So, the ZZ4 makes 355 HP. And the GMPP base 350 makes 330 HP? What gives? What's the motivation to go for the ZZ4? Is the base not very accepting to mods? It seems to me that I could just spring for the base and mod it out to well over 355 hp, and still be under the price for a ZZ4. What do you guys think.

Thanks,
~ Colin

 

I wouldn't spend that much money on the ZZ4. I'm planing to buy the 350/260 for this usmmer which is only $1,200 and $1,600 with the carp, and intake.

The ZZ4 offers alot of base power though without many add ons. But if I wanted that much base power, I'll spend a few more bucks for a nice 454.

 

Chevy High Performance mag did a buildup of a base Gm crate 350 that ended up making around 400 HP for (I think) around $3,500. Even if that price is not correct it was definitely a lot of bang for the buck. They didn't do anything really radical - Vortec heads, cam, intake, headers, carb. I don't think they changed anything in the short block.

The ZZ4 is nice in that it has aluminum heads for lighter weight, and I think it comes with most of the parts to make it a runner - stuff like carbs and distributors add up $ fast, but if you shop carefully you can build more power for less money.

Rick B.

 

That is exactly why I went with the H.O.
Couldnt justify the expence for the hp gain.

 

The 350HO is a long block while the ZZ4 is almost complete so it is not apples to apples plus the ZZ4 has a forged crank, roller cam and alum heads.

 

What's the torque comparison, both peak and under the curve?

 

I thought you were talking about a ricer mod.

 

1500 bucks for a fart can muffler?!!!!!!

 

The ZZ4 has a forged crank, roller lifters, and different pistions(silicon coated) pistion. What does all that mean not much if you plan to stay under 400 ponys the better HP buy is the 330. That 25 hp can be had with a little head work and cam tweak for a lot less than 1500 dollars.

The ZZ4 SB is a better platform for the money as you go beyond 400hp.

Just my .02

 

About the forged crank.....I have a ZZ4. I bought it, among reasons thinking it had a forged steel crank. I've seen technical descriptions of the ZZ4 that described it as having a forged steel crank, but I've also seen descriptions stating that it had a modular crank. Arggh!!!! I really hope that it has a forged steel crank. Also, much more disturbing was that the engine is not internally balanced. I just assumed that an engine touted as a high technology, high performance engine would be internally balanced.

It does come with a HEI distributor, spark plugs, a "flywheel" (for an automatic transmission), and a cast iron SB "long" water pump. Even though all ZZ4's are ran after production, the engine you get doesn't have spark plugs wires. (#*%#@) And with all the technology that's supposed to be in the engine, why didn't they put in an aluminum water pump? For a Corvette installation, I understand that the short Corvette water pump will fit if you grind down one of the valve cover bolts. The valve cover appears to be made of plastic. For standard Corvette accessory brackets, you need a short water pump.

I bought my ZZ4 with the Hot Cam option. The basic cam is a roller cam. With the Hot Cam you get roller rockers with a 1.6:1 lift in lieu of 1.5:1. Also the Hot Cam has a little longer duration.

A final comment, the ZZ4 is shipped in a shockingly cheap looking wood crate. Some of the crate engine manufacturers will ship their engines in nice plastic tub containers. You'd think GM could do at least as good.

Any comments?? Did I make any mistakes in my description of the engine?

 

I don't think window stickers cost $1500, but they're supposed to be worth closer to 50 whp.

Also, I noticed that on the Scroggin Dickey website, they list the ZZ4 as having no warranty, but I was under the impression that all GMPP engines come with a one year warranty. Anyone care to explain?

 

I can understand if you blow the original engine up, you don't have a core to rebuild, but a local machine shop can rebuild a SBC for less than 2 grand, and that includes new cam/lifters/rockers/valves, the works...all set up and the bottom end assembled....the parts are what?? about 600 bux??
balancing is about 150 bux....you want aluminum heads....upcharge about 400 for a clean set up used set...
too boot that saves shipping....
I can't see what with junkyards and parts all OVER The place why in hell anyone buys any new GMPP engines, it's too easy to build your own.....

GENE

 

No, on HorsePower TV a while back they were enhancing a Honda. If you can call it that. They spent about $1,200 on engine/exhaust/ignition mods for a 10HP (up to 100HP) increase. They thought they were genius's. Sorry I wasn't very clear.