ATL KCR "Challenge" Final results...

[Cracker]

First of all I personally want to thank Keith for stepping up!

I also want to let people know that Keith drove 12 hours to personally deliver the engine to Grimes Automotive. The fact he has put so much thought and time into this "challenge" demonstrates how serious he took this and believed in his products - to me at least. His knowledge of "engines in general" were confirmed based on his conversation with an inductee to the Drag Racing Hall of Fame "Hoyt Grimes" and and a couple of hours sharing information with Garry Grimes - the proprieter and engine expert himeself (yes, I had very, very little to add to the conversation but enjoyed being a fly-on-the-wall nonetheless - many of you would've too!).

The results were within 12 hp & 14 tq. of the results at his shop in Arkansas two weeks ago with peak power occuring exactly at 7,000 rpm's - as it had before. For those of you who were curious about power a little lower in the "rev" range this engine had averages of 581 hp & 509 ft. lb. of torque between 3,900 through 7,000 rpm's. Torque at 3,900 (lowest rpm reading) is 477 ft. lbs. A few adjustments were made during the dyno runs which included increasing the main jets up one notch (now 13:1 a/f ratio) and reducing total timing down to 36 degrees. All other parameters remained the same. Having a variance of less than 2% in dyno results are more than acceptable. Thank you again Keith for making it happen and congratulations on pulling it off here in the Deep South. Best of luck and wishes!

For those with questions I'm sure Keith is more than willing to respond and share his thoughts.

PS. If anyone would be interested in seeing a pull or two by video let me know as I recorded several but need them converted to digital format from 8mm. If no one is interested I won't go to the trouble.

[Scouder]

Thank you, Gentlemen, for providing us with this information. I have been watching this conversation with great anticipation of the final results. Congratulations to Keith on backing up his claims, and to Cracker for getting a serious boost in the HP department.

-Scouder

[Jamo]

Cracker

When I suggested that you start a new thread with this, I didn't say keep it off the front page. I think everyone deserves to see this.

If/when it starts dropping off the page...I'll move it to Keith's forum for ease of access for those that are interested.

Glad the process has been completed. Keith, kudus to you for seeing it through as promised.

[ToyCollector]

I have been vocal about my doubting KC dyno accuracy before. He has convinced me with the dyno pull at Grimes. Gary Grimes goes out of his way by the way to not be in the press, so many other than in racing circles may not have heard of him. I have gotten the full tour of his shop and can not disclose the name of which Nextel Cup teams he does development for, but his dyno and his shop are the real deal as well. Great job Cracker and Keith.

[bret a ewing]

Cracker,

Great job...... Cheerleader huh?.....please post the picture! Your
not off the hook that easy! Skirt and KC racing Shirt, Pom- Poms should be included.

Keith....................

Also great job, although I knew the results before the outcome.




Believers, non-believers, friends, romans, countrymen..............


Warmest regards, Bret.

[rdorman]

Way to go!! Glad to see this whole doubting issue put to bed. Like I have already told Keith, he builds my next Cleveland!
Rick

[Keithc8]

I would like the thank Cracker for his patience in this experiment and the confidence in letting me work on his engine. I would also like to thank Gary Grimes and the guys at Grimes Automotive for letting us come back and dyno test there.
I would also like to add that we did not get to experiment with a few things because of time constraints. I believe the 2 inch spacer would have picked us a little. We also ran the engine through the exhaust system the whole time except one try with the straight headers which seemed to fill the room with exhaust gases. We were not able to duct air straight to the carburetor which we do at out shop and when we unhook the exhaust we pick up some torque and HP. With the manual style of loading that the dyno does at Grimes and the other areas different above I believe we were very close between the two dyno test. Thanks for everyones interest and patience in this project. Keith Craft

[PatBuckley]

Keith-

Congratulations - I was a doubter but it seems like you put your money where your mouth is.

Good job.

Pat Buckley

[PDUB]

While I was on a business trip last week, I had the pleasure of visiting with Keith, Tony, Henry, and the rest of the guys. I was very impressed with his operation down in Arkansas. He and the crew seem like a class act! It appears that they build some extremely nice engines.

Keith has some serious equipment... I never expected to see that caliber of machinery there. If you get a chance, I recommend that you make a visit. Thanks guys for the tour and for the hospitality!

Paul