Roush vs 427FE vs Keith Craft

[hercf16]

Still shopping, I have found a few SFCs with Roush 427, one with a 402 and
one with a 427FE, no Keith Craft. Just wondering if anybody had any words
on the Roush stroker vs the 427FE big block.

Herc

[Varmit]

There are a lot of comments here on the Roush engines. My SPF had a Roush 427 sr with a twisted wedge cam. Ran strong but there were issues. I pulled it and put in a Keith Craft FE...love it

[209]

Roush is a high dollar POS! Go with Keith Craft.

[Roush #1]

My Roush powered 427 SR has over 38 K miles. Valve covers never been taken off.
Car runs consistent 10.50 ET quarter miles @ 130 MPH and has just finished its fourth Big Bend Open Road Race.
Check out the pictures in my library to see where we have been in the Gobra ...racing and cruising.

[hercf16]

Originally Posted by 209

Roush is a high dollar POS! Go with Keith Craft.

Have yet to see a used one for sale with a KC engine. Right now mostly Roush
and a big block FE, not sure the builder on that one.

[Jerry Clayton]

Maybe the owners with the KC engines are happier than the owners with the Roush engines???????

[blykins]

If I had to choose between the two, I'd let Keith build one.

[JWilly]

I have the Roush 402R and like it a lot. It has been reliable, sounds great and is crazy fast. But, I have no idea how it compares to a KC engine. I have heard nothing but good things about KC engines.

[gsharapa]

I have had several Keith Craft engines and no Roush engines but love Keith's motors. Current one is a 496 FE.......

[Dimis]

Originally Posted by hercf16

Still shopping, I have found a few SFCs with Roush 427, one with a 402 and
one with a 427FE, no Keith Craft. Just wondering if anybody had any words
on the Roush stroker vs the 427FE big block.

Herc

I'm confused

If it's roush vs anything I'd pass on the roush...

If it is roush 402 vs an FE (from an unknown builder) both in SPFs, that's a little different.

Personally, I'd go for an FE in a cobra almost always over a small block...
But that's only personal preference, and that assuming all else is equal.
Which in this case it seemingly is
I'm guessing a badly put together FE is no more a risky a proposition than a roush.
Do a search (for roush) on this and other forums, and stay away from the marketing hype.

If it's a KC engine that's fitted and sorted, it's likely to be a sound build, but he's not the only one who can build a kick a$$ engine...

Good luck with your search.

[buddyg]

Originally Posted by Roush #1

My Roush powered 427 SR has over 38 K miles. Valve covers never been taken off.
Car runs consistent 10.50 ET quarter miles @ 130 MPH and has just finished its fourth Big Bend Open Road Race.
Check out the pictures in my library to see where we have been in the Gobra ...racing and cruising.

How much hp?

[Got the Bug]

Past posts seem to point to some problems with oil consumption with the Roush SB 427s. The 402s seem to be more reliable. 427FE Roush...not sure I'd go there based on some posts on CC.

KC would probably be the way to go for any motor you want, but if you can't find a car with KC motor, the Roush 402 would give you plenty of get up and go.

[WardL]

I wish I knew the facts, but it is my impression that there are far more SBF Cobras around than BB Cobras. The Roush SB 427 uses a Dart racing block, not a stroked Windsor block. My Roush #460 consumes some oil but not excessively and I have 11K miles. Ask Keith how much to build a Dart block 427 if you want an equivalent price. The Roush engines are expensive no question.

[RET_COP]

Wow almost 40,000 miles on an engine that is raced and the valve covers have never been off. I've never heard of that before. It can't be a SR. What do they use for valvetrain parts in this engine?

[jeffgrice]

Originally Posted by hercf16

Still shopping, I have found a few SFCs with Roush 427, one with a 402 and
one with a 427FE, no Keith Craft. Just wondering if anybody had any words
on the Roush stroker vs the 427FE big block.

Herc

Hi Herc,

I have had a Ford Motorsports 460 and a Roush 427 SR. Both motors have served me well.

A 427 FE is an entirely different animal than the crate, roush stroker and custom (e.g. KC).

I think you should first decided if you want a stroked small block or more authentic of the day motor like an FE. That will help focus the feedback.

With regard to Roush motors, while mine has been fine (and many other owners are happy) there are however are unhappy owners (search on this site and you should see some threads). Those unhappy have had heat issues, oil consumption issues and a few where parts failed at 7k miles resulting in a total loss.

I just want you to go into this eyes-wide-open.

For the Roush car you are considering, how many miles are on the motor? I would drill the owner on oil consumption, heat etc. And have it inspected.

Hope this helps.

Jeff

[madmaxx]

Roush engine design is soiid, KC engine design is solid, the problem engine builders run into 85% of the time is component issue. They purchase lifters, camshafts, heads etc and machine and build the engine. The suppliers of aftermarket engine components is where 95% of the problem lies. The builder of the engine pays for it in the end as they should since that is who the buyer pays their money to. I only hope the engine builders hunt down the suppliers and make them pay.

I have had three Roush engines an 2 bare bone stock motors. The Roush engines have some $$$$$ parts in them, ran the sheet out of them. On the flip side ran the sheet out of the stock motors also. A polished Roush engine is a beautiful sight and everyone go's "wow" and the car shows with the Roush name.

As far as FE and stroked small block, the small block will rev much much quicker, probably require less maintenance and be a more durable engine assuming a Dart block. The big block is more authentic.

[blykins]

Just curious, why do you think a stroked small block will rev quicker and be less maintenance than an fe?

[CobraEd]

Originally Posted by blykins

Just curious, why do you think a stroked small block will rev quicker and be less maintenance than an fe?

Much lighter rotating mass much like an aluminum flywheel vs a steel one. The crank and rods are significantly lighter.


.

[blykins]

I would have to disagree with that....

Lots of common misconceptions that are passed around....347's use too much oil, long stroke cranks can't rev, etc, etc.

Also, the FE should not require any more maintenance.

[Varmit]

My Roush 427 SR was using quite a bit of oil at 8k. 11k pulled the heads and sent them out. Builder called me, and showed me the valve stems. The bronze valve guides actually wore depressions in the valve stems, allowing oil to flow into the combustion chambers. It was his opinion that the valves were cheap Chinese valves with a substandard manufacturing process. Replaced the valves the engine ran fine. Have a couple of friends, one on here, who had the same engine. It turned into a disaster for him. If he so desires, he can comment on his problems. Decided to get rid of the engine before it became a boat anchor, sold it and bout the KC 482. Great decision as far as I'm concerned.
Some seem to have engines that have done quite well. I can only speak from my personal experience.