zz502 upgrades
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
zz502 upgrades advice
I have the ZZ502 crate engine in my 69. I am wondering what I can do to increase performance in it. I don't want to go as far as camshaft change, but I'm talking more like better carburetor, intake manifold, ect.
Last edited by tvanlant; Oct 1, 2005 at 07:58 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 3
From: belle plaine ks
performance from zz502
How much do you need? 502 horsepower is not enough? Are you racing or driving on the street? I wonder if the money might be well spent on beefing up the driveline. If your car was originally a small block that is where I would put it. If it is a big block originally I would probably put it there as well, as that much hp and torque might lay waste to older ring and pinion. Have you a solid automatic or 4 speed behind that motor as well? 
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,486
Likes: 10
From: Big Pine Key FL
It comes with forged Crank, Rods, and Pistons so the bottom end should be good for 800+ YMMV
I'm thinking about a plate behind the throttle body on my Ramjet. You can never have to much Horsepower and Torque
I'm thinking about a plate behind the throttle body on my Ramjet. You can never have to much Horsepower and Torque
Last edited by 84rzv500r; Oct 1, 2005 at 08:40 PM. Reason: spelling
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 34,453
Likes: 665
From: Republic of Texas
Originally Posted by tvanlant
Good trans and rear. I was just wondering if there was anything out there to make a couple more quick easy horsepower. If not, Ok.
On the street w/ street tires you'll be fine. Once you add slicks into the mix that "Good Trans and Rear" will be no more.
That engine can take a 200hp shot without batting an eye.
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Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 262
Likes: 0
From: Kissimmee Fl
How about a good exhaust such as Hooker Headers w/ spiral turbo baffles. I would also upgrade the ignition to an MSD 6AL & MSD distributor, if you have not done so already. If you want to go deeper at a later time, I would replace the heads with AFR, Dart or Pro Topline aluminum heads along with a better cam and intake.
Last edited by Alexarz; Oct 5, 2005 at 08:14 AM.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 445
Likes: 2
From: Austin Texas
You have some good suggestions here to consider.
We have ZZ502 in our 69 Camaro and just got through with a few upgrades to it:
1). Beehive valve springs and roller rockers.
2). Pretty good sized hydraulic roller cam.
3). MSD 6AL, MSD coil, and MSD non HEI dist.
4). We also pulled the heads, checked compression (was actually 9.8 instead of the 9.6 advertised) and upped it a tad.
If I had ONE item I would recommend as an easy upgrade it would be the beehive springs and the roller rockers. You will definitely pick up good power, but more importantly you will pick up RPM. The 502 has a factory 'redline' of 5,800 and this is where the valves would start to float. We can now run up to 6,500 and the car pulls strong all the way there.
Giving yourself an extra 700 RPM's up top would make your ride that much more of a monster on the big end.
Enjoy it.
Bryan
We have ZZ502 in our 69 Camaro and just got through with a few upgrades to it:
1). Beehive valve springs and roller rockers.
2). Pretty good sized hydraulic roller cam.
3). MSD 6AL, MSD coil, and MSD non HEI dist.
4). We also pulled the heads, checked compression (was actually 9.8 instead of the 9.6 advertised) and upped it a tad.
If I had ONE item I would recommend as an easy upgrade it would be the beehive springs and the roller rockers. You will definitely pick up good power, but more importantly you will pick up RPM. The 502 has a factory 'redline' of 5,800 and this is where the valves would start to float. We can now run up to 6,500 and the car pulls strong all the way there.
Giving yourself an extra 700 RPM's up top would make your ride that much more of a monster on the big end.
Enjoy it.
Bryan
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: McAllen TX
What about the Edelbrock Multiport fuel injection kit. It's suppose to add about 20 to 30 horsepower, What about roller rockers??? ZZ502 with Performer RPM pro-flo
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 16,978
Likes: 7
From: In Dreams There Is Truth Ohio
Originally Posted by tigers123
How much do you need? 502 horsepower is not enough?
