Vehicle Description
Predicting the future is no easy task, and this Chevrolet ZL1
Anniversary 427 Heritage Crate Engine stands as proof that a
forward-thinking Winters foundry engineer was a muscle-car
Nostradamus. The all-new 427 CI V-8 is a continuation of the
storied ZL1, created with the original 1969 tooling that was
discovered long after that keen-eyed engineer saved it from
oblivion. Chevrolet commissioned the limited-edition ZL1 in 2008 to
commemorate the 50th anniversary of its W-series big-block V-8, and
this ZL1 is No. 252 of only 427 produced and is still in its
original wooden crate with the protective cover intact. The
all-aluminum big-block Chevrolet ZL1 comes with its exclusive
Anniversary Edition package that includes an engine plate with
specifications, matching owner's kit, certificate of authenticity
and commemorative 427 crossed-flags badge set. Chevrolet and GM
Performance Parts used the original ZL1 tooling to recreate each
aluminum block in the production run. The engine blocks were
machined to a 4.25-inch cylinder bore and hand-fitted with
L88-specification 10:1 forged pistons, a high-performance roller
camshaft and balanced rotating assembly with a 3.76-inch stroke.
The engine is fitted with an 870 CFM carburetor on an aluminum
intake manifold mated to high-flow aluminum cylinder heads. Like
the original, the limited-edition ZL1 is conservatively rated for
430 HP and 450 lb-ft of torque. Following the production of exactly
427 ZL1 Anniversary engines, the historic tooling was permanently
retired by Chevrolet. Like all GM Performance Parts crate engines,
the ZL1 Heritage engine is backed up by a rigorous program of
50-hour full-throttle engine dynamometer testing and validation at
maximum horsepower and peak torque. The crate engine waits to carry
on the ZL1 high-performance legend under the hood of its next
muscle machine.
