Need advice on new ZL1 engine

[69SSZL1]

You could get a 1969 dated motor for that price. The new motor is not a really a ZL-1 IMHO,its a little underpowered and it would have to have the ZL-1 cam in it, (easy enough to fix). I do like the fact that Chevy is now making forged 427 pistons and a forged 427 crank again. The motor might increase a little in value after 15 years or so, but with all the ZL-1 blocks out there, it may not.

[Charley Lillard]

My two cents is it is a bad investment. Cool engine but bad investment.

[Alss]

I built mine using a the new block..074 heads 6223 crank manley rods roller cam etc..have about 13 K in it

ALbert

[Lynn]

NORMALLY (yes, there are exceptions) almost anything that comes out as a "limited edition", "last one", "only a few to be made", or "collectors edition" turns out to be a bust.

Ask all those high roller oil guys that purchase the "last american convertible" about the 76 Eldo with low miles. If I remember correctly, most dealers were getting double sticker for them in '76.

Just my 02 cents.

Lynn

[TXSS]

I think it would be a good investment if you got your hands on #1 which sold for 60K at B.J. or #427. Other than that you would be paying about 12K for a set of valve covers and a specially engraved engine plaque. IMO GM could have done so much more with that engine than they did.

Get a new ZL-1 block and build your own engine using real ZL-1 vintage parts.

[1railman]

At introdution these motors will command the most money. Wait six months and then shop. I saw this happen with the ZL1 Ramjet(?) motor a couple years ago. First ones around here sold around 21k, a year later could buy for 14k from same dealer. You could probly do better on Ebay on a motor bought and then never installed later on.

[thumper83]

[ QUOTE ]
I think it would be a good investment if you got your hands on #1 which sold for 60K at B.J. or #427. Other than that you would be paying about 12K for a set of valve covers and a specially engraved engine plaque. IMO GM could have done so much more with that engine than they did.

Get a new ZL-1 block and build your own engine using real ZL-1 vintage parts.

[/ QUOTE ]

Thats what I would do. Get the block and do it right.

[70Z28RS5151]

What is the price just for the new block?

[ QUOTE ]
I built mine using a the new block..074 heads 6223 crank manley rods roller cam etc..have about 13 K in it

ALbert

[/ QUOTE ]

[Fast67VelleN2O]

Its not even a square port engine?

[TXSS]

“and then the ZL1 tooling will be retired forever”

I heard that 3 years ago and believed it. So, I bought 10 blocks. It took me 7 mos to get all ten of them. Maybe it’s finally true. I spoke to Scoggin-Dickey last week and was told that the bare ZL-1 blocks are currently not available with no projected date as to when or if they will be available.

I don’t understand who GM is marketing this anniversary ZL-1 engine to. If it’s the guys that grew up back in the day, good luck. Most will see it for an overpriced shadow of a real ZL-1 engine. A hydraulic roller & 460hp? On it’s worst day a real 12.5:1 ZL-1 was a 600hp engine. I build them 10-10.5:1 and they’re 535hp by the third pull on the dyno. If they think the Go-Fast guys will pay that, a 572R 720hp crate motor for 13K is about the best deal out there hp vs. $$

It’ll be interesting to see if it sells. In Nov of 06 I had a completed ZL-1 engine with the 053 block waiting for a car that was 3 months out. As a lark I decided to put it on eBay with a B.I.N. price of 25,500.00. It was gone in two days. ???

Albert (Alss) How do you build a complete Carb to pan ZL-1 engine for 13K. Please I need to know. I can’t even get close to that number.