csheerin

Seems like a lot of guys have ZZ4's or ZZ383's under the hood...

I'd like to see photo's of if and how you've dressed them up....

Also has anyone added any "performance" enhancements to them?

Thanks

Hitch

This motor started as a 385 Fastburn which is a ZZ4 long block with different heads. Then we made it a ZZ430 by modifying it as GM did plus a little bit. I don't know if the serpentine setup will work on the midyear but everything else will.. Dave

Black_Magic

Stock ZZ4 w/Dual Quads --- Tremec 5 Speed







George

bmcnitt

Are those the stock valve covers that you had chromed? They look great, if thats what you did could you tell me who sent them to?

Black_Magic

Yep, stock covers chromed

I took them where I take all my stuff --- a local chrome shop here in St. Louis

George

csheerin

George

I assume you are using valve cover adaptors so you can go from centerbolt to the old style?

Are they leak free? Do they require 2 sets of valve cover gaskets? (1 on each side of the adaptor?

Thanks

Chip

csheerin

Oh and are do you have roller rockers under there? Will they fit under the original valve covers with/without adapters?

Thx

Capt Roy

Here's my GM Performance ZZ383... 770 holley Street Avenger..

Black_Magic

Yes, Adaptors

At bottom of this page ===>> Click Here is info on adaptors.

No I don't and don't know if they wil fit

George

Hitch

Chip on the new fastburn heads that are on the 385 have provisions for both. No more adapters.

bmcnitt

Mind me asking what a ballpark figure would be to have that done?

csheerin

Thanks guys! I like to anticpate my options and you guys always have the answers on the forum!

csheerin

Just and update on this thread... I bought Pro Magnum Roller Rockers and they DO NOT fit with valve cover adapter plates! It appears that the Magnum Roller rockers should fit since they don't have the needle bearings and width of the Pro Magnums....

It's always something!!!

CWerner

Here's my ZZ4....353 CI, forged pistons, TPI-Miniram EFI, etc.



The below pic shows the serp & CAI...but it has the previous valve covers, not my new ones.

Hitch

I'm not sure why they don't I've put them on four different engines now and they fit under the stock valve covers. So what about the adapters is preventing the Pro Mags from fitting?

Dave

Daffy2

We have a ZZ3 and A ZZ430 in our garage. Performance mods to the ZZ3 were an LT4 HOT cam and 1.6 roller rockers along with an Edelbrock air gap (an article in the Feb '09 issue of HotRod Titled "small block bolt-ons, add 117 HP to the ZZ4" suggested that the original manifold was not so good). If you can retreive this article it would be worth your effort.
My son also ported the L98 heads, although a change to Fastburns or maybe AFR would be best if you can afford it.
One interesting change to both motors last summer was "CrossFire" dist caps. Really cleans up the spark plug wireing and gets that mess in the back away from the wiper motor.
We also changed head gastkets from .052 thick to .028 thick at the same time the L98s were milled .009 just to clean them up. No pre-ignition issues and the little extra squeeze helped out.
The supplied HEI with the ZZ4 has a curve that can be improved by swapping out the vac can for one that only allows 10* of advance and adding a spring kit that gets it all in before 3000 rpm.
Of note, the instructions that come with the ZZ motors tells you to connect the vacuum advance to a ported source. Our experience is that full maniflod vaccuum is a better choice.
Most of this stuff is cheap, some is not - but it will really wake that motor.

Daffy2

71zman

One problem I had with my ZZ4 was to keep the valve covers from leaking. I wanted to use the 7 fin Corvette script covers so I got the adapters for the stock set. I tried everything to keep them from leaking,double gaskets, lots of sealant etc.. to no avail. I found a guy in Culver City that sold upgraded ones - the name is PML www.yourcovers.com They are pricey but look great and have stopped the leaking. They are tall enough to handle the roller rockers and have cast in baffles for the PCV and breather. Oh - did I mention that they DON"T LEAK OIL

bret

csheerin

With the adapter plates in place, the Pro Magnum rockers hit on both sides where the roller rocker bearings are... I had to take all the rocker off just to try and install the adapter plates. Once I had the plates on and started putting the rockers on they were touching the adapters...

The Magnum rockers are the stamped steel versions with the roller and will probably fit. The Pro Magnums seam wider because they have rocker bearings....

Hitch

Ah see I've never tried to use them with the valve cover adapters. That makes sense that with the width of the Pro Mags that it could cause interference.

What if you were to clearance the adapters?

Dave

csheerin

they'd need the clearance right where the centerbolt screws are. There's only about 1/2" of metal there so I think it would ruin the adapters by making them too weak...

I'll be returning adapters and old style covers.... Maybe I'll go the PML route....