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ZZ430/Fast Burn Reliability

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Mean 69

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I am strongly considering building a ZZ430 motor for my 69, or at least really close to it. I am a little concerned about the quality, primarily of the short block.

My plans are to go with a ZZ4 short block, and install TFS 23 degree heads, and a slightly warmer cam than the GM "HOT" cam (I don't want to have to replace my rockers with 1.6 ratio so I'll opt for a slightly different cam).

I'd be interested in feedback from people that have either a ZZ4, Fast Burn, or ZZ430 motor to see how durable the bottom end is. I am a little reluctant to drop $2200 on the short block if it isn't going to hold up. I am not shy when it comes to using the gas pedal, and I am also going to put alot of miles on the car on a daily basis.

Thanks,
Mark

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69 SS, Stroker 489, Tremec TKO, Tight Road Suspension
 
#2 ·
for the same $2200, you could build yourself a pretty stout bottom end, with better parts, and get it balanced, for more power and extra reliability. just start wih a late model 350 block and crank, get some GMPP PM rods (same as ZZ4 and such), some good forged pistons, and you are set.
that's how i did mine, and it holds together pretty well. going on the third summer of almost daily driver use, and not a problem yet.

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1971 Nova(looks like 69 camaro from underneath!)
355sb, vortec heads, HOT cam,T-10 tranny, 3.70 gears 16X8" IROC wheels. 12" Corvette brakes on the way.
see pics here http://community.webshots.com/user/novaderrik
 
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#3 ·
I bought a ZZ3 in 1993 (I can't believe its 9 years old!!) and was not very happy with it. It burned about a quart of oil per tank or so of gas. I have spoken with others over the years that had similar problems with GM crate motors.

The engine was rebuilt in 1998 and even with forged pistons, it doesn't use as much oil as it did new.
 
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Discussion starter · #4 ·
Wow! That's alot of oil. Thanks for the feedback, as I suspected, and pretty much all I needed to hear.

M

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69 SS, Stroker 489, Tremec TKO, Tight Road Suspension
 
#6 ·
the engineers made a LOT of changes when they made the jump from ZZ3 to the current ZZ4, in order to take care of such things as the high oil consumption and piston slap and the like. i hear the new ones are pretty good as far as durability and oil consumption. it should be- it is essentially a Vortec truck block with an LT1 Vette rotating assembly in it, and not a "one off" type deal like the ZZZ-ZZ3 engines were.

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1971 Nova(looks like 69 camaro from underneath!)
355sb, vortec heads, HOT cam,T-10 tranny, 3.70 gears 16X8" IROC wheels. 12" Corvette brakes on the way.
see pics here http://community.webshots.com/user/novaderrik
 
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#7 ·
I have used and moderately abused my ZZ4 for over 2 years now...the engine had already at least one year of use on it before I bought the car and it seems to be holding up well.

There seem to be many people using this crate motor and many manufacturers are replicating the configuration for their own version. If you are nervous about GM buy a short block from another maker or build your own. There are plenty of excellent motor parts available these days with proven track records.

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See my '68 RS/ZZ4 at http://www.100megsfree.com/choptop/camaro.html

[This message has been edited by choptop (edited 04-30-2002).]
 
Discussion starter · #8 ·
I have decided to give it a shot. I work pretty hard during the week, the weekends are gone with little league, trying to come back down to earth,etc. I was planning on building a 383, but when I went through all of the costs and time associated, didn't make sense for me at this point. ZZ430 gave me more comfort as well. Forged crank, bitchin' rods, decent pistons and I can drop a roller cam in with no mod's. Ordered from Summit, less than $2k, $75 for shipping, should have it before the end of the week.

Other items I chose were TFS 195cc, 64cc chamber heads, a comp Extreme Hyd. Roller that I chose from AFR's Dyno tests (450 HP with their heads, should be close or identical with the TFS heads).

This should hold me over until I can recover from my wonderful Big Block adventure with the car.

Thanks for the feedback, I'll post when I get it in and boogie-ing.....

Mark

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69 SS, Stroker 489, Tremec TKO, Tight Road Suspension
 
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choptop
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