Ok guys next dilemma. Tax time is fast approaching and I'm debating on getting a new crate motor for the camaro and I'm torn as hell about which way I want to go. I want to stay around a 3500 dollar budget as to the fact that I don't want to get a rebuild, I want a brand new engine.

Here's the basic ZZ4 long block form www.paceperformance.com

http://paceperformance.com/index.asp...&ProdID=194848

it runs about $3,334 delivered.

The plus side to this motor is that I already have an intake that will bolt right up to it. Along with "spare parts" if need be.

Here's the L31 Vortec I'm looking at from www.sdparts.com

http://sdparts.com/details/gm-goodwr...gines/12530282

it runs about $2400 delivered

The only bad thing I can think about this engine is the extra work need to get the heads ready for my ZZ4 cam and needing to get a Vortec specific manifold.I was also thinking about getting this.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/EDL-7116/

and this....

http://sdparts.com/details/gm-factor...parts/12556121

and getting a set of these.

http://sdparts.com/details/edelbrock/e60979

So as you can see I'm a bit torn as to what route I want to go. The ZZ4 will basically drop right in and have more compression as to the Vortec will need a touch of work before dropping in and be alittle low on the compression side. What do you guys think I should do?

 

The ZZ4 has a forged crank so it would allow you to run higher up in the RPM range if you wanted to run a bigger cam later on. It also has the aluminum heads so you get the instant weight savings. I would imagine once you machine a set of vortec heads for your ZZ4 cam or buy the e-tec's and assemble from scratch you would end up spending the same anyway. If I could afford it I would go with the ZZ4. If I were on a budget I would go with the vortec setup and a milder lift cam so you wouldn't need to machine the heads for screw in studs, cut the guides or buy expensive springs & retainers.

 

What about a zz4 short block with 175 trickflows and a nice comp cam or the zz4 cam? Should outperform the zz4 longblock and the vortec's. Would also allow you to keep your intake, to get started.

175 trickflow work nice with the L31 shortblock specs.

The e-tec's are almost priced like AFR 180.

 

I've been thinking about exactly that combination--the Trickflow heads with 175cc intake ports and 58cc combustion chambers would seem to work well with TBI and give a lot of nice low-to-midrange torque for city cruising.