Engine for KMP 393

[John A. Simpson]

Hi Keith,

You emailed me an answer about your cylinder heads a couple of weeks ago thanks for the prompt reply. I'm in the market for an engine for my Kirkham. I can get a new in the crate 427 s.o block, the cylinders have been sonic checked and they are good but I can't remember the thickness. I need your help, when I went to the Kirkham summit just about everyone there I spoke with said I should go with a 4.25 stroke and a cam in the 250 to 260* duration at 0.50.

I don't think I need that kind of torque. I like a rumpity idle, but I want to be able to cruise at 2300-2500 rpm. I was thinking more of a quick revving 427 with peak hp about 6000 rpm with solid lifters so I could stretch past that 200 or 300 rpm if I needed. I may very occasionally auto-cross the car but mostly it will just be for driving fun. I live in southern Idaho so I have to drive one or two hours or more to go drive some of the places I want to go.
Right now I'm thinking of using a T600 with the .82 OD and either 3.07 or 3.31 gears.

Can you help me?

Thanks

John Simpson

[Keithc8]

I would be more than happy to help you with your project. One of the reasons people have told you to go with the 4.250 stroke is to get better power down low for cruising and make max power by 6000 rpms like you would like. The engine is just a air pump and to get more power out of a 427 or 454 C.I. engine you have to turn it up and do a bigger camshaft to get the same power out of it. The heads we do now will power a 482C.I. engine to about 6000rpms with our hydraulic roller camshafts and make about 625HP and idle on 800rpms. If you want the higher reving engine you would need the flat-tappet but I do not believe this engine would cruise around as well for you. You could also go for something in the middle and do a 4.125 stroke. I also like the BB Chevy 2.200 rod journal better on these cranks. Give me a call at 870-246-7460 and we can talk about a package for you. Thanks, Keith Craft