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1969 GTO 400ci ram air III

 
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superdutydan



Joined: 29 Apr 2012
Posts: 38


1962 Catalina

PostPosted: Thu Apr 03, 2014 11:51 pm    Post subject: 1969 GTO 400ci ram air III Reply with quote

Hi every one,

I have a 69 400ci ram air III ( code WS ) and all the upper items of a 69 400ci ram air IV (#722 heads,cast iron heat cross over and aluminium intake).
Will I be able to upgrade it to the RA IV level (370-380 hp) and will the RA III withstand the extra load?
I intend to install a RA IV cam and all the components ( forged rod, crank, etc).
Or should I switch to a 455ci ( 1972-1973 ) ?
Thanks
Daniel
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Larry
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Joined: 01 Jun 2006
Posts: 4768




PostPosted: Fri Apr 04, 2014 11:56 am    Post subject: 400 UPGRADE Reply with quote

It's a bit confusing here.

According to Pete McCarthy's "Pontiac Performance" book, your WS 400 is already a 366 HP machine with 10.75:1 compression.

Upgrading everything to RAIV specs only puts you into the 370 HP area.

Now those numbers might be factory fudged, and the "actual" RVIV may be much higher. But still, I don't see where the "extra load" question plays in here. The RAIV has the same compression, and switching to the 041 cam is no particular roar-in-hell. Many have gone much wilder than that with no problem.

Now the real question is, will switching everything to RAIV specs let you beat the heck out of the engine without breaking it... of course not. But will switching to a 455 solve that... no way. Actually a non-4-bolt will probably drop the bottom out of a 455 faster than your 400. BTW, is your 400 4-bolt?

At first glance it appears you want a stronger street engine. If you're talking about big-time drag racing, then you have a very long way to go to build a strong, reliable engine.

If a strong street engine is your goal, then rebuild with all the best components you can (although factory items sure work well too), put in a little stronger cam, and call it a day. Other than the cam, you're darn near at a RAIV already.

Other thoughts?

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superdutydan



Joined: 29 Apr 2012
Posts: 38


1962 Catalina

PostPosted: Tue Apr 15, 2014 12:11 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hello Larry,

the reason I ask if the WS 400ci would resist the extra load( higher than 370hp) is because I thought that WW 400ci was stronger due to a different design of the block(different webbing, bigger crank journal...).

I don't know yet if it is a 4 bolts, I haven't teared it down yet. I want to stay with the manufaturer specs.

If you say that there is no problem with my actual WS block, then so be it.

Thank you very much Larry.

Daniel
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Larry
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PostPosted: Tue Apr 15, 2014 9:36 am    Post subject: 400 Block Reply with quote

I have done some more checking and do not find any mention anywhere of the WW being different. However, I have not done a study of journal sizes, etc. You might want do to some comparisons.

I did, however, find that the WS and WW are both supposed to be 4-bolt mains. That's good news. I would bet that the sizes and castings are both the same too. It wouldn't be too economical to make two such close engines different in the castings, etc.

Let us know if you discover any things that others might wish to know about too.

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