The New Wildcat HD Cast Iron block from Kenny Betts Racing

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

  1. JESUPERCAT

    JESUPERCAT No Slow Boat

    Ken put up what parts we were making for our car. That snowballed into people inquiring if we would make parts for them.
    Ken puts his ideas up for feedback on them.
    The feedback pushes the parts, the encouragement pushes those like Ken to spend their time and money making it happen. Have there been delays absolutely we should have been running our car years ago. I parked my plans in my car in the garage to help get this done.
    Has the other company run into delays getting their ideas and products to market and then to the purchaser of those products?
    We need to support both of these companies as that is pretty much it. There are also some members here that build specific parts for our community that should be supported whenever possible also...
     
  2. Tom Righter

    Tom Righter Well-Known Member

    I would love to support another company that sells high-performance aftermarket Buick parts. What does Ken sell? Is there a catalog? Does he have cam cores, where is the cylinder heads that he’s been looking for water jackets for the last two years or whatever time has gone by since he talked about doing that. I remember personally speaking with him on the phone. And then there’s the block and saying that if not a finished product at least a cast block for the nationals. I can’t support a company that doesn’t have products for me. Not for nostalgia nitro dragster running no water. And certainly not a 90 pound crankshaft.I have nothing against Ken personally and I give him a lot of credit if he’s putting up his own money to try and come up with something but don’t fault the guy who is hanging on listening to his dreams and making it sound like New products are just around the corner and nothing happens.
     
  3. JESUPERCAT

    JESUPERCAT No Slow Boat

  4. JESUPERCAT

    JESUPERCAT No Slow Boat

    The engine being assembled now for my dragster is a 560" NA 14 to 1 with Ken's heads. We have been waiting since Feb 18 2021 for my pistons for the blown engine. People have been waiting for basically every supplier to get products out.
    Labor and back log issues is what we get told so what are we supposed to say, something different?
    Its been just under 3 years including Covid issues since he introduced this block and idea. I'd say he got a lot done..
    The block (3 types).
    Heads (2 types) with or without water jackets.
    Custom rocker assembly for the heads
    2 intakes mid and high. With three different tops.
    The above is a lot of design work let alone 3 prototypes of heads and rocker assemblies.
    Timing cover for raised cam
    Many other parts in the works.
    Yes he has a great deal of his money invested. He won't sell a part until it is tested and tested hard. That is why I'll be running NA for now, to beat on parts:)
     
  5. dan gaither

    dan gaither Active Member

    After reading the above, I went to my shop and weighed the crank I bought from Ken. It came in at at 80.6 lbs.
    Not a lightweight for sure, but on par with the Moldex units (and a lot less expensive).
    Thanks Ken, now if I just had a decent block…
     
  6. Bens99gtp

    Bens99gtp Well-Known Member

    A decent block at an affordable price is what we all need.......i.know ta has a great block. But I'll just speak for me, $6500 plus whatever it needs it needs to be ready...plus 5000+ in crank rods piston etc etc etc.....in the end your 15k in just a bottom end........its just more than I can swing.
     
  7. JESUPERCAT

    JESUPERCAT No Slow Boat

    The original foundry Ken was scheduled to use pre covid doubled their prices on Ken this spring. That threw a major stress in the mix. As Ben said it needs to be affordable and that is Ken's founding statement.
    I'm following up on a small but capable business to get this done. Hoping to have an update early next week.
     
  8. GS Kubisch

    GS Kubisch THE "CUT-UP" BUICK

    TA stock replacement cofiguration block with your old parts and go racing without worry. Should be on that track for under $10k and 80lbs lighter with room to grow.
     
  9. JESUPERCAT

    JESUPERCAT No Slow Boat

    Gary this is mostly a thread on the iron block with a bit of aluminum add ons thrown in:).
    Ken put the money on the iron block as that was what a lot of people asked for.
     
  10. Bens99gtp

    Bens99gtp Well-Known Member

    Gary was replying to my post, as some may know, #5 rod in my 464 took early early retirement and took my block with it just a few weeks ago. So now I'm in need of good new start and wanting to do something that will/should live and hold up. I thought my molnar rods were going to be better than my my stk rids, but 68 passes later with less than dozen being full 1320 hits.

    So now I'm stuck in the postiob this block would be perfect for......someone looking to live at 700-750 hp.....but don't want to drop 2500 in band-aid on a stk block over and above the regular work needed.

    I'd love to step up in cubes and do 523, 535, 555. But that will just make it worse on a stk block,
     
    Dano likes this.
  11. JESUPERCAT

    JESUPERCAT No Slow Boat

    Ken will be back on Monday. He escaped California for a few days with some friends. Give him a shout. If for some reason you can't get him contact me. Sorry to hear about the loss of parts. Mid season always seems worse to lose em.
     
  12. Bens99gtp

    Bens99gtp Well-Known Member

    I left him a message the other week but no call back yet, does one good to get some breaks away. Thanks
     
  13. ken betts

    ken betts Well-Known Member

    Sorry Ben, text me your number so I can compare it to my missed calls, I never delete them. I may have tried to text you not sure. The last foundry told me next year. I have not given up but I can tell you they didn’t mean January. I would pour 50 at a time if necessary. The Olds guys won’t tell us anything.
     
    Dano likes this.
  14. ken betts

    ken betts Well-Known Member

    We’ve had the billet head with water for years. We have had the CAD files for cast heads for well over a year. Not one person made a commitment to buy them. Those who bought cranks saved 1000 bucks or more. Normally quantities of parts sold would not be made public, but 15 cranks were sold. You can all thank JW for heading up that deal. As far as a broken rod. Tell me one company that has not had a failure. We have raced stock rods on the street at 7000 RPM No one would dare do that today. Racing breaks parts.
     
  15. Bens99gtp

    Bens99gtp Well-Known Member

    Had a great talk yesterday with Ken, thanks for calling me. We will certainly be in touch
     
    PGSS, Dano and JESUPERCAT like this.
  16. JESUPERCAT

    JESUPERCAT No Slow Boat

    Hoping to have more info in a week or so that I can share.
    Smaller projects are passed by by many of the companies I have been in contact with or absolutely crazy price and time frames.
    That looks to be in the past. ;)
    Pray that the next few days works out...
    This is just an update to having a positive few days on the project :)
     
  17. Bens99gtp

    Bens99gtp Well-Known Member

    Let's hope for some good news.....lol. lord knows I can use some from somewhere
     
  18. JESUPERCAT

    JESUPERCAT No Slow Boat

    We're trying Ben;)
     
  19. steve murray

    steve murray Well-Known Member

    Keep up the good work fellas ! Certainly sounds like it’s no walk in the park with all the bs goin on these days …. Stick with it !!
     
  20. Bens99gtp

    Bens99gtp Well-Known Member

    Any good news for the up coming new year????
     
    TheEternalDance likes this.

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