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,172
Likes: 86
From: State of Confusion
Originally Posted by 300ZXTwinTurbo
You have some good suggestions here to consider.
We have ZZ502 in our 69 Camaro and just got through with a few upgrades to it:
1). Beehive valve springs and roller rockers.
2). Pretty good sized hydraulic roller cam.
3). MSD 6AL, MSD coil, and MSD non HEI dist.
4). We also pulled the heads, checked compression (was actually 9.8 instead of the 9.6 advertised) and upped it a tad.
If I had ONE item I would recommend as an easy upgrade it would be the beehive springs and the roller rockers. You will definitely pick up good power, but more importantly you will pick up RPM. The 502 has a factory 'redline' of 5,800 and this is where the valves would start to float. We can now run up to 6,500 and the car pulls strong all the way there.
Giving yourself an extra 700 RPM's up top would make your ride that much more of a monster on the big end.
Enjoy it.
Bryan
We have ZZ502 in our 69 Camaro and just got through with a few upgrades to it:
1). Beehive valve springs and roller rockers.
2). Pretty good sized hydraulic roller cam.
3). MSD 6AL, MSD coil, and MSD non HEI dist.
4). We also pulled the heads, checked compression (was actually 9.8 instead of the 9.6 advertised) and upped it a tad.
If I had ONE item I would recommend as an easy upgrade it would be the beehive springs and the roller rockers. You will definitely pick up good power, but more importantly you will pick up RPM. The 502 has a factory 'redline' of 5,800 and this is where the valves would start to float. We can now run up to 6,500 and the car pulls strong all the way there.
Giving yourself an extra 700 RPM's up top would make your ride that much more of a monster on the big end.
Enjoy it.
Bryan
would the valve springs and roller-rockers produce that much more RPM, and reliability, with the OEM cam?
I'm not doubtin' ya, just asking, as I've seen them run, but not known what's been done to them.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 262
Likes: 0
From: Kissimmee Fl
I would estimate that those extra revs will produce at least lengthen the powerband enough to make a significant difference. It all adds up. Think of it this way; pretend you are in 2nd gear. At your new shift point you will be going faster, which translates into being higher in the rpm's when you shift into 3rd. When you shift into 3rd your car will be in an rpm range where it is putting out much more hp because it will be revving higher at this point.
Last edited by Alexarz; Oct 4, 2005 at 09:31 PM.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 445
Likes: 2
From: Austin Texas
Originally Posted by Alexarz
I would estimate that those extra revs will produce at least lengthen the powerband enough to make a significant difference. It all adds up.
I would tend to agree.
Also, an additional 700 rpm blows up your 'area under the curve'.
Bryan
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,172
Likes: 86
From: State of Confusion
Alexarz & 300ZXTwinTurbo:
thanks for your insight!
I'm not-really concerned with the extra HP/TQ the valve-springs/rockers may produce (although they'd be nice ):
when the original 440HP/502CID was introduced in the mid/late '90s, I recall a few bracket-racers claiming that the hydraulic lifters and/or valve-springs often failed after a 100 passes, and they lost several hundred RPM as a result.
I ain't worried about Low ET, just a reliable, consistent, zero-maintenance low-RPM stump-puller that'll last several hundred, if-not several thousand, runs with a 5500 RPM shift/trap speeds.
Glen.
thanks for your insight!
I'm not-really concerned with the extra HP/TQ the valve-springs/rockers may produce (although they'd be nice ):
when the original 440HP/502CID was introduced in the mid/late '90s, I recall a few bracket-racers claiming that the hydraulic lifters and/or valve-springs often failed after a 100 passes, and they lost several hundred RPM as a result.
I ain't worried about Low ET, just a reliable, consistent, zero-maintenance low-RPM stump-puller that'll last several hundred, if-not several thousand, runs with a 5500 RPM shift/trap speeds.
Glen.