Hello,

I am considering installing a new GM ZZ4 engine into my '65 conv.

I would like to know what any of you C3 guys who have a GM crate motor, Esp. ZZ4 think of it.

Thanks
Ryan

 

I don't have a ZZ4 crate motor but I have friends who do have them. The ZZ4 will make your Vette come alive. GM also has a hot cam kit which comes with a cam and 1.6 rockers. My friend has the ZZ4 with the hot cam and N2O in his S-10 pickup. The S-10 does 10.4 in the 1/4 mile. He has three seasons of racing on the engine with no problems.

 

:yesnod: ZZ4 is a great "out of the box" motor. :yesnod:

Do a search on ZZ4 and you'll find 100's of posts about them... :yesnod:

:cheers:

 

I just put a ZZ4 in my 71' Roadster. It was previously an all original small block model, with the origianl motor. I cracked a head and had some other problems with the original motor, so I decideed to take my time in rebuilding the original and drop in a ZZ4 in the meantime.

Just got it on the road. FANTASTIC!! MSD Tach Drive Distributor, New flywheel and some water pump modificaitons were the only requirements. While I had the engine out I replaced all vacuum hoses, and re-did the suspension complete. Rebuilt starter, alternataor, new radiator and many other items.

The car feels brand new. I've had it for 15+ years and rebuilt in back in the 80's. I just drove the car from Florida to Pennsylvania. ABout 1/2 way with the top down.

This will buy me time to build the original motor carefully, on my time. In the meantime I can beat on the ZZ4 and have fun!!! :jester :D

Good luck!

 

if you cant afford the ZZ502 then the ZZ4 will do :D wish i had one myself. my father has a ZZ1 in his 2200 pound street rod and that thing is FFFAAASSSTTTTTTTTTTT!!!! :cheers:

 

I have heard dollar for dollar it is one off the best upgrades you can do to a Vette

 

I would also seriously consider the HT383 crate motor. It has more power potential. Hot Rod magazine tested one (March 2002) and factory stock it made 338 hp and 444 tq. Torque rules on the street!! With a cam change, 1.6 roller rockers, and the Edelbrock rpm intake they made 460 hp and 500 tq. A little optimistic I would say, but definately a strong, reliable street runner!

 

GO 74VETTEMAN!!! hooray! that is the same motor i have in mine, and i can stomp on just about every car in town. then again i live in a small town. i also used hot rods article as a building block, but upgraded valves, a little more compression, a better ignition, and some other bolt ons and some porting and polishing and now i have a monster....it pins the passengers to the seat to the point where i could put a ten dollar bill on the dash and they couldnt get to it when i stomp on it. the whole thing has cost me about 10k for the upgrade... new rearend from a specialty shop in cali, a reinforced 4 speed muncie, and some better driveline parts(u-joint, bearings, etc) the motor cost me 7k to build up to this point and it was worth it. i am considering selling it though since i got an incredible offer for the motor from a guy with a 68 camaro. i gave him a ride in the car and it blew his mind. black marks on the street for about a block. nowhere near merlin's project but for a drivable car that has an even power curve and can be practical to drive often its a good engine. cheers :cheers:


[Modified by couldbefun, 10:24 PM 4/3/2002]

 

Before I even start: Mike69 your motion signature is sooooo cooool!

Anyway I have a ZZ4 in the '68. Very torquey for a small block. I should work on my top end a bit because of my cars gearing. Can you say spin? As far as the ZZ385 it would probably be better for me but not nessessarily for anyone with freeway gearing in their car. You see the ZZ385 does have 30 more H.P., but it also has 385 FT. LBS. of torque compared to 405 (maybe more I don't remember exactly) for the ZZ4. Torque is more important than horse power on the street. Why do you think big blocks ca't be beat, in a straight line.

 

ZZ4 works for me... Very streetable and plenty of power around town. I've seen some pretty good time slips on them too.

 

Awesome crate engine. I really enjoy driving my car with the ZZ4, just wish gas was going down instead of up.

Has the right amount of Torque and Horsepower for me.

 

Okay, I'm going to ask my annoying question.

Does it need Premium gas?

 

Cookwithvette,

YES !!

 

If you want reliability and don't need to have 400+ HP - the ZZ4 is a excellent choice. If you are looking for lots of HP for a excellent price - check
http://www.speedomotive.com

They have very strong engines for exceptional prices. However - those engines are mainly for street/strip vehicles and therefore without warranty!

Olivier

 

IMHO........its the best MOD you can make

 

I recently installed a ZZ4 w/the Fast Burn heads and the Hot cam in my '70 Roadster, Ther eis nothing else I can say about it, it's obscene the way it runs. Great power, smooth idle and I know this will be hard to believe but the gas mileage is very respectable. It just flat hauls butt when you get into the secondaries and on the shift from 2nd to 3rd? Hang on, your passenger better have her head back in the seat .

 

They have very strong engines for exceptional prices. However - those engines are mainly for street/strip vehicles and therefore without warranty!

I THINK the stock ZZ4 comes with a 2year warranty :confused:
Cruz

 

>>I THINK the stock ZZ4 comes with a 2year warranty

I think it is 2 years - 50000 miles!
However - I like high HP engines. When changing my engine I will take the risk and buy a high HP engine (450 HP or above) with no warranty. I did it for my last 1969 Corvette and was very satisfied with the engine (450 HP 383 Stroker engine)...

Olivier

 

The specs on my crate motor showed it taking 92 octane. I bought the 355HP ZZ4 and it only came with a 1 year/12,000 mile warranty. I have had no trouble, but wished it had a longer warranty. But the HP Crate motors, according to Scoggins-Dickey, had a the 1 year/12,000.

 

I'm in the process of putting one in my '72. My original LT-1 motor dropped a valve, and it took out a pretty good chunk of cylinder wall, so in goes the ZZ4.
It is turning into quite the project. I'm replacing all the bushings, new clutch kit, aluminum radiator, etc, etc.
I know, I wont be able to sit with the NCRS crew any more. But what the hell, it's my car! :D
Get the ZZ4, you wont be disappointed.