Kloppy80

Looking for a different engine and would like some feedback on these two engines! I know there is others, but at this time, it seems these two keep jumping back at me. If you own one of these, could you please tell me if you are satisfied or not. Thanks: Kloppy :yesnod:

JCL

Kloppy80. Had the same decision. Went with a new "383". Actually the stroker was less than the ZZ4. It was all the add ons that drove up the cost. About the only thing i ended up using from the L48 was the distributor housing. Everything else was new.( got about $5000 in it now) Great motor especially with the sidepipes !! JCL :cool: :cool: :chevy

Kloppy80

JCL: Thanks for your response. Where did you get your 383? I have been pricing one at The Engine Factory. They currently have a Turn Key Engine, 383/450 HP and Peak Torque @ 454 at 4500 for $5299 and free shipping.
Did you get yours there or somewhere else? Is it everything they say it is? Kloppy80 :cool:

JCL

Kloppy80. I checked out all the aftermarket manufactures, along with GM, and went with a local engine builder. He built my first motor back in 72 for the 33 ****** street rod. I know he's building alot of these for sale to street guys. If anything goes wrong, he's close for help. You might check for a local builder where you are also. JCL :cool: :cool: :chevy

Mack

I guess I'm the odd man here... I have a ZZ4 and I like it. It goes in easy... Only a couple of small mods and it fits like it was original equipment. It comes with a guarantee. It starts up easy, runs strong enough for me and is a real "streetable" engine. It doesn't have as much power as the 383's that are posted above, but it doen't appear to cost as much, either. I recommend it.

DaveL82

I went with the ZZ4 also. I don't have tiome these days to deal with the problems that always come up when you have an engine done at a local shop no matter how minor. Have also seen forum members get burned by speedshops selling engines.

I liked the fact that I could pick the ZZ4 up from the dealer and have it in the car in two days and it was running great from day one. The warranty is a good thing, but didn't need it.

Smokehouse69

Stroker is nice but I'd go with a ZZ4, with the Chevy Hot Cam.

Ganey

To me the choice is not 350 or 383, it's 383+ or BB which I prefer. (385 subject to change w/o notice.) I prefer to build so I don't even consider a crate which would need to be disassembled & at least checked anyway. Think about an Al. BB cleverly disguised as a :eek: SB. This is really more a BSB or SBB. :cool:

Depends on what you want. Many are happy w/ the ZZ engines. See 74VETTE sig. also if he doesn't post.

dladd74roadster

I am going with the ZZ4. For the price you can't beat it. I am, however, going with the Hot Cam. This is the best deal out there for a hot street engine with a warranty. I had originally planned on a big block swap but for the money, this is definately the way to go.

dl

Jaybo

I went the 383 route, and I love it! Haven't tried the ZZ4, so I can't comment. The impression I get, though, is that either way, you'll do well. :D

MotorHead

I am going with a 383 stroker next time. It will save you money if you use your original block. I talked to my long time friend and engine builder about building a 383 stroker and said I would probably have to buy a new 4 bolt main block as my L48 is 2 bolt. He said why don't you just keep the L48 block and then it will still be numbers matching. I replied " Oh your going to drill it out for 4 bolt caps?" to which he repled
" No just use ARP bolts ( or studs can't remember )"

Well I looked at him kind of funny and he new I wasn't 100 percent buying what he said so he took me over to a picture on the wall of a 1969 Nova popping a wheelie at a drag strip with 9.80 in white letters on the windshield and said " That's a 2 bolt main "

CDaniel525

:seeya Thats what i have. I got the zz4, and then added the HOTCAM a few months later. I would suggest getting it installed before swapping the motors...probably cheaper that way....
and, oh yes, check my sig as Ganey said....LoL if you go to my web site and go the pictures page, there are a few more pictures of the zz4 in the car.

Chris

JCL

Don't get me wrong. The ZZ4 is a great motor and it's got a warranty from GM. And for the price you can't beat it. But to DaveL82, i believe that i could have kept the cost down if i would have used the pieces off the old L48. I mean the only thing i used was the distributor shaft. EVERYTHING else was new !! I would have bought GM's "383. It would have been exactly what i wanted, and it would have had the warranty. BUT........ like some many things GM does, they just drug their butt to much for me. Nobody knew what the deal was with that engine, not even the major GM supplier in Cleveland. So the decision was made to MOVE on and keep on schedule. Any motor you invest in needs to be researched, along with the builder. If you don't, "Buyer beware". You need to pick what you want your car to do. In my case i wanted a torque motor for 0 to 100, right now. Top speed:we don't have the room where i live to enjoy that luxury. My 2Cents JCL :cool: :cool: :chevy

0Mike69@ECS

I was having a hard time deciding which to choose as well. I opted for the zz4 because my old motor was wasted. Like it was said above you can reuse some of your old parts when building your stroker and save some cash, but in my case I just felt better going for the all new ZZ4 vs the "who knows when it's going to give up the ghost" parts off my old motor.

When I blow the ZZ4 - I'll stroke it! :lol:

:cool: :D

CDaniel525

:smash: ME TOO!!

Ganey

Since Mike69 profile shows advertising, there is no need to ask if he is a politician. :cheers:
Buy a ZZ & stroke it.

:cool:

Kloppy80

I appreciate all the respones to my dilema, my last question, today anyway, on this subject is, has anyone ever bought a engine from The Engine Factory?
The email address is Engine Efactory.com.
Thanks :rolleyes:

inqbus383

The previous owner of my car went for the fuel injected 383. I've never had a problem with it, and would never go back to the 350. The torque is absolutely amasing, and easiest to use on the street.

0Mike69@ECS

Politics???? No Way too messy! :cheers: :nonod: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Kloppy80

At this point, the 383 Stroker seems right for me. It carries more HP and Torque. 450 HP/ 467 Torque. The Engine Factory will ship me Turn Key Engine on the dino for 1 hour fully broken in, they say. The warrenty is for 90 days, from install, unlimited milage and if for any reason I need warrenty work during that time, they will pay for shipping their and back and allow me $300 for taking the engine out and putting it back in. They have been in business for 35 years and encourage me to the the Better Business Bureau and are sending me letters from previous owners. Anyone have any history with this company. Kloppy80 :cool: