I'm looking to buy a zz4 and supercharging it, but i'm debating either i buy the block and have it rebuilt pan up for the supercharger, or slab it right on.. I understand the high compression.. i'm just trying to figure what I should do, i'm looking to still run pump fuel not c12 or e85.. about 92-93 and just curious what i should do. Should i just buy the zz4 block or get the complete engine and the supercharger? my father knows a guy who i need to get in contact with, he works and creates blocks with superchargers.. just curious on what i should do.. save my self a few bucks :P rather than waist a full complete engine :P

All depends on what the compression is and what type of pistons you are running. For superchargers, you would be better off with forged pistons and have a lower compression ratio if you run high boost. If running low boost, forged pistons and flat-tops should do you fine, as long as the compression is about 10:1 or less. Also, you might want to get a better crank and rods that may come with the zz4 engine. Would need to strengthen the bottom end to make it handle the power. Also, may need to run copper head gaskets to handle the higher compression made by the supercharger.

We do alot of work with the zz4 engine at the speed shop i work at. The compression on these motors from gm is 10:1 with a 58cc head. Just FYI we cc these heads in shop and most of them come out closer to 60-61 so there goes a little compression right there. Also if you do pop the heads off and go with a thick copper head gasket you can get the compression down a little more. id say closer to 9-9.5:1 after all this. The motor comes stock with a forged crank. The pistons will be what get you. Fine for NA applications but will go to crap if you start to detonate. Your best off doing it the right way. I would swap in a dished forged piston and leave the stock rods and crank.

What would you say.. I'm looking to go supercharged with it, should i just buy the block and have all new parts in it or half built block from gm and have just the pistons replaced and heads milled a bit? Just looking for a definant answer of what i should go straight with. Looking for high boost but seeing what i could get with pump gas really... Looking to have this engine take a few hits now an then but wont crap out of me for a bit. I know this block could take a heck of a beating just isn't showing its true colors of what its meant for, for power

If i were you i would buy the zz4 block its self and get a scat 383 forged stroker kit with forged pistons, rods, and crank. The block is about $800 and the stroker kit is 1204. That puts you $300 LESS than an assembled zz4 short block. Get some big 76cc heads and thick copper head gaskets and that will put you around 8.5:1 and you can boost it. Match the cam with the heads and i dont see any reason you wont be close to 600hp

There's nothing special about the ZZ4 block. It's just a standard 4-bolt main casting (mine is a 638). Ditto the rods, just standard PM pieces. The crank is the only thing that is somewhat better than run-of-the-mill. Same for the heads - aluminum, but they don't flow all that great.

As already stated, the hypereutectic pistons are not a good choice for a supercharged application.

So, you buy a ZZ4, and you're getting a little better crank. But, it's still a relatively weak factory 4-bolt main block.

Makes more sense to find a rebuildable 2-bolt main block, install splayed caps, get an aftermarket steel crank and aftermarket rods, and appropriate pistons. Most any aftermarket head would be as good and most likely better.

an 800 horse 383 with a ZZ4 block is entirely possible, but that doesn't mean you should do it. GM rates it to 500 horses, which is why Edelbrock's supercharged crate 350 only makes 500, using the ZZ4 short block assembly. If you want 600+ reliable horses, get an aftermarket block. The GM Powdered Metal rods are fine to 7000 rpm if you fit them with ARP's best bolts. You'll be well advised to skip the ZZ4's nodular iron, NOT forged steel anymore, crank, and get a 4340 crank. And if you do that, you may as well go with a 3.75" stroke.
Boost calls for pistons forged from 2618 aluminum, not 4032 aluminum. Put the money in the short-block, because power is addictive, you'll get jaded with 500, and want to up the boost for 600, then 700.
an 800 horse 383 on pump gas is a matter of a low enough compression ratio, a good intercooler, and methanol injection. It'll be easier to get there with heads that have thick decks and great-flowing exhaust ports, and ZZ4 heads have thin decks, and while the exhaust flow is a high percentage of the intake, it nowhere begins to approach AFR heads. Few other heads can.

so skip the idea of zz4 block then? why not just get the block though? if it would be no different, and would be able to produce to handle about 600 then it should be fine.

i would say probably get some arp main studs but i woudnt worry about up to 600 horses with the zz4 block. Just make sure you spend a little money and have the assembly balanced correctly. All the little things like that will add up to the engine life when your in it hard.

thanks i'll have the guy do that, he specializes in that from pan up my fathers friend who has his engines done from him is well trusted, since he normally goes to tracks and nothing goes wrong, i trust this guys work alot.