NoReins

Does anyone have any experience with Keith Craft engines? We are looking at their 408w.



408/418 Street Crate

•Horsepower: 515 hp

•Torque: 500 ft/lbs

•Block: Fully Machined and Prepped Production 351W Block

•Crankshaft: Scat or Eagle Cast Steel

•Stroke: 4.000" or 4.100"

•Connecting Rods: Scat or Eagle I-Beam 6.200"

•Pistons: SRP or Mahle Forged

•Timing Chain: Ford Motorsport Double Roller

•Camshaft: Comp Cams Custom Hydraulic Roller

•Lifters: Ford Motorsport Hydraulic Roller

•Cylinder Heads: CNC Brodix KC 195 or AFR 185

•Valves: Manley 2.02/1.6

•Rocker Arms: Scorpion 1.6 Roller

•Intake: Edelbrock Performer RPM

•Waterpump: Edelbrock Aluminum

•Carburetor: Quick Fuel 780cfm

•Valve Covers: Keith Craft Logo w/Breather

•Wire Looms: Smoothie

•Oil Pump: Melling High Volume

•Oil Pan: Production Syle Replacement

•Balancer: Pioneer

•Ignition: MSD Distributor w/Keith Craft Logo Moroso Plug Wires

•Gaskets: Felpro

•Fasteners: ARP

•Oil: 1 Case Joe Gibbs Hot Rod

•Compression: 10:1

•Fuel: Premium Unleaded Only

•Firing Order: 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8

•Timing: 35 Degrees @ Full Advance

•Oil: 10w-30 or 15w-50 Joe Gibbs Hot Rod

•Max RPM: 6250

•Dyno: Full Test and Tune on SF902 Dyno

JMD

Seems like a good setup, but IMO, with the skills you guys have displayed in building your car, I would consider building your own.

I have built 2 very similar 408 engines for quite a bit less by shopping for components.

IMO, building an engine is easier than many of the repairs you have already made, and besides, it is kind of fun.

The first we started from scratch, the second I started from a shortblock since I didn't have a core. Both were quite a bit cheaper than the KC engine.

NoReins

Thanks for your input Jay. We've considered building it ourselves from the shortblock up; but as far as value, warranty, having no experience, etc ... we are beginning to wonder if the extra cost is worth buying the full completed motor. Plus it'd be really nice to have something to just drop in and go! I guess we need to weigh our options and figure out the pros and cons of each. Thanks again.

kalli

well I guess the money is steep and I was already worried after lashing out 2000 for my engine.
I guess like JMD said you could build a monster yourself for half price, but noone will warrant that and you might end up destroying expensive parts and then ending up going to buy a crate engine.
I never heard of their engines reliability etc, but they claim:
================================================
Q: Will my Keith Craft Performance Engine come with a warranty?
A: All Street/Performance engines come with a 2yr 24K mile Warranty. Any racing or use of any oils other Joe Gibbs Hot Rod Oil will void all warranties.
================================================

worth discussing with them anyway on what exactly that implies

zmetalmilitia

I was and still am looking at their 408W. I emailed them and Keith emailed me directly the next day, kind of unexpected that he sent it out. (At least it appeared to be him using his name in the email). I got pretty good vibes after communicating with them.

Have you looked at Woody's engines? fordstrokers.com If I had the money to get one today, this is who I would most likely go with.

I think either choice would be a good one.

palerider

When I bought my 347 I had narrowed down between Fordsrokers, Smedding, and Keith Kraft. All had good reps. Ended up going with Fordstrokers somewhat cheaper and within driving distance. No warranty or dyno - but turned out I did not need either. Good guy to deal with. May want to check out engine factory also. Heard some positives about them and they were willing to deal at the end of the season. The Keith Kraft engine sure looks sweet though.

NoReins

We looked at the Engine Factory engines as well. They seem to stand behind what they sell although when we looked at their 351w/435hp we saw some components that didn't stack up with the price. They don't dyno test their engines either. Not to say they are bad at all, there were just more benefits with the Keith Craft. When you add up the parts list in the street 408w from KC you come to around 6k. Add in a dyno session, tuning and a strong track record and the package seems to make pretty strong sense. From people we have talked to Keith really seems to back his products. Those were are thoughts on things anyway.

No doubt you could build a screaming street engine for much less coin if you were to DIY and if we had any engine-building experience it would be the way to go.

We have contacted Woody (FordStrokers) about what he would recommend us doing as he has come highly recommended also. Starting from a shortblock up may be an option also depending on what he says.

Thanks for the insight guys- keep it coming.

MustangFTW

if your going to spend some money have you looked at this

http://www.cjponyparts.com/crate-eng.../p/M6007521RT/

palerider

Just curious did youy look at ford racing also?

http://www.fordracingparts.com/parts...KeyField=11831