I got a shortblock from a 1998 Vortec 350. I am putting on ZZ4 heads with a ZZ4 cam. How much power would you say this combo would roughly make? How much would it be with a LT4 hotcam? I am trying to find out which cam I should go with on my car and around how much power each would make. Thanks for any help you guys bring. You know its always appreciated

 

No one has a guesstimate? I have heard around 330hp at the flywheel, does that seem right?

 

i'd say 320 to 360 at the flywheel. i'd guess the hot cam would be worth 15 to 20hp over the ZZ4 cam.

 

There's nothing special about a "Vortec short block".... Vortec is GM-speak for "raised intake ports". Since those aren't in the block, it's just a regular 350 block.

350 block with flat-top pistons + ZZ4 heads + ZZ4 cam = a ZZ4 as far as output is concerned, if it has a carb.

350 block with flat-top pistons + ZZ4 heads (same as Al L98 heads) + L98 cam + TPI = L98, if you put TPI on it.

So I'd say about 345 HP if everything else is identical to a ZZ4, or down from there if anything is less than what comes with a ZZ4. Or if you really seriously want to downgrade its output, put TPI on it, then it will be just like a Vette L98, and you'll get 245 HP, about 100 less than the same motor with a carb.

Any particular reason why you're only considering the buzzword cams?

 

Well I can get a deal on the "buzzword" cams plus they really are the best cams for the engine. I will go with the ZZ4 cam because the Hotcam is a little too aggressive for the car. The car will be running TPI since running a carb on my car would not be looked at too nicely with the smog ***** (meaning illegal). Also the pistons in the shortblock aren't flat topped. They are shallow dish with valve guides. The engine should produce more than the Corvette L98 since the cam is a little more than the L98 cam.