Vette Registry | ZZ4 Upgrade ? - Forums

Already a Member?

Welcome back! Access your account.

Not yet a Member?

Join our community! Registration is free.

Join Free

Forum List New Topic Reply Search Hide Signatures

ZZ4 Upgrade ?

Posted: 9/13/07 7:47pmMessage 1 of 16

Reply Quote

aceinthehole

Former Member

Send PM

Manteca, CA - USA

Joined: 11/20/2005

Posts: 3623

Vette(s): 1978,two tone,Metalic Rootbeer & gold 1975 L48 4 speed

OK gang, I've been wanting to ask this question forever, on behalf of all of us who will one day buy a crate replacement motor, will those of you who already have, please share your feelings as to the comparison between stock and the ZZ4. There are a lot of choices out there but the most popular must be GM's ZZ4 for price and reputation. There are a lot faster, and a lot cheaper choices, but ZZ4 owners arise.....please give us the benefit of your experience. It's a lot of money, is it worth it ? Would you make the same choice again ? Bring it on for us gang. or

Jimmy B.
Just can't wait to get on the road again.

Click to see larger views!

Be the first to like this post
Sign In to Like this post

SPONSOR AD:: (Our Sponsors help support Vette Registry)

ZZ4 Upgrade ?

Posted: 9/13/07 8:32pmMessage 2 of 16

Reply Quote

lost in the 60's

Free Member

Send PM

Newark, CA - USA

Joined: 4/29/2004

Posts: 350

Vette(s): 1969 Corvette 4-speed ZZ-4 crate Monza Red

Jim you know how I feel. Yes by all means I would do it again...but the L-46 was gone when I bought my car, if I would have had it I would have rebuilt it.
The ZZ-4 is a great engine and it does fit under our hoods with a drop base air cleaner.

Be the first to like this post
Sign In to Like this post

ZZ4 Upgrade ?

Posted: 9/13/07 8:57pmMessage 3 of 16

Reply Quote

Gale Banks 80

Lifetime Member

Send PM

Joined: 9/8/2005

Posts: 241

Vette(s): 1980 with a Banks Twin Turbo 1969 Convert Big Block 1996 Grand Sport Convert

I'd get the Complete Turn Key Motor that has the Serpintene Belt set up. Corvertte fever did a C3 where they Used a Bunch of C4 Belt Parts that look like what comes with the ZZ4 but I'd check First. And keep in mind there is a 383 ZZ as well. Richard.......

My Car...PIC 1 PIC 2

Be the first to like this post
Sign In to Like this post

ZZ4 Upgrade ?

Posted: 9/13/07 9:31pmMessage 4 of 16

Reply Quote

suncountry

Lifetime Member
Moderator

Send PM

Moses Lake, WA - USA

Joined: 4/16/2005

Posts: 2134

Vette(s): 1976 L48 4-spd, Mahogany Metalic exterior, Buckskin interior 350ci/350hp, 3rd owner, fiberglass spring, 255/50-16's Torq-Thrust II

I am going to be watching this too. After the Carson City trip my oil consumption is now at a qt/500mi. The old L48 now has 135k miles so this winter will be an engine replacement. Besides the daughter keeps asking me when I am going to show here how to put together a motor. I have been looking at the GMPP 350HO base motor. Car Craft did an article on this motor where they put on a Holley 750 dbl pumper, headman headers and an air-gap manifold. They got 377 hp at 415 lb-ft torque. I figured going this route would save me $1000. I don't plan on racing so not sure if I need the beefer ZZ4 but it would be cool.

Be the first to like this post
Sign In to Like this post

ZZ4 Upgrade ?

Posted: 9/13/07 10:23pmMessage 5 of 16

Reply Quote

spielman5

Lifetime Member

Send PM

ANCHORAGE, AK - USA

Joined: 10/12/2004

Posts: 2206

Vette(s): 1965-327 coupe, 1968-small block coupe, 1969-427, 1971-454 coupe and currently a 1976-ZZ4 coupe reborn again,and hotter than ever.. Add a 1996 CE LT-4 for backup

I would do it again in a second, I went all the way, hot cam, 1.6 rockers, 750 Holley, ceramic coated headers, Tremac 5 speed. recorded 395HP and 415 lb torque. All it takes is money, shop around for the deals..Jimmy don't hesitate. I'm sure happy with mine..Terry

I'll send the engine specs and part nunbers if you want..Terry

"I Love all Corvettes! LifeTime Member #60..Terry"

Be the first to like this post
Sign In to Like this post

ZZ4 Upgrade ?

