Sean, Wow, thanks for posting that valve layout drawing I sent you. Folks, the NEW TA 350 head valve angle is not 13' it's 12' degree. I have 13 degree in my mind because our Rover/300 head was changed 13 degree. 350 head ended up at 12 degree. V6 head stayed at 10 degree. Sorry folks for the miss information.
Mike I hope you don't mind that I posted the layout? Let me know and I can delete it if that is an issue? I got the picture from Jay who you sent it to.
So any idea of pricing on a complete set of the 350 heads? I think I got the green light from the powers that be to put a set on lay a way. Tim
I talked to them yesterday and they said a few more months till they can get the heads machined... THEN let the porting begin!
TA has bought a new CNC machine and swapping out caused some delays. It should be a month or so till we have the heads in hand. The only hold up now is one that I anticipated which is there are only a limited number of heads that will be completed in this run and who knows when the next run of heads will be released. This is why I put a deposit down and will buy 2 or 3 sets of heads from the first run.
Sorry I do not know any details about the new equipment. They were saying that their very first machine will be retired and replaced with this one. Like I have said many times... People who did not get deposits down on the heads may have to wait a LONG time to get heads, as who know when the next run will be made. TA never asked for deposits but how else can you hold your place in line?
If the heads sell out quick then it would be to TA's advantage to do another run to be able to strike while the iron is hot, if not they run the risk of someone going to a sbc platform because of more readily available aftermarket support. It would also help if the new heads deliver the goods as well, this first run people are going to be watching very closely to see how the engines run with the few people that got heads for the sideline people to decide if in they are worth the $$ to them to spend on a sbb 350. o No: We'll see, until then its hurry up and wait for the next delay! Derek
I think the reason they are not doing a huge run to start is because there will be slight revisions needed to improve the design. Ta has always been really good about revising the designs to improve them as they go.... I would not be surprised if there is already a set of heads that are done and on an engine now to test the prototype.... I highly doubt they will release the head till it has been fully tested and approved.... We Know they did this with the SP-3 intake. We are so close, it is very exciting!!! And once Scotty brown has his CNC porting program sorted out we really will have bolt on performance options. Regardless of how well the heads make power out of the box they are going to be a huge step forward for us. Ta won't release a poor head, it will be awesome!
They were saying that their very first machine will be retired and replaced with this one. coming from a machining background and just retiring from a machine sale company, a 1 yr machine is out of date, especially a 5 axis machine. :Smarty: unless t/a ordered it as a 'plug and play', it will take time to work the programs, tooling and any bugs. there is no sanity claus in the machine trade.
Curious if you still believe this if the company's profitability isn't based on the machine's spindle making chips constantly. Agreed that new machines can be a long ways away from ready to use.
They may have a new machine, but do they have a person to program it for the heads? And how many whoops sees before they get it right?
it all depends what market your in. we have had customers buy 1 machine for a production job. that job will pay for the machine plus. and then sell it or trade it for something else. sounds crazy, but true. from my machining days in r&d and experimental which was old school, the new machine capability now is unbelievable. such as 2 spindles and 3 turrets going like hell. the most amazing part of the new machines is the E-stop button. it is there for amusement. why you asked....rapid positioning on some new machines is in excess of 1g or 3000 ipm. you can't think or move that fast to stop an error. we have to bolt the machines down now.
I have a similar background also and am aware of the rapid traverse speed capability of machines requiring them to be bolted down, as well as how to amortize the costs of new equipment. I don't agree that in the case of a company like TA, which may not turn spindles 24/7...a new 5 axis machine would be required every year or so to be profitable or to keep from being outdated just do the small runs of parts that they do. That's why I was curious about what type of machine they got and why it might be contributing to new product delays, other than the normal things that happen when buying such equipment. I would also look forward to knowing what other capabilities they might now have opened up...for general interest.
