zz4 in a 72........
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
zz4 in a 72........
hey folks,
marco here, i'm considering attemping an engine change in my 72 that I inherited when Dad passed away. The ZZ4 looks really cool, especially the turnkey option. also planning to get the bowtie 200R4 to go with it.......I spent quite a bit of time with the search engine but didn't come up with the info i'm looking for.
first off, car is stock(restored), power steering, ac, power brakes ( I added this with y'alls help), and point dizzy w/tach drive.
with the turnkey option does the drive system fit and work or are changes needed.
it looks like the turnkey comes with an ac compressor, I already have one and don't want to convert to 134, so will mine work, or are the heads not drilled for it.
I looked to see if anyone posted up doing this job and listing what they did to make it happen, but didn't have any luck. anyone got the lowdown for me? thanks much!!
m
what exhaust changes are needed?
marco here, i'm considering attemping an engine change in my 72 that I inherited when Dad passed away. The ZZ4 looks really cool, especially the turnkey option. also planning to get the bowtie 200R4 to go with it.......I spent quite a bit of time with the search engine but didn't come up with the info i'm looking for.
first off, car is stock(restored), power steering, ac, power brakes ( I added this with y'alls help), and point dizzy w/tach drive.
with the turnkey option does the drive system fit and work or are changes needed.
it looks like the turnkey comes with an ac compressor, I already have one and don't want to convert to 134, so will mine work, or are the heads not drilled for it.
I looked to see if anyone posted up doing this job and listing what they did to make it happen, but didn't have any luck. anyone got the lowdown for me? thanks much!!
m
what exhaust changes are needed?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,241
Likes: 4
From: Okinawa Okinawa
If you want a higher performing engine, I personally think a crate is the way to go. Just keep the original engine so you can keep the numbers matching.
I changed to a zz4 last year and love it. Still have a TH-400 so I know I'm losing a lot of HP in the tranny and with a three speed, I don't get the OD gear, which I would like at some point.
Can't help you on the AC question. My AC is putting the top down.
I would suggest calling and asking your questions to GM Performance. I know the heads already come pre-tapped for all the holes you need to mount brackets for AC/Alt, etc.
Here is a pretty good write-up on the swap. http://corvettec3.ca/zz4.htm
I changed to a zz4 last year and love it. Still have a TH-400 so I know I'm losing a lot of HP in the tranny and with a three speed, I don't get the OD gear, which I would like at some point.
Can't help you on the AC question. My AC is putting the top down.
I would suggest calling and asking your questions to GM Performance. I know the heads already come pre-tapped for all the holes you need to mount brackets for AC/Alt, etc.
Here is a pretty good write-up on the swap. http://corvettec3.ca/zz4.htm
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
ZZ4 is essentially same as what I put in my car winter '97-98, '89 truck block with L98 heads, but I had a serp drive and '88 compressor on it, and changed to 134.....the thing as basically a bolt in, I recommend the 200 4r auto, as I have one, runs great....I also have injection, so my car is highly modified, nothing stock....
PM me if you want to discuss various aspects of the swap, as I may not spot this thread again....
PM me if you want to discuss various aspects of the swap, as I may not spot this thread again....
C3 Corvette Enthusiast
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,071
Likes: 3
All of my drive accessories bolted up the the ZZ4 (I had the option of using V-belts vs serpentine drive when I ordered my engine - I didn't want to spend the money converting all my drive accessories to the serpentine version.) The only thing I had to change was the water pump - my ZZ4 came with a long shaft water pump and I had to change it to a short shaft model. If you order you engine, specify you need the short shaft water pump.
Otherwise, it's as close to a perfect fit as you can get.
Otherwise, it's as close to a perfect fit as you can get.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
first off. thanks for all the quick replies,,
second, sorry it took so long to get back to the thread,
so far it looks like that if i order the engine with the short shaft water pump, all my accessories will bolt up and work, my exhaust manifolds and pipes will bolt up and work(stock rams horn manifolds and true dual 2'' i think, need to 2bl check that), what i am not hearing is will the weight difference in the engine cause front ride height issues, what year electric tach do i have to get , since the turnkey comes with the hei and the carb and intake, and is there anything else???
it looks like the bowtie level 2 is the way to go and i need to figure out how to mod the shifter to get first gear,,,input???
and as always, thanks again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
marco
second, sorry it took so long to get back to the thread,
so far it looks like that if i order the engine with the short shaft water pump, all my accessories will bolt up and work, my exhaust manifolds and pipes will bolt up and work(stock rams horn manifolds and true dual 2'' i think, need to 2bl check that), what i am not hearing is will the weight difference in the engine cause front ride height issues, what year electric tach do i have to get , since the turnkey comes with the hei and the carb and intake, and is there anything else???
