ZZ4 Idle

[JLMvette73]

Question for anyone that has or has listened to a ZZ4 idle. Just how "lumpy" does the the engine idle with the cam that is included with the engine? And is the optional "HOT" cam any more radical sounding? Strange question, I realize, but I'm curious. Nothing sends chills up my back quite like a small or big block idling with that wonderful muslecar "lumpy" idle! The ZZ4 is one of the options near the top of my list when I replace my original motor during the rebuild of my '73.


Jerry

 

[Crickett]

I'd like to know this too.

 

[DR.68]

It is one thing that is missing with the zz4 motors. Almost no lope at all, I think its because its a roller cam. No experience with the Hot Cam

 

[JLMvette73]

Well darn!!! I sure love that sound. Nothing else quite like it. The ZZ4 certainly fit the over all plan for my car. A medium HP engine that I would be comfortable driving a long distance. It's still on the list, but I'll have to look harder now at other options.

 

[Crickett]

The Hot Cam (or something comparible from Crane) would give a lopy idle. That's the way I'm goin! :cool

 

[Steve Urry]

zz4 idle

:bar I installed the zz4 into my 68 and i like the power and it sounds very good with hooker side pipes and the fiber glass mufflers . I kept the distributor and I am changing my gauges to Autometer . I installed Be Cools radiator with electric fan and it gave me more area under my hood I also have the 2400 torque converter and 3.08 gears and it runs very good fast and I am still getting 13 mpg . A 700r-4 may be in the future but for now it goes good with the th-400 . The idle is not real agressive no its not but you do know it is fast by just hearing it . In southern Calif I can only get 91 octane and it calls for 92 so I install aditive for octane increase and I dropped the timing down two degrees due to the ping and it seems to run better now . The heat out here in the summer months is why otherwise in the winter nothing ever was added and it never pinged . I hope that was enough infomation . Steve

 

[Evolution1980]

yeah...really no lump to the stock ZZ4. The only thing you can do is to fake it and turn your idle down to about 800 RPM. But other than that...I love my engine, and I admittedly run it hard.
Just another bulletproof 350 from the General...

 

[gooney0]

800? Mine is set at 500-600! Decent lumpyness.. but then the headlights are a little dim


-Gooney0

 

[Stallion]

Evolution, you turn your idle down to 800? That's pretty good, what do you usually have it at? How high do you set it at?

I also like the lumpy sound of hot rods and muscle cars. How would changing out the cam help/not help this?

Stallion

 

[L-82kid]

I also like rough idles, that is one reason why I rebuilt my motor. I went from a stock L-82 with a 2-1-2 exhaust w/cat. to about 400hp, headers, 2.5" true duals, and 40s flowmasters. I haven't got the car running yet so I'm still waiting to hear the lopey cam.

Thanks,
Kevin

 

[Stallion]

That sounds like a nice setup. Good luck and have fun!!

TR

 

[Evolution1980]

Sorry, what I meant to say above was "turn your idle down to about 500-600". Mine's already at or around 800.

The only issue that could potentially arise at a low idle (as Gooney0 noticed) is that you aren't giving the system a full charge from the alternator. Combined with underdrive pulleys, you further compound that issue. But how often do any of us sit at idle for great lengths of time??? :L