ZL1

[Lyndon Sharpton (12791)]

Well the ZL1 returns in 08. The last few years one could get the block, now GM performance is selling a new crate 427 ZL1. Unlike the ZL1 ram jet that was sold as a 454, this is a REAL 427. How cool is that. Only 427 will be built with matching serial-numbered valve covers engine bay tag emblems and certificate of authenticity. MSRP should be around $20K.

[Duke Williams (22045)]

Re: ZL1

I doubt if GM casts or machines the blocks, but modern manufacturing technology allows them to subcontract the work and sell the engines for a price that will make a profit in low volume.

A few years ago I was at Hansen Engineering in Harbor City, CA with a friend who does NC programming for them. They were machining all aluminum Ford side oiler big blocks for Shelby.

The work was done on a four or five axis machining center. I think the whole job took more than one shift with a couple of refixtures for the work, but there's no way small lot runs like this could be done 30 years ago at a reasonable cost without a programmable machining center.

Plus the accuracy of these modern machining centers is better than the transfer lines the iron blocks were machined on 40 years ago.

Duke