it looks like the bowtie level 2 is the way to go and i need to figure out how to mod the shifter to get first gear,,,input???
and as always, thanks again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
marco
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Verdad Gallardo
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,412
Likes: 792
From: Redondo Beach, California
Put a ZZ4 in my 68 along with the GMPP serpentine kit for the accessories. Just great..I had to put an electric fan in because the serpentine accessory drive uses a reverse rotation fan. Bought a reverse rotation aluminum Edelbrock water pump to replace the iron pump of the kit. I bought a Be Cool radiator with the electric fan. Bought underdrive Marsh pulleys for the serpentine kit. Whole set up runs cold. This is with pure ethylene glycol colorant, no water.
Last edited by 68/70Vette; Aug 25, 2013 at 07:49 PM.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
also just for the record i will be storing the original engine and trans as the car has all matching numbers....can anyone confirm or deny that the "Patriot" brand headers (block hugger type)exit where the stock downpipe is? the website says that they do, to me that would mean i could install d-port headers and not have to correct or mod the rest of the exhaust...coments???????
thanks
marco
thanks
marco
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 203
Likes: 24
From: Cincinnati OH
My son loves the ZZ4 in his 1981 camaro. Cant help with the header size but I would suggest spending the extra money and getting them coated. Runs a litter cooler in the engine bay and they look much better.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,666
Likes: 1
From: Where it's always hot as Hell-South Louisiana.
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
Put a crate ZZ4 in my 80 model. Best thing I ever did to the car.
Everything bolted up as it should. However, I did NOT go back in with the a/c compressor, but was told it would bolt up..Good luck, you will love it.
see it here :
Everything bolted up as it should. However, I did NOT go back in with the a/c compressor, but was told it would bolt up..Good luck, you will love it.
see it here :
Racer
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 462
Likes: 1
From: Westernport Maryland
Zz4
If you get the turnkey version and don't want to bother with 134 there is a refrigerant I have used that is compatible with R12 and R134
Enviro-Safe™ Refrigerant
Enviro-Safe™ Refrigerant
Last edited by dpw21562; Aug 29, 2013 at 05:18 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,993
Likes: 9
From: Gig Harbor WA
I have a ZZ4 and 2004R in my 72. Hooker sidepipes. The combination is phenomenal in my opinion. I have the 3.08 rear and it will still get sideways when I punch it. I get around 24 mpg on the highway, turns around 1600rpms at 60 mph. I have the tranny set to lock up at about 57 mph. I am running a 2400 stall converter.
I have about 9000 trouble free miles on it, in about 3 yrs.
That being said, I have a 500hp/500tq 383 ready to go in, so I will be selling the ZZ4.
Interested? or if you have any questions about the combo, install, etc, shoot me a PM.
I have about 9000 trouble free miles on it, in about 3 yrs.
That being said, I have a 500hp/500tq 383 ready to go in, so I will be selling the ZZ4.
Interested? or if you have any questions about the combo, install, etc, shoot me a PM.
Last edited by MakoShark72; Aug 29, 2013 at 10:01 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,873
Likes: 134
From: Bushkill Twp. PA
St. Jude Donor '17
also just for the record i will be storing the original engine and trans as the car has all matching numbers....can anyone confirm or deny that the "Patriot" brand headers (block hugger type)exit where the stock downpipe is? the website says that they do, to me that would mean i could install d-port headers and not have to correct or mod the rest of the exhaust...coments???????
thanks
marco
thanks
marco
When your orig motor is in storage it will need ocasional attention. You'll want to turn the crank every few months to keep some valve springs from being compressed for the time its bagged up.
There are probably some other things you may want to do also... I'm sure some folks will chime in.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
ok,looks like a tach drive Hei will solve one issue, anyone else care to chime in as to the ride height??will it make any difference or has it for you?? I saw a cople of shots from another gentleman that did have an issue with his 76, but curious what else anyone else has to say?? so far looks like its a go, just need to start checking pricing with my local Steelership,,,,,,
marco
marco
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,057
Likes: 421
From: BC
I used the ZZ4 in my wife's 78 S/A. It bolted right in. It is a really nice motor but for a couple of extra bucks I would have gone with the 383. I really like the 58cc aluminum heads on the ZZ4 but if I had to do it again, I would take the 383. For the buck you can't really go wrong with either....