No argument that the DZ was the best of the 302's when wound tight and in a light car. Smokey Yunnick got almost 500hp out of one or over 1.5hp/ci but was not a killer engine as offered in a factory optioned Camaro or at least the one in the 69 has not been one since it was bought new in May of 69. Has all of 28k miles on it now. Still stand by the advice to sell the DZ for a premium price and use an engine with more torque for the 61 pickup. A high winding engine buzzing in your ear is not near as pleasant as one that can actually turn a corner and not have to be downshifted at least two gears to keep from shaking and pinging. As a novelty toy one can buy pricey C12(or 14) gas for a Z with it's pop up pistons and small combustion chambers but it's just NOT a good pickup engine.


Evan