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Old 02-23-2004, 02:19 PM
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Default Ram Air IV versus 455 HO

Ram Air IV motors seem to be regarded as top motor of choice in a Pontiac production car, but what about 455 HO motors? When you think about 400 Ram IV cars only having 10-bolt rears, and the 455 HO having a 12-bolt rear, there is significant difference. Still can't figure out why RA IV's didn't get 12 bolts though, when even SS350 Camaros got them. But obviously Pontiac Engineers recognized that 12-bolts were definitely needed due to the Torque and Horsepower in the 455's larger displacement motor.

When you look at motor ratings you see the factory rating of Ram Air IV Horsepower at 370HP/5500RPM, and the 455 HO at 360HP/4300RPM, which I wouldn't think is the 455's peak RPM. This reminds me of the GM ploy of manipulating HP rating like they did with the Chev L88, where GM under-rated the L88 by giving its rating at a lower RPM below it's peak RPM.

It would seem that 455 HO is more comparable to the Chev 454/LS6; whereas the RA IV is comparable to a 396/L78. I realize the popularity of Ram Air IV is in conjunction with the 69/70 Judges and the 455 wasn't available in a 69/70 Judge. But in 1971, all Judges had 455 HO. The compression was down in 71, but the 71 454/LS6 Vette was still able to muster 425 HP with low compression. I've always believed the saying: "there's no substitute for cubic inches".
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