Can't afford, and don't want the whole motor. But I am considering the ZZ4 short block as a replacement for my 160K aging L98. Will this fit fine, from other posts I would think so except for EGR. What would I need to do with the EGR? And could I expect a horse power/ torque increase by just swapping short blocks only. I would eventually get a cam and heads, but not yet.



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Gunmetal 89GTA T-Tops L98
700R4 with 3.27 gears, street tires
Best 60 ft: 1.996
Best 1/8th mile: 9.02 @ 76.5mph with 60' time of 2.14
With these mods: air filter, hypertech chip, 3" exhaust (no cat.)

 

If you're going to replace the stock bottom end with the ZZ4 short block, your EGR will not be effected. It will function just as it did on your L98. The EGR only deals with the heads, exhaust, and intake manifolds. You won't see a torque/horsepower difference with the ZZ4 short block as long as the comprssion ratios are the same. If the compression ratio is raised you stand to make a little more torque. If it's lowered then you will probably lose a little torque. Technically, if the ZZ4 rotating assemble is heavier then you'll lose a little torque, but the ZZ4 rotating assembly would be quite a bit stronger since it has a forged crank and hypereutectic pistons.

Basically, as long as the compression ratios are the same or nearly the same, then you'll experience no change in torque or horsepower and you'll have a much stronger bottom end.

 

So...would putting in new cam, heads (Accel cam and AFR 190s) be the best thing for this engine in terms of raising hp and torque ratings??
I already have an ACCel base and Runners on the way. Would also put in AFPR, and would probably get a customized chip.

 

yep thats what you need to look at....the short block is not a bad place to start though, i was talkin to a guy last night who has the whole zz4 in his car, on old malibu wagon. he said the thing weighs like 3700 lbs, and he ran a 13.3 w/ a turbo 350 trans and 3.73 gears. not bad

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350, Comp 262, Edelbrock Performer intake 600 cfm carb and exhaust, headers
-JVC, Eclipse, Pioneer, MTX, Phoenix Gold, Planet Audio

 

I would have to agree, the short block is a great starting point. If you put the short block with a new cam in car, everything after that is basically bolt on. Cool huh!

 

Yes, a cam, heads, intake and a full exhaust system will boost your torque/horsepower tremendously. The AFR heads are supposed to be some of the best flowing heads around. You can even get them ported from AFR to make them flow that much better.

As far as the chip goes, if you don't have Mass Air, you're going to need a custom chip. A speed density system will not be able to compensate for all that extra air you'll be flowing with the AFR heads, Accel intake, and a non restrictive exhaust.

I would think with a setup like that, you'll be putting over 350 to the ground, but I can't be sure.

Jason