The first 12 bolt rear end covers were made by GEIS,I got mine in the 70's.There is a patent pending embosed on the cover,so I assume they had the first patent,then the patent ran out and other companys,incl TA started to produce them,but TA was the first to do it.I applaud them for creating this much needed part.The TA cover looks identical to the Geis cover I still have on Scat. gary
I really dont think they will be $1800 really,Jegs has all the "off brand" heads at under $800 each which would be $1600 at most,high dollar chevy rockers are around $200 which would bring the cost to $1800 with rockers. Lets see stage 1 heads from TA $1500 (bare),stage 1 stainless valves $200,valvesprings $100-$150,retainers and locks $?,roller rockers from TA $700. Thats right around $2500,don't really see where that is the same.I know bull dogs go for $1800,but i have seen some posts about their quality not being the best either