Am I right to be disappointed?

[BlackoutSteve]

GMPP are re-releasing the ZL1 427 in a limited 50th anniversary run of 427 units. :D
http://www.gmperformanceparts.com/SEMA/index.jsp



OK, so I don't have any intention of buying one, it was just an anti-climax to read that it will only be producing 480hp, or 1.125hp/ci.
With an assumed 12:1 c/r and today's solid roller cams, how easy is it to make 1.3hp/ci/550hp?

Remember, this is a crate engine that has no full exhaust, alternator, smog pump, or anything else today's SAE J1349 would force it to run on the dyno.

Does 480hp sound a little lame to you, or am I expecting too much?
Maybe the warranty has something to do with it..

[NJSPEEDER]

Re: Am I right to be disappointed?

anyone who is dying to get one is more interested in waiving their e-wang than getting good value for their performance dollar.

[min301]

Re: Am I right to be disappointed?

Keep in mind the GM estimates have been shown to be quite conservative.

[Scott Liggett]

Re: Am I right to be disappointed?

Looks to me that it's a aluminum version of the new ZZ427 big block coming out as well. Will run on crap gas with a 9.5 compression ratio. I guess they are going after the lawn chair, cruise-in types as customers for the motor.

[std]

Re: Am I right to be disappointed?

I guess i'll need to see the price to decide if i'm dissapointed.

[Mike The Photo Guy]

Re: Am I right to be disappointed?

There only making 427 of them. They'll go pretty quick. The engine is really beautiful. You could put this engine in a vintage road race Vette or Camaro. I'm sure those horsepower numbers are very conservative. Let me post some engine porn.
Mike TPG

[BlackoutSteve]

Re: Am I right to be disappointed?

Are they the heads they're going to fit?
Edelbrock/GM Signature "Rectoval" ports that are missing the 2 lifter valley bolts unique to the original ZL1s? (Above cylinders 2, 3, 6 & 7)

These are the correct rectangle port ZL1 heads.

[Vette#128]

Re: Am I right to be disappointed?

GMPP are re-releasing the ZL1 427 in a limited 50th anniversary run of 427 units. :D
http://www.gmperformanceparts.com/SEMA/index.jsp



OK, so I don't have any intention of buying one, it was just an anti-climax to read that it will only be producing 480hp, or 1.125hp/ci.
With an assumed 12:1 c/r and today's solid roller cams, how easy is it to make 1.3hp/ci/550hp?

Remember, this is a crate engine that has no full exhaust, alternator, smog pump, or anything else today's SAE J1349 would force it to run on the dyno.

Thanks for that post... Lots of other good info (actually, I might be more interested in the LS3.... and the controller harness) BUT... Yeah, those are really anemic performance numbers. On top of that I am sure they will want a pretty penny for it. The LS7 is also way over-priced for it's performance.....even tho it has come down from 16K to 12K ( I've lived in houses worth less) I'm sure David & Keith will aree with me when I say I like the 572 crate motor ;D
Ed



Does 480hp sound a little lame to you, or am I expecting too much?
Maybe the warranty has something to do with it..

[BlackoutSteve]

Re: Am I right to be disappointed?

Thanks for that post... Lots of other good info (actually, I might be more interested in the LS3.... and the controller harness) BUT... Yeah, those are really anemic performance numbers. On top of that I am sure they will want a pretty penny for it. The LS7 is also way over-priced for it's performance.....even tho it has come down from 16K to 12K ( I've lived in houses worth less) I'm sure David & Keith will aree with me when I say I like the 572 crate motor
Ed

I'd like to know the "real" hp numbers of their 572/720.
Knowing the Hot Rod Special's wind tunnel drag coefficient and the mph they've run on the salt, I'd imagine they'd have a fairly accurate idea.
Dave..? Keith..? ;)

[TheSilverBuick]

Re: Am I right to be disappointed?

There only making 427 of them. They'll go pretty quick. The engine is really beautiful. You could put this engine in a vintage road race Vette or Camaro. I'm sure those horsepower numbers are very conservative. Let me post some engine porn.
Mike TPG

Time to spend some quality alone time in the garage ;)

[Mike The Photo Guy]

Re: Am I right to be disappointed?

Are they the heads they're going to fit?
Edelbrock/GM Signature "Rectoval" ports that are missing the 2 lifter valley bolts unique to the original ZL1s? (Above cylinders 2, 3, 6 & 7)

These are the correct rectangle port ZL1 heads.

Here are a few other shots of the heads. I wish I had more answers for you. I shot these in the summer, they weren't saying much then. I wish I had more info.
Mike TPG

[squirrel]

Re: Am I right to be disappointed?

Steve, it look like the heads have bosses that could be drilled and tapped for the studs for those two cylinders.

A guy could lose about 150 lbs with that motor, eh?

[Mike The Photo Guy]

Re: Am I right to be disappointed?

Steve, it look like the heads have bosses that could be drilled and tapped for the studs for those two cylinders.

A guy could lose about 150 lbs with that motor, eh?

Most of the time when I shoot engine blocks, I have to use a lift to put the block on a seamless back drop. When I shot this block, the engine tech and I just grabbed it and lifted it like it was nothing. I kept thinking what a great motor this would be for a G machine. Put this engine in a gen 1 Camaro, equip it with DSE suspension pieces, lighten the front end and scale it till it's equal at all corners. Make it look like an old Trans-Am racer. Or find an old Vette that needs love, and make that into a track day special. I don't know what the engine cost, but I think there would be some interesting places to put it.
Mike TPG

[Freiburger]

Re: Am I right to be disappointed?

I'd like to know the "real" hp numbers of their 572/720.
Knowing the Hot Rod Special's wind tunnel drag coefficient and the mph they've run on the salt, I'd imagine they'd have a fairly accurate idea.
Dave..? Keith..? ;)

We dyno tested the 572/720 at just a couple numbers short of 800 hp using cool water temps, open headers, and an electric water pump. And the car ran virtually the same speed as it did with the small-block we had that made 820.

[KeithTurk]

Re: Am I right to be disappointed?

that mph'd in the mid 240's...