Need advice on new ZL1 engine

[68-69-70Nova SSL78]

Need some advice on the new ZL1 engines coming out. About 6 months ago some hot rodding magazines announced GM was coming out with an anniversary 427 ZL1 engine. I called my local dealer and got put on a waiting list to be called when or if they came in. So this week I get a call that they are coming. The only hang up instead of the 16K price they are now 28K. So does any body know if this a GOOD investment which could increase in value? There is only 427 of the new ZL1's being made. Any input would be very helpful.

[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 ]

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/scholar.gif Thats what I would do. Get the block and do it right.

[Stuart Adams]

[ QUOTE ]
Need some advice on the new ZL1 engines coming out. About 6 months ago some hot rodding magazines announced GM was coming out with an anniversary 427 ZL1 engine. I called my local dealer and got put on a waiting list to be called when or if they came in. So this week I get a call that they are coming. The only hang up instead of the 16K price they are now 28K. So does any body know if this a GOOD investment which could increase in value? There is only 427 of the new ZL1's being made. Any input would be very helpful.

[/ QUOTE ]

What are you putting the motor in? Are you going to drive it alot? If it's just for the badge, bad investment, buy the 427 LS7 motor - half the price and a great motor. JMO.

[68-69-70Nova SSL78]

I was going to put it in my 55 chevy (with straight axle) but since the engine was very late to come out I opted for a 327 a just drive the car on the street all the summer. I have to say it's been a gas ser. No pun intened. And a small block to run around town works fine. So the ZL1 engine would for the time be just an investment. But I like the idea of #1 or #427 that might be the only 28K investment. Thats probably out of the question but I'll call my chevy dealer to see if thats possible.
Thanks you all that have given advice. Ed

[69SSZL1]

Theres one on Ebay now, $24,995
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ZL1-427ci...1QQcmdZViewItem (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ZL1-427ci-Anniversary-Edition-Big-Block-027-of-427_W0QQitemZ230278629953QQihZ013QQcategoryZ33615Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

[PeteLeathersac]

Cool piece...but $25 thou.http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hmmm.gif?.

Here's some published specs and Dyno #'s below..

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif
~ Pete



Anniversary Edition 427 Tech Specs:

Engine Type - Aluminum Chevy big-block V-8
Displacement - 427 cu in
Bore x Stroke - 4.25 x 3.76
Block - Cast aluminum with 4-bolt main caps
Crankshaft - Forged steel
Connecting Rods - Forged Steel
Pistons - Forged Aluminum
Camshaft Type - Hydraulic roller
Valve Lift - .510 intake / .540 exhaust
Camshaft Duration (@.050 in) - 211° intake / 230° exhaust
Cylinder Heads - Aluminum oval port, 110cc chambers
Valve Size - 2.19 intake / 1.88 exhaust
Compression Ratio - 10.1:1
Rocker Arms - Aluminum roller style
Rocker Arm Ratio - 1.7:1
Distributor - HEI type
Carburetor - 870-cfm
Water Pump - Aluminum short style
Spark Plugs and Wires - included
Flexplate - 14"
Recommended Fuel - 92 octane
Ignition Timing - Base 8° BTDC, 36° Total
Maximum Recommended RPM - 6000
Balanced - Internal

Dyno Numbers
427ci ZL1 Crate Motor

RPM TQ HP

3,100 460 271
3,200 461 281
3,300 470 295
3,400 478 309
3,500 481 320
3,600 483 331
3,700 484 341
3,800 484 350
3,900 483 358
4,000 480 366
4,100 477 372
4,200 473 378
4,300 470 385
4,400 469 393
4,500 468 401
4,600 467 409
4,700 466 417
4,800 464 424
4,900 461 424
5,000 461 430
5,100 457 435
5,200 453 440
5,300 449 445
5,400 445 449
5,500 441 453
5,600 436 457
5,700 431 459
5,800 424 460
5,900 408 458
6,000 394 451

[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. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif

[Alss]

[ QUOTE ]
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 ]

[/ QUOTE ]

found the block on e-bay...BIN was 4800.00..I bit!