I searched on GM parts direct and found the bottom end of a ZZ type motor. It says

"Provisions for a steel roller camshaft and one piece rear main seal are state of the art"

So does that mean that my L98 cam or cam I would get for a L98 fit in this block with no issues? If so then wouldn't you be able to buy this block, put stock or aftermarket heads for a L98 and TPI intake on it and be ready to drive?

The block im looking at is at http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/results.cfm

and the part number is

12561723

 

Yes that will work with your cam and heads

 

great, thanks!

 

you know, for this engine being just over $2000 and coming with this kind of equipment

ZZ PARTIAL ENGINE
With its four bolt main block, and forged steel crankshaft, the ZZ partial engine is a proven winner. Its forged powdered metal connecting rods, steel crank, and light flat top hypereutectic pistons ensure high rpm performance. Provisions for a steel roller camshaft and one piece rear main seal are state of the art.

I wonder why I haven't heard of this before. Seems to me to be a great deal!

 

For 2000 I could build a forged 383 short block

 

I guess to each his own, i know of too many disapointing 383's to want to build my own, this engine will be perfact for what I want to do, to get what I want, I belive is worth $2000

 

Well it is worth that's a good price and its what you want.

 

I think you could assemble the parts and machine a block that can withstand much more that it, for less than 2100.00 plus shipping.

Consider you don't get the timing chain and cover, oil pan, lifters,cam, etc...

Basically a block, crank, rods, rings,bearings and pistons.
If I were going that route, I might be thinking to compare the cost of an aftermarket block and build accordingly.

 

The ZZ bottom end is a good way to start an engine. If you have a good roller block you might consider rebuiding it if you think you could. Engine building can be a daunting task. After machine work and paying to have the shortblock assembled you will probably spend about what you would have in that ZZ short block. If you dont have a roller block that is good enough to take to the machine shop you should think about looking into a crate motor that has the fast burn heads. I think its called the ZZ383 it comes with fast burn heads (same heads used on the ZZ430) these heads take either a vortec bolt pattern or an old style bolt pattern, and flow very well.

 

Thanks, ill look at the set up with the fast burn heads. How would I find out and compare between the fast burn and say AFR heads?

 

If it's the same block as the ZZ4, you probably will drop the compression when using the L98 heads. The aluminum heads on a ZZ4 are app. 58 cc combustion chambers, which gives the motor 10.0 to 1 compression. I don't know how big the L98 combustion chambers are but I would imagine them being larger. I've never run across heads with less than 60cc chambers.

 

Stock LG4 heads are 58cc IIRC......

 

A stock L-98 bottom end has dished pistons and has about 9.3:1 compression with stock cast iron (Camaro/Firebird) L-98 64cc heads and factory head gaskets.

A ZZ-4 shortblock has flattop pistons and compression with 64cc heads would be up in the range of 9.8:1 if used with GMPP .028" thick head gaskets. Using thicker .039" Fel Pro head gaskets would drop it down to around 9.5:1

 

Yea, I new L98 heads had larger chambers. I think you're pretty close with your guess.