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.

[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?

[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.

[ACademic]

Originally Posted by blykins

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

I find it impressive and overly congenial that one of the better engine builders responded in this professional way. I also find it equally surprising that no one has mentioned Brent Lykins as a solid alternative to the original choices as mentioned by the OP.

[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.......

[Great Asp]

Originally Posted by gsharapa

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

+1

Keith builds a solid engine.

E

[CobraEd]

No personal experience, but from everything I have read here over many years and many many posts, it would seem that Brent (Blykins) builds really good engines and is really good to work with. Just a third option to think about. If I was too lazy to build my own engine, I would personally go with Brent.


.

[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.

[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

[mattpatt]

For what it's worth I put a KC SBF 427 with a Dart aluminum block in my cobra. Reasons: 1) Roush is BIG - the good is a very good "we'll fix your problem" record and dealers are close by (everywhere?). The concern is that they have many "certified" builders vs. KC who does it all in his shop - I assumed this meant more control by Keith over the quality/who's building it, etc.part. 2) Price: got essentially the same quality parts plus upgraded to the DART aluminum block and it still cost less (including shipping). While the downside of a KC engine is that you have to deal with Arkansas instead of a local dealer I have to say that I had a shipping problem that damaged the oil pan and carb and with no questions asked KC immediately shipped replacement parts at KC's cost. The engine has run flawlessly so far (only 3000 miles and not racing) but it is definitely strong. I ordered a slightly de-tuned version of the KC 580HP motor. KC measured it at 554 HP at 6000. After installation I put it on a chassis dyno (inertial dyno in 4th gear - 140mph max) and got ~425HP so the KC dyno number seems to be reasonably good. By the way, torgue was something just north of 580. Given that this motor is lighter than the original 289 and ~12% more powerful than the original FEs I'm guessing Carol would have given his eye teeth for this motor in '65. Not only does the 554 HP keep the power to weight ratio ~the same as the original (slightly heavier SPF still behaves like an original) you can drive it to breakfast or in heavy traffic with no problem. By the way, I get 16 mpg (freeway) with a carb. <{:>))

[hercf16]

Originally Posted by mattpatt

For what it's worth I put a KC SBF 427 with a Dart aluminum block in my cobra. Reasons: 1) Roush is BIG - the good is a very good "we'll fix your problem" record and dealers are close by (everywhere?). The concern is that they have many "certified" builders vs. KC who does it all in his shop - I assumed this meant more control by Keith over the quality/who's building it, etc.part. 2) Price: got essentially the same quality parts plus upgraded to the DART aluminum block and it still cost less (including shipping). While the downside of a KC engine is that you have to deal with Arkansas instead of a local dealer I have to say that I had a shipping problem that damaged the oil pan and carb and with no questions asked KC immediately shipped replacement parts at KC's cost. The engine has run flawlessly so far (only 3000 miles and not racing) but it is definitely strong. I ordered a slightly de-tuned version of the KC 580HP motor. KC measured it at 554 HP at 6000. After installation I put it on a chassis dyno (inertial dyno in 4th gear - 140mph max) and got ~425HP so the KC dyno number seems to be reasonably good. By the way, torgue was something just north of 580. Given that this motor is lighter than the original 289 and ~12% more powerful than the original FEs I'm guessing Carol would have given his eye teeth for this motor in '65. Not only does the 554 HP keep the power to weight ratio ~the same as the original (slightly heavier SPF still behaves like an original) you can drive it to breakfast or in heavy traffic with no problem. By the way, I get 16 mpg (freeway) with a carb. <{:>))

Looking at a few with Roush, kind of like the 427R, and one with a KC 482
with Pond Al block. I have always heard good things about KC until last week
when I learned of a low mile, 350ish, that had to be shipped back with a
vibration and oil using problem. But I'm sure that happens to them all every
now and then, hell the 997.1 Turbos have a few issues.

Going to check out the KC Cobra next week in Vegas, was at Hillbank last
week, nice tour and test drive, they go through all the used cars they get
in before they turn them.

Herc