Big Block Blueprint: Duplicating Kiwi Customs’ Ford 557 Budget Big Block

What’s in a name?

In the case of Kiwi Classics and Customs‘ KSV9000 Mustang, there are 557 cubic inches packed into the name. The KSV9000 Mustang got its name from the big block Ford under the hood—557 cubic inches is just over 9,000cc, or nine liters.

The radical 1966 Mustang made a big splash when it debuted at the SEMA Show last November. It garnered so much attention, in fact, that Summit Racing has created a blueprint to duplicate the heartbeat of the car: the 557 big block. Built by John Bouchard, the Ford makes almost 750 horsepower and over 750 ft.-lbs. of torque on pump gas for about the price of a well-used Toyota Corolla.

Bouchard started with a 460 big block, had it bored .080 inches over, and then stuffed it with a Scat stroker rotating assembly. To see how the engine came together and check out the all-important dyno results, check out Mustang 360’s profile on the engine.

Ford enthusiasts can follow that same blueprint to build their own budget 557, starting with a Ford 460 block such as this Ford Racing block. Summit Racing has created three special combos to help complete the build without breaking the bank.

Long Block Combo

John Bouchard chose his long block components wisely—Scat stroker rotating assembly with a cast crank, forged pistons, and H-beam rods; a custom-grind COMP Cams hydraulic camshaft with .634-inch lift; Trick Flow roller lifters and timing chain set; a Ford Racing oiling system; and ARP hardware.

Induction Combo

Making 750 horsepower requires lots of airflow—and the fuel to make it burn. John Bouchard went all Trick Flow, starting with PowerPort® 325 aluminum cylinder heads with CNC Competition-Ported runners and combustion chambers. Filling those heads with air and fuel is a Trick Flow by Quick Fuel Race carburetor on an R-Series intake manifold. Other parts include Trick Flow roller rockers and chromoly pushrods.

Completer Combo

Bouchard finished up the 557 engine build with a set of Hooker Super Competition headers, an MSD Ready-to-Run Billet distributor, Trick Flow cast aluminum valve covers, and an ARP engine accessory bolt kit.

To learn more about the Kiwi Classics and Customs KSV9000 1966 Mustang, see our original post here.