ZZ3 1995 engine
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
ZZ3 1995 engine
Found a 1995 ZZ3 crate engine been in a 77 corvette has only 1000 miles according too the guy. Guy worked overseas and Dad drove car a few times a month, has high rise dual plain aluminum intake, everything else is original. The guy wants $950. Anyone running this engine, in car. Thanks for any reply.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,047
Likes: 12
From: SoCal
Just posted this pic in another thread, but here's what my ZZ3 looks like in my '72 today:
Although the only thing left of the ZZ3 is the block! It's now a 383CI motor. 
And the glass gas filter is gone...
And the glass gas filter is gone...
Racer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 355
Likes: 18
From: Corona Ca
I have 2 ZZ3 engines installed in Monte Carlos, a 71 and a 72. Both automatics, both 2.73 diffs. One engine I picked up from a dealership, was warranty'd out of a car after 2 hours run time due to ticking noise. I don't hear anything that alarms me. Other was pulled from a truck at Pick-a-Part for $350!
Alloy heads and intake, roller cam one piece seal 4 bolt block, steels crank. Absolutely wonderful medium performance engines, I would say get it if it is complete and sounds good. If you don't wnat it, someone (me) will!
Best regards,
Tom
Alloy heads and intake, roller cam one piece seal 4 bolt block, steels crank. Absolutely wonderful medium performance engines, I would say get it if it is complete and sounds good. If you don't wnat it, someone (me) will!
Best regards,
Tom
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 14,948
Likes: 3,351
From: NYC NY
I have a ZZ3 in my '55 Nomad with a THM350 and 3:08 rear. Gets about 18 MPG on the highway and the car is a great driver. The main difference between a ZZ3 and a ZZ4 is the ZZ3 has "pink" rods. They went with powdered metal rods in the ZZ4 because they were quite on cold start. Yes my ZZ3 "knocks" on start up but it does go away after a couple of minutes and the motor has been trouble free. If you can hear it run and make sure inside the valve covers are clean at $950.00 it sounds like a good buy.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,047
Likes: 12
From: SoCal
I got it from these guys a number of years ago: Black Mountain Precision.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,116
Likes: 5
From: Livonia MI
$950 bucks for a fully assembled low milage crate motor, cant see how you can go wrong there if it's really true. Also "3J" curious how different rod materials would affect a cold knocking sound, as usually forged vs cast pistons that expand at different rates. I've assembled a few engines and never heard of this, but always willing to learn. If what you really meant is hypereutectic silicon pressure cast pistons, then nothing at all wrong with that, long as you're not making insane power.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 14,948
Likes: 3,351
From: NYC NY
Also "3J" curious how different rod materials would affect a cold knocking sound, as usually forged vs cast pistons that expand at different rates. I've assembled a few engines and never heard of this, but always willing to learn. If what you really meant is hypereutectic silicon pressure cast pistons, then nothing at all wrong with that, long as you're not making insane power.
Thanks for catching that. My intent was not to post incorrect information but I repeated what I was told by a GM rep who bought back a couple of ZZ3s because they "knocked". He said the major change form the ZZ3 to the ZZ4 was the rods. I guess he forgot to mention the pistons were different also. I remember seeing a list of the part numbers comparing both engines but I can't find it. All I could find is this http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...z3-vs-zz4.html which says the pistons are different also. Sorry for the oversight. :o
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