The New Wildcat HD Cast Iron block from Kenny Betts Racing

Discussion in 'Our Products' started by ken betts, Sep 29, 2018.

  1. dan zepnick

    dan zepnick Well-Known Member

    Same here!
     
    Julian likes this.
  2. mbusher83

    mbusher83 Well-Known Member

  3. 67nitrouspig

    67nitrouspig Well-Known Member

  4. Brian Pryes

    Brian Pryes Well-Known Member

    Looks great MR Betts!
     
  5. Jim Weise

    Jim Weise EFI/DIS 482

    No, not with this block.. Design criteria that was discussed at the very first meeting back at the end of last January, over breakfast in a little cafe in central MN, identified the the main objectives for this engine:
    1. Create a Iron 4 bolt main block, and keep the cost to an absolute minimum, to allow as many Buick enthusiast to purchase this as possible.
    2. To that end, it was deemed important on this one, to make as many parts as possible fit, that a potential customer already owns. Nothing worst than having to try and sell, or put on the shelf, perfectly good parts.
    3. Avoid the temptations of raised cams and tall decks.. this increases the overall cost of the program, for very low volume sales, and frankly, those blocks already exist in the marketplace. There was no desire to copy what was already out there, just to try and undercut on price.
    4. Include valuable features for racers that are buying some new stuff.. so the 3" main and larger cam tunnel options were deemed a requirement.
    5. Make it a real Buick community project... The bushed lifter bore idea cam straight from Ron Flood (MNGS455), who is a Buick guy, and is also my machinist for TSP. While it adds significant cost the the product, Ken felt the advantages outweighed the downside of a higher retail cost to you guys. Ron, and another board member and Buick die hard, Mike Gallagher (ShortCrank) are the machining "brains" behind the project here. Mike will oversee the "from cast" machining on some really huge CNC's at his place of business, and Ron will handle the "finish work" which includes blueprinting the cam tunnels, lifter bores, and mains. He also will machine complete blocks to a customer's spec, should they opt for that. Ron has done the block and head machining on about 40 455's for me in the last 8 years, he has the correct tooling, and is super knowledgeable and experienced on these engines.
    6. Make a commitment to test and prove out every new product before it's sold... Ken has contracted with TSP to do just that, we are already accumulating parts for the first build, before the first block is poured.
    Now, for those of you who really want to push the envelope.. Ken is has already been talking about a 5.3" bore center Billet Forged Aluminum block, that will allow some really huge engines to be built. That's down the road a bit here, but "on the list".

    Yes, the center two studs on the mains will be shouldered, to positively locate the caps.

    JW
     
  6. ken betts

    ken betts Well-Known Member

    3" and 3 1/4" mains, stock cam, 54 and 55mm cam, lifters bushed
     
  7. ken betts

    ken betts Well-Known Member

    up to 572" unless you dare go 4.6 bore, I wouldn't.
     
  8. GS Kubisch

    GS Kubisch THE "CUT-UP" BUICK

    [QUOTE="Jim Weise, post: 2854182,
    Now, for those of you who really want to push the envelope.. Ken is has already been talking about a 5.3" bore center Billet Forged Aluminum block, that will allow some really huge engines to be built. That's down the road a bit here, but "on the list".



    Yes, the center two studs on the mains will be shouldered, to positively locate the caps.

    JW[/QUOTE]

    As many times as I've heard mine "isn't even a Buick anymore". That will really make the peanut galley restless
     
  9. Julian

    Julian Well-Known Member

    I just call it a Buick on a bigger scale
     
  10. Philip66

    Philip66 Well-Known Member

    Ken this is awesome, a major step toward FAST Buick’s!!

    Just so I understand, this will eliminate the need for ANY type of girdle or extra external support, correct? With that much more cast iron I imagine your block will be plenty rigid!

    Again, to all involved parties, Congratulations!!
    Can’t wait to see, hear, and read more about all
    of the upcoming KBR go-fast goodies!
     
    sriley531 likes this.
  11. Tom Righter

    Tom Righter Well-Known Member

    Ken, Would it be possible to get oil pan rail on the block O ringed as well as the front of the block where the timing chain cover goes to eliminate any gaskets. Also an up to date rear main seal
     
    1973gs, Harlockssx and Julian like this.
  12. Bens99gtp

    Bens99gtp Well-Known Member

    The price seems very nice as compared to the cost to build a fully out iron block. The estimate from Mike at amp to fill and girdle an iron block, plus all other machine work needed on motor was around 2500, girdle was another 500ish, then custom oil pan is going to be 750?+ so 3750ish? The 4500 price to have a big bore, more than likely stronger block than all the add on to the old iron can be made to handle
     
    Last edited: Oct 3, 2018
    Julian likes this.
  13. 300sbb_overkill

    300sbb_overkill WWG1WGA. MAGA

    Can't wait to hear about the Wildcat HD sbb 350 block with a standard 4.00" bore that can go to 4.125" with a raised cam!

    The factory skirted block is stout for what it weighs so an after market one would only be 20 to 40 lbs heavier to correct some of its short comings. Being how it is a skirted block, would be VERY cool to have cross bolted 4 bolt mains!

    With the TA heads coming out, the GN guys just might want to step up to an extra 2 more cylinders that can be more than 400 cid!

    With a 4.00" bore and a 3.990" stroke would be 401 cid! The sbb 350 cars can stay small block cars and have bigger cubes!

    Why do another 455 block when no one is doing an aftermarket sbb 350 block? With 400 cubes and heads that can flow over 300 cfm with a light weight small block rotating assembly capable of 600 + NA HP, why would anyone need a big block for the street?

    With the cam raised, even more stroke can be stuffed in, a 4.00" bore with a 4.500" stroke would be 452 cubic inches! Would be 481 CID with a 4.125" bore(if possible?) and the 4.500" stroke, why more big block junk?!

    So we're talking about an engine that is super light that can be 600+ HP, what's not to like about that? The big block stuff is already over done IMO. For only a little bit more $$ someone can buy an aluminum block that weighs the same as a factory block, if they buy it right now while its on sale they can buy it for $5 more!

    I think this WC block may not be priced attractive enough to step down from the aluminum block already available that can make even more cubes and is what was it, a 100 lbs lighter?:confused: At this price point why would I want to add weight when I can get the aluminum block for not that much more? You may want to rethink this one?(I'm sure everyone that has expressed interest will when it comes time for them to purchase a block, will rethink it)
     
    Dano likes this.
  14. JESUPERCAT

    JESUPERCAT No Slow Boat

    Derek the cast iron block is because people asked for it. Some classes require it.
    Same goes for the cast head, people asked for it and some classes require it.
    Ken is already looking into the 350 parts, blocks included. If there is a demand I'm sure it will move forward.
     
    Julian likes this.
  15. ken betts

    ken betts Well-Known Member

    I do like the way you think! The BBB is no where near the capability of a ford, chevy or chrysler. My goal was to get Buick out of the 19th century and put it into the 21st century. We are on the way. Now for the small block Buick. We have the ability to make a billet or forged billet small block Buick. It will literally take us about two weeks to start the block. One week to finish the CAD drawing and one week to get the billet. OK, and a few days to heat treat. The big problem for sbb is... I have to get the BBB parts out this fall and winter as I have noted. If I have any spare time and there is enough interest at BG I may start on a SBB Billet head and block with water. These parts have to be tested before we release them. Even if you wanted a set of BBB Billet heads I won't sell them until after the dyno test in a couple weeks.
     
    Harlockssx, Julian and BuickGSrules like this.
  16. 300sbb_overkill

    300sbb_overkill WWG1WGA. MAGA

    I doubt there would be much call if any for a sbb 350 billet block?(or even sbb 350 billet heads for that matter) Maybe a cast iron block that would be half the weight of the cast iron WC BBB block so perhaps half the price so it has a chance of being a seller...........?

    I see, this BBB WC block would be for the "stock" class racers more so than for someone that wants a stronger replacement block for the street/strip, would be more of a high end stock class race block type of deal. I know that if I wanted to be on this level with a street, strip or street/strip engine I would spring for the tiny bit extra for the way lighter aluminum block.

    People got excited when they seen cast iron block but probably got sticker shocked with the price tag?(I know I did) But hey, if its for the "stock race" class guys, they'll probably pay the price and you'll sell a few blocks to those guys? I wish you nothing but success in this endeavor and hope I'm wrong and a bunch of BBB street guys(more of these guys than the "stock class race" guys) buy your block. What do I know anyway?

    BBC Dart cast iron block, around $2,300.

    Pontiac cast iron aftermarket block, around $3,000.

    The Oldsmobile aftermarket block, ? not sure?
     
  17. ken betts

    ken betts Well-Known Member

    Look if we can sell them for 3900 or 2900 we will. We posted 4495 because they are not done yet. We will know the second they are poured. Since we are machining in house we already know that price.
     
  18. Bens99gtp

    Bens99gtp Well-Known Member

    I don't think you compare the iron a d al blocks the way you are here. The way I understand it the al blocks do still require some machining work together them even close to ready. Sound like the iron block is going to come almost ready to go.

    So the almost 6000 base price of the al block plus the needed work still is going be a few grand over the wc block.

    Now I don't see the wc block going be for the everyday 500hp motor, but for those builds that are 700-900 where the factory block even with all the ads on goodies is hanging in there by a thread, I can see this as a real possibility

    To price compare the Chevy aftermarket is also unfair, the volume in sales just went let it be in that world.
     
  19. ken betts

    ken betts Well-Known Member

    our billet block will not need any additional work if we are sent Pistons, and you will not pay any extra. Some Buick engine builders want to finish align honing, decking and cylinder honing themselves. We can accommodate them, our racer price will be available to all customers. Remember I’m retired and don’t need to charge an arm and a leg!
     
  20. Dano

    Dano Platinum Level Contributor

    I like the 350 cast iron idea Derek! I suggested 350 shorty headers to Ken. I'm sure he's a bit overwhelmed too.
     

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