I'm looking for the website or phone number of a company I think is called Winters. This is where the original ZL-1 were produced. They have started to make new ZL-1's identical to the 1969 ZL-1's. If anyone can please help.

 

I believe Winters is the foundry that made Chevys aluminum intakes in the 60s and early 70s. I guess they cast the aluminum heads and blocks too. I had not heard that they were doing new ZL1s. Interesting.

 

Can't you get them from sallee chevy? I think they are in the nieghborhood of $10k though.

 

I thought it was just the blocks that were being reproduced.

 

I don't know... let me see if I can dig up a link or something.

 

No longer avaliable, but here it is. I'm guessing the block is the only thing that is like the '69 verson. Heck even the displacement on the new one is different. Obviously intake is different too.

http://www.sallee-chevrolet.com/Chev...ramjetzl1.html

And for future reference, that website is a nighmare to navigate if you use the frames version.

 

The Winters foundry found some old die's for making the original ZL-1 aluminum block sitting in a store room, and sent a message to GM asking if they wanted them. Some one at GM recognized the part numbers as belonging to the ZL-1, and thought it might be a good idea to keep them. Since then, GM has decided to remake the block in limited quantities, they did make some small changes, but for the most part it is just like the original ZL-1 block, and it carries a GM part number. In therory any GM dealer can order you one, but they are expensive. the part number is 12370850 below is the address to look at it on the sallee web site

http://www.sallee-chevrolet.com/Chev.../12370850.html

 

110 lbs engine block!!!

Here is the blurb from gmpartsdirect - $5k for the bare block

GM PART # 12370850
CATEGORY: All
PACK QTY: 1 CORE CHARGE: $0.00
GM LIST: $7,285.71
OUR PRICE: $5,100.00
DESCRIPTION: BLOCK-AL
The Chevrolet ZL1 Aluminum Big Block is back and better than ever. This block was first introduced in the 1969 Corvette and Camaro. It was one of the rarest production engines ever built. Now the improved version is available. This block is based on the original tooling. The new casting is made from 356-T6M aluminum alloy and has a 4.118" cast iron liner that can be bored to 4.300". The bottom end has also been improved with new four-bolt splayed steel main caps, with dowel pins to locate and hold the caps in place. This block includes screw-in freeze plugs with o-ring seals, and a two-piece rear seal. The new block has a provision for both dry sump or regular oil pump systems and mechanical fuel pump. All GM performance cylinder heads will fit this block and it only weighs 110 lbs. The maximum stroke is 4.375".


oh, almost forgot to slam that stupid THING (454 ramjet) they called a "ZL1" It was a 454 - the original ZL1 of course was a 427, wasn't particularly powerful, and GM put the ZL1 label on it, called it "limited edition" and put a $20k+ price tag on it. I feel sorry for anyone who got suckered into buying that engine.

 

or there's the aftermarket:
Donovan
http://www.donovanengineering.com/Blocks/BigBlock.html
World Products (Merlin lite)
PDF format Page 13 of 17
http://www.worldcastings.com/docs/pg20-35.pdf

 

Got my ZL-1 block from Jim Pace GM Performance parts for $5000 about three years ago. Built it as a 489 (4.28 bore and 4.25 stroke) with a good rotating assembly, good flowing heads and a solid roller cam. It weighs about the same as a cast iron head small block. I have about 36000 miles on it and have been very happy with it.

 

How much does an iron block weigh?

 

How is the gm zl1 engine so much lighter? 30 pounds lighter then the aluminum merlin block?

 

Just compare the lifter valley area and you can see why.
The Merlin was designed to take much more abuse.
They are also constructed of different alloys and Merlin has larger cylinder sleeves.

 

so did you use the 12370850 GM block? How much did the rest of the engine cost you? It would make a real nice $5,000 coffee table (with a glass top) until I got ready to build the engine! I know people that spend $5k on a coffee table.

 

ZLIPOWER, nice motor!

Your combo seems well thought out and obviously works quite well w/ the 11 sec qtr. mile times. Congratulations on building a fine (and very rare) motor!

Regards, Mark