ZZ502 Who's running one?

[Wet Dream]

Who is running the 502 and what mods have you done to the engine as far as the cam, the rockers, timing chain, etc and what pump and impeller are you using? Also, what did you pay for the crate? What speed are you getting and what is your overall impression of the engine? I have all winter to come up with a new engine and this one really sticks out. Add anything you may come up with, I want all the info I can get on it. Thanks guys.
[ September 12, 2003, 12:20 PM: Message edited by: Wet Dream ]

[Duane HTP]

The 502 works real well in a jet boat if you put in a good cam to wake it up.

[Mr Twister]

Wet Dream, you have a PM.

[Nubbs]

I have the 502 HO in my 18.5' jet. I love it. I have not done any internal mods to it. The thing accelerates like no other and does a pretty good top speed (at least for me :) ). I'm sure there are plenty of other boats that are faster, but I'm happy with my setup.

[HotRod Sprint]

Would like to be running one, just thought I would throw this guys web page to you, he has a 76 Sleekcraft 21ft aristocrat he put one in, you could email him and ask him, seems to be pretty knowledgeable. http://www.toolshedofamerica.com/terrys_page.htm
Would also like to have his boat, anybody got 17 grand they want to loan me for say 10 or 12 years?
Rod

[USMC1812]

I a running an older 502. It runs great. I have a 18.5 Kona and it pushes it to 80 on the GPS. One thing though parts can be expensive. I just bought a piston and ring set after a bolt from the tunnel ram went into one of the cylinders which was $360. On my motor, at least from what I was told, GM has the exclusive rights to the JE pistons that they used which is why I could only get it from them. The piston alone ran me $160. It is a full roller motor running a Dynomax 670 lift cam. I am happy with the performance.
Here is a pic of the motor before I put the headers and the new carbs on.
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/520/218New_Motor_2-med.jpg
Hope this helps,
Doug
[ September 14, 2003, 12:34 PM: Message edited by: USMC1812 ]

[Dave C]

I had a 502 in both my old jet boats. It was great.
I used Merlin heads and an all new roller valve train though.
[ September 14, 2003, 10:50 AM: Message edited by: Dave C ]

[Jet City]

USMC1812:
I a running an older 502. It runs great. I have a 18.5 Kona and it pushes it to 80 on the GPS. One thing though parts can be expensive. I just bought a piston and ring set after a bolt from the tunnel ram went into one of the cylinders which was $360. On my motor, at least from what I was told, GM has the exclusive rights to the JE pistons that they used which is why I could only get it from them. The piston alone ran me $160. It is a full roller motor running a Dynomax 670 lift cam. I am happy with the performance.
Here is a pic of the motor before I put the headers and the new carbs on.
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/520/218New_Motor_2-med.jpg
Hope this helps,
Doug Your going 80 mph with logs? Thats impressive. Nice lookin' engine BTW. Does the ZZ502 have sufficient piston and bearing clearance for marine application, or is there a marine specific version available?

[USMC1812]

Here is a current picture.
Doug
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/500/218Motor_with_carbs_and_headers-med.jpg

[cyclone]

Wet Dream:
Who is running the 502 and what mods have you done to the engine as far as the cam, the rockers, timing chain, etc and what pump and impeller are you using? Also, what did you pay for the crate? What speed are you getting and what is your overall impression of the engine? I have all winter to come up with a new engine and this one really sticks out. Add anything you may come up with, I want all the info I can get on it. Thanks guys. I'm running a ZZ502 crate short block. Its topped off with AFR 315CNC heads, a custom ground Comp Cams mechanical roller cam, roller valvetrain, port matched Edelbrock Victor JR intake and Holley 950 HP carb. In my 19' Rogers Bonneville TR the best i've run is 94.4 mph. I've yet to make any changes in the shoe/rideplate since putting the boat in the back together so i figure i've got a few more mph to find. The ZZ502 is a great motor that you can make run real good for not a ton of money.

[THE BOSTON SIDEWINDER]

I JUST PICKED UP A ROLLER, 4 BOLT 502(GEN VI) BLOCK W/ CRANK. CAN'T WAIT TO PLAY WITH IT! WHAT DID YOU GUYS USE FOR PARTS? EVER HEAR OF ANYONE WHIPPLE CHARGING ONE? SHOULD I GO 30 OR 40 OVER?...BILL.

[Taylorman]

What kind of parts are in a ZZ502 shortblock?

