[Carmine]

Hi everyone. I don't think I have any intention of buying it, at least not at this moment, but I'm looking at a '71 GTO with the original engine. Owner claims it is a 400 RAM AIR III motor. Is there anything unique or different from this motor in comparison to a regular 400?? Is this a more sought after motor?? What horsepower and compression ratio would this be?? Thank you very much, Carmine.

[Judge273]

BTW: No such thing as a RA III 400 in 71. Actually, no RA option available other than the 455 HO...Standard on the 71 Judge

[Carmine]

Originally Posted by Judge273

BTW: No such thing as a RA III 400 in 71. Actually, no RA option available other than the 455 HO...Standard on the 71 Judge

OK. Thanks Mike. Then are you saying if in fact this is the original motor, then it can't be a RA III?? Possibly, he is not well informed or misrepresenting this motor. Would the HP be 300?? Thank you, Carmine.

[Carmine]

Ad states it is a YS code Ram Air III 400 engine.

[Judge273]

Here's a chart.
http://www.wallaceracing.com/engine.htm
69-70 had RA III at 366 hp , YS in 71 a 300 hp automatic

[PunchT37]

YS would have been the base 400 engine in 1970 anyway. Not RA3. YS is also the 300hp engine for `71. It should have 96 heads on it.

[poncho-mike]

Wasn't ram air available on the base 400 and optional D-port 455 on all 71 GTOs? I know it was optional on 455HOs, but I don't think it was restricted to them.

[Judge273]

No, Pontiac in 1971 never offered the RA option on anything other than 455 HO. 1972 RA was standard only on 455 HO. Go figure...

[Carmine]

Hope it's ok to post these questions here. Did all '71 GTO's come with a stock 400 engine?? Was the 455 optional/extra cost?? Would a Judge automatically have the 455 engine?? I see a spoiler on the trunk lid of some GTO's. Was this optional or did it come with Judges only?? I also see a hood tach on some. Was this optional for all models?? Would a Judge automatically get this?? Many thanks, Carmine.

[Judge273]

What car are you referring too? If you can post a link we can discuss in detail?

To answer some questions:

All 71 GTO had the T-41 front and a standard 400. 24237 and 24267 cars only. Plus other things..
Optional 455 was auto only
Optional 455 HO with optional RA
Standard on Judge in 71 455 HO RA with rear spoiler, judge stripes, blacked out grill and scoops, glovebox emblem, and t handle shifter on manuals with dechromed rally IIs.
Optional on all GTOs was hood tach, posi, etc..

[Carmine]

Originally Posted by Judge273

What car are you referring too? If you can post a link we can discuss in detail?

To answer some questions:

All 71 GTO had the T-41 front and a standard 400. 24237 and 24267 cars only. Plus other things..
Optional 455 was auto only
Optional 455 HO with optional RA
Standard on Judge in 71 455 HO RA with rear spoiler, judge stripes, blacked out grill and scoops, glovebox emblem, and t handle shifter on manuals with dechromed rally IIs.
Optional on all GTOs was hood tach, posi, etc..

Thank you for your time and response. I don't know how to post a link, but will learn. This car was just one of several '71 GTO's that I was looking at. Some appear to be different and I was wondering what equipment came with them. I just want to be as well informed as possible if one does pique my interest. I'm in no great rush. Just recently began my search. Waiting for the right one to jump out at me. When that happens, I'll find someone to post that link, if I don't know by then how to do it myself, and would welcome members critiquing the car for me. I'll quickly mention this, I see many '71's that are either cloned quite nicely into Judges or some just have the side Judge decals and nothing else. I don't like the unfinished product at all. First thing I think of is how to remove them without damaging the paint. Somehow, I also ended up at Haggerty Ins. and they had a value chart of '71 GTO's. According to them, one is good shape is worth $18,800.00. Of course there is plus and minuses depending on equipment. I'm thinking that $25,000.00 should buy a real decent car needing little to no attention. Would that be correct?? Thanks everyone, Carmine.

[West Coast GTO]

Whatever you do, either physically check out the car yourself with as much research as you can get or pay a service to inspect the car for you. I used an inspection service for my 73 Trans Am, then arranged to see it in person armed with the inspection report. Money well spent.

Originally Posted by Carmine

Thank you for your time and response. I don't know how to post a link, but will learn. This car was just one of several '71 GTO's that I was looking at. Some appear to be different and I was wondering what equipment came with them. I just want to be as well informed as possible if one does pique my interest. I'm in no great rush. Just recently began my search. Waiting for the right one to jump out at me. When that happens, I'll find someone to post that link, if I don't know by then how to do it myself, and would welcome members critiquing the car for me. I'll quickly mention this, I see many '71's that are either cloned quite nicely into Judges or some just have the side Judge decals and nothing else. I don't like the unfinished product at all. First thing I think of is how to remove them without damaging the paint. Somehow, I also ended up at Haggerty Ins. and they had a value chart of '71 GTO's. According to them, one is good shape is worth $18,800.00. Of course there is plus and minuses depending on equipment. I'm thinking that $25,000.00 should buy a real decent car needing little to no attention. Would that be correct?? Thanks everyone, Carmine.

[Carmine]

Originally Posted by West Coast GTO

Whatever you do, either physically check out the car yourself with as much research as you can get or pay a service to inspect the car for you. I used an inspection service for my 73 Trans Am, then arranged to see it in person armed with the inspection report. Money well spent.

That's good advice. I've purchased several cars over the years from as far away as Billings, Montana. Several needed restoration, so their condition upon arrival was never an issue. About 3 years ago, I purchased a '64 Impala SS from Louisiana. Prior to the purchase, I spoke with the owner who sent me pics and whatever else I requested. Never had the car inspected. The car arrived and was exactly what he said it was. A leap of faith for me. About 2 years ago, I bought a '62 Impala SS 409/380 from Alabama. This was a lot of money. My biggest purchase ever. I contacted a car inspection business in Birmingham and they inspected the car for me. Sent me a detailed report and 104 pics. As you said, money well spent. I'm confident that I'll have another GTO someday. Just waiting for the right one. I'm sure it won't be cheap. I'll go the inspection route again and if I have a very real, sincere interest, I would consider seeing it in person, Carmine.

[Eric71T37]

Carmine,

What state is the '71 GTO located in, and is it a manual or automatic?

[Carmine]

Not sure of the transmission type. I looked at so many of them, I forget. I believe the car was at a dealer in Colorado, Carmine.