882 head swap question
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
882 head swap question
I had a friend who is trying to sell these zz4 heads PN 12556463 you can view them here
http://m.summitracing.com/parts/nal-12556463
My question is will there be a good upgrade to the heads that are installed now, currently have 882 heads.
Also if I were to swap them would I have to do anything else? Have aftermarket open air cleaner, dual exhaust, hooker hugger headers, the cam is changed from stock but do not know dimensions came with the car.
Would be interested in these if they would give me some power and all I have to do is take the old ones off and bolt these ones on. Any advice is appreciated thanks in advance!
http://m.summitracing.com/parts/nal-12556463
My question is will there be a good upgrade to the heads that are installed now, currently have 882 heads.
Also if I were to swap them would I have to do anything else? Have aftermarket open air cleaner, dual exhaust, hooker hugger headers, the cam is changed from stock but do not know dimensions came with the car.
Would be interested in these if they would give me some power and all I have to do is take the old ones off and bolt these ones on. Any advice is appreciated thanks in advance!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,284
Likes: 1,171
From: Hermosa
Pretty much anything is going to be better than the 882 heads as far as head design goes.
Those ZZ4 heads are 58cc so lots more compression. Aluminum so better comp capability.
Angled plugs. Will they clear your exhaust manifolds?
Question is how are the rings on the current engine. Too much compression and you'll be blowing lots of smoke. Stock pistons are pretty junky cast dish pistons for the L-48 engine, if that's what you got. No real quench on those pistons either.
Those ZZ4 heads are 58cc so lots more compression. Aluminum so better comp capability.
Angled plugs. Will they clear your exhaust manifolds?
Question is how are the rings on the current engine. Too much compression and you'll be blowing lots of smoke. Stock pistons are pretty junky cast dish pistons for the L-48 engine, if that's what you got. No real quench on those pistons either.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
So ideally even if it blew some smoke I could bolt those right on and run for a while with no damage? Planning a crate engine swap in about a year when I get the funds just looking for some power now since I can get them real cheap.
I have not this brand but this style headers.
http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Tight-Fit-Small-Block-Chevy-Block-Hugger-Headers-Black,3816.html?sku=9300101&utm_medium=C SE&utm_source=CSEGoogle&utm_campaign=CSE GOOGLE&catargetid=530009170000094237&cad evice=m&gclid=CP69n_vGg8UCFdgWgQodbBgASQ
What kind of hp gain you think they will produce? Would it even be worth the work replacing thme?
I have not this brand but this style headers.
http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Tight-Fit-Small-Block-Chevy-Block-Hugger-Headers-Black,3816.html?sku=9300101&utm_medium=C SE&utm_source=CSEGoogle&utm_campaign=CSE GOOGLE&catargetid=530009170000094237&cad evice=m&gclid=CP69n_vGg8UCFdgWgQodbBgASQ
What kind of hp gain you think they will produce? Would it even be worth the work replacing thme?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,445
Likes: 970
From: Tennessee/Rhode Island
If you had a motor in very good condition to excellent, the 58 CC vortec heads would give you a significant bump in power but with an engine blowing some smoke with <8.5 compression, raising that compression by 1.5 points I think is asking for trouble. As for the cast pistons, well, lots of guys run 400 HP with cast pistons with no problem. I was at my engine builders shop on Saturday and a kid with a stock C4 LT-1 (cast pistons) with a rear turbocharger running 10 lbs of boost on 106,000 mile LT-1 produced 426 RWHP on a MUSTANG dyno, not a dynojet, through multiple runs and the engine sounded great, no smoke, pretty unbelievable.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
If you had a motor in very good condition to excellent, the 58 CC vortec heads would give you a significant bump in power but with an engine blowing some smoke with <8.5 compression, raising that compression by 1.5 points I think is asking for trouble. As for the cast pistons, well, lots of guys run 400 HP with cast pistons with no problem. I was at my engine builders shop on Saturday and a kid with a stock C4 LT-1 (cast pistons) with a rear turbocharger running 10 lbs of boost on 106,000 mile LT-1 produced 426 RWHP on a MUSTANG dyno, not a dynojet, through multiple runs and the engine sounded great, no smoke, pretty unbelievable.
oh slight confusion, no the motor runs great now no smoke or leaks at all, was only put in 4k miles ago (not numbers matching) right before i purchased the car from an estate auction the guy died. its been a hassle if you search my other threads to see what i have been working with to figure out whats been done.
The engine runs flawlessly right now and thats why when my friend was talking about unloading these heads on my hands I was wondering if just bolting them up would be a good idea. or if i was asking for a lot of problems, the post above was saying smoke was a possibility and i was questioning about that.
Thank for the replies everyone definitely appreciate the help!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 6,929
Likes: 842
From: melbourne florida
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
30 some odd years ago cast pistons were pretty crappy, 400 h.p with them would have been dicey, mores now.
the bump in compression will give you a noticeable gain in power, do you have any details about your engine?
the bump in compression will give you a noticeable gain in power, do you have any details about your engine?
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,399
Likes: 247
From: San Jose CA
How much are you getting them for? ZZ4 heads aren't really anything special as far as flow goes. A little better than an 882 head, but not much.
If it's under $500, it may be worthwhile, otherwise you'd be better served looking elsewhere.
If it's under $500, it may be worthwhile, otherwise you'd be better served looking elsewhere.
