As many of your may (or may not) know, I will soon be replacing my stock 95,000+ mile L-48 for a new GM ZZ4 crate motor.

My plan is to document each and every step along the way. By doing this I hope to create a very accurate and usable guide to engine swapping for the C3's, with the ZZ4 in particular.

So lets start with the foundation:
From an earlier post:
8/25/01 --- Just ordered the motor --- ZZ4 with new Edelbrock Aluminum water pump, new flexplate and new Holley Avenger 670 CFM.
I can't use the flexplate that comes on the ZZ4 unless I go to a smaller starter. I want to use mine, it's a good starter. And the flexplate on the car now won't bolt to the crank in the ZZ4.

Call and talk to Tom at Sallee Chevrolet. 800-545-0048.
Prices were as follows:
ZZ4 - $3395
Water pump - Aluminum Edelbrock short pump with 3/4 shaft, custom ground housing to fit motor, installed, exchange - $120
Flexplate - exchange, installed $35
Holley Avenger 670 CFM carburetor - $295 !!!!!!!
Shipping - to Phoenix freight yard - $185
Tax -- $0.00 !!!!!

Total -- $4030.00 for a new 355 HP / 405 ft/tq motor with carb, water pump, flex plate and a LOT of smiles !!!!!!!

They said it would be in the "race" shop on Monday for water pump and flex plate install, and then would ship out on Tuesday. Should arrive on Friday. I won't be starting the install until Sept 30.
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Well when GM says "crate" motor, they mean it. This baby was picked up from the Yellow freight yard today, and it was HUGE. The crate that is !!
Either have a truck available to pick this thing up, have it delivered to your house ($$$) or rent a U-Haul to get it.

Here it is:



After about 75 wood screws and some wire cutting, I got the top and two sides off.



Tools required to open crate:
Reversible drill with Phillips #2 bit, wire cutters, razor blade (for plastic coating) leather gloves, and some beer.

Tomorrow I have to rent a hoist so I can get the engine out of the back of the trunk and on to the motor stand. The engine and stand will be going into a small storage area about 3/4's of a mile from here. I do not have enough room in the garage for the Vette, the truck and engine on a stand. So, I am going to visit every once and a while, make sure it is not feeling lonely and will be getting it ready for the Sept 29th project start date.

Watch for future posts. As I progress I will post. And I will always link back to previous posts in the new ones.

I also will be keeping the photos and the text of these posts stored off site as well. I know the forum does not keep posts for ever. I will have them on a web page or as a tech tip in the future.
:cheers:

 

I think you have made a great choice for the engine swap.
I'm looking forward to seeing your well documented progress. This documentation posted on a web site sure will be helpful for others to use as a reference.
I wish that I would have documented my 383/700R4 swap to share with others but I didn't have time. . . I'm guessing it took about 48 beers to complete :D

It would be neat if you could get some baseline performance measurements using a G-Tech with your current engine for some "BEFORE & AFTER" statistics.

Don't forget to "document" the quantity of beer required to complete the project!!! :cheers:

 

I hope to be doing a 1/4 mile run on Sept 22nd. And it took 2 just to open the crate !!
On the beer count, is it just what I consume or anyone who works on the project?? I am having the local Corvette Forum boys over to help me on the 29th. I see at least 1 - 2 cases there.


[Modified by BSeery, 12:19 AM 9/7/2001]

 

Looking good so far. Keep posting.

 

Good luck. I can't wait to see you start the install.

LMJ

 

I know I'll be watching your progress intently. This is the motor that I want to put in mine too!

 

I must say, I do agree with where you are going with your car :D

 

Can't wait to see your documentation!

 

This is going to be great! I can't wait to see the progress.

and for the beer, we need a complete count for everyone working on it.

and and itemized cost for said beer ;)

 

Are you going to have a documented history on a web page. The forum gives a free web page and it would be easier to be able to follow the project (w/ pictures) on a web site.

I plan to show my frame off restr of a '70 when I get started.

Thanks,
Brian

 

You have my attention! Thanks for posting your findings AND the prices.. Also like the idea that's it's going in an '80..
What transmission do you have? You keeping it or do you need to upgrade as well?

 

I put the ZZ4 in my 80 L82 car last winter. This is a great motor, because the torque really gets the car moving. The L82 block will be sitting on a stand for a long time.

ZZ4 motor
stock exhaust manifolds/egr mounted/air pump
stock rochester carb and 6210 holley (swap between the two)
turbo 350 auto with lockup disabled
mini starter
changed vacuum advance to eliminate pinging

 

very cool............Let's start a Pool or a Poll on the amount of Beer.....BSeery will be quafting over the course of the Project.........I think that this will be the tell tale sign of success :cheers: :cheers:

 

The web page for the updates is up and running.

This post can also be found at http://www.corvetteforum.net/c3/bseery/ZZ41.shtml

Thanks for the great comments.

 

A couple years ago, I lost the motor in my x-fire. Oil leaked out from filter gasket. Spun two bearings, cam lobes rounded, etc. So, had to get a new motor. Turns out I was just leaving for the Rockies, so had to do alot of the engine "purchase" by long distance telephoning. Dealer said the LM1 engine was the only replacement. Since this was before I knew squat, did not push the ZZ4. Now I know of those who run the ZZ4 under the x-fire manifold with good results. Full benefit of ZZ4 not available, but miles beyond the "stock" replacement. Wish that crate had been delivered to my house!

 

Good Luck! Hope you get everything you expect out of it & more! Roller cam, baby!!! :cheers:

 

BSerry, I am excited for you. If I ever need a replacement engine, its ZZ4 all the way. Wish I was close to AZ, I wouldn't mind givin a hand ;) Good luck.

 

And this motor will make an awsome foundation for any other hop-ups ;) ;) ;) ;) ;)

 

Hey Bryan your gonna have some fun, something I want to do too if only the
motor I have now would hurry up and blow up real good !

 

cool page!

I have linked to it from http://www.corvettefaq.com for future use. <sigh> if only I could pull something like this off in my '77 in California. :(
-terry