ZL-1 Tooling Rescued?

[juliosz]

Does anyone have the inside scoop on this being true? Is this the original tooling they're talking about?

Wards Article (http://subscribers.wardsauto.com/americas/block_revived_scrap/index.html)

[SSJunkie68-69]

Can you cut and paste the article? When you hit the link, you have to have a paid subscription to access it.

[L78racer]

ZL-1 Big-Block Revived After Tooling Rescued From Scrap Yard
By Tom Murphy
WardsAuto.com, Oct 31, 2007 2:26 PM
LAS VEGAS – Muscle-car enthusiasts have attentive eyes to thank for an all-new iteration of a classic and rare big-block V-8 soon to be available from General Motors Corp.
Beginning in spring, GM will sell for a cool $20,000 a modern interpretation of the highly prized, all-aluminum 427 cu.-in (7.0L) ZL-1 V-8. GM will make only 427, and expects to sell every one within a year.
The Anniversary 427 will be rated at 430 hp and 450 lb.-ft. (610 Nm) of torque, just like the original that bowed in 1969. GM made only 200 of the engines over the next several years.
Sixty-nine of them were used in Camaros and two in a pair of ‘69 Corvettes. Today, those cars trade hands for at least $1 million apiece, says Jamie Meyer, product integration manager for GM Performance Parts, on the sidelines at the Specialty Equipment Market Assn. show here.
After these classic engines were produced, the tooling for the block was put aside, collecting dust for some 30 years, until a sharp-eyed member of the GM Racing team stumbled upon it in a Michigan scrap yard, Meyer tells Ward’s.
“Someone who knew what they were doing was going through the scrap yard, recognized what the ZL-1 tooling looked like – you’ve got to appreciate that – and said, ‘We need to pull this out of the junkyard and see if we can fix it,’” Meyer recalls. “And it’s actually taken us several years and several hundred thousand dollars to refurbish that tooling so we can build 427 of our anniversary engines.”
Every engine will be serial numbered from 1 to 427 and will come with documentation of authenticity, as well as emblems for the car. “They will be very collectible crate engines, regardless of what car you put them in,” Meyer says.

Anniversary 427 will be rated at 430 hp and 450 lb.-ft. (610 Nm) of torque, like original in 1969.
If GM can sell each engine for $20,000, why not sell more than 427?
“Because the tooling actually wears out,” he says.
The engines will be produced in Michigan, but Meyer declines to identify the specific plant.
He doubts GM will develop new, more robust tooling to produce the 427 in higher volumes; such an endeavor would cheapen the premium nature of the special-edition mills. “But we may make the block available for quite some time, so someone can build their own,” he says.
The engine will be available for sale through the GM customer Web site and GM Performance Parts dealers.
Meyer expects the engines to be used primarily in remanufactured ‘69 Camaros. “People may want to relive what they missed in 1969 and build a ‘69 Camaro that has a ZL-1 powertrain.
Here at the SEMA show, the engine is on display under the hood of Project X, a fabulously restored ‘57 Chevy owned by Popular Hot Rodding magazine. The car played a supporting role in the 1980 comedy, “Hollywood Knights.”
Whatever car gets the 427 Anniversary mill will need a reinforced suspension as well as “a big transmission, a big clutch and a good rear end,” Meyer says.
The engine will come equipped with a 4-barrel carburetor, distributor, oil pan and water pump. Accessories available from GM include air conditioning and a front accessory drive kit.
GM also updated some design features of the engine block, such as the addition of screw-in galley plugs. The casting also was strengthened in key areas.
Based on the enthusiastic response from SEMA gearheads this week, Meyer is convinced the production run of 427 engines will sell quickly. “I don’t think I’ll have 427 engines on my hands for long,” he says. “I don’t think we’ll have them for a year.”
GM developed the original ZL-1 as a lightweight weapon for use in road racing, and the first few were handed out to racing teams supported by Chevrolet. The innovative aluminum block offered a 100-lb. (45 kg) weight savings over the conventional iron big-block casting.
In addition to the 427 ZL-1, the GM pavilion here is packed with high-powered specialty products, including some for the environmentally minded. Many of GM’s 28 vehicles here run on alternative fuels, including E85 ethanol.
Among the crowd favorites is Jay Leno’s E85-capable 600-hp Z06-inspired C6RS Corvette, as well as 500-hp FlexFuel Chevy Hot Rod, inspired by a ‘34 Chevy coupe.

[SSJunkie68-69]

thanks

[nuch_ss396]

If this is indeed true, I wonder what this will do to the
value of ZL-1 blocks as seen on PeePay. Thanks to a member
here for that funny take on eBay's name http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

Wouldn't it be nice to see this tooling in person. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif

I wonder if you could buy just the block ( fully machined ). Also,
will the casting number be the same as the original? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hmmm.gif

Nuch

[nuch_ss396]

Another thought:

I wonder if GM is doing this to add some additional thump to
the proposed concept Camaro. You know - ties to the past http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worship.gif

Nuch

[SSJunkie68-69]

427 engines @ $20K each = $8.54M. That's Lillard type money http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Not a bad return on the "several hundred thousand dollars " that went back into refurbishing the tooling.