Posted: 9/14/07 10:28amMessage 6 of 16

Reply Quote

Autom8r

Former Member

Send PM

Old Hickory, TN - USA

Joined: 5/26/2003

Posts: 601

Vette(s): 1978 L-82 Silver Anniversary hotrod. /////////////

You can't build a better mill for the money for the price of the ZZ-4. They are relatively bulletproof and carry a 2 year 24,000 mile warranty, smooth and very streetable too.

I had a 8 year old ZZ-3 in my '38 Pontiac that broke a crank. When I tore it down I noticed the factory had assembled it with the bearing insert left out of #3 main. I showed it to my parts guy at Carl Black Chev. and after 3 months of him battlelng the GM reps, they replaced it with a ZZ-4 long block after 8 hard years of service. I put the L-82 out of my '78 back into the nearly 70 year-old Poncho and swapped the ZZ-4 into the 'Vette. Both are much happier now.... So am I.

Ask Terry how it runs on Tail of the Dragon....

Dave

Be the first to like this post
Sign In to Like this post

ZZ4 Upgrade ?

Posted: 9/14/07 11:02amMessage 7 of 16

Reply Quote

spielman5

Lifetime Member

Send PM

ANCHORAGE, AK - USA

Joined: 10/12/2004

Posts: 2206

Vette(s): 1965-327 coupe, 1968-small block coupe, 1969-427, 1971-454 coupe and currently a 1976-ZZ4 coupe reborn again,and hotter than ever.. Add a 1996 CE LT-4 for backup

Tail of the Dragon, Dave, the memories are back, yes the sound of side exhaust, the smell of your exhaust in my topless corvette, the smooth shift of a gear trying over take you on a a slight curve, the pick up truck in the way, and my wife's face with a slight color of off white..Yes.. The ZZ-4 was made for our cars on that road..Terry

We'll be back..

spielman52007-09-14 11:03:01

"I Love all Corvettes! LifeTime Member #60..Terry"

Be the first to like this post
Sign In to Like this post

ZZ4 Upgrade ?

Posted: 9/14/07 11:11amMessage 8 of 16

Reply Quote

Autom8r

Former Member

Send PM

Old Hickory, TN - USA

Joined: 5/26/2003

Posts: 601

Vette(s): 1978 L-82 Silver Anniversary hotrod. /////////////

Terry,

I tried it again on my own back in November.... and it'll never be the same as our '06 run. That was an unforgettable once in a lifetime happening......

DaveAutom8r2007-09-14 11:12:25

Be the first to like this post
Sign In to Like this post

ZZ4 Upgrade ?

Posted: 9/14/07 12:23pmMessage 9 of 16

Reply Quote

gurtz

Free Member

Send PM

baton rouge, LA - USA

Joined: 8/12/2006

Posts: 391

Vette(s): 1981 dark metallic blue, dark doeskin leather interior, mirrored glass T Tops, 330hp/350ci GMPP crate engine, billeted aluminum serpentine system, Dewitts with dual spalls

Aceinthehole:

I wanted to put the ZZ4, but was told it would not fit under the hood. To my surprise it does. I did put the 290 hp GM crate, and it is light years better than the L81. I did put the March Serpentine Pulley System with new 134 air, 105 amp alt, non saginaw pump, high flow reverse pump, jet hot hookers, nice carb plus some other goodies and it dynoed a little over 330 hp.

Your ZZ4 will be even nicer! I am seriously thinking about the Keisler 5 speed set up also. I saw where some of the other guys did it in this thread and I then would truly love driving my girl.

I would do it!

gurtz

Be the first to like this post
Sign In to Like this post

ZZ4 Upgrade ?

Posted: 9/14/07 3:42pmMessage 10 of 16

Reply Quote

Red Vette-76

Former Member

Send PM

MARYSVILLE, WA - USA

Joined: 10/22/2006

Posts: 129

Vette(s): 1976 stingray, L48 COUPE, TH350 Automatic WITH A ZZ4 355 HP 350 C.I. MOTOR, 750 cfm HOLLY, EXTERIOR RED, INTERIOR BUCKSKIN, SMOKE BLACK GLASS TEE TOPS.

I will let you know of my experiance next spring as I will be installing my new ZZ4 with a 750 Holley as soon as I get the money for the 350TH Turbo transmission rebuild. I believe I will be happy from what I have read on this post. The old engine is out and I'm replacing all the old parts like the radiator and radiator core support, wire harness, and motor and transmisstion mounts at this time.

ZZ4 Upgrade ?

Already a Member?

Not yet a Member?

ZZ4 Upgrade ?

ZZ4 Upgrade ?

ZZ4 Upgrade ?

ZZ4 Upgrade ?

ZZ4 Upgrade ?

ZZ4 Upgrade ?

ZZ4 Upgrade ?

ZZ4 Upgrade ?

ZZ4 Upgrade ?

ZZ4 Upgrade ?

in Forum: C3 Engines, Driveline and Handling