Hiya Everyone. After reading this site forever I signed up. Reason is this;
I have been compiling parts for some years now and am ready to put them in a car ( they are currently in my '78 P/U ).
I have a GMPP ZZ4, 700R4 fully-blown up for over 600HP and a 10-bolt 3:42 Eaton ( in the Truck diff ).
I also have a bunch of Autometers that I may try to fit ( no consequense to my questions ).
I am looking for info to help me decide what year and model of Gen 3 to look for.
For instance, I read the '89 uses MAF and is better for performance tuning than a '90 with Speed Density due to ECM blah blah, you know what I mean.
I've heard of cars tearing apart from horsepower and such.
So here are my questions;
If I put my Crate in a Convertible with the 700R4, what will I have to mod to not, say, crack the windshield? Or is there a model ready for my Crate's HP? I know this ZZ4 is over stock 350HP and I plan on beefing it up later, hence the MAF over the SD system.
I really would prefer a Convertible as I already have a Winter Beater.
I know I want a 4-Wheel-Disc model that was already a 350.
I know a TPI setup will fit this Crate Motor, but is that my best FI Option?
I have a lot of money in the 700R4 so I am commited to an Automatic. Plus it will be a good-weather daily-driver and I don't do AM coffee and a smoke with a a stick anymore!!!
So, any suggestions you all may have would be very much appreciated.

 

Either sd or maf will be fine.After you get it tuned it really wont be a big deal,plus the sd is a better system although maf might be a little more forgiving without a tune.Plenty of people are running fast times with a lot of power on these cars without tearing them apart.its all about the supporting mods.with a mildly built or modded zz4 you should be fine with some weld in sub frame connectors and STB.I dont think you will find a vert with a 350 and 4 wheel disc.Four wheel disc and vert,yes.....350 and vert,no.However the 350 will drop right in with no mods to speak of.Tpi is ok to start but Holley stelth ram would be great on a zz4 IMHO,or a ported tpis manifold,ported slp runners and ported stock plenum.Keep the auto for sure!I dont think the posi in your 78 will work though.If you want a 359 car it has to be 87-92 but i would go for the best car for the best deal 87 and up.

 

MAF is limited to ~500 CFM, probably not enough for 600 HP (are you really getting 600 HP out of a ZZ4?).

SD will handle whatever your hardware can handle. Better capability than MAF, no particular differences with the processor. The LT1 & LS1 MAF are better than 3rd gen SD, but the 3rd gen MAF is not better than 3rd gen SD. Some guys have modified the LS1 MAF sequential system to Gen I engines.

You should seriously consider a Holley/Weiand Stealth Ram intake.

 

It really doesn't have to be a factory 350 version to hold up. Yes, they are a good starting place, but 4 wheel disc brakes have been available from the beginning (1982). If you want the best starting point, find a 1LE -optioned version. You get the best springs and anti-roll bars, larger front brakes, baffled gas tank, aluminum driveshaft and so on. Of course, you'll either spend a fortune for a museum-worthy one, or a bit less $ for one that's been raced to death. The baffled gas tank came in all '92 models, there are better brake upgrades for less $$, and so on.

 

Thanks for all your input so far guys.
To alleviate some confusion, the Trans is built up for 600+HP, but the motor is still stock 355HP 405TQ.
I was hoping to transfer the Eaton Carrier but realize the whole rear end is not an option. I don't want the Drum Brakes anyway.
I'm not much of a track guy. I'm wanting to build this as a summer daily driver. My biggest concern is my lead foot in the city. I don't want this car to twist and break things. The Trans shifts harder right now than I like and it is hammering my truck hard.
So will sub-frame connectors be enough to protect say the windshield? And what else can break?
Greg

 

I don't think your zz4 is going to break the windshield, unless you drop it on it. But I'm not that familiar with convertibles.

 

So again, I want to thank you guys for such speedy and informative responses.
I am now feeling a bit sheepish as I realise I need to due much research and forum reading, as I see now most of us newbs seem to skip.
I have read that any kind of stock EFI may/will choke my Carbed Z.
Now I am going to slow down a bunch and read for weeks.
I am thinking I may stick with the earlier year Carb'd versions.
I also found a forum here in my area and maybe I'll make some new friends to drink bee.. I mean work on cars with.
Not to say I'm jumping ship!! This Site is Great
And to monteperformanc;
Thanks for that post, I read it @ work and you helped me get through the rest of the afternoon
Cheers, Greg

 

Unmodified, yes.

I don't know if you read my vBGarage, but I'm basically running a ZZ4 clone.

The factory had an emissions-legal kit to install a ZZ4 in a carb'd 3rd gen Camaro a few years back (no longer available), that included a new air cleaner, new computer/PROM, carb rods, higher flowing exhaust manifolds, dual cats & cat-back, etc. It used the stock carb and distributor. It reportedly produced about 305 "net" HP (the same way engines are rated as installed from the factory - the best 3rd gen carb engine was rated at 190 HP), and would put a Camaro with 3.23 gears (not completely sure about the ratio) in the 13's in the quarter.

I'm basically following that, except I have ported cast iron heads instead of aluminum heads, headers instead of cast iron manifolds, single 3" exhaust instead of duals, 2500 stall converter. With some traction help, it ran a 13.4 at Heartland Park Topeka last fall (I didn't spend any time tuning it, and I'm convinced it was at least 2 tenths off what it is capable of running). It really needs more stall - 3000 would be more like it. 3.73 gears would also help. With more stall, gear, and tuning, I'm convinced it would run high 12's - not bad for a 3550 pound, streetable, computer-controlled, emissions legal (well, could be emissions-legal easily) set-up.

Oh, it was driven to Topeka from Denver and back. Including the passes down the track, it averaged 23 MPG.

 

Thanks for your interest. I honestly appreciate the time you took to respond. I am so busy right now, but I will DEFINATELY look at your page. I would love to run my truck on the track in Mission here but the rules were changed and we can only run privately on Friday night. Tough to do after work. Anyway, I will be in touch when I have time to go over all of this. Sorry for not taking the time to absorb what you took your time to impart to me. I'll make it up to the Forums, promise. I have been working Cooling Systems for 20 Years and hope I may have some info to share.
Greg