What do you do when there simply isn’t what you need made available in the market? If you’re anything like Krash Industries’ owner and founder Nick Barton, you make it yourself. The freeride/freestyle aftermarket hull manufacturer was struggling to find a suitable powerplant that could perform admirably in the grueling conditions of Australian surf, remain lightweight and somehow stay affordable. After years of building, testing and developing, he found that none truly met his gaze. That is why we made his own. New for 2017, Krash Industries is offering the KV997.
The two-cylinder 2-stroke is completely unique, with none of the parts being compatible with any of those from Yamaha, which nearly all current freeride and freestyle skis employ in some form or another. The entirely new concept was “inspired” by certain Ski-Doo and motocross 2-strokes, noting that “the Yamaha motor is outdated and has been the same thing since the 90’s.” The drafting, casting and development of the KV997 has been the culmination of “years and years of testing” and even joked, “that it was extremely difficult keeping quiet about this for as long as we did.”
Beginning with the backbone of the engine, the crankshaft is 4340 forged steel and weighs in at 7.8kg, giving the motor an 82mm stroke. Each crank is assembled using NSK C3 bearings. Nick notes, “Our rods are 144mm long giving our engine an ideal rod to stroke ratio of 1.76. All pins and surfaces are nitrate treated for increased longevity.”
The KV997’s cylinder is made from A356 high pressure die cast aluminum with pressed-in 88mm bored steel sleeves. It features four auxiliary ports, one boost port, two auxiliary exhaust ports with one main exhaust port per cylinder. “The air and fuel are feed into the intake through the side of the cylinder at a 30-degree angle and wrap around the crank as the piston plunges from TDC to BDC,” Nick continues. “The cylinders are 150mm apart to increase the inner auxiliary ports area for improved bottom end punch.”
The KV997 is fed by two “Black Ops” carburetors, with Nick explaining, “Our Black OPS Carburetors stand 84mm tall and are complimented with individual air pods and carbon fibre reeds.” But the big innovation comes in the KV997’s electrical system.
“The DC-CDI comes with four pre-set maps to take you from 70hp, 100hp, 120hp, 160hp at the rotation of the switch. The 7075-T6 flywheel weighs 1.2kg and faces away from the engine, with the pickup at the back of the flywheel this enables the user to bolt on a 384 gram total loss flywheel for more responsive power.” Also, the way the flywheel is set facing away from the motor with the pickup on the rear, making a total loss flywheel swap incredibly easy.
Additionally, Nick explained that performance upgrade packages will be available, such as the “Rev Kit” which will include a High Compression Dome Kit, Jetting Kit for Black Ops 48mm Carbs and a Total Loss Flywheel, pushing the total output of the KV997 that much further ahead. As Krash Industries prepares to launch a new, complete range of watercraft, the KV997 will be the heart of the entire lineup.
A new engine case — finally. Bravo!