ZZ4 VS fastburn 385,....sort off!
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 767
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From: Naval Station Guantanamo Bay Cuba N/A
ZZ4 VS fastburn 385,....sort off!
I have pretty much made up my mind on the ZZ4 as my crate motor choice but a friend sugested the fastburn 385 ( which has a slightly cooler sounding name) might be a beter choice becuase he says you get better cylinder heads for comparatively cheaper. Dont you get vortecs with both? I know the 385 has 35 more ponies but its torque rating is lower and comes in at a higher RPM. The ZZ4 has 400 FT/LB down around the 3500 RPM mark i believe!?!? Any one have experience with both? Both would be affordable if only i wasn't on this island becuase cost of shipping is a "HUGE" factor. Crate engines purchased here...well, the most prominent hotrod shop on the island wants $4900.95 for the edelbrock performer crate motor( the 310 HP one). IThis motor goes for $3600.00 on the Jeggs web site. So, you get the idea of how much things cost here. Shipping a motor will run anywhere from $500 to $975. Most people just settle for what ever is available from the guys on island meaning they pay slightly higher cost for lower HP or even end up buying crate motors from that weird "Spartan" company. Anyway, like i said, the purchase will most likely be the ZZ4, but i was wondering if anyone had any input on the 385!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Where are the Smoky Mountain Cruisers? Not Correctly Restored Stingray
Re: ZZ4 VS fastburn 385,....sort off! (sharkthehunter77)
Why don't you go with a AR Racing engine? They seem to offer great performance for the money.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 23,367
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From: Virginia USA
Re: ZZ4 VS fastburn 385,....sort off! (sharkthehunter77)
ZZ4 heads are not vortex heads. If you go with the fast burn 385 and you want to upgrade your manifold in the future you'll have to get a manifold that will bolt to vortex heads unless you change your heads to the standard chevy style. Read my writeup on the ZZ4, the link is in my sig. I love my ZZ4. Gobs of torque and remember thats what puts you in the back of your seat. I don't have any experiance with the fast burn so I am not a good person for comparison of the two.
[Modified by theandies, 8:34 PM 7/3/2003]
[Modified by theandies, 8:34 PM 7/3/2003]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Semper ubi, sub ubi
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Re: ZZ4 VS fastburn 385,....sort off! (sharkthehunter77)
Theandies is right, the ZZ4 uses L98 heads, not Vortecs. The fastburn heads are aluminum Vortec-like heads. I love my ZZ4, the torque will boil the tires on my car (with a 3.08 rearend and an automatic, no less!) I got my engine from a Buick Cadillac dealer in Florida, it took 2 or 3 weeks from order date until it was delivered to a freight wharehouse for $150.00.
I was happy! Do a search on the internet for places selling the ZZ4, if you order from out of state you'll save local sales tax which more than pays for shipping.
I was happy! Do a search on the internet for places selling the ZZ4, if you order from out of state you'll save local sales tax which more than pays for shipping.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
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St. Jude Donor '03,'11
Re: ZZ4 VS fastburn 385,....sort off! (sharkthehunter77)
the heads on the fastburn 385 are the new fastburn aluminum heads and are far superior to the L98 heads which are old technology.
the fastburn heads have:
1. bigger valves
2. sodium filled valves to dissipate heat
3. high quench heart shaped combustion chambers
4. intake runners are 210 cc in comparison to L98s tiny 170 cc
The 385 is going to have more hp potential if you ever plan on putting a bigger cam in. You can only go so far with the L98s 1.94 intake valve.
the fastburn heads have:
1. bigger valves
2. sodium filled valves to dissipate heat
3. high quench heart shaped combustion chambers
4. intake runners are 210 cc in comparison to L98s tiny 170 cc
The 385 is going to have more hp potential if you ever plan on putting a bigger cam in. You can only go so far with the L98s 1.94 intake valve.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 163
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From: Lewisberry PA
Re: ZZ4 VS fastburn 385,....sort off! (sharkthehunter77)
I have the 385FB, but no experience with the ZZ4 so I can't give you a real world comparison. I did the research and picked the 385 for the advanced head design and the "potential" for more HP. Torque may throw you into the back of your seat, but more HP is what makes more speed over time. As for replacing the manifold some day, most of the major players now offer the popular manifolds with the Vortex bolt pattern. I think there's even a few EFI units for Vortec heads out there.
The only regret I have is not purchasing the 425HP cam kit. If your ultimate goal is more HP, the 385FB with the hot cam kit (cam and 1:6 rockers) should be a great start.
Both will work great, so its not like you can fail this task. Have fun!!
The only regret I have is not purchasing the 425HP cam kit. If your ultimate goal is more HP, the 385FB with the hot cam kit (cam and 1:6 rockers) should be a great start.
Both will work great, so its not like you can fail this task. Have fun!!
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 15,017
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From: central FL, near the beach.
Re: ZZ4 VS fastburn 385,....sort off! (sharkthehunter77)
my vote is for the fastburn 385.
why ship in an 18 year old design, the ZZ4 heads? I have a 1986 hot rod mag article, they were hot back then. Still good, but obsolete.
why ship in an 18 year old design, the ZZ4 heads? I have a 1986 hot rod mag article, they were hot back then. Still good, but obsolete.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2003
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Re: ZZ4 VS fastburn 385,....sort off! (sharkthehunter77)
:eek: Beware the "torque" argument" :eek:
:D While it's true that torque should always be a consideration in a street motor you still want to be careful.
Not too long ago we were hereing this very same arguement AGAINST the "new " LT1 engine that was replacing the L98.
Now really, even though it has a higher torque rating, would anyone with a '92-'96 Corvette want to dump their LT1 for the higher torque L98?
Kris ;)
:D While it's true that torque should always be a consideration in a street motor you still want to be careful.
Not too long ago we were hereing this very same arguement AGAINST the "new " LT1 engine that was replacing the L98.
Now really, even though it has a higher torque rating, would anyone with a '92-'96 Corvette want to dump their LT1 for the higher torque L98?
Kris ;)
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