Krauser 4 valve heads

[kiwiabbo]

Hi all. Just wondering if anyone may know what a set of these heads would be worth and what they think of them.
Cheers Dan

[SteveD]

Worth? Dunno, but they do seem to advertise for silly prices. Without being too flippant, as much as one is prepared to pay comes to mind.

Terms like "unreliability" seem to be used when they're discussed. Others will be more aware of the technical reasons.

[Garnet]

A set just sold on Ebay in the US for about $2600.

Go back a couple of pages on this board and you will find a long discussion on them.

Edit for bad spaallin.

[vanzen]

The value of a K4V kit will be whatever a buyer is willing to throw down.
Limited production, a finite number of kits, and fewer hard parts remaining –
Scarcity has increased the value to those who will appreciate the period technology.
The kits were expensive when introduced and that price would be a helluva deal today.

K4V kits have been given a bad reputation, some of this is deserved,
but I will say that the greater damage was due to unrealistic marketing by the U.S. distributor –
Early kits had porosity and oiling issues that were soon resolved by Krauser in subsequent production.
All of the kits were tough on the stock BMW front cam bushings and lifters -
parts that were never engineered for the loads they would encounter with the K4V kit.
But it also seems that, here in the States especially, the kits were purchased by a consumer
led to believe that he could "just slap it onto his BMW" at home, in his spare time, for huge HP & torque gains.
Installed as per Lufty's nefarious ad campaign and without regard to Krauser's intentions and instructions –
The K4V performed quite poorly.

Many consumers purchased the kit without even realizing that Krauser supplied the kit
with unfinished ports & valve seats
and intended that the kit would be checked, measured, machined, and installed correctly
by a competent engine builder ...
or, in ignorance, dismissed these essential steps as unnecessary.
And then bitched about the quality of the product.

In spite of the ad hype by Lufty in their catalogues and promo articles planted in the MC rags,
it was essential that a competent engine builder and machinist fit and install the K4V kit
to assure reliable and promised performance.
The K4V seems to enjoy a more positive rep in Europe where this was understood.

[mattcfish]

I'll trade you parts for them. What do you need????

What's it worth....It depends on how complete your kit is and what condition it's in.
The last seller on eBay included a complete top end and cam. A buyer needs the special pistons and cam to use the heads.

[mattcfish]

Anybody notice that Eurotech is stocking parts for Krausers.
http://www.eurotechmotorsports.com/form ... ucttype=ZZ