wanted the Met Blue, but this color is the correct 71 blue for 71 GTO. Its a Judge convertible clone. I'm doing another one now for my 69 and it will be metallic bluei
That's a good thought 🤔
@@spotperf1635 great point
Dude that really is a nice piece. All the little things make all the difference on the big end time consuming
Very well done man, both the build and the video.
That SD has got Spotts all over it!
Not to many people build ram air five engines . Especially 455s .Nice job!
455 was NOT a RA-5 in the 1st place ..They were 400s.. 455s were HO's and SD's
@@TheMitchbassman Not all 455s were HOs or SDs. Correct, there was not a RA V 455, that's why CHP said not too many people build RA V engines, especially 455s. I think that is the point he was making...
400 has a higher red line. Because of shorter stoke.
400 is my favorite Pontiac motor.
I've built several of those torque monsters back in the mid 80s and early 90s and I used to just love shredding small blocks horsepower cannot be torque
It didn’t live long but it was for racing on gandy bridge
PONTIAC THE BEST I HAD 18 IN MY DAY💪
Wow. I wish I had that engine when I had all my gto's
Thanks for this. I've already picked up some tips for when I put my 461 back together. Wish I could come hangout and watch/learn for a few weeks.
That sounds like a blast
Nice build.
Thanks for sharing the process.
thats a piece of art!!!!!!!
An awesome job sounds beastly!
Awesome work Paul as usual!!!
Awesome X 1000 ... Great video... Thank God you did not mess up this quality video with terrible background music.
B R A V O...! Well done..... Well done indeed..!
Wonderful.......like seeing a baby being created.
need this guy build my 428 nice job
It was nice meeting with you Sat 3-25-17 at Old Forge. Nice video, motor sounds great!
Nice meeting you John! Thanks!
That's going to be a really nice motor not many people can have one of those not a Ram air five super cool thanks for doing the video keeps me inspired I I used to own a 69 Firebird400 4 speed convertible oh stupid to sell it that was in the late 70s what did I know have a great day
That would be badass in a 68 firebird!
Great Video Spot..! Nothing like a blueprinted Ram Air V..! Your GTO will fly
Thanks Andrew, its not mine. local customer with 71 Judge convertible clone. Car should be at PYPES car show in june.
Thing is a BEAST!!!!
For those wondering a factory RA V 400 dyno hp 565 hp @ 6300 RPMs that was by Pontiac techs and the factory Vs had a solid flat tappet cam not a roller but the original Vs had at least 11 to compression knowing that this engine has a lower compression ratio I would put the hp between 550 and 650 but torque would be outrageous for this big Indian. I wouldn't turn this engine past 5500 remember it's basically a stock block 455 while the factory RA Vs had a very different block that was designed to rev past 7000 rpm
insulman100; These heads are a copy of FE TUNNEL PORT heads.
My 468 fe 12-1 compression solid roller, single 4 barrel made 700 HP
This is absolutely nothing like a stock pontiac.
@@juliennacer8871 Agreed but the block is a 70 455 stock block not a factory RA V block limiting the RPMs to under 6000 that was my point
@@insulman100 There's a yt video of a guy making 1500 hp with Pontiac iron block and heads.
@@insulman100 The block had nothing to do with the rpm limitation on the big Pontiacs; it was the rods and rods bolts that failed past 5800 rpm. Also, this motor has been upgraded with a forged crank, forged H-beam rods and 4-bolt main caps. I'd have no issue turning this to 7,000 rpm where those heads shine.
Great Video,Showing A Lot Of Details !!!
I would've put a set of 3 &1/2" unbaffled 60" straights onto the header collectors. They sound amazing.
Amazing job on the video probably one of the best I've seen. You just created the holy Grail again.. could you tell me what main caps you used? Did you keep the front and rear caps stock?
I jave one of them old dwell meters , its a cool little tool.
She aounds like a B-29 and thats a good thing. Wicked.
Nice job. Thank you for sharing.
And yes I remember in 78 him working on a Ram air V in his shop in Bklyn.
You know that makes me relax.
But it also makes me hungry.
Iron American Dream on TH-cam.
Big Iron, iron is what Built America
The older gentleman in the video is probably around the age Nunzzi would be today looking at one of his creations come to life.
The only thing here that is Pontiac is the Block, water pump & cover!
I would love 2 build a Pontiac Ram Air V, all aluminum engine...or maybe a Pontiac 427 Hemi from the very early 60's. I wonder which RA-V is better, McCarty or DCI?
Just to think of what could have been had they ever made production.
Not a Pontiac man but i have never seen intake ports like that? Is that what they used to call 'tunnel port'?
What was the final HP outcome?
Yes. They are basically a copy of a Ford head.
Pontiac sold the Tunnel design to Ford. Pontiac had an all aluminum Hemi. Never produced. Instead the Ford 427 tunnel port and the 429 Boss.
