More power needed from my ZZ4 Fastburn

[aktroop]

I am running the ZZ4 Fastburn with the hot cam kit rated around 425 hp in a 1977 Camaro drag car. The engine runs great and is consistant but I want to raise the compression/ more power . I know, it never ends... Lol Any ideas?

[aktroop]

I was thinking about a set of dome pistons but was hoping I could get some ideas as to what compression ratio the fastburn heads would handle. I was hoping not to have to change heads. Any ideas?

[TheYellaBrick]

Stuff a Mopar bigblock in it of course! :P :P

[DirkaDirka]

Now DD thats like sticking a Chevy in a Mopar. It just doesnt make any sense doing it. It aint going to get faster by doing either of those things. :lol: :lol: :twisted: :P :P

On a serious side. Is this going to be a budget build or no?? And how much HP are you looking at gaining?

[signsbyesa]

what does "zz" & "4" stand for? :shock:

[aktroop]

I admire your dedication to the Mopar nation DD. I'm not Prejudice.

I am not rich but I understand that speed = money. That is why I was looking for ideas so I can see what I'm looking at financially. I'm running a 9" slick with 4:88 gear and mini spool behind a built 350 turbo trans.
I have 90/10 shocks on the front and stock rear leaf suspension.

When I take off, it leaves hard but I can feel the rear end "swaying" for about the first 100 or so until it really hooks up good and starts pulling. When I go through the 1/4 mile the engine is consistantly at 7,000 RPM.

I wonder if I should just work more on the suspension. I have an 8 point cage but no sub frame connectors, Cal trax or stuff like that.

[FullTimeRacing]

put some 4.10's in it,or did you have them?

that seems like a steep gear for a zz4.

[DirkaDirka]

I would first try getting a better setup with the rear suspension. You want it to hook hard from the get go not 100' down the track. Getting it to hook from the start will also lower your 60' time too.

[aktroop]

Hey thanks for the advice but would 4:10's work well on the drag strip where your looking for quick hole shots? This car is not driven on the street at all.

As far as how much power I want.....I'm thinking 450 to 500hp range.

[FullTimeRacing]

1/4 mile or 1/8 mile?

what rpm converter?

what rpm at the finish line?

[DirkaDirka]

Hey Monte he is at 7000 at the 1/4 mi mark

[FullTimeRacing]

what does "zz" & "4" stand for? :shock:

ZZ4 is a crate motor from GM

[FullTimeRacing]

Hey Monte he is at 7000 at the 1/4 mi mark

I missed that part,thanks

[FullTimeRacing]

Aktroop,post the times on the slip.

60" 330" 660" 1000" 1/4 mile

with a 4.10 gear you will be in the power curve in steed of over reving.

6500 should me max RPM

[TheYellaBrick]

Do you have a posi in it now, or are you one legging it ?

ANY major gain of HP will be in the heads and supporting staff.
Minor, low dollar gains are going to be many small things working together.

[aktroop]

Yeah I think your right. I guess I should worry about hooking up the power I have instead of making more powere right.

[DirkaDirka]

Yeah I think your right. I guess I should worry about hooking up the power I have instead of making more powere right.

Not saying to not get more power out of the motor.

You can do small upgrades to the motor as well as the suspension if the money allows it.

[aktroop]

We run 1/4 mile
I have 4:88 with mini spool
9" slicks
4500 stall
350 auto trans

Hey guys, thanks for all the help!! Keep it coming. I just got off the phone with a friend of mine who suggested checking the pinion angle and shaving the heads. What do you guys think?

[DirkaDirka]

I think that shaving the heads will get a lil more compression out of it. I dont know what the pinion angle would have to do with it.

See the rear springs actually twist or flex when you launch. That right there actaully changes the angle on the rearend. The harder you hit the stock rear springs run the risk of actually bending the spring or breaking a mount to the spring , or even breaking the spring too depending on how old they are.

[aktroop]

We run 1/4 mile
My RPM is consitantly 7,000 at the line
4500 stall
350 auto trans
4:88 gear with mini spool

I just got off the phone with my friend who suggested shaving the heads and checking the pinion angle. He said the pinion angle may be causing it to spin so much off the line.

Thanks,
aktroop

[aktroop]

Yeah I hear ya on the "twisting" issue. I'm thinking a set of sub frame connectors and a Cal trax type rear set up is a good start. My friend has a set of 10" slicks he wants me to try but I don't think they will fit right on my wheels. Besides, the 9" slicks I have should hook if everything else is right.

[DirkaDirka]

Yeah the 9" should hook good.

The one thing I also forgot about that nobody else has asked either is.....

Are you getting a good burnout and heating up the tires enough to get them to hook good?

[olds48]

NOOO!!!! Don't shave a set of fast burns!!! :shock: As the name implies,the shape of the chamber is why these heads work so well!!You might not wanna change that.JMO. 7000 is a good bit of rpm for a zz4 short block.They are crazy reliable motors,but that is kinda pushing it. That is also alot of rpms to being running with a hyd roller. Those are inherently heavy lifters. Go solid roller if you gotte buzz it that high.Fastburns are a 220 cc port head,so you got plenty of air flow potential there. Tap into it with the proper cam :wink:

[aktroop]

Thanks for the advice olds48, that is why I'm here, so I can gather information from a bunch of different people. It makes sense what you said about the shape of the bowl. Also about the reliability of the ZZ4. That thing runs 7000 every time at the stripe. Interesting idea about the cam, I'll keep that in mind.

GW