Should bore my engine over?

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Mar 9, 2009 | 12:25 AM

mavidatt

Thread Starter

Racer

Joined: Nov 2008

Posts: 252

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From: Morehead KY

Should bore my engine over?

As of right now I am set on getting a zz4 base engine and using my own intake and adding an exhaust and stuff later on. But was wandering if it would be better to just have my original engine bored over. Bout how much would it cost to have this done, how much power gain should i expect over stock?

Mar 9, 2009 | 07:02 AM

cv67

Team Owner

Joined: Oct 2004

Posts: 81,241

Likes: 3,063

From: altered state

St. Jude Donor '05

If you are buying a new one dont bother boring it further, you wont notice any difference at all.

Mar 9, 2009 | 08:05 AM

rodj

Le Mans Master

Joined: Aug 2000

Posts: 8,838

Likes: 31

From: Australia

The ZZ4 is a " better" version of your '89 roller cam engine; same heads , 4 bolt block.With TPI about 300ish HP
Choices
Buy ZZ4 long block ;$3300
http://paceperformance.com/index.asp...&ProdID=194848
You can also recover some of your outlay by selling your old engine.

Buy ZZ4 shortblock $2500 ,reuse your bolt on parts and rec your heads w/ ZZ4 springs.
http://paceperformance.com/index.asp...D&ProdID=22861

Recondition ( bore out ) your whole engine and install new cam.Prob find better than ZZ4 cam.

You need to get some local pricing on costs of recond and assembly of your engine so you can do a cost analysis

Last edited by rodj; Mar 9, 2009 at 07:02 PM.

Mar 9, 2009 | 11:51 AM

ZLX

Instructor

Joined: Jan 2009

Posts: 144

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From: Go'n 2 Surf City.. it's 2 to 1

About $10 per hole.. $80.. you won't see much power increase at
all, if any, by boring only.

There's alot of ways to spend the same amount of money you'd
spend on a ZZ4 and end up with more power.

The ZZ4 uses L98 heads..which you already have...
the other differences... 10:1 compression and the ZZ4 cam.
ZZ4 has upgraded crank and 4 bolt block..but those don't make
you any power..and at the 350 to 400hp power level are not nessasary. Plenty of 400hp Street Stocker racers at 400-425hp
at 6000rpm on 2 bolt blocks.

1 Cam- Run the ZZ4, LT4Hotcam, ZZ9 or other cam.
2.Heads- have yours pocket ported locally, Port Pros in Austin,
or Chapman Racing in Utah other choices.
3. Pistons- run Gas Ported pistons that give you 10:1... you
should be able to find some Sportsman/Claimer pistons that
achieve this. ZZ4 has 10:1 but aftermarket Gas Ported will yield
a better seal for less $. SRP, Probe, Mahle, JR Motorsports,
Speedway Motors, etc.

4. Spend remainder on improving your Intake and Exhaust...Stock TPI
intake is an air choker... buy a set of decent headers and mufflers.

The ZZ4 makes 350hp carbureted... You'll need to get your
top end breathing to match that.

Mar 9, 2009 | 11:55 AM

Aardwolf

Race Director

Joined: Jun 2004

Posts: 13,956

Likes: 706

From: WI

It makes no sense to me to pay for another block when you can use yours. I'd rebuild the block that I already paid for.

Mar 9, 2009 | 01:53 PM

Elephanthead

Racer

Joined: Jul 2008

Posts: 317

Likes: 1

Yeah, unless something is really wrong with your block, you need a machine shop, not a new engine.

Mar 9, 2009 | 05:28 PM

Pete K

Race Director

Joined: Feb 2004

Posts: 12,517

Likes: 19

If yoyu drop off a bare, used block at the machine shop, it normally runs $600 or so to completely recondition it. They normally do the following:
Hot tank
shot peen
Magnaflux
Line hone
Bore
Finish hone with torque plates
square deck block
Install cam bearings
install freeze plugs and oil galley plugs

If you are only looking to bore and hone with torque plates, $150-$175 is typical.