Bldg a new Kirkham
 

Hi - I am a new guy to this market and have just put a down payment on a Kirkham roller: Unfortunately, I have a lot to learn but want to have this car built extrememly well.

Does anyone have any suggestions on a crash course on what to put in my 427. I want to mainly use this as a pleasure car but I am a fanatic about acceleration on the street.


I was leaning towards a 427FE with a four speed toploader but my ignorance in this area scares me!

Hopefully, by buying a "Roller" from Kirkham (i.e. a lot of the construction has already been acomplished) I will not be able to hurt too much??!!!

Thanks, Tres

I would just ask David and Thomas what they think you should do. They are honest, objective and knowledgeable. They have steered me away from things that I thought I absolutely had to have and have suggested things that I never would have thought of. They know their cars better than anyone and probably know more about what would work best for you than even you do.

Well, I'll give you my $02 and then everyone can educate you by telling you where I'm wrong.:LOL:

You've posted in the FE forum, so my comments are FE related. Depending on the thickness of your wallet, that can range from a nice 390 or 428 to lots of bucks in a stroked Shelby arruminum motor or beyond. Southern Automotive appears to have got its price on 427 FEs down to around $15K (someone correct me if I'm wrong). You should be able to do a 390, or preferably a 428 (some Cobras came with 428s so they are correct) for around $10K or less depending upon their condition and what items you want. My Shelby has been Velasco-stroked to around 484 ci and has all the good stuff...$25K. Lots of variables. They will all kick some major ass. George Anderson will build you whatever you want. My own builder, Joe Boghosian, can fit a nice 7500hp AA/fueler motor for you if you are REALLY into acceleration.

Top loader? Go to David Kee. I've got a wide ratio, big in/big out. He's getting ready with arruminum cases down the road. Some folks like a five speed...Tremec II or Jerico (different mounts needed).

3.31 gears in mine have been a nice combo...good cruising speeds and tons of acceleration. The big motors do fine with wide ratios. You can go with 3.54s, but you'll want to consider a close ration or a five speed setup. The Kirkhams will tell you that 2.88s even work nicely...big power/low weight gives you those alternatives.

Just have a ton of fun! :3DSMILE:

Tres,I too am building a Kirkham 427 and thought long and hard about what drivetrain to install.After much deliberation I decided on a 427SO(found outside of Huntsville) and toploader.I am going with a Kirkham aluminum 3.31 differential.I think you will be far happier with a 427so than any other motor and the accelleration will be brisk to say the least even with a standard setup.The shelby aluminum block 427 also is a no brainer setup but costs will be higher.The only unusual thing I have done is add seat heaters. email if I can help: chuck

Jamo, most go out the door for more like $17K+ after the popular options are added. However, a Top Oiler with a single 4 barrel and no options can be had for $11,000, a 427 Side Oiler with a single 4 barrel can be had for as little as $13,900. But add scattershields, surge tanks, stroker cranks, etc and you have to add another $2,000 to 3,000 or so pretty easy. Their full price list is online for further reference. Full blown motors with aluminum heads and 2 4bbls and all the goodies break the $20K mark.

Tres, congrats on the car. If I can be of help, please feel free to contact me via Private Message on this forum.

We can do you a nice new Genesis Iron 427 Side oiler/Hydraulic roller motor for about 15,000.00. 650hp/650 Tqe. Keith Craft Motorsports (972) 578-3550. DREW

All the above is great advice. Take your time, and ask a lot of questions. There is a terrific amount of knowledge on this forum.

What color are you planning to paint it?:3DSMILE:

Bud:JEKYLHYDE :JEKYLHYDE :JEKYLHYDE

Thanks for all of the help guys - I still have a LOT to learn - how do the different engines hold their value for resale

DOn't ever want to sell but you have to be prepared

Color? - Leaning towards a royal blue color or red - I think both are gorgeous

Also, George Anderson has been great - is the extra $10k for the aluminum motor worth the price in the long run?

Thanks again, Tres

"Color? - Leaning towards a royal blue color or red - I think both are gorgeous"

....Believe it or not, this will be the hardest decision you'll have to make.....Almost every member here has probably posted at least 10 posts about what color to paint their car....you'll rack your brain over this one....

Tres

The difference between an iron and an arruminum motor is not $10k...in fact it's not even $5k when you figure in some machining and sleeving on an iron block. It's real easy to spend $25k on an iron block. It has more to do with all of the other "stuff" that goes into and around the block.

Sit down with George and some of these other guys and talk about what you want to be able to do with car. Horseys are nice, but look at torque, driveability, cooling, etc. For example, Fresno (my town) is extremely hot in the summer so I needed something that would run cool. Arruminum helps in that regard, and my builder (who lives here in Fresno) set it up that way. I've taken mine in stop and go in 110 degree heat and never had it go above 190. All the horsepower and torque in the world is useless if I'm sitting by the side of the road with a steaming motor...makes Cobras look bad too.

Autocross? Low end torque. Open track...different attitude again. Do you want traditional for looks, or do you like the shiney stuff and the ability to spec race over a beer?

Look deep into yourself and the truth will make itself known to you. Damn! I'm gonna write that one down somewhere.:p

And have fun!:3DSMILE:

I would do as many others suggested in this thread..."talk with David and Tom Kirkham. They will absolutely steer you in the right direction with what you should do based on what you want out of the car.

I am guessing that you took advantage of the smoking deal that they had offered on the Kirkham Roller...If it were me ( and is too!:3DSMILE: ) I would go all out on the motor, I chose to go with a Big Block Stroker using the Shelby aluminum side oiler block - 484ci W/ aluminum heads. I went with Southern Automotive to build my motor...Bill and Susan run their business very much like the Kirkhams... family run - - with skill, craftsmanship and most importantly stand behind thier product 110% ( my last stroker motor was from them and it was a 'reliable' Monster). I also went with the Top Loader.

Good luck on your choice, you have done very well so far! :3DSMILE:

Jorgen:

I think that you and I will have essentially the same car. Bill is building a Shelby stoker motor for me too. Of course, I have the Signature Edition J Model, but your garage floor is probably in better shape than mine.