[ssl78]

I thought the Zl-1 blocks was found and retooled about 6 years ago. I have the new ZL-1 block in my 69 Camaro now, if im not mistaking you could only buy the block until now, they havent offered a old school ZL-1 complete motor assy until recently.

[nuch_ss396]

Fast question for the ZL-1 block experts here. I had been
told numerous times that the original ZL-1 blocks were actually
a bad block design ( weak bulkheads ) and that these blocks
actually weeped oil right through the castings. Is there
any validity to this? Some of the members on the NCRS.org
site actually raced these engines back in the day and the
general feeling I got was that the new ZL-1 blocks were so
superior to the originals, that some members would give an
old ZL-1 block away in order to get one of the new ones. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif

Steve

[SuperNovaSS]

Rediculous. The new blocks are way better. But give an original away for a new one; a fool and his money are soon parted.



Jason

[BBIGG BLOCK 396]

I would say the new blocks are better than the old ones.For one they are of a different design and the aluminum alloy now is far better than what the old blocks were made from.I think it all depends on what a person is wanting to do with the engine!

[bashton]

GMPP will have a large display at the Chevy Vettefest November 17-18.

If anyone is interested in purchasing one of these engines, Charlie will be available to loan you the $$.

BA

[TXSS]

I've been trying to get additional info on the 50th anniversary ZL-1 since it was announced I've spoken to two of the biggest GMPP dealers in the country, both of with I've purchased numerous 053 blocks from and nether had any info on the engine. One had no idea what I was talking about. I purchased 8 of the 053 blocks in Nov/06 and over a period of the next 10 months I received 6 of the 8. The balance is scheduled to be shipped in mid Feb. I'm curious how that delivery date reconciles with the statement from GMPP that after the 427 50th anniversary ZL-1 engines are produced the "tooling will be retired for ever". I've been told by both dealers that the delivery delays were and are due to not being able to get end cap studs. That sounded fishy at the time and still does. There seams to be a lot of conflicting info out there, even on the GMPP web site. Wile the video says 460hp the copy below states 480hp. I will be very curious to see what components GM thinks makes a ZL-1 427 a ZL-1 427. If it is nothing more than a 053 block with standard Bowtie over the counter bolt on's I'll be disappointed. If that is the case I think I'd rather build them my self using an 053 block and vintage bolt on's. None of mine have ever dynoed at less than 515hp, cost something less than the 20K price tag that has been floated out there and IMO are a lot more authentic to the true nature of an original ZL-1 427. Other wise it would appear that you would be paying 3-4,000.00 extra for an engine plate, a set of valve covers and have a lot less engine to boot. OK OK, I'll probably buy one anyway.

This is from the GMPP web site:

"To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Chevrolet big block, GM Performance Parts has brought back a modern version of the ZL-1 for your chance to relive muscle car history. The Anniversary Edition 427 starts with a retooled version of the ZL-1 aluminum block using the exact same tooling that helped create this legend in 1969. The advantage of the aluminum block is that it offers the completed engine the weight of a small block with a whole lot more power.

With a full list of features, this modern ZL-1 is one of the most exclusive big block crate engines ever offered by GM Performance Parts. Fittingly, only 427 will ever be produced, and then the ZL-1 tooling will be retired forever. The 427 lucky owners of this commemorative monster can expect an estimated 480 horsepower and 490 lb-ft of torque.

The 427 copies of the Anniversary 427 go on sale in the first quarter of 2008 through GM dealers and authorized GM Performance Parts retailers. Each copy also comes with a complementing Anniversary Owners Kit that includes a certificate of authenticity, an engine plate with specifications, and other items."

[71-LS6]

[ QUOTE ]
I will be very curious to see what components GM thinks makes a ZL-1 427 a ZL-1 427. If it is nothing more than a 053 block with standard Bowtie over the counter bolt on's I'll be disappointed. If that is the case I think I'd rather build them my self using an 053 block and vintage bolt on's.

[/ QUOTE ]

Ditto

[nuch_ss396]

Wonder who gets engine number 427 of the total 427 engines?

Steve

[TXSS]

Good questions.

Wonder who gets engine number 1

[nuch_ss396]

Rick,

Knowing how these things work, I'd say that the last engine
will sell for quite a bit more - to the right collector. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Steve

[TXSS]

I'm sure you are absolutely correct Steve

[Kurt S]

How much are the 053 blocks?

[Alss]

[ QUOTE ]
How much are the 053 blocks?

[/ QUOTE ]

I got one off e-pay for about 4350 not too long ago..list price is more but I dont know what it is.

I built one of these modern ZL-1's not too long ago with 074 heads and modern internals as a 454 and am building another right now. The price seems out of line http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif

[TXSS]

List is around 6,300.00. 4,350.00 off eBay is a good price and about the only place to find one. GMPP dealers have not had any available for over 9 months.

[John Brown]

[ QUOTE ]
How much are the 053 blocks?

[/ QUOTE ]

They were $3600 when Terry Pennington got his first one. He says they're about $6500 now. I think there must be a shortage at the aluminum refinery, or maybe hurricane damage, if you get my drift..... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif