2011

The most impressive thing about the engine is that it has torque and horsepower "all over the place" from 2000 rpm all the way up.

Tim Rader

2010

It all started last winter when I installed one of Mark McKeowns roller cams. Was a pleasure to work with Mark and Heather and finally get the Cleveland right. After a new set of FPA headers, exhaust and a 650 Demon carb I was ready to find a chassis dyno for the final tune. I tried to explain to the wife why I had to drive 3 hours to MD to get a tune-up but some things just dont translate between the sexes. After we got the Mach 1 strapped down all was going well. More jet, more timing, different secondary spring, another jet change; and the old stang was coming alive. That was all before the #8 rod didnt like being connected to the crank and decided to depart by way of the oil pan and into the new set of FPA headers. Lots of smoke, steam and noise as the motor wound down from 4500. That was the first bad news if you dont count trying to explain to the wife how she now needs to drive 3 hours to come get me. More things that dont translate.
Now the good news. Where do you want your 230,000 mile motor to come apart? On the operating table of the Jedi master. After the teardown and Mark explains how the crank got oil starved and I didnt have the right valves or machine work done the first time so I gave the green light for the ground up build with another block, Scat crank, rods and Probe pistons. Then came the question if you are building from scratch how big do you want it to be? If this was your motor how big would you go? 408 it is. After about 5 week the call was, we just finish the last of the install you can pick it up anytime. That was the good news.
After the drive to MD yesterday with the wife we took the test drive of the new motor. I think the kid in the candy store smile is still plastered on my face. I looked for the "Im impressed look from the wife" but all I got was If all you drive this is to car shows and to get ice cream at Sonic, why do you need all of this power? More stuff that doesnt translate. The bad news is that I now have to invest in a tire company and a gas company, and I know I will be spending my kids college fund on speeding ticket. This thing is a rocket ship. Instant throttle response with TQ all the way to the bottom. The lowest Mark started a pull on the engine dyno was 2800rpm which still had 470 ft-lbs of TQ and pulled to 494 HP before 6000rpm. Not bad for an iron headed Cleveland with a stock cast iron intake and a 650 carb. Anyone looking for a street killer 408 can find one at MME.

David Foy

Chesapeake, VA

2009
"Mark and Jason absolutely transformed my 2002 Trans Am WS6!  I'm now running 407hp at the rear wheels on factory cats and still maintain great street drivability.  Their top-end build up of my stock LS1 engine is just fantastic - as Arnold said, 'I'll be back!'". Jeff Y.>, LaPlata, MD

Take A look

2008
"Yes Mark I am very please with the performance of the motor. It has performed flawlessly and been deadly consistent. It has won money at all but one race this year and is currently leading the points at my home track. This past weekend I went to a bigger money 1/8 mile race. I made 6 out of 8 passes in the right lane and the car only varied .007 at the 330 ft and the two passes that I went to the finish line under full power it went 6.2611 and 6.2614. Even a knucklehead like me can turn on win lights with consistentcy like that. LOL I know that there is more left in it, but I have put a larger tire on it now for the summer heat which has slowed it down a little now. Later this year once things start to cool off again I am going to be trying different fuels and gears to put the car into the 9.50's."

Chris Minchew, TX

2007
"If you're serious about building an 8000 RPM [351] Cleveland, contact Mark and Heather McKeown at McKeown Motorsport Engineering Inc. [301-932-9292] Mark is a wizard with Clevelands and will work with you to design whatever you want. He and Heather are straight up people - they still understand what excellent customer service means."

2003
"Scientific Performance; An interview with Mark McKeown..."

"The husband and wife team of Mark and Heather McKeown, owners of McKeown Motorsport Engineering, are two of the nicest, most sincere people you'll ever meet". Jason Reiss, NMCA/NMRA

Call McKeown Motorsport Engineering, Inc. at 301-932-9292, M - F, 10a to 6pm, Sat 10a to 3p, Eastern Time

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