hartsmike

Is it cheaper to buy the ZZ4 Crate turn key package than to build one?

Two, what kind of milage are you guys getting out of that engine and what is your set up?

Thanks,

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

What do you have now?

I ran a ZZ4 clone (ZZ3 shortblock rebuilt .030" over, ZZ4 cam & intake, ported 58cc chamber World 305 S/R Torquer heads) with CC q-jet, Hooker 2055HKR headers & 3" cat-back, TH700 with 2500 stall, 3.23 gears, it would get 16-17 MPG commuting and 23 MPG highway. Ran 13.4's in the quarter.

hartsmike

That's pretty dog gone good if you ask me! Did you build it or buy it and add?

cuisinartvette

Usually cheaper to buy one done these days.

hartsmike

Do they even make the ZZ3 any more? If so, is it cheaper than the ZZ4?

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

No, the ZZ3 was replaced with the ZZ4 back in the 90's.

I found the ZZ3 shortblock on eBay being sold by a guy who ran a privateer machine shop and built it up from there (apparently a customer of the shop didn't use an air cleaner on the pickup he had put the ZZ3 into, and it wiped out the rings - the guy built a 350 shortblock for him and kept the ZZ3 shortblock). I chose pistons that would keep me around 9.5:1 with the World heads (which turned out to be 64cc, so the pistons were 12cc dish; with 1094 Felpro head gaskets was 9.7:1). I got the ZZ4 intake, cam, and oil pan from a bud who bought a ZZ4 crate and upgraded it (along with putting TPI on it).

I didn't get the car on the highway much (other than local freeway driving), but in '09 I towed the '57 to Topeka and my wife followed in the Camaro (~1500 miles round trip). She ran the air conditioner, I made 5 passes in the Camaro at Heartland Park, and the MPG for the entire trip, including the 1/4 mile runs, was 23 MPG.

hartsmike

Man, that's what I'm looking for! Both of Jeggs and Summitt catalog have the ZZ4 complete turn key package for just over $5000.00. Is there a cheaper place to buy it from and can it be built for less? thanks.

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

What are you putting it into?

You can build a 350, put nice heads on it, a cam and intake similar to the ZZ4, headers - it'll basically run like a ZZ4.

What would you be putting it into? I'm not a particular fan of the turn-key engines (usually put an inappropriate carb on it).

Forgot to mention, I had a dual snorkel air cleaner on it as well.

hartsmike

86 IROC. Right now it's got the 305 with quadrajet 5 speed.

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

Either reuse the q-jet, or get a double pumper Holley. The "turn-key" engine package comes with a vacuum secondary carb, not good with a T5.

Get the "base" ZZ4, which comes with intake and distributor. Reuse your current distributor if you keep the q-jet, use the one with the engine if you go with a Holley.

sdparts.com lists the "base" ZZ4 at $4299.95, Summit $4399.95, Jegs $4299.99. The price isn't complete without shipping, so talk to each one of them about what that would cost.

FWIW, the '86 LG4 q-jet system is what I had on my ZZ4 clone.

hartsmike

Thanks for the help kid!

old z mzn

iTrader: (1)

I would find a local machineshop that builds engines and talk to them, ask your part store they will know some. could save you a lot of money at least on the shipping. ask questions

ZZ3 Z28

I basically had the same question in 1996 when my LG4 equipped '86Z became tired and worn out. Do I get a turn key package from GMPP or do I try to construct something out of assorted bits and pieces such as 383 block that was both above my pay grade and had no guarantee to work? I opted for for the GMPP turn key package, 10185077 H.O. 350 Camaro conversion package that included the ZZ3 5.7 liter H.O. V8 10185072 and assorted bits that dropped right in place such as a low-restriction dual cat exhaust system, dual snokel air cleaner assembly, rear control arms, high volume fuel pump, new ECM, Q-jet metering rods, and 700R4 tranny hop up items. I ordered it from my local Chevrolet dealer for about 5 grand, and it showed up a few days later on two pallets. After a couple weekends of work it all fired up literally on the first turn of the iginition key.

Now, I spent a lot of extra $$$ on stuff unrelated to the ZZ3 package to update my Camaro making it look better and run smoother, but in the end it all worked just as described. Twenty five years later I am still spending money. As for gas mileage, I think I was getting a bit over 10 mpg, but that was because I could not keep my foot out of it. It is a blast to drive and I put away high dollar imports and other so-called American muscle cars with relative ease.

So unless you know what you're doing with a jobber motor, or have plenty of friends who do, go with the turn key package.

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

The turn-key package you got was made specifically for your platform. It is no longer available. Hasn't been for years.

The typical turn-key package is a far cry from what you got. As I already mentioned, they start off by putting a piece of junk on top of it for a carburetor. Plus, they aren't made specifically for our platform.

However, the turn-key package you got can be pretty closely duplicated. It won't come with the emissions sticker, of course. But functionally, what I described is basically what you were able to purchase.

ZZ3 Z28

I realize the total conversion package is long gone and I'm one of the few lucky ones who ordered it when it was available because if I hadn't, my Camaro with a good-for-nothing LG4 would have been long gone by now. This engine kept me in the game and kept my Camaro from the parts redistribution department or the junk yard crusher. I'm sorry you have such negative feelings for the Q-jet but the piece of junk on top of my ZZ3 has given me not one single problem. Is there a better aftermarket carb, maybe, I haven't had to explore that yet. Cash is tight right now.

I agree that any GMPP crate motor is by far the best way to go. Like I said, mine started up with the first turn of the key. You can't ask for more than that.