[Nubbs]

Taylorman:
What kind of parts are in a ZZ502 shortblock? This may help. sallee chevrolet (http://www.salleechevrolet.com/frame.html) You can search for crate engines and read the specs.

[SPECTRABRENT]

I would like to get my hands on the ZZ572/720R.
That motor would be a perfect jetboat motor.
Brent

[MikeC]

http://www.sallee-chevrolet.com/Sneak/Previews.html
http://www.sallee-chevrolet.com/Sneak/images/ZZ572bigside.jpg

[cyclone]

ah the new 572! now there's a motor i'd love to have in me boat.

[flat broke]

Mike,
Do you know what your compression ratio came out to with the new heads? I'm looking for some reference numbers for estimates on a couple of things.
Thanks,
Chris

[Wet Dream]

While looking for prices on the 502, I've noticed in several ads "Not recommended for Marine use".
Take it for what its worth. I don't know if its the gaskets (salt) or clearances or what, but I can't find anything else on it.

[Duane HTP]

All you have to do is put in mrine head gaskets and brass soft plugs and WALLA!

[Wet Dream]

That was the other thing...the brass plugs. I wasn't sure if it had those or not.

[Duane HTP]

However, if you are going to put a blower on it, you have to loosen up the piston clearance.

[HammerDown]

Duane HTP:
All you have to do is put in mrine head gaskets and brass soft plugs and WALLA! What about a Cam Change?

[Duane HTP]

The 502/502 crate engine usually dynos between 590 hp and 600 hp @ 6000 RPM, with our Stage IV roller cam & kit, and a 1150 Holley on a Team G intake manifold on it.

[Wet Dream]

Whats the cost of your suggested upgrade?

[THE BOSTON SIDEWINDER]

AND SINCE I ONLY HAVE A 30 GALLON GAS TANK, HOW MUCH GO JUICE WILL IT SUCK WITH THAT SET UP...BILL.

[Duane HTP]

The parts for the up grade run about $1800.00.
Sidewinder, It kind of depends upon how you set it up and what you want to do with it. With a 9 1/4" impeller it will run all day on 30 gallons. If you put a B/C cut and spin it 6500 rpm for top speed, you might use two tanks in a day.

[flat broke]

Duane,
Out of curiosity, what are the HP numbers like around 5200RPM?
Thanks,
Chris

[Duane HTP]

I'm at home now. I'll try to look at some of the dyno sheets in the morning if I can remember it before I leave for Smokin In the Cove.

[Duane HTP]

It shows about 556 HP @ 5200 rpm, but if that's where you were going to run it, it would go to 571 HP @ 5200 rpm if you advance the cam between 4 and 6 degrees. Hope this helps.

[THE BOSTON SIDEWINDER]

HEY DUANE HTP, THANKS, IT HELPS A LOT! WHAT IS THE PART # FOR THIS KIT, AND WHAT DOES IT CONTAIN? IF I DIDN'T MENTION IT I HAVE A BARE BLOCK 502 GEN 6 ROLLER ENGINE W/ CRANK AND CAPS(4 BOLT). ANY IDEA ON A PAIR OF USED HEADS?(REMEMBER I'M RUNNING IN SALT WATER WITH NO CLOSED COOLING)(I'M RUNNING LOGS, O.K.? ARE THERE BETTER BREATHING HEADERS THAT WILL FIT UNDER MY SIDEWINDER OEM ENGINE COVER W/ SCOOP?)...THANKS MUCH...BILL.

[flat broke]

Duane,
Thanks for the info, Good luck at the Cove.
Boston,
Your choices on heads are the same fresh water or salt, the only difference would be that since you go in salt, you will want to have them hard anodized prior to installation to prolong their life in the harsher water conditions. Personally, I'd still go cast iron in the salt water, but I never take my boat to salt water venues so what the hell do I know. :)
As far as exhaust, Lighting, CMI, IMCO, etc will all probably clear the hatch of the larger boat you are looking at setting up. If you are going to run a blower on that deal, set the motor up for it from the get go. Changing induction types mid-game = spending duplicate money on new blower related pistons etc that wouldn't have been optimum for a naturally aspirated setup.
Good luck,
Chris

[Duane HTP]

Flat broke pretty much answered your exhaust question there.
We have these cams special ground for jet boats and we just go by Stage I, II, III, or IV.
They have the camshaft, bronze dist gear, springs, retainers,valve spring shims, and Roller Lifters. Duane
[ September 19, 2003, 07:11 PM: Message edited by: Duane HTP ]