Best Engines for the dollar, 2 year warranty

[Keithc8]

We pride ourselfs in building the best engines for the dollar out there. We will also stand behind our engines for 2 years from date of purchase on all internal lubricated parts. This does not include engines that are raced. We have always stood behind our products and looked at every problem indivindually which is important because you have to make sure that you find out what caused the problem. We have very few issues with the engine we do because of the equipement, people and processes that we use.
I would like to know what engine packages people we would like to see in the future. We do a complete SBF 427 engine package right now for 13,950.00 that includes the Dart sportsman block with a 4.125 bore and an Eagle 4340 crank and rods. This package includes the pulleys, bracket, alternator, belt, starter, flywheel, clutch and pressure plate balanced, air cleaner as well as a Lakewood bell housing that has been indexed. This engine package is custom built to the customer needs and is not a cookie cutter engine. We have a couple of different heads avialable as well as camshafts. These engines make in the 550 to 575HP range with a conservative intake and camshaft.
This is just an example of some of the packages that we offer. We are getting the website redone and trying to get more information on ther dailey. No matter what kit your abuilding we can help you with an engine and even help with the installation as well. We will do the installation and make sure everything is running as it should, put about 50 miles on the car to check our work and the work of the manufacture of the car before you get it. About every car needs some fine tuning and adjustments.
I have even traveled to my customer homes and places of business to look at problems they may have with their cars or engines and repaired on sight. I own and build these cars for myself so I am very fimiliar with them.
Most people know that we do some of the best FE engines for the dollar out there. We do about 80 FE engines a year and have seen about everything from every company and knows what works.
Feel free to call me personal about your needs. Thanks, Keith Craft

[undy]

I can attest to Keith's quality products and personalized customer service.

[slithering]

I have one of Keith's first Genesis 427 S/O blocks. I installed Comp roller rockers this last winter and all looked good as new . I love this engine, it's always angry and ready to wake up the neighbors! Keith's a straight shooter.

Chris

[mpanten]

Kieth,

I noticed you dont have the HP/TQ numbers listed for your engines on your web site anymore, why did you take them down?

[Keithc8]

Well that is a good question and I did not even know that they were not there untill I had a few questions like yours. We have been trying to get the web guy to up-date the site. He is about done with the new site and it will have all of this information. We sent over new information and did not list the HP numbers and thought he would carry them over from the same engines and he did not. Hope to have the new site up soon with more information on the engines and easier to use. Our web guy is not an engine guy and it is hard to explain what we want sometimes.
The HP numbers are about the same as they have always been with a few power gains to some of the engines. I am working on a new signature head with Brodix for the Ford small block engines that I hope gives them all a little gain. It will be a bolt on 17 degree head where the stock head is 20 degrees. We plan on having a couple of different sizes with some special valve jobs for the application. Thanks, Keith

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Keithc8

The HP numbers are about the same as they have always been with a few power gains to some of the engines.

Keith, can you give a brief description on what you all do when you dyno test your engines? Meaning, do you run straight pipes, mufflers, etc., any accessories on it such as the water pump, any compensation factors dialed in to the machine, etc.

[nmayes]

We just purchased one of Keith's 427 S/O Pond Aluminum engines. The quality is there, and I don't think you can beat their price. His customer service along with their product is first class.

Neil

[blykins]

KC just doesn't do engines only...I buy a lot of individual parts and machined engine blocks from him. Each block is so highly detailed that I hate to bolt anything to it.

[undy]

I know what you mean... that Pond 482 short block I got from Keith had the prettiest thick-walled bronze sleeved lifter bores. You could see the cross-hatching on each and every lifter bore. Frankly, I was amazed at the over all attention to detail, even after people had told me to expect it. Even the crate is was shipped in was built rock solid, built better than my house!

Dave

[bret a ewing]

KC builds Good stuff !!!!

[Doug I]

so Keith ...... I'd get a warranty on that dual-mag, blown, 500 cubic inch nitro engine

[cal.cheesehead]

Keith, I am in the process of drilling down to two kit builders. I'm a bit away from making a decision on an engine builder, but I'll throw this at you. A two year warranty for me might be a bit of a water sandwich. By the time I purchase, ship, install license here in Ca, I would estimate a years time would pass. Have you ever considered a milage warranty?. I am looking for a small block with 425-450 hp. I do like the fact that your engines are complete. Why others don't confuses me. You recieve great feedback on this site. Hope this helps..

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by cal.cheesehead

Have you ever considered a milage warranty?.

If you're using a Smiths odometer that warranty could very likely extend in perpetuity....

[Doug I]

and Patrick - the motor would spin slowly while doing those miles .....

[trs900]

Now this is the kind of engine thread I enjoy reading.. nothing but good things said about builder unlike some of the others who make KC look like the all weight class champ.. sorry I meant all CI class champ

[Keithc8]

When we dyno the engine we do run the water pump with a belt. It is hard to similate every sidepipe as well as have it fit the dyno. We use a 1 7/8 into 2 header into a 3 1/2 collector. The header runs into a 5 inch pipe that is tied into a large industrial muffler. I am sure most of the sidepipes will hurt the power some. We have seen as much as 50 HP at the rear tires with different sidepipes on the chassi dyno on the same engine.
We can normally run the engine a little leaner on the dyno but they are pretty close when installed in the car. The other problem is that we are at about 300 feet above sea level and if the engine goes to a higher altitude you need to lean it down. I use 1 jet size for every 1000 feet of altitude.
We also mark the damper with a red mark where it makes the most power. We do a dyno inspection sheet with each engine. We double check the torque on bolts, check for oil leaks with dye and black light, do a leak down on the engine, use a system one filter for inspection during the dyno sesssion and after we are done. We inspect the exhaust ports to see if we see anything out of the normal.
We do find carburetors that do not work as good as they should and send them back for replacement. With the CNC heads and blocks we know the power should be within a few HP of the same engine. Hope this helps a little, Keith Craft

[otomix]

I traveled out to Arkansas to see KCP shop personally and find out first hand about the operation.....in short he is the best on 427FE motors (the only engine for a Cobra if you want to retain any value) ..integrity vast expertise knowledge and knows true Horsepower..The value expertise received is Under market, and from my vantage point let KCP build the complete Ford engine you decide on . ..all three of my 427FE motors dyno 700+ horsepower, and start run Outstanding ...when folks here the engines, they are unlike the others at a gathering, every one asks "Whatcha got in there" . On Alum block's, I have traveled to meet Robert Pond and he is quite knowlegeable and a 1st class guy... I am here in California and my peers are quite critical, I dont use this post much.........just trying to advise from many years of experience and owning a hundred hot rods, meeting all the so called engine experts.

[CoupedUp]

I have about 9k miles on my SBF 427 and it's the absolute best thing about the car. I drove it to a C&D Test in December of 2007 and Larry Webster said it was the best sounding car in the group (GT3, Murcielago, Z06, M400, etc.). The engine is absolutely amazing. Can't go wrong with Keith!

Doug, c088

[mercman]

OTOMIX,
Did you go to the Shelby Engine Co. in S. Calif? They build a good, period correct FE that I would put up against anyone, part for part. KC does build a good engine and has the capability of "hot rod" engines that so many people ask for and never use the power they get. Common sense says that is money wasted for bragging rights. Oh well, to each his own.

[Keithc8]

I do not know how you waste money when the engines we build are the same or less in price than the ones you get from Shelby. Maybe a waste of HP but you do have a throttle to use and from 70 mph it is not a waste when you are leaving a new Vette or Viper behind. Just my opinion. In other words the extra power does not cost any more. Thanks, Keith