ZZ4 Crate Motor?
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 98
Likes: 1
From: Maple Grove Minnesota
ZZ4 Crate Motor?
I have a 1990 L98 with 90K miles. As like everyone, I want more HP. Considering the ZZ4 option, can anyone give me any pros and cons of ZZ4 from experience? Is it possible to get more bang for the buck spending the same money on my existing L98 which has no mechanical problems? Thanks in advance.
P.S. I'm new to the forum and did my best to search for this answer before posting, but if there is a good discussion of this somewhere else, just let me know.
P.S. I'm new to the forum and did my best to search for this answer before posting, but if there is a good discussion of this somewhere else, just let me know.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,126
Likes: 0
From: Cleveland OH
Performance will not be significantly more than the L98 as the ZZ4 itself is based on the L98. If you get the package with the vortec heads, you will need to get the scoggin dickey intake base to fit your TPI to the vortec heads. If you got the bottom end and had some head work done on your current D-Ports, you could use your current TPI components and accessories without much of any modification.
I don't have specific power numbers, but the base ZZ4 motor won't produce significantly more than the L98.
You can add a LT4 hot cam kit, do a little head+intake work and you'd then realize some sizeable gains.
What is your budget and how much power do you want?
Ron
I don't have specific power numbers, but the base ZZ4 motor won't produce significantly more than the L98.
You can add a LT4 hot cam kit, do a little head+intake work and you'd then realize some sizeable gains.
What is your budget and how much power do you want?
Ron
Pro
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 554
Likes: 1
From: CA
I have a 90 L98 and it was replaced with a ZZ4 and installed by Corvette Mike's two years ago. I had it dyno'd by a muscle car shop a month after the install and it only had 202 hp. The tuner said to start with headers and then the intake. Something about the engine being too good for the stock exhaust manifold and runners. I havent got around to having them done yet. The vette does run very good, just not as much SOTP acceleration as the past...but then again, I really don't drive that way anymore.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 98
Likes: 1
From: Maple Grove Minnesota
I can spend around 5k on my ride this year, not trying to build a 1/4 mile monster, but would like to be able to take down your average Mustang or 300 ZX when the opportunity arises. I have 3.73 gears now and can't even smoke the tires. I've already done a Magnaflow cat back, K&N with high flow lid and adjustable fuel pressure regulator, but I'm frankly just getting started. I was told the ZZ4 produced 385 HP "out of the box" compared to the 273 HP the L98 produced by a local corvette shop.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 98
Likes: 1
From: Maple Grove Minnesota
Originally Posted by vsocks
There must be something wrong, I would think you could easily smoke the tires with your set up now.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 261
Likes: 0
From: Belgium WI
I have an 84 which is basically stock and has 125K. I could not smoke my tires either and it was running rich. Since then I have replaced some sensors and done some tuning. Also, eliminated my defective cat in the process. Anyway, now my 84 with 3.07 gears will smoke the tires and kick out to the right from a dead stop. A performance upgrade will be nice, and I am planning the same. I have decided on a 383 or 396 stroker in the future. My only point is that your car should be running better than it is.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,238
Likes: 4
From: Milan
Originally Posted by Aidoneus
.... I was told the ZZ4 produced 385 HP "out of the box" compared to the 273 HP the L98 produced by a local corvette shop.
Never noticed these figures (273 HP)
A 90 should have 245 CHP.
-Beppe-
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,977
Likes: 2
From: San Antonio Texas
I agree with those above who say you should be running better. You'll need to address this to establish a base to build on. A good, local engine builder should be able to put you together a 383 cheaper than the factory units.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,126
Likes: 0
From: Cleveland OH
Originally Posted by Aidoneus
I can spend around 5k on my ride this year
Ron
