ZL1 Aluminum 427

[Herb E.]

Re: ZL1 Aluminum 427

Rex, Thanks for the "Heads Up" on this. I went to the eBay listing and saved it to my "Watch" file. I see it ends on Saturday. I don't know what his "Reserve" is, but I will start bidding on it Saturday. I still have a "price" in mind, so I'll see if it meets his Reserve...........Herb

p.s. I see it's located up in Washington State, the shipping must be horrendous from there!!

[Gene M.]

Re: ZL1 Aluminum 427

Dick, That has to haul the mail. Did you get compression down with thicker head gasket? I was under the impression that the old cam with the open chamber heads needed high compression to make the power. I would think more power is still on the table if gas were like it was in the 60's.

I'm running 11:1 with the Edelbrock BB aluminum oval ports with the closed chamber TRW slugs in my Nomad. Using aviation fuel with 93 pump there is no ping. A bit inconvenient for gasing up......... Your 9:1 engine has to be pump gas friendly.

[Clem Z.]

Re: ZL1 Aluminum 427

here is something to think about and it would weigh the same as a all aluminum BBC. http://www.ultrastreet.net/engines/427_realstreet.asp

[Joe L.]

Re: ZL1 Aluminum 427

Dick, That has to haul the mail. Did you get compression down with thicker head gasket? I was under the impression that the old cam with the open chamber heads needed high compression to make the power. I would think more power is still on the table if gas were like it was in the 60's.

I'm running 11:1 with the Edelbrock BB aluminum oval ports with the closed chamber TRW slugs in my Nomad. Using aviation fuel with 93 pump there is no ping. A bit inconvenient for gasing up......... Your 9:1 engine has to be pump gas friendly.

Gene-----


Lots of folks think you need high compression to work with the 1965+ SHP BB mechanical lifter cam. GM didn't think so, though, because they used that cam in the 9.0:1 compression 1971 LS-6. That engine was probably the best running (and best sounding) mechanical lifter big block that Chevrolet ever made.

[Rex T.]

Re: ZL1 Aluminum 427

Should be able to get it shipped safely for around $500, based on my experience.

[Dick W.]

Re: ZL1 Aluminum 427

Dick, That has to haul the mail. Did you get compression down with thicker head gasket? I was under the impression that the old cam with the open chamber heads needed high compression to make the power. I would think more power is still on the table if gas were like it was in the 60's.

I'm running 11:1 with the Edelbrock BB aluminum oval ports with the closed chamber TRW slugs in my Nomad. Using aviation fuel with 93 pump there is no ping. A bit inconvenient for gasing up......... Your 9:1 engine has to be pump gas friendly.

Gene, the open chamber L/88's actually had less compression that the closed chamber engines did, and made more HP on the dyno

[Clem Z.]

Re: ZL1 Aluminum 427

Gene, the open chamber L/88's actually had less compression that the closed chamber engines did, and made more HP on the dyno

our OC heads made 29 more HP with closed chambered pistons which lowered the CR from 12.5:1 to 11.0:1. i did not want to tear down the whole engine when i got the heads. the open chamber heads have better air flow in the chambers because the air flow in the 2 ports that open towards the chamber wall was better.

[Herb E.]

Re: ZL1 Aluminum 427

Goodmorning Rex,
I did in fact buy this engine yesterday morning when the auction was ending. I was sitting there at 3:00 a.m. with my finger on the "Place Bid" button, and to my surprise I was the high bidder as the auction ended. I got it for a good price. However, I'm still waiting to hear back from the seller. I have numerous email messages into him about completing final payment, etc. but to this date haven't heard anything from him, which has me nervous!! Herb

[Richard S.]

Re: ZL1 Aluminum 427

Herb,

That was a good price, my local Chevy dealer has four of these and said he would sell them at cost which is about $21,000 each. I guess it looked like a good investment in 2008.

[Richard S.]

Re: ZL1 Aluminum 427

Herb,

Did you get the ZL1?

[John H.]

Re: ZL1 Aluminum 427

Local dealer here (Ed Rinke in Center Line, MI) has one (P/N 16166392, Serial #33), for sale at $18,950, and is throwing in a 5.3L LS motor with it (P/N 19165628) as a "bundle".

[Herb E.]

Re: ZL1 Aluminum 427

Herb,

Did you get the ZL1?

Yes I did. I was the successful bidder on eBay. I'm told it was shipped out today. Should be here within a week.
Herb

[Herb E.]

Re: ZL1 Aluminum 427

Dick, I did in fact purchase one of these Aluminum ZL1, 427's. Now I need advise on what manufacture would be the best choice for clutch kit products. I'll be putting this engine in my '67 Corvette with an 11" Flywheel. What would be the best choice for a street clutch? This car is driven daily in the summer to car shows, out to dinner, and ice cream runs. Also participate in slow moving cruises and traffic. The engine will probably never see it's red line with my style of driving, though I occasionally hit 1st & 2nd gear pretty hared. Herb

[Rex T.]

Re: ZL1 Aluminum 427

Herb, I buillt one of the ZL-1engines for my 67 Corvette and I initially used one of the L-88 / ZL-1 lightweight flywheels with a Centerforce dual friction clutch assembly. I didn't care for it so I changed to a Ram 26 lb steel flywheel with a stock type clutch assembly. I like it
much better.

[Joe L.]

Re: ZL1 Aluminum 427

Dick, I did in fact purchase one of these Aluminum ZL1, 427's. Now I need advise on what manufacture would be the best choice for clutch kit products. I'll be putting this engine in my '67 Corvette with an 11" Flywheel. What would be the best choice for a street clutch? This car is driven daily in the summer to car shows, out to dinner, and ice cream runs. Also participate in slow moving cruises and traffic. The engine will probably never see it's red line with my style of driving, though I occasionally hit 1st & 2nd gear pretty hared. Herb

Herb------

My recommendation would be a stock-type 11" clutch as available from LUK.