Kauffman Racing Equipment
Longtime Pontiac fans and racers are no doubt familiar with Ohio's Kauffman Racing Equipment and its reputation for making horsepower. The company has a build-to-order crate motor program with a wide variety of options, making the horsepower-to-dollar ratio work out for most budgets.
This particular combination starts with a production 400 block and an Ohio-forged 4.5-inch-stroke crank for a total displacement of 490 ci (optional block shown). Kauffman aluminum D-port heads and a choice of cams offer the buyer options in regard to peak power levels and where in the rpm band they actually occur.
"It's a great pump-gas street engine with a very wide and strong power band," says Jeff Kauffman. "It idles at 850 rpm with 9-10 inches of vacuum. The cost factor of this 610-625hp engine over a 500-550hp engine is very little, so the cost-to-power ratio is just a bit better."
As buyers move up the ladder, other choices are available, including KRE High Port heads, a roller cam, and even the MR1 aftermarket block, which will boost both displacement and durability.
KRE 490ci Pontiac Engine
Price: $11,990
Engine Displacement: 490
Horsepower: 610-625
Torque: 620-640 lb-ft
Bore/Stroke: 4.165 / 4.500
Block/Crank Combo: 400 block / 4.500-inch-stroke forged crank
Bore/Stroke Ratio: 0.925:1
Rod/Stroke Ratio: 1.488:1
Bottom End
Block Description: 400 Pontiac
Year: '67-'74
Preparation: Hot-tanked, magged, and bead-blasted
Deck Height: 10.225-in
Crank: Ohio-forged, 4.500-in stroke
Preparation: Balanced
Balancer: Professional Products SFI-approved
Rods: Pro-Warrior H-beams, 6.700-in
Preparation: Balanced
Bearings: Federal Mogul
Preparation: Clearanced
Pistons: KB Icon-forged
Preparation: Balanced
Piston-to-Deck Height: Zero
Piston Pins: KB Icon
Method Used to Retain Pins in Pistons: Spiral locks
Rings: Total Seal file-to-fit
Preparation: Ring gaps filed to fit bores
Rod Bolts/Head Bolts: ARP
Balancing Specs: Within 1 gram
Oiling System
Windage Tray: None
Crank Scraper: TW Motorsports
Oil Pan: Moroso deep-sump
Oil Pump: Melling M54DS
Preparation: Blueprinted
Heads
Casting: KRE Aluminum D-ports
Chamber: Heart-shaped, open
Head Mods: CNC-ported
Combustion Chamber Volume: 85 cc
Maximum flow at 28 inches of water
Intake: 310 cfm at 0.600-in
Exhaust: 224 cfm at 0.600-in
Compression Ratio: 10.75:1
Valves: Ferrea 2.11/1.66-in
Angles Used in Valve Job: 45-deg
Retainers: Steel 10-deg
Keepers: Steel 10-deg
Valve Guides: Bronze
Valve Seals: PC Viton
Rocker Studs: ARP
Rocker Arms: PRW aluminum roller, 1.65:1
Pushrods: Comp, chrome moly
Diameter: 5/16-in
Length: 8.900-in
Cam
Brand: Comp Cams hydraulic-roller
Duration at 0.050: 236/236-deg
Lift: 0.600/0.600-in
Centerline: 106-deg
Lobe Separation Angle: 110-deg
Installed Position: Straight up
Lifters: Pro-Warrior hydraulic-roller
Valvesprings: Comp Cams, silicone steel
Seat Pressure: 135 lbs
Open Pressure: 390 lbs
Timing Chain: Rollmaster
Type: 9-keyway billet
Induction
Carb: Pro-Systems 1,000 cfm
Mods: None
Jets
Primary: #84
Secondary: #92
Fuel Pump: Electric, 140 lb-hr
Fuel Regulator: Holley
Fuel Line Size: 3/8-in
Intake Manifold: KRE North Wind single-plane
Mods: Port-matched
Ignition
Distributor: MSD 8528
Amplifier: None
Coil: MSD 8202
Wires: MSD 31889
Total Timing: 31-deg
Initial Advance: 11-deg
Mechanical Advance: 20-deg
Vacuum Advance: None
Exhaust
Headers: Not included
Recommended
Hedman
Primary Tube Diameter: 1.75-in
Primary Tube Length: 32-in
Collector Size: 3-in
Gaskets
Brand: Tin Indian Performance & Fel Pro
Ancillary Components
Tin Indian Performance Viton rear main seal PRW aluminum water pump
Optional Upgrades & Prices
KRE High-Port Heads: $350, 20-50hp gain
Solid Roller-Cam Setup: $340, 15-40hp gain
K&M MR-1 Aftermarket Block (shown): $1,355, up to 200hp gain
K&M MR-1A Aftermarket Aluminum Block: $2,655, up to 200hp gain
Sources
Kauffman Racing Equipment
(704) 599-5000
www.krepower.com