Feedback on Turn Key Crate Motors from the “Engine Factory” in New Jersey.

[Excaliber]

I recently installed 10" slicks (road racing) on the rear and 8" slicks on the front, then ran an auto cross here locally. This is my third Cobra, with many different kinds and sizes of tires over the years. With the slicks for the first time EVER I experienced "under steer", I was shocked! On some very sharp slow speed corner I had to go deep in the throttle on the corner exit to break loose the rear and get it to come around to follow the front!!!

Substantial recent changes to my entire suspension setup, plus the slicks, obviously I have some suspension tuning to do. Goodyear yellow letter slicks, VERY sticky stuff.

[Voyager]

Excaliber,

Wow. Sounds like you were pulling the front inside wheel up in the air.

The joys of playing with the alignment, sways, tire pressure, ride height, rebound settings, etc…

Bob

[ERA Chas]

Jimbo,

"1/4 mile 11.92@115.6 and 60ft 1.632 ".

With which tires?

[vanoochka]

Sorry for returning this thread to the OP's original topic.

My Engine Factory 408 runs great. Doesn't burn oil, doesn't leak, just fires up and goes. I did have issues with the Edelbrock carb. Finally replaced it with a Holley Double Pumper, and wish I had done that sooner.

All the OEM boxes for the new parts they used in the production were included in the crate.

I'm selling my SPF with an EF engine and just want to go on record in public forum that I have never had a problem with it, other than carb-related.

[Voyager]

Thanks for the all feedback.

I decided on a 408 street crate motor from Keith Craft Performance Engines (525 hp). Put on deposit on it today. It’ll be ready in 4-6 weeks. Also ordered a TKO 600 and other goodies.

Also put a deposit of a Superformance MK III yesterday. It’s already at the dealer, waiting on the engine.

It all should come together around Aug 10.

[Mark O'Neal]

Originally Posted by Voyager

Thanks for the all feedback.

I decided on a 408 street crate motor from Keith Craft Performance Engines (525 hp). Put on deposit on it today. It’ll be ready in 4-6 weeks. Also ordered a TKO 600 and other goodies.

Also put a deposit of a Superformance MK III yesterday. It’s already at the dealer, waiting on the engine.

It all should come together around Aug 10.

You cannot go wrong with Keith.

[skippy]

Originally Posted by Voyager

Thanks for the all feedback.

I decided on a 408 street crate motor from Keith Craft Performance Engines (525 hp). Put on deposit on it today. It’ll be ready in 4-6 weeks. Also ordered a TKO 600 and other goodies.

Also put a deposit of a Superformance MK III yesterday. It’s already at the dealer, waiting on the engine.

It all should come together around Aug 10.

Great news, the wait is the hard part...

Post some pics when get her.

Congrats.

Skippy.

[Rickd]

Can't go wrong with Keith Craft. He built my 331 stroker that I have in my FIA. Dyno'd at 446 HP @ 6000 rpm. And it has the small AFR 165 heads. Chassis dyno tuned after installation - 326 HP @ the rear wheels. Got 5500 miles on it so far and runs and sounds great. What helped seal my decision were the positive comments from the Kirkham brothers - they put KC motors in a lot of customer cars - and were very very complimentary to KC about the motors build quality and performance. Who am I to argue with the Kirkhams? (those guys are amazing - not just for the cars they build - but for their overall contribution to the cobra community).

[Jimbocobra]

Originally Posted by ERA Chas

Jimbo,

"1/4 mile 11.92@115.6 and 60ft 1.632 ".

With which tires?

These tires are sweet.

[Excaliber]

11.90, 121 mph, 2 second 60 ft, Goodyear Bill Boards,,, just in case you were wondering.

LONG hole shot because it's the only way I can get rolling without frying the tires.

[Excaliber]

The flywheel and rear wheel h.p. may not be that far off, 446 to 326. IRS, for one thing, has more parasitic loss than a live axle. The parasitic loss in this case is about 27%. Anywhere from 18 to 25% is considered normal, so the numbers are in the ball park.

[undy]

Originally Posted by Excaliber

The flywheel and rear wheel h.p. may not be that far off, 446 to 326. IRS, for one thing, has more parasitic loss than a live axle. The parasitic loss in this case is about 27%. Anywhere from 18 to 25% is considered normal, so the numbers are in the ball park.

Wive's tale on the IRS having higher parasitic losses. The C6 Corvette is running around 11.5% drivetrain loss with it's IRS, less than Ford's latest Mustang 8.8" live axle.

I agree with CobraEd, everyone tends to juice their numbers, to one extent or another.

[Excaliber]

I wouldn't say it's wives tale because that would indicate ALL IRS systems are superior to live axle systems when it comes to parasitic losses. I don't believe that is the case. The new Vette may well be an exception to the rule as it's been tweaked in the last decade or so, like every other rotating component in cars, to reduce parasitic loss as much as possible.

I think the ERA FIA is running a classic Jaguar IRS.

[Mark O'Neal]

Originally Posted by Excaliber

I wouldn't say it's wives tale because that would indicate ALL IRS systems are superior to live axle systems when it comes to parasitic losses. I don't believe that is the case. The new Vette may well be an exception to the rule as it's been tweaked in the last decade or so, like every other rotating component in cars, to reduce parasitic loss as much as possible.

I think the ERA FIA is running a classic Jaguar IRS.

Depends on the deflection angle of the rear end. The lower it is the greater the loss.

[CobraEd]

Originally Posted by undy

I agree with CobraEd, everyone tends to juice their numbers, to one extent or another.

We have seen this for the builder referenced with people here in the DC area.


.

[Jimbocobra]

Originally Posted by undy

I agree with CobraEd, everyone tends to juice their numbers, to one extent or another.

Not true at all. Ford Racing Performance Parts has a very "conservative rating strategy". See the 10 dyno tests from magazine articles and builders on the 392 I posted: Ford Crate 392 Stroker GT40 Heads Actual HP Documented in Magazine Articles Ford tends to underrate by 15hp - 30hp across the board on their crate motors. and it has been well documented.

I think some of the brand name guys like Roush and Keith Craft tend to be accurated with a proper tune as well. So many things affect the numbers, jetting, choke blade, temp., altitude, oil choice etc... So many guys spend $20 grand on an engine, but won't drop a couple hundred on a good dyno tune.

[Voyager]

I have a Keith Craft 408 street crate motor being built for my SPF. I’m sure I’ll do a follow-on dyno run at my buddy's shop later this year. I’ll post the numbers.

Bob

[christainb]

Engine Factory is a stand up Company. They go out of there way to make the engine right!