General Motors' Performance Parts division is recreating history, literally, by producing a modern intrepretation of one of the most celebrated engines in the automaker's history -- the all-aluminum ZL-1 427 big block.
The idea for the Anniversary 427 began when the original, discarded aluminum block's tooling was found years ago. GM Performance Parts then took over the project, which updated some components but still retained most design features of the original engine. Like the original engine's setup, the Anniversary 427 has a single four-barrel carburetor induction system, but is instead built with a cast iron cylinder block and has screw-in galley plugs.
Called the Anniversary 427, the engine is built from the original tooling of the ZL-1, an engine that was originally intended for factory-supported race teams. In 1969, dealers who got wind of the engine and knew how to bend the rules ordered 69 1969 Camaros and a pair of 1969 Corvettes with the ZL-1 as standard equipment.
The vehicles have since become some of the most sought after of the muscle car era. While production cars with the ZL-1 were available for only a year, Chevy continued to build and sell the engines and parts to racers into the early 1970s.
The idea for the Anniversary 427 began when the original aluminum block's tooling was found several years ago. GM Performance Parts then took over the project. The block was strengthened and components such as screw-in galley plugs were added, but most of the ZL-1's design features were retained. Like the original engine, the Anniversary 427 has a single four-barrel carburetor induction system and power is conservatively rated at 430-horsepower and 450 lb-ft of torque. GM Performance Parts is also offering a version of the engine with a cast-iron block.
Only 427 units of the Anniversary 427 will be produced and go on sale in the first quarter of 2008. Each engine is covered by a 24-month/50,000 mile warranty and comes with a certificate of authenticity, an engine plate with specifications, and a matching number owner's kit. The 427 Anniversary 427 crate engines
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