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Fastburn 385

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Old Oct 13, 2003 | 08:20 PM
  #1  
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Default Fastburn 385

Well boys, I talked to the GM dealer today. I know the ZZ4 (3.6k) will work no questions asked. Change the dist. , water pump, flywheel.. Yep that's it.. Knew it. Now he tells me the price on the Fastburn 385 plus the upgraded cam and rockers 4.5k out the door for 430hp. Hemmmmm. So I searched the archieves and didn't really find much out about people that have installed the Fastburn. What I did find makes me wonder if it's going to clear the SB hood and whether I'll have to switch to headers. I really don't want to do the later. I'm already planning to switch to a BB hood so that doesn't bother me if I'm forced to. Has anyone had any experience with the Fastburn or know of anyone off the forum that has installed it??? As always thanks in advance.. Dave..
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Old Oct 13, 2003 | 08:49 PM
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Default Re: Fastburn 385 (youwish2bme)

Dave,
I hear there's a nasty case of project creep going around. Be careful ! :lol:

Brian
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Old Oct 13, 2003 | 09:02 PM
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Default Re: Fastburn 385 (Allcoupedup)

Never said I had a budget... My bank account does though.. If I could find a block (3858174) somewhere close to me I'd just build a 327/350hp+ engine. They seem a little on the rare side. If the Fastburn will work why not right.. A thousand more for roughly 75 more hp.... :yesnod: I hope even with the crate motors rolling around in my head I could possibly pick up a block this weekend in Knoxville. Then the real delima would begin. Hey I ride the roads so much this gives me something to keep myself occupied... Dave..
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Old Oct 13, 2003 | 09:23 PM
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Default Re: Fastburn 385 (youwish2bme)

I think you'll find this thread helpful: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=226890
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Old Oct 14, 2003 | 05:36 AM
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Default Re: Fastburn 385 (kellsdad)

Tom, thanks. I guess I should have searched crate motors also. Well that answers my questions pretty well man. I want to try and retain a stock look to the casual observer so I didn't want to lose my exhaust manifolds or the shielding. If I had to switch to headers it would destroy that look. Did you use your stock bellhousing for this or did you also have to find another? I guess I'll go the ZZ4 route then, I just saw the ability to go to 430 hp as a big :D . Dave..
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Old Oct 14, 2003 | 05:50 PM
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Default Re: Fastburn 385 (youwish2bme)

My old engine and transmission were not stock so I doubt that the bellhousing was stock either. Whatever bellhousing it was, it worked with the ZZ430 clone and the M21 transmission.
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Old Oct 14, 2003 | 06:09 PM
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Default Re: Fastburn 385 (youwish2bme)

...i dunno, for a few bucks more, you get a big block

..you can burn those heads as fast as you want, ain't no substitute for cubes

..that's the only regret i have with my cars...love the roadster but shoulda' just dropped in a 502
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Old Oct 14, 2003 | 06:28 PM
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Default Re: Fastburn 385 (Kid_Again)

Kid I hear ya and Jeff.. I have knowledge of a 502/502 installation that is on going right now and to me it's not worth my green to attempt it... March pulleys at 1200 big ones comes to mind first.. Nope the ZZ4 will do just fine for now. Maybe in five years when I get the rest of the car sorted completly out I will have illusions of grandure to build a bigger badder motor. For now I will be content in having a good looking midyear vert.. Dave..
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Old Oct 15, 2003 | 12:25 PM
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Default Re: Fastburn 385 (youwish2bme)

yeah, good luck...great engine ('though an LS-6 sb would be REAL nice :rolleyes: )
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Old Oct 15, 2003 | 07:43 PM
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Default Re: Fastburn 385 (Kid_Again)

Dave,

Talk to Bobby at Tidewater Corvette. He's been doing a lot of these motors. He just loves the power he's getting out of them for the price. 757-595-1967.

See you in the "Burg"

Dave
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Old Oct 15, 2003 | 08:52 PM
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Default Re: Fastburn 385 (LemonShark)

Dave thanks man. I'll call him tomorrow. I plan on being up next weekend man.. Maybe we can meet up and have a few Monkeys. :crazy: :crazy:

Well gents I have another question does the ZZ4 use the same "D" ports on the heads? The guy at GM told me just get the Exhaust manifolds "machined to match the head's exhaust port" when I was inquiring about the Fastburn..

