Most of the Pontiac gurus I have read up on all say the Ram Air intakes were not worth the price or bother to acquire. The everyday 4 barrel intake is superior to just about all the aftermarket intakes for street use. Racing is different. But the beautiful RA/HO exhaust manifolds are worth every penny and then some. Pontiac was into high performance exhaust way back in the 421-SD days. Ever see those incredible aluminum 412-SD exhaust manifolds? It was natural for them to continue in the RA/HO cars right up to the 455-SD. They are far superior to headers.

I have two sets of the OEM long branch manifolds. One set came on a 1967 400 HO parts car. The other set I traveled upstate to get. The guy had taken apart a real ['67 or '68] Ram Air Firebird. I grabbed the exhaust manifolds because they gave the most bang for the buck. I left behind an OEM Ram Air hood, the RA intake, all the RA intake parts, air cleaner, everything needed. The guy asked was I sure? Because I would never see these again. He was correct about that. But I had small kids at the time and money was tight. Still kicking myself in the butt about leaving those parts behind. But the price was the same for the exhaust vs the intake stuff. The exhaust was so worth it.

These are the 421 Super Duty exhaust manifolds. Priceless. And beautiful.