In the late 1960s the ultimate muscle cars were the ZL-1 Camaros and Corvettes. The full racing motor featured an all aluminum block and cylinder heads and could be ordered as an option in 1969 on the Corvette or as a COPO (Central Office Production Order) on the Camaro. Because of the huge price of the engine, only two Corvettes and 69 Camaros were ordered with the ZL-1. Although the motor was officially rated at 430 horsepower and 450 lb-ft torque, independent tests showed upwards of 525 horsepower. Motor Trend tested a ZL-1 at the track with drag slicks in 1968 and pulled off a 10.89 @ 130 mph. It's easy to see why the ZL-1 name is legendary.
Now, using the recently-discovered tooling that was used to build the original engines, GM Performance Parts is offering a new anniversary edition of the ZL-1 engine. Some of the design features have been updated, and the block casting has been strengthened, but it's essentially the same motor in the ZL-1 Corvettes and Camaros of 1969. It's even officially (under)rated at 430 horsepower and 450 lb-ft torque. Only 427 examples will be produced, although if you can't get your hands on one of those, you can get a very similar ZZ427 crate motor. See all of the features of the new ZL-1 after the jump.
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