Also several people have mentioned to me in the last week that I may not be happy with the Fastburn for one reason or another. What are you opinions to that? I don't understand their reasoning. Is the Fastburn not as a streetable engine as the ZZ4. I would think that the Fastburn would be first on everyone's list as a replacement motor 385 hp and torque with a 500.00 dollar upgrade to the hot cam and rockers you've got 430 hp and 420 torque. I don't understand. Please help.. Dave..
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Old Oct 15, 2003 | 09:39 PM
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Default Re: Fastburn 385 (youwish2bme)

I want to try and retain a stock look to the casual observer so I didn't want to lose my exhaust manifolds or the shielding. If I had to switch to headers it would destroy that look.
I think you might be happier with building what you already have or using a quality hipo rebuilt crate. Besides having to replace several components of the GM crate engine (which means you would then wind up paying for them twice), you would still need adapters in order to allow the use of early valve covers on the center bolt heads.

Also keep in mind that the advertised hp ratings of hipo crate engines, GM or others, are with headers so don't expect the same results with your stock manifolds. While your stock manifolds don't inhibit hp that badly on a stock, low hp engine, as the efficiency of the engine is improved, the difference becomes more dramatic. In the case of a 400+hp SB, the difference could be 10% or more.
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Old Oct 15, 2003 | 11:48 PM
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Default Re: Fastburn 385 (youwish2bme)

The name itself is scarry to me.....
"Fast Burn" How did they think that one up? :D
For $4500, I would build my own SM blk.
Heads, rods, cam, crank, intake......
You can build a great small block for $4500.00
Come to think of it, for a couple grand more, you
could convert to a BB. :thumbs:
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Old Oct 16, 2003 | 05:53 AM
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Default Re: Fastburn 385 (396 RAT)

Rat I know I know.. I'll need a block to start off with though.. Talked to Classicenginecompany and they want 795.00 for a std bore bare block... Dave.
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Old Oct 16, 2003 | 07:27 AM
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Default Re: Fastburn 385 (youwish2bme)

The thing is, if your thinking about a crate, why spend $800.00 on a close but not original block? I would just build a KICK AZZ 350 with good heads, LT1 cam, rods, 10-1 forged slugs, all the good stuff and still be way under $4500.00 Complete rebuildable 350's are in the $500 range.
Crate engines are a great deal! but $4500.00 for a 350 seems like a lot to me.
Maybe I am full of beans? Maybe you cant build 'em for less? Anyone built a 350 lately?
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Old Oct 16, 2003 | 09:27 AM
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Default Re: Fastburn 385 (youwish2bme)

I tried to machine the rams horn exhaust manifold to match the D shaped head, but there was not enough metal left on the mating surface to seal the manifold to the head. The salesman is just trying to make the sale.

The ZZ430 clone is very streetable. But, if you don't have enough room overhead for a decent air cleaner, and if you use anything like a standard exhaust, you won't get the full 430 HP benefit.

For me, the problem with a custom rebuild was the lack of a warranty. However, the crate engine I bought sat in the car while I finished the restoration for almost the entire length of its warranty. If I were starting again today, I'd probably go with a custom rebuilt engine.
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Old Oct 16, 2003 | 04:16 PM
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Default Re: Fastburn 385 (kellsdad)

Well guys it seems I have a lot of info but I still can't come to a conclusion. Great thing is I don't have to drive her everyday so I can take my time and just make the decision that will make me happy. It also seems the ZZ4 has the D oval ports, so that throws another wrench in the system. It would make my life a lot easier if it had the original block I would just rebuild the sucker. The reason I'm so undecided I guess is what will happen if I every had to sell the ole girl. More time to ponder the situation.. Thanks for all of the info anymore would be great to help my decision along. I just want to be driving again. Dave..
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Old Oct 16, 2003 | 09:27 PM
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Default Re: Fastburn 385 (youwish2bme)

Dave
Why dont you pull the heads or head off of you motor and check the bore size. If its not to the limit then rebuild it. The crates arent org anyway. You would be $$$ ahead, and you will not have to modify a thing just drop it back in and go. Jeff
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Old Oct 17, 2003 | 07:59 AM
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Default Re: Fastburn 385 (jeff batchelor)

Jeff, Good to hear from you man!! I've been rolling that around in my head too. Then I can make this decision at a later date about what to really do.. Dave..
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Old Oct 18, 2003 | 12:24 AM
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Default Re: Fastburn 385 (jeff batchelor)

:iagree: :iagree: With Jeff B. Pull the heads and mike it. You should also be able to find out what that bad cylinder is doing and why. If your looking for more horses you can always drop the compression and add a supercharger. :thumbs: :flag
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