A visit to Keith Craft Racing............

[jwoodard]

Today was a very exciting day for me personally as Drew Baird of Keith Craft Motorsports in Plano, fellow TCC member Tom Meadows and I went to pick up my new Genesis 427.

After an early departure from Plano we arrived in Arkadelphia, actually the shop is in a little community called Hollywood, a little after 9:00. Hollywood is located in the piney forests of Arkansas and when we got out of the truck, the first thing that I noticed was the quiet. It was so quiet it was deafening (sp)! Beautiful little place.

Keith's shop comprises about 10K sq. ft. in several connected buildings and you can't believe how neat they keep the place for an engine shop. All the employees are super friendly and act like they really enjoy their work. In converations they always use "yes sir, no sir", etc. A class act and a very pleasant change in todays world.

First thing on the agenda for me was to see my engine and here's a shot of it on the SuperFlow SF-902 dyno just waiting for the first pull.


The specs are: 496 cu. in. Genesis 427 SO cast block, Edelbrock Stage III CNC heads with big valves, Edelbrock RPM Performer intake, port matched, JE Dish pistons, SCAT Cast stroker crank, SCAT H-beam rods, Comp Cams Hyd. roller, 252/262, .622/.622,
T&D shaft rocker assembly, DaVinci 950 carb, Armondo oil pan and MSD Billet distributor.

Here's a dyno pull in detail. Peak HP 666.1, TQ 632.7. On 2 other pulls we got peak TQ at 639.0 and 639.3 with about 3 less HP:


Here's a couple pulls graphed together:


Lastly here's a shot of Keith's new CNC machine they are using to do head work. If you've never seen a CNC machine in action, you just can't believe how they work. It is truly amazing. That's Tom acting like he knows what David is doing!


There are many more pics in my gallery of Keith's shop and his employees. Many thanks to Keith, Drew and all the employees for a fun, exciting and very educational day!

[decooney]

Hi Jim,
Thanks for sharing information and pictures. Glad to FINALLY see some real examples and pictures on the Genesis blocks too...

I would be very interested in hearing back from you on the longer term performance and reliability of this Geneisis block and configuration as you start to put real miles on it. As you probably already know, there have been many of us on this site that have been or were anxious for a while to hear how these Genesis blocks work (with the proper machining of course) out for anyone that was able to obtain one and try it for any length of time.

Would you mind possibly reporting back here on your "long term test, evaluation, and progress report" over the next year or so?

Thanks.

[Keithc8]

We have several Genesis blocks already running on the street with great results. They have no over heating issues and run great. Matter of fact one customers has a 4.310 bore block that he says he has a hard time getting to run at 160 degrees. This engine is in a 67 Fairlane that is street driven all the time. If the people building the engine checks the block out that they are using properly and machine it correctly you have no problems.
I would rather have one of these blocks 3 to1 over the thin wall blocks that Ford produced. They are much stronger and can be bored much bigger. I have more coming in soon. Bring your FE up to 2004 with current parts that are much better than the original stuff. Good Luck, Keith Craft

[jwoodard]

Absolutely! It will be several months before my engine is installed in my SPF. However, you might be interested to review the comments from John Ross, another TCC member here in the metroplex who is running a Genesis in his Lone Star. Here are several links with his comments:

Genesis Update - Chassis Dyno Numbers

Genesis Update

[ERA600hp]

WOW!!

What neat Toy's they have!! The Machine shop was inpeccable, everthing was so clean!!
The Employee's were great, they would answer any question's that we might have, very polite, well mannered!
Unbelievable, trip!!
I'd never seen a engine Dyno run before, WOW!!
Man I had a GREAT Time, Jim Thanks for asking me to go along!!

Keith, you guy's are a CLASS act!!

Thanks for the Tour!!

The Royal Rhubarb!!

[Goober]

Jim, congratulations. That is going to be an awesome engine in your SPF. I met you at the Austin run this year. My wife and I were hanging out with Doug in his motorhome and you gave us the 10 cent tour of your race trailer.
Save me a ride in your new SPF when you get it done.
Trying to get up your way for the 3 day class so you guys can teach me some tricks
If my 392 ever comes apart, Keith will be the man for my next engine.

Take care
Mark

[Mrs 66 Snake]

Jim,

I'm glad you were as impressed as we were. It was just a year ago we made that same trip with Drew (before he was KCM-Plano). After a spring trip in that beautiful part of the country, we were treated to the "Dyno". My, what an experience. That was a little disconcerting for a girl who is NOT used to such loudness.

Can't wait for you to get that boy in the car.

Colleen

[jwoodard]

thanks for the comments. I'm excited and can't wait to get it installed and do a test drive. I'll definitely save a ride for you Mark!

[jayscobras]

I WAS OVER AT KCMS THIS MORNING AFTER READING YOUR NUMBERS. NOT ONLY DOES THAT BAD BOY PUT OUT THE POWER BUT IT ALSO LOOKS GOOD. GONNA MAKE A REALLY FINE RIDE. CAN'T WAIT TO SEE HER ALTOGETHER.

JAY

[JRoss]

Congradulations Jim,

If you are impressed with this engine now just wait until you drive it. My first time out I broke the tires free in 4th and immediatly realized I had to learn how to drive this car all over again. I have way too much power and you have more, WOW just seems like an understatement.

Now when is that superformance due in.

John

[Snakecharmer]

Boy, that's going to be an incredible ride. Sorry that you had to spend the day with Tom but overall, seems like an incredible trip! Congrats!!

Thanks for the voicemail Tom. Doing fine. Staying busy remodeling homes.

All the best,

Stretch