Drag Racing Online - More Horses Vol. III Issue 11 November 2001

Hi Scott,
I have a GM ZZ 502 crate motor in a 3,000 lb. Truck that sees limited street use and is drag raced on weekends. I'm running a 3800 stall converter, 4.11 gears with 32-inch slicks, Edelbrock airgap intake with an 850 Holley and 170 hp shot of nitrous.

I want to pick it up some next years and was considering a cam change and some head work.

Could you recommend a cam? How good are these GM aluminum heads and how much potential do they have?

Thanks.
Paul Wolfe

Paul:
You have a great base for a potent street-strip combo. The ZZ 502 has a 9.6 to 1 compression ratio which allows the use of 92 octane pump gas. What a concept - lots of power and you fill it up at the 7-Eleven.

As far as a cam change, I recommend the Isky cam kit #390289 which has a .630 lift solid lifter cam as well as lifters, springs, retainers and poly locks. I also recommend Isky's roller rockers with a 1.75 ratio. You will need to change your pushrods because you will be replacing roller hydraulic lifters with the sold lifters and the lengths are different.

Your cylinder head potential is very good! The "General" has always had pretty good stuff. I recommend a multi-angled valve job with a pocket port and a port match. If you have the room, use a 1-inch to 2-inch open spacer under your carb.

I have used this combo in the past and made in excess of 620 HP on 92 octane pump gas.

Have fun.
Scott

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