@@kevinmanning4880 Ford tunnel ports came before the RAV heads did. They are very similar, though
@@kevinmanning4880 Interesting 🧐
Bro, that thing is no joke ! Must have cost alot of money. Has to make at least 650-700 hp
What kind of horsepower does this combo make?
Put my ramir stuff into a as 455 block machine shop didn’t do a great job. Car was in hi performance Pontiac mag. Raced on gandy for quite a while. Ram air v 482.
Would love to have done that to my SD 455
That would go great in my 68 firebird coupe
How about a video of it in your 71 GTO and running? Love the video of the 455 with RamAir V heads. Would love to see it on an actual Dyno.
Yes, me to would like to see the Dyno, it would have to be pumping out a min of 600HP
Old Vet Tom
Spotsylvania 😂 I've seen a lot of Spots builds 389s 400hundreds and 455s and everyone was a top notch build. Also he built a 455 ram air 5v in a 69 trans am i saw on video which i think was a two speed power glide and when it hit second gear it almost flipped on its roof in a split second. I don't know how he saved it but he did with.a lot of damage to the front end when it came down, even this engine he built for the g.t.o. convertible should really think about putting wheelie bars on it. And if it were my car id probably would have the ones that come straight down from the bumper for the street so Johnny law don't mess with him. Ps great video, i have a 1970 g.t.o. convertible im doing right now and i have a 72 block so you'll be hearing from me soon thanks Spots performance
Thank you for sharing, I would love to biuld a Ram Air 5. I have a few ponchos and 455 WC code block
Pistons the size of paint cans.
Not even as big as a 427 Chevy.
What do you have in that moneywise?
Very cool 😎 💪🏼
Very cool 😎
That thing looks ferocious... What kind of numbers did it lay down? Should be well into the 5's if not more
It does doesn't it
A shameless plug Lol Great video!!
That's a beast!!! Did you consider fuel injection?? Very nice build.
Read the description.....
i have yet to see a 455 ram air v with a super duty set up.
As much as I can appreciate the ram air V, how much better is it over the RA IV?
Could have bought heads exhaust warrior intake way back when. 1500$ seemed too much back then. Can you imagine
A lot comments on here that think they know Pontiacs
Imagine what the history of racing would have been if GM wouldn’t have pulled funding from Pontiac (at Chevy’s insistence I’d bet) and Pontiac would have been able to refine the Ram Air V heads for standard production use.
Very cool. Who does your machine work? Have you ever sleeved a Pontiac block?
did Stevie Wonder weld those headers ? i wouln't have shown that .. what oil pump and pressure ?
I am died in the wool PONTIAC AND I HAVE NEVER SEEN OR HEARD OF A 497 PONTIAC MILL ? Want more information please
Take a 455 block, bore .045" over standard, fit aftermarket 4.5" stroke crankshaft. Displacement= bore x bore x 2pi x stroke
I like it.
Not a roller cam ? Right ?
Any chance you can share the specs on the cam?
Just like 427 tunnel port Ford head with push rod tube through the middle of the intake port.
All that great work, & attention to detail, why would you use an Eagle rod?
those headers are a thing of beauty...what is the primary size? also any dyno numbers? thanks...
thanks but the last tube should be redone. Customer has GTO headers made by McCarty racing in car now. Both are 2" primary 3.5 collector.
spotperf so what did the motor make ? I had a 455 built out here in va with the old school ram air 4 steel heads which I hear are rare , used a flat tappet cam, sheet metal intake with dominator carb, made 636 horse at 700 ft
I love Pontiacs !
I just wonder how long it takes a real engine builder to figure out that they should NEVER use brass fittings on an engine ?
Always stainless steel !
Ask me how I know !!!
Master Mechanic built many Engines used Brass Fittings Never had a Issue Don't use Cheap be Brass Fittings Duh
Soon as the business day starts Monday morning I personally know a PMD representative in NORTH CAROLINA and find out what kind of line he has on this particular engine
@@franklassiter6552 if you really know a pontiac rep I’d love to get ahold of some pontiac parts for my 75 455 firebird
@@franklassiter6552 the fact you said North Carolina really got my attention that’s local to me
Where can the Ram Air V heads and intake be purchased??
MCCarty racing
McCarty racing and Butler Performance Pontiac (866-762-7527)
nice!
Can I have it for my Firebird? 😊
Interesting. Ford. 302/ 427 Tunnel port. Design set up for a Pontiac
The Ram Air V was a Pontiac tunnel-port engine that was completely engineered and put in limited production. Unfortunately, not mass production. They had a 303 for TransAm, 366 for NASCAR, 400 and 428 for drag racing. A few hundred were produced as crate engines.
@@andyharman3022 it was straight off the ford. Designs. I seen one tunnel port head back in the 80s. In the article about it. They only made a few for testing thought it was cool a few pieces survived
Add the valve cover 'Ram Air V' label and done!
Sweet
Stuff that into a pontiac executive and have the ultimate sleeper that nobody knows what freak it is
is that an aluminum poncho v8 block
Let's see what the dyno says and see it run on the street or strip
Yep. The strip is where it counts. I've seen many dyno queens NOT run the numbers on the strip. I am not insinuating that this engine is anything like that.
Very nice... what do you expect it to put out ???
600 plus HP, but very streetable with AC and power brakes
I was able to get it to idle at 700 RPM. Hopefully the customers fuel injection will work as good as my 950 Quick fuel carb does!
This may be a dumb question as I’m not up to speed on Pontiac engines but why doesn’t anyone reproduce the RA-5 heads ?? From what little I know of Pontiac the non ra-5 heads have the #3,5 exhaust ports and the 4-6 exhaust ports too close together causing too much heat build up ….. just from what I can see of the RA-5 it looks like it would be a much better head design or am I completely stupid cause I’ve been around ferds too long ?
There just isn't a big enough market for a head design that requires custom fabricated intake and exhaust components.
They Do . There are 2 places in the USA 🇺🇸 that u can purchase brand new ram air 5 heads. Kauffman Racing 🏁 have there's in Billet & the other chap cast . .
Awesome Heads from both sides
great effort. one thing- the headers should come straight out for a few inches off the heads, not bend back like that. those bends are costing HP, if you're going to dyno it. Eagle Chinese forgings in a RA V....was not a good choice- because of where they are made. it's a big detractor. you don't want so much as a single non-USA part in a RA V. but it's great to see a factory block in the build.
these headers are strickly for my engine start up stand
Why all the negative comments?
Your making my customer sad!
we are not sad with this monster build !!
The headers look fine. Ignore him.
The first pictures of the test fitting of the heads are not Ram Air V heads. They are Ram Air IV heads. The 2 center ports are next to each other. Ram Air IV.
@THEWEIM Yes, you are correct. I was looking at the intake ports. I glanced at the picture. You need to go back to school and learn how to structure a sentence. I quote," You looking intake ports." Great job . You really got me there.
@@swatterbirdwatts6680 lol i'm working with partial finger lost most in an accident . sorry that you had to think
@THEWEIM Great excuse. 👍 it only takes 1 finger to type a key. Nice try, though. I have no problem admitting I'm wrong. I'm sure it's a concept you don't understand.
@@THEWEIM Great comeback attempt.
Or excuse. Do understand saying 🤔
@THEWEIM I did idea u get stick and button push thing better good .
Any HP estimations?
It needs equal length 180* headers and ITBs.
Any flywheel is too much flywheel.
It needs more cam duration.
It needs more valve spring.
It needs to turn 11k RPMs.
And the vehicle it’s going into is too heavy.
Do you still build Pontiac engines??
Due you build these engines for sale? If so how much? I would love an engine like this in my 67 got! I don’t have the extensive know how to build one of these engines, least of all what to ask for? Ram Air 5 is an enigma to me!
Where are you located I can build you any Pontiac combo you want just let me know if you're interested and good luck with your pontiac
I'm booked for a year, but you can email me at spotfam@verizon.net
Is this the engine in that 71 convertible? - and technically, this is a ram air VII. V was 400, VI 428, and VII 455.
YES THE RED ONE , WHATS A 497 , ORIGINALY THE V WAS A 303
The 303 was created for racing in the trans am series.The RA 5 heads proved to flow to much for the 303 engine.So the racing engines used modified RA IV heads. In NASCAR, the RA V heads were used on the 366 cid. engine.
NEED HELP ive got a 455 in my 79 c10 and want to know if someone has done the same and can tell me what headers/exhaust manifolds that you are using. There's not much room from the exhaust port to the frame
you can email me at spotfam@verizon.net. custom headers will need to be made, but I sell the flanges
Ty tech fastest Pontiac motor at 2019 drag week low 9s on pump gas...
Pontiacs biggest problem was heads not meant for performance. Ram Air heads difficult to get but now aftermarket heads available.
Why restrict oil passages in valley?
Solid roller lifters require less oil than hydraulic lifters and restricting the oil flow also keeps more oil going to the bearings which is very important on those big main journals.
So what is the best Intake for a RAM AIR V
only 2 available as cast, but a blower intake would be the best in my opion. :)
Where the HELL did you score a set of Ram Air V heads at.....Those are super rare....
Those are not factory castings. They are aftermarket. Not rare.
I’d build a 303 if I did it again paint my bird like Titus
Why? A 303 would be a turd.
"Shameless" wielding!
very nice how much (borat voice)
That is Ram Air IV (4) not V (5). Nice though.
...
Ram Air V did not make production. It was a 303 and was OHC. Very different animal!
you need to watch again . after market ram air v heads
There was a ram air V 400 also and this is a ram air V
@@Pontiacpower1 ... BS
ram air 4 ..
ram air 2 and your ram air 3 heads all use the same valve arrangement.. the ram air v is different ..
@@micahap1559 Sorry, but you need to do more research and update your database...
Nice....clone....
🙄