ZZ4 in Midyear

[Ryan Clark]

Hello,

My midyear is a driver. It still has the original engine. I am considering replacing it with a ZZ4.

The original engine needs some work done. I would keep the original eng. and rebuild it as I have time and extra money. I would like to have an engine that is probably more reliable. Something with a little more get up and go.

Hopefully then someday when I decide to restore the car I could reinstall the original engine.

Now for the actual questions,

Have any of you installed a ZZ4 in your midyear? Are you happy with the results? Did you encounter any problems? Are there any other crate engines to look at.?

I have seen the ZZ4 priced around $3400-3500. I would probably have to stay in the $3500 range. So I cannot get a 502.

Thanks for any input
Ryan

[Eric H.]

Re: ZZ4 in Midyear

Ryan -

I too looked at the crate engines for my midyear driver. I ended up using a custom engine builder who built me a high horse power, bullit proof 350 for about the same cost. The advantages(?), matched and balanced crank, rod and pistons, decked block, aftermarket heads and personal hand assembly of all of the components. I also spent a lot of time with the guy discussing the selection of the components. Now, I could drive on the freeway all day at 70 or 80 in it, have fun in "traffic" and my wife can take it to the supermarket, all without any "driveability" or starting problems.

I'm also pleased to say that my builder's philsophy "echoed" a lot of the "best bang for your buck" advise that I have commonly read on this board.

The engine has significantly more HP than it had before and runs like a dream. I have no regrets.

Ric

[Eric H.]

Re: ZZ4 in Midyear

Ryan -

I too looked at the crate engines for my midyear driver. I ended up using a custom engine builder who built me a high horse power, bullit proof 350 for about the same cost. The advantages(?), matched and balanced crank, rod and pistons, decked block, aftermarket heads and personal hand assembly of all of the components. I also spent a lot of time with the guy discussing the selection of the components. Now, I could drive on the freeway all day at 70 or 80 in it, have fun in "traffic" and my wife can take it to the supermarket, all without any "driveability" or starting problems.

I'm also pleased to say that my builder's philsophy "echoed" a lot of the "best bang for your buck" advise that I have commonly read on this board.

The engine has significantly more HP than it had before and runs like a dream. I have no regrets.

Ric

[Jim T.]

Re: ZZ4 in Midyear

I have a ZZ1 in my 70 and like it. I wanted a roller cam, aluminum heads, and more horsepower that what my 350/300 had. The aluminum heads are D-port and do not 100 match the original exhaust manifolds with the ZZ crate engines. If your car is a 4-speed you will have to buy a new flywheel to match the ZZ's crank. I would also recommend the 350/330 iron fast burn vortex headed crate engine. This engine has good torque and a lot less than the ZZ4. There are a lot of choices you can make.

[Jim T.]

Re: ZZ4 in Midyear

I have a ZZ1 in my 70 and like it. I wanted a roller cam, aluminum heads, and more horsepower that what my 350/300 had. The aluminum heads are D-port and do not 100 match the original exhaust manifolds with the ZZ crate engines. If your car is a 4-speed you will have to buy a new flywheel to match the ZZ's crank. I would also recommend the 350/330 iron fast burn vortex headed crate engine. This engine has good torque and a lot less than the ZZ4. There are a lot of choices you can make.

[Eric H.]

ALSO

I too was on a very strict budget. One advantage that the custom builder offered was to work in stages as money became available. The engine build streached over about 4 months. Since I didn't have to plop down $3400 at once, I was able to get going sooner. Though ultimately it wasn't completed any sooner than it would have taken me to save up the crate engine cash, it seemed at least as though I was doing something.

Also, it was a great learning experience.

Ric

[Eric H.]

ALSO

I too was on a very strict budget. One advantage that the custom builder offered was to work in stages as money became available. The engine build streached over about 4 months. Since I didn't have to plop down $3400 at once, I was able to get going sooner. Though ultimately it wasn't completed any sooner than it would have taken me to save up the crate engine cash, it seemed at least as though I was doing something.

Also, it was a great learning experience.

Ric