Good ZZ4 motors...
Pro
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 741
Likes: 0
From: Etowah, Tennessee
Re: Good ZZ4 motors... (-=Persephone=-)
I can tell you that the crate ZZ4 355HP engines are great on performance and easy to incorporate into almost any small block application. I have one on my motorcycle and it is very dependable, and lots of "seat of the pants" power and acceleration. They are very reasonably priced for 355 HP, and with the Chevrolet knowledge. Here is a pic of my bike with the ZZ4:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 9,464
Likes: 1
From: Modesto CA
Re: Good ZZ4 motors... (Mrcorvette91)
I have one on my motorcycle and it is very dependable, and lots of "seat of the pants" power and acceleration.
A couple of buddies of mine run ZZ4's in their cars (of course, they're topped with a performer RPM and a 750cfm carb.) and they run from high to low 12's, box stock. In a vette, with the TPI intake, it really chokes it off. Essentially, it's just a regular 350 with a decent set of rods/pistons, and D-port heads. IMHO, you can get more hp for cheaper, for our vette's.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 4,623
Likes: 2
From: Ohio
Re: Good ZZ4 motors... (-=Persephone=-)
You can now get a ZZ383 (I believe that's what they call it) for a damn good price from Pace or Scoggins. IMO, unless you are building a real live race motor, you can't beat those ZZ motors performance for the dollar!
Pro
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 741
Likes: 0
From: Etowah, Tennessee
Re: Good ZZ4 motors... (TIMSPEED)
TIMSPEED, I am also running a carb set-up on the Boss Hoss, I am running an Edelbrock 750 4BBL, with ceramic coated headers, and open exhaust. And yes..the torque is..well....I can't explain it. Imagine 355HP on 1100 lb. bike. I can only open the 4BBL up when she is going at least 55MPH, or before that the rear tirs breaks loose. Believe me, that is ugly..(been there done that unexpectedly). 0-50MPH times average 1.5-1.7 sec. If you like Chevys, try a Boss Hoss out sometime. They are addictive, and you will want one.. :chevy
Yes, you can build a 350 cheaper, but I like the idea of having a new GM engineered engine for dependability (plus the warranty :yesnod: ). By the way, my rear tire on the Boss is a 235/70/15 Firestone, and she grips pretty good! (But it is VERY easy to burn it off if you wish :lol: )
[Modified by Mrcorvette91, 12:35 AM 3/16/2004]
Yes, you can build a 350 cheaper, but I like the idea of having a new GM engineered engine for dependability (plus the warranty :yesnod: ). By the way, my rear tire on the Boss is a 235/70/15 Firestone, and she grips pretty good! (But it is VERY easy to burn it off if you wish :lol: )
[Modified by Mrcorvette91, 12:35 AM 3/16/2004]
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 221
Likes: 0
From: League city Texas
Re: Good ZZ4 motors... (-=Persephone=-)
I've had my ZZ4 in my 85 for a little over a year and half. It runs very strong and I've had no problems at all. I found the best price in the country, at the time I bought was Go Auto Center in Dallas. http://www.goautocenter.com. The installation was straight forward and the only mod I had to do was cut and patch a relief in the cross member because I prefered to keep the 8" dampner that came with the ZZ4. There are cheaper setups with more horsepower out there but from my research the ZZ4 was the best bang for the dollar once you factered in the premium components used by the General. I live in Friendswood, so if you need help when it comes time to do the deed give a yell. tupp@swbell.net
Instructor
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
From: Saskatoon Saskatchewan
Re: Good ZZ4 motors... (Z-PDX)
if it was me, and i know nobody asked me, but i would just buy a lt-1 out of a wreck. I say this not knowing exactly what a ZZ4 is all about, or its cost, but the lt-1 gives you 300hp, and they are very common. I dont know what the differences are between the install on whatever you wanna put it in, but I would just say get an lt-1, and before I get flamed, I do know he said a crate motor, im just adding a couple of cents :lurk:
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Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 11,506
Likes: 4
From: Vancouver,Wa.
Re: Good ZZ4 motors... (-=Persephone=-)
I had a ZZ4 Crate in my car before the 383. I would take your motor that you have now and have that redone.. You can get a 383 Forged rotating assembley for $1600. My ZZ4 lasted 9k. Took out 4 pistons while racing. The pistons in the motors are the weak link.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 350
Likes: 1
From: portland or
Re: Good ZZ4 motors... (Corvette0096)
That's exactly why I was asking the question. I am really not surprised about the pistons. They are hypereuts and not really up for racing.
How much hp, how many rpm and how much compression were you runnning on top of them?
Thanks,
-Z
How much hp, how many rpm and how much compression were you runnning on top of them?
Thanks,
-Z
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 4,623
Likes: 2
From: Ohio
Re: Good ZZ4 motors... (94 M-6)
Ergo my comments about an "real live race engine". Also, 94 M-6 your comments are ill-informed. There is no compatibility whatsoever with an LTx motor going into a Gen 1 fitment.
A ZZ motor has a forged crank and four bolt mains. An L98 has a cast crank and two bolt mains.
A ZZ motor has a forged crank and four bolt mains. An L98 has a cast crank and two bolt mains.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 378
Likes: 0
Re: Good ZZ4 motors... (h rocks)
I would like to have this for more power, and so my engine wouldnt have problems in the future. Also, it would pretty much be my daily driver car not just strictly for racing....
[Modified by -=Persephone=-, 12:32 PM 3/16/2004]
[Modified by -=Persephone=-, 12:32 PM 3/16/2004]
Racer
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 304
Likes: 0
From: Littleton MA
Re: Good ZZ4 motors... (-=Persephone=-)
This is great info as I am considering a new motor for my 1990. Question while we are on the topic.........Will the zz4 motor work in a 90 with the speed density fuel management system ? Would I have to convert to mass air ? It is usually the cam that is the limiting factor because SD works on manifold vacuum. Actually I am going to make a post on this........Hold on..............
Instructor
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
From: Saskatoon Saskatchewan
Re: Good ZZ4 motors... (h rocks)
h rocks,
in my post i clearly said, im not sure what the install issues would be, i guess you didnt read that far down before you decided i was stupid. If you look at the original post, it doesnt say what car the engine is being used for, it just as a pic of his 88 in his sig. I still dont know what a ZZ4 engine costs, but I do know you can get cheap lt-1's. That was the intent of my post. I guess ill keep my ill-informed idea to my self...ja
in my post i clearly said, im not sure what the install issues would be, i guess you didnt read that far down before you decided i was stupid. If you look at the original post, it doesnt say what car the engine is being used for, it just as a pic of his 88 in his sig. I still dont know what a ZZ4 engine costs, but I do know you can get cheap lt-1's. That was the intent of my post. I guess ill keep my ill-informed idea to my self...ja
