I am building a 69 camaro and want to go with the ZZ502. Anyone have any other suggestions that will net me similar numbers for the dollar. I don't plan to modify it due to smog checks in Nevada. But I may end up just doing and exemption and having two odometers.

Unless GM has done something about the low-tension rings the guys say some of the 502's have in them that cause them to use oil down in the a qt every 300 miles or so, I hate to think about tearing into a BRAND NEW, and to me, pricey engine to redo the rings after building my 496 for like $38 to $4,000.

But to each his own if you have the bucks.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

pdq67

If Nevada will accept the ZZ502 as a smog motor I'd stick one in because oil is cheap, and the performance is priceless on the street. If you are thinking of more than street performance, buy the ZZ502 short block, swap out the cam for a solid roller and slap on the rectangular port heads of your choice (mine would be AFR's). Again oil is cheap and the bigger heads and cam will give another 1,500 of RPM where you need it. Just bear in mind you will be trading a broad flat torque curve and 500 horses for a narrower power band and about 700 peak horse.

You have to ask yourself. Knowing the ZZ502 has been engineered by GM to be the ultimate street engine, and will push a Camaro into the 11's easily. Do you feel lucky?


Larger Dave

I had a buddy back in the late nineties with the original 502 and he had ring problems. I guess I assumed they had fixed that by now. 300 miles would not be normal. Anybody out there with a zz or regular 502 having these oil consumption problems? If so when was the motor built? I think I'll leave it stock for the street. No strip plans for me.

Paul is exaggerating a little on the rate of consumption. It isn't quite as bad as he makes it out to be (would look like a mosquito control truck at that rate Larger Dave
:p ).

I have purchased a stone stock Deluxe ZZ502, :hurray: and drove it for three years without a complaint (well may be I did want more but I'm nuts; it made a great street engine). I have since rebuilt it as a 582 cid motor, in my crazed desire for more power (which I do not recommend doing). Anyway, in the literature it states that all ZZ502 engines are built with low tension oil control rings to reduce rotating friction. They do this because the engine is not legal for sale in any vehicle built after 1972, and they correctly assume those who desire a ZZ502 for a car that old are not looking for daily transportation with economical operating costs.

All ZZ502's have loose rings. The HO 502 and the 502 RV/truck engine do not. The only thing that separates the ZZ502 short block from the other 502 short blocks is the cam, and the choice of rings. If you do not want loose rings (which make more horse power at the expense of a quart of oil between changes) then by all means order the 502 High Output short block and slap on some rectangular heads and replace the cam (there isn't anything wrong with the ZZ502 cam as shipped except that it is all done by 5,800 RPM and some people want a higher shift point).


Larger Dave

I dont think there is 2 different 502 shortblocks, there's only one and its used for both the HO and ZZ.

Same w/the 454HO and ZZ - only one shortblock. And they all use the oil burning rings.

LD,

I gotta say that I figure stock oil consumption should be at least a qt between 3,000 to 3,500 mile oil changes just like ALL my NEW GM Chevy vehicles have given me through the years after being broken in the way I drove them!!

And, I can NOT for the life of me see where GM is making THAT MUCH hp out of the low tension rings to justify that kind of oil consumption, regardless if it is 300 or 500 to a 1,000 miles from new per quart!!

Hell, man GM need's to add no more that 5 to 10 degrees to the cam numbers to make more power than I figure the f-- rings are making for them!!! AND then use regular rings that perform like I'm talking about!!!!!!!!!

Bad, Bad, Bad!!!

Get real here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

pdq67

Most performance motors use some oil. I think its just the nature of the beast. My 01 Vette has always used a quart every 2000 miles.