JoeC
I think you are missing my point here on the comparison of an original ZL1 motor and the new C5R (not CR5) motor. You are correct in that it is completely different when comparing it to a big block (or even a small block). I wasn't meaning that they are similar in the design or components, that is obvious, and to those not familiar with the new GM 427 Race Case, I see your point, and my mistake for not mentioning that [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif[/img].
The original ZL1 motors and cars have a place in Chevrolet, Camaro, Drag Racing, and Corvette History that will never be touched or directly compared to because that style of motor and time in history is done and over with and nothing like it at the time or after it, ever touched it. Now that we are into the new design for GM racing motors and a new era, this new 427 certainly carries on the tradition of those ZL1 motors in cubic inches, aluminum material, factory racing heritage, bore and stroke, and probably a few more things in common, like serious horse power . . . Just ask the Viper guys and the Saleens [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif[/img].
I would love to see Chevrolet do an emission legal version of the C5R 427 motor and put it into the Corvette and call it a ZL1, and build two of them, well OK, maybe a small production run. For the record, we will not be doing a ZL1 Corvette, but it would be cool if Chevy did. I know some people didn't like the name ZL1 on our pilot car we built for Chevrolet, or the 69 production cars we built, but they do the original cars proud and they have brought back a lot of attention to those legendary people we know so well. I want to give them the credit they deserve on a larger scale, so the new generation can be educated on some of the muscle car legends from Chevy's past [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worship.gif[/img].
I got a call today from a magazine called, "In The News." and they heard about these cars and are very interested in doing a story on Fred Gibb and the original ZL1's. I would never had used ZL1 if Chevrolet, myself and a few '69 ZL1 owners didn't think the new car was worthy of it. Two years ago, we all talked about the name when we made the pilot vehicle for Chevrolet and ZL1 was agreed to by 90% of us, and one or two said not to use it and leave it alone, call it a ZL2 or something else. I hate leaving history alone especially if it can do what it has done in this case.
I hope you and all can make it to the Fred Gibb Memorial Car show the weekend of Aug. 2nd. You and others are going to see what these cars have done for the name Fred Gibb and ZL1 and it makes me proud to be involved in that. By the way, Helen Gibb just had a birthday yesterday. Email her if anyone here can get the chance. She would love to hear from you.
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