Thread: ZZ3 Engine as a starting point

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Here comes yet another sbc question. Im looking to buy a 84 camaro with a 1997mod ZZ3 engine in it. What im wondering about is if this engine is good if i want to get more power out of it later nos/stroke/turbo. Can i stil use the heads and bottom end?? The reason im asking is that this car cost a bit more, and if i have to change everything anyway i might as well buy a cheaper one.

Ian

The ZZ3 is a good motor. It can easily be stroked. With a camshaft/valvetrain change, you can easily get 400+ HP from it. I'd be a little nervous about turbocharging with the hypereutectic pistons, though.

High Output 350 (ZZ3)
PN: 10185072
Displacement: 350 cubic inches (5.7L)
Horsepower: 345 at 5200 rpm
Torque: 387 lb-ft at 3250 rpm
Max RPM: 5800
Compression ratio: 9.8:1
Bore & Stroke: 4.00" x 3.48"
4-Bolt Mains
Forged steel crank
Pistons: Cast hypereutectic aluminum
Rods: 1053 forged steel "pink"
Heads: Cast aluminum, angled plugs, 58cc
Head specs: 1.94"/1.50"
Camshaft: Hydraulic roller tappet
Cam specs: 208/221 .474"/.510" 308/316 (advertised)
Idle: 750 rpm

Thank you very much! one more question... The guy who is selling the car says he has reved it to 6500 rpm while driving.. In the facts given to me above it says MAX RPM 5800. I think he might be just saying this, but if its true.. does that mean he has over reved it? Would that have ruined the engine?

Originally Posted by FormulaLoke

Thank you very much! one more question... The guy who is selling the car says he has reved it to 6500 rpm while driving.. In the facts given to me above it says MAX RPM 5800. I think he might be just saying this, but if its true.. does that mean he has over reved it? Would that have ruined the engine?

does the car have a tach in it? IMO i would say hes full of it. If its the same engine as above.

yes, it does have a tach in it, and i told him that the specs on the engine said max 5800, but he still insisted on having reved 6500. I dont mind if he is bulls... i was just worried if he might have damaged it...
Thanks
Ian

Thats only 700 RPM over the rated max, so I guess it's possible without floating the valves. It's also well on the downward curve for HP and torque, so there's not much use going that high. That said, with the 4-bolt mains, pink rods and forged steel crank, I doubt if he did any damage - as long as he didn't do it every time he drove the car.

I'd suggest a compression and/or leak-down test before buying the car.

The oil pressure guage-scale has the values 0, 40 and 60 on top i think.
When cold it goes straight up to 60 at idle. When it warms up (idle at oprox 650-700) the oil pressure is about 55.

Denny! You told me to watch the oil pressure.. Can anyone tell me what im looking for??

Again: Thank you all for the help!!