ZZ383

Does anyone know of anyone using a GM ZZ383 crate motor, I would like some feedback on this, if possible.  Also I would like to know what intake and headers that they might be using. I am considering this small mblock as the ZZ502 will not fit unless I make some modifications.

cheers
Bill  

It's pretty much the same as the ZZ4 motor, except it's a 383. The cam's not real big, so you want an moderate sizes dual plane intake with 1-3/4" headers. A good 650 cfm carb will handle fuel break-up nicely.  

The bottom end of this motor is pretty good, I would order it with some Brodix or Dart heads and a better camshaft  

Use 1-3/4 headers. Ive read that the single plane intake is better for low-mid range use but I use a B&M blower with 5lbs of boost so havent tried different intakes. I use a 750 Holly.What ever you do, dont let this engine detonate as you can kiss the stock pistons good-bye. I learned the hard,and expensive way!!  

It's common knowledge that 180° intakes (a.k.a. dual plane)
favor mid-range power production, whereas a single plane
manifold will only start out powering a dual plane past 5500 RPM or so.  

What do you suggest for a dual plane intake then? I was looking at a Holley street dominator or a Weiand Stealth.  

cheers
Bill  

Edelbrock Performer RPM.

Weiand may have some good intakes as well though.  

Agree that common knowledge, or rules of thumb say single plan for high rpm and dual plane for mid range. but Bill asked about a specific application;ZZ383. GMPP used the single plane to produce its performance numbers of 449ftlbs @4500 and 425 hp @5400 rpm. Peak performance was obtained below 5500. GMPP recommends single plane (pn12496822) for this engine and has stated that "the zz383 will make less peak power with a dual plane".I dont know whether the total package(fast burn, cam, bore, stroke etc)dictated the performance results of the single plane with an engine that reaches peak output at a low rpm. No matter which intake you decide to use,shift the thing at 5600rpm--and it gets there in a hurry!!  

I respectfully disagree with whomever dreamt up that crazy idea that a single plane intake would be superior in a mild-cammed 383.  

Mr. Moderator,

I have read article by Gilbert Chevrolet regarding their ZZ383Premium crate engine. They used a Edelbrock RPM air gap intake (dual plane) and a 770 Holley Street Avenger carb and some 1.75" headers.  That appears to be the only changes and they produced 450 HP and 488 Tq.  If you could get power like this out of the ZZ383 I don't understand why GM didn't test it  this way. GM couldn't get that power even using the single plane intake. In fact they state that the total power (HP) would be less if you used their dual plane intake. Is the Edelbrock intake that much better than the GM intake?  

The air quality correction used by GM to rate their crate engines is different than that used by aftermarket shops. It's difficult to give an exact difference without knowing exactly the air conditions of both tests but HRM and CHP have found GM's power ratings to be on the low side when dyno-testing crate engines "out of the box."

The Edelbrock intake is substantially better than the GM intake. The Performer RPM has been the best manifold on the market for everything but max-effort performance engines for 20 years.  

Mr. Moderator,

thank you, you've just made up my mind about which intake I will use.  With so many companies marketing several different models of intakes it makes it hard to decide.  Nice thing about Edelbrock is that it is made in the good old U.S.A.  Hate that off shore junk.

thanks again CHP forum

cheers
Bill
Kingston,Ontario,Canada  

edelbrock rpm airgap is arguably the best dual plane intake and usually makes 10-22hp more than other dualplanes  

GibTG,
I agree with your theory about Single plane manifolds and mild cams with low-mid range rpm (600-6000) If you really want to step up to single plane Manifolds I suggest changing cams, but streetability intersects HP....  

It also ran best with a berrygrant demon 750 and a rpm airgap intake 1-3/4' heddmans headers. This motor can make 700hp with a vortec supercharger, reliably.