ZL1 info

[KevinC427]

I have always wanted to build a 69 ZL1 clone and I may be finally getting to a point where I can do it, however I now have a lot of questions about how to proceed. Can I please get some opinions on the following;
--How difficult will it be to find an original GM Winters block (NOS or in excellent shape) and what is a fair price? What would be the best way to try to locate one of these?
--Is there any possibility of ever finding a complete NOS ZL1 engine? I passed on one about 12 years ago because I had no money at the time. What would be a fair price for one now if any still exist?
--Any recommendations on people or shops that have a lot of experience in building these motors?
I really appreciate any guidance you folks can give.
Thanks,
Kevin C.

[jfkheat]

Every once in a while some original parts come up for auction on Ebay. A 69 ZL1 engine sold a few weeks ago for over $14,000. Here is the link to the auction.
James

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=33615

[Mr. T]

Kevin

There is a complete dated 69 ZL1 engine for sale in the Nov, 2003 Hemmings Motor news. If interested, I can get you the phone number. Whether they still have it or not, I don't know. The asking price is $17,500.00

[drdave69]

A little off topic, but, were these two ZL1 engines from a car or over the counter? If from a car, what happened to the car?

[KevinC427]

Mr T

Thanks for your response about the ZL1. Yes I would very much appreciate it if you could get me the phone # of the ZL1 for sale in the November issue of Hemmings. Last month was one of the few issues of Hemmings that I missed. If the ad is from Indiana I saw the same one for sale in another magazine. It is a Winters block however the "Snowflake" has been ground off the front( probably so it would go unnoticed in certain racing applications). Anyway, I would appreciate the phone number. Thanks for all your help.

Regards,
Kevin C.

[Mike]

There was the start of a ZL-1 clone on e-bay just yesterday, a complete car. You may want to start there. I don't know what he had for a motor, etc. But If I remember correctly he had quite a few original/NOS parts. I'll try to post the link if I can find it. Good Luck!

Mike

[TDW]

Kevin...If you find a block that has the snowflake ground off, MacNeish can "reinstall" the snowflake. He has a pic on his website of a before and after.

[Jeff Murphy]

My recommendation would be to leave the original blocks alone for two reasons: 1. it's a clone; and 2. the new GM ZL-1 casting is close in appearance and stronger.

New GM ZL-1 Block

If you are going to use the car at all, this is probably a safer route to go. COPO Pete is using the new casting in his factory stock COPO Camaro to great effect (11s in the 1/4). He built his motor up with NOS 074s and other NOS or excellent quality original parts. He was limited by factory stock considerations, that you may not so you could have more flexibility on updated internals.

I was going down this route before I bought my original.

[Mr70]

I had heard an Illinois ZL-1 went across the pond.
Take good care of her Jeff. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[Jeff Murphy]

Ah, but there's where your wrong...

I am keeping the car in the US. I think the car, and it's history, should be kept in the public eye so I plan on trying to get it to Collinsville, LaHarpe and maybe one other show a year (York, Carlisle, VetteFest). I am working on the arrangements for this now and hopefully will have it sorted out shortly. I know Matt Murphy offered to keep the car for me, but I'm worried he wouldn't give it back... On the other hand, it would look nice next to his 68 Gibb Nova.