zz 383

**gchandler** · 06-28-2005

Got the zz 383 in my 1964 chevelle fired up and took the first couple of test runs today. The engine is quite impressive, smooth idle, 100% factory streetable, nice exhaust note, and very powerful. I run a 3:08 ring and pinion with no kick down on a th 350 and this engine just keeps pulling.

Hope to have some quarter mile numbes for you in a month or so. Right now the car is going off to have some paint touch ups and get and interior done, so for now I am running space saver spares on all four corners and a trip to the drags would be pretty worthless with a pair of 215R15s on the rear of the car.

**Dagger** · 06-29-2005

Keep us updated on the performance! I've been thinking of buying that same engine for my camaro and would be curious to hear what type of times you pull down with it!

**Marty G Cars** · 06-29-2005

I'm also looking into the ZZ383 for my 68 Camaro. Which intake manifold did you go with? Andrew B suggested I look into the Weiand 8121. Also, are you running vacuum boosted brakes?

**trapin** · 06-29-2005

$4800 for a 383 crate motor running 425 horse and 460 ft lbs of torque. That's not bad at all. And it has a 4340 crank, aluminum heads and hydraulic roller camshaft. I've given this one some thought as well. Among several other engine choices.

You can get them at Scoggin Dickey right now, check it out.

**andrewb70** · 06-29-2005

You are definitely giving up torque by running the single plane. It is a very poor match for the ZZ383s relatively mild cam and street friendly manners. The 8121 is worth nearly an extra 30 ft-lbs at 3700 RPM where you can really feel it.

Andrew

**DeepBlue68** · 06-29-2005

Yea I'm planning on doing a 383 stroker as well, although I don't know if I'll buy a crate engine or have one built. Does anyone know if that ZZ383 pulls enough vaccum to run power brakes? I've been told you need 17 or 18 in Hg to run them - anyone know more?

**andrewb70** · 06-29-2005

Yes it does. It pulled about 19 in HG at idle.

Andrew

**6'9"Witha69** · 06-30-2005

In my experience Power boosters work WELL down to around 13-14 in vacuum. Much less and you get a harder than manual pedal at anything other than idle.

**Rick Dorion** · 07-01-2005

How robust is the ZZ383 with the hyper pistons if a car would be drag raced or run at the track?

**JayBird** · 07-01-2005

Is this 383 externally or internally balanced?

**andrewb70** · 07-01-2005

Originally Posted by Rick Dorion

How robust is the ZZ383 with the hyper pistons if a car would be drag raced or run at the track?

They are as robust as any crate engine. I would not hesitate even putting a 150 shot of nitrous on it.

They are externally balanced.

Andrew

**gchandler** · 07-01-2005

I am runnning a dual plane performer rpm style gm manifold.

**JamesJ** · 07-03-2005

Maybe this question should be in the "power adders" section but it is about this specific engine. The question is, if i was to add a pro-charger to this motor what would I expect? At first I see that the compression ratio is higher then ideal, but this motor seams like a good value. I know just enough to know that that is not the only thing that matters. So what do you think? ya or na whould it just be better to go another way.

**andrewb70** · 07-03-2005

If you wanted to run a super charger, I would suggest changing pistons to lower the compression. Special forced induction pistons are a good idea to be on the safe side.

Andrew

Originally Posted by JamesJ

Maybe this question should be in the "power adders" section but it is about this specific engine. The question is, if i was to add a pro-charger to this motor what would I expect? At first I see that the compression ratio is higher then ideal, but this motor seams like a good value. I know just enough to know that that is not the only thing that matters. So what do you think? ya or na whould it just be better to go another way.

**David Pozzi** · 07-03-2005

We just got ours running in a 73 Camaro, just breaking it in now. It's got lots of torque and is nice and smooth! We have a dual plane on it.

**Marty G Cars** · 07-08-2005

I am very, very close to getting a replacement motor for my 68 RS, which I want to be of the non LS carbureted variety. I had a bad experience with a Beck Racing 406 crate motor. They (Beck) told me that with all the options I chose (AFR aluminum heads, air gap manifold, etc) that the motor should put out 450+ hp. The motor sounded good but for the money it was a turd power wise. I'll bet it wasn't even 375hp. Now that it is time for another crate motor purchase, I am a little hesitant about the power claims. I would like to go with a small block for the benefits (weight/exhaust clearance) but I want big block power (400-450hp). This is why I am leaning towards the ZZ383. But, I know that I can get a BB crate motor and the power WILL be there.

Does anyone here have any real experience with this ZZ383. Has anyone actually dyno'd their ZZ383 to confirm the output. It all sounds good but I do not want to get another small block to later find out that for just a little more I could have had a big block with no questions in regards to power.

Hey Andrew, have you guys actually tested the ZZ383 or just run manifold flow comparisons while developing the 8121?

Thanks for any input,
Marty

**ertoys** · 02-12-2006

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**ertoys** · 02-12-2006

Originally Posted by andrewb70

You are definitely giving up torque by running the single plane. It is a very poor match for the ZZ383s relatively mild cam and street friendly manners. The 8121 is worth nearly an extra 30 ft-lbs at 3700 RPM where you can really feel it.

Andrew

I am looking at my jegs catalog and that part# 8121 says SBC vortec with iron heads, will that intake work on the aluminum fastburn heads? and did it also pick up HP?

**jamesg602** · 02-12-2006

Originally Posted by ertoys

I am looking at my jegs catalog and that part# 8121 says SBC vortec with iron heads, will that intake work on the aluminum fastburn heads? and did it also pick up HP?

Yes, the fastburn heads are drlled for both vortec style intakes and the conventional SBC 12 bolt style intake. I am unsure on your 2nd question.

**ertoys** · 02-13-2006

Originally Posted by jamesg602

Yes, the fastburn heads are drlled for both vortec style intakes and the conventional SBC 12 bolt style intake. I am unsure on your 2nd question.

Thank you for your reply. But, I was concerned that the catalog specifically states Vortec with Iron heads. Maybe a stupid question, but are they ok to use on aluminum heads?

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