Dream engine!

[redfire69]

Wish I could afford it....ZL1 - #339! Saw it last weekend at a local show...

[ProTouring442]

Very nice.... once finished, I think I will start saving up to build an all aluminum big block to replace the 454 in my 442.

Of course, first I need to finish the car...

and before I can do that I need a new job...

arg

I think I'll go clean the garage.

Shiny Side Up!
Bill

[Spiffav8]

Originally Posted by ProTouring442

Very nice.... once finished, I think I will start saving up to build an all aluminum big block to replace the 454 in my 442.

Of course, first I need to finish the car...

and before I can do that I need a new job...

arg

I think I'll go clean the garage.

Shiny Side Up!
Bill

That's funny!

[XcYZ]

I don't want to sound like a dick, but Jody and I put a considerable amount of miles on a car with a Ramjet ZL1 and, well, it was less than inspiring. Much less.

[Vegas69]

I'd like to have the block but that's about it. Tiny little camshaft in that motor. I'd build me a 540 with a dart aluminum block and some AFR or Dart heads. Big old hydraulic roller and fuel injection for that price. You would end up with 650-700 hp easy and run on pump gas.

[Blown353]

Originally Posted by XcYZ

I don't want to sound like a dick, but Jody and I put a considerable amount of miles on a car with a Ramjet ZL1 and, well, it was less than inspiring. Much less.

...and that was after all the rod bearings were replaced because it was shipped with all the rod bolts loose, correct?

[redfire69]

Originally Posted by Blown353

...and that was after all the rod bearings were replaced because it was shipped with all the rod bolts loose, correct?

Really? That's scary. I couldn't justify the cost anyway. Around 25K, which is 2.5X the cost of the iron block version. Heard they were underated at 430HP, more like 480. I guess it was just the idea of recreating a ZL1 69....

[Blown353]

Originally Posted by redfire69

Really? That's scary. I couldn't justify the cost anyway. Around 25K, which is 2.5X the cost of the iron block version. Heard they were underated at 430HP, more like 480. I guess it was just the idea of recreating a ZL1 69....

Yep, it was the Ramjet ZL1 in Steve's 69 Chevelle.

On initial startup it had a knock-- turned out the rod bolts weren't tight. So it was a mad thrash to get it out and fixed for power tour.

The kicker is even though it was bad on initial startup and it was a 25K+ limited edition crate engine GM wouldn't honor the warranty because it's 12 months/12K miles-- and Steve bought the engine more than 12 months previously even though it was the first time it fired.

Even after it was rebearinged it had very low oil pressure but still made it the entire power tour.

Everyone occasionally lets something "slip out" that isn't 100% correct, but that was a pretty big "oops"!

For the kind of money they want for that thing I'd much rather have an LS7 + 12K cash... or add a couple of K and get an LS9 instead.

A good friend who has pretty deep pockets and likes the "collectible" value of stuff just bought one of those ZL1's for his 66 Vette Roadster.

[Young Gun]

I am gonna have to say my dream engine is a twin turbo LSX based 396... dont know how to make it happen but I want it...

[COYBILT]

I would say go with a LS, if You want a really light weight pacakge.

If you want alot of torque and HP then buy the big block and modifiy it.

That motors is quiet expsensive for the power though. I built my pontiac from just a block up and it cost me close to 21k including the trans and most the accessories.