ZZ4 engine disapointment
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 139
Likes: 0
From: Coral Springs FL
ZZ4 engine disapointment
I installed a ZZ4 in my 1980 back in April 2000 and was was pleased with it. I drag race with the car and it has run very consistent. 12.80s in the 1/4, with 1. 60 foot times. Last November with about 30,000 miles and 880 passes, I had 2 pistons crack their rings and lands. I replaced only the 2 bad pistons (# 3&5)and checked the others. Last weekend I did the same thing to piston #7. I will now replace all 8 with a good forged piston. Now my disapointment, the GM performance book says this engine has forged pistons part number 10159436 offset pin. Wrong the pistons in my ZZ4 are not forged. Had I known this I probably wouldn't have bought the ZZ4 but built an engine. Anyways, so much for truth in advertising.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 26,545
Likes: 46
From: Huntersville NC
Re: ZZ4 engine disapointment (jamiejamison)
I hope you pursue this a bit farther. That is a serious accusation. When you buy a crate engine from GM you have to take on faith what they tell you is inside. Not too many people are going to tear apart a brand new engine to verify the internals. Heck, I probably wouldn't even take off the valve covers. I would take this up with whoever I bought the engine from. MJ
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 26,545
Likes: 46
From: Huntersville NC
Re: ZZ4 engine disapointment (cmashark)
maybe i don't know what i am talking about, but isn't 880 passes alot?
[Modified by MNJack, 12:22 PM 4/15/2004]
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Race Director
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 10,643
Likes: 8
From: Foxfield CO 1970 Convertible
Re: ZZ4 engine disapointment (gerry72)
The ads don't mention forged pistons, just high silicon content...
http://www.paceparts.com/product.asp?0=239&1=241&3=1212
http://www.paceparts.com/product.asp?0=239&1=241&3=1212
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 10,896
Likes: 2
From: CO
Re: ZZ4 engine disapointment (gerry72)
P/N 24502609
5.7L (350ci) High Output Chevrolet V8
High Output 5.7-liter engines are assembled using brand new, premium quality components. This assembly combines proven small-block components with the latest advances in engine technology, including lightweight aluminum cylinder heads, low-friction hydraulic roller tappets, and hypereutectic (high-silicon) pistons.
I am always of the theroy that if your racing a car / engine and it fails......well......what did you expect? I mean 30,000 miles and 880 passes is alot of abuse. :cheers: sounds like it was pretty damn fast too !
[Modified by flood, 12:30 PM 4/15/2004]
5.7L (350ci) High Output Chevrolet V8
High Output 5.7-liter engines are assembled using brand new, premium quality components. This assembly combines proven small-block components with the latest advances in engine technology, including lightweight aluminum cylinder heads, low-friction hydraulic roller tappets, and hypereutectic (high-silicon) pistons.
I am always of the theroy that if your racing a car / engine and it fails......well......what did you expect? I mean 30,000 miles and 880 passes is alot of abuse. :cheers: sounds like it was pretty damn fast too !
[Modified by flood, 12:30 PM 4/15/2004]
Racer
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 339
Likes: 0
From: Ann Arbor MI
Re: ZZ4 engine disapointment (flood)
I was gonna say this was taken off the Salle Chevroley web-site:
Pistons: 10159436 High silicon aluminum with offset pins.
How old is your performance book?
Did GM change pistons somewhere down the line?
[Modified by 1971Ultra, 2:54 PM 4/15/2004]
[Modified by 1971Ultra, 2:56 PM 4/15/2004]
Pistons: 10159436 High silicon aluminum with offset pins.
How old is your performance book?
Did GM change pistons somewhere down the line?
[Modified by 1971Ultra, 2:54 PM 4/15/2004]
[Modified by 1971Ultra, 2:56 PM 4/15/2004]
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 139
Likes: 0
From: Coral Springs FL
Re: ZZ4 engine disapointment (phxraptor)
To clearify a couple responses. The 2003 GM performance parts catalog as well as the 1999 both state in ZZ4 technical information "Pistons... 10159436 High silicon aluminum with offset pins" Now in the section CHEVY SMALL BLOCK-V8 - GROUP 0.629 PISTONS states with pictures "High Performance Pistons
Forged aluminum piatons are available in standard and oersize diametera for many high-performance Chevrolet small block V8 engines. These forged pistons will stand up to the heat and cylinder pressures in high compression engines. ......." Six piston part numbers are listed, 10159436 is one of them. Hope this clears up the mis-advertisment I state.
Yes I do think 880 passes on the strip is good, and I should expect some trouble, but broken lands on a forged piston in a 355 hp engine is is not one of them. I've alway maintained this engine well, with top oils ets.
Anyways, it will have forged pistons in the next few weeks. Thanks for all the responses.
Forged aluminum piatons are available in standard and oersize diametera for many high-performance Chevrolet small block V8 engines. These forged pistons will stand up to the heat and cylinder pressures in high compression engines. ......." Six piston part numbers are listed, 10159436 is one of them. Hope this clears up the mis-advertisment I state.
Yes I do think 880 passes on the strip is good, and I should expect some trouble, but broken lands on a forged piston in a 355 hp engine is is not one of them. I've alway maintained this engine well, with top oils ets.
Anyways, it will have forged pistons in the next few weeks. Thanks for all the responses.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 360
Likes: 1
From: Meridian, MS
Re: ZZ4 engine disapointment (jamiejamison)
30,000 miles and 880 passes, i know guys that drag race very seriously, and if they had a motor last that long they would buy a hundred of them. look at how much a nascar engine costs,( much more than the little ZZ4) sometimes they don't last the 500 miles in 1 race.... i think you made out pretty good with that much racing.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 139
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From: Coral Springs FL
Re: ZZ4 engine disapointment (AGVI)
Not with that weak 1980 rear end and half shafts, would't make a single pass. With the 355 horse, I've gone thru 2 sets of posi clutches in the rear, 4 half shafts (have special builts one now) and about 20 sets of universals.
Since this is a street car also I didn't want to change to a solid rear. Wish now I had and put in the BB and a glide.
Since this is a street car also I didn't want to change to a solid rear. Wish now I had and put in the BB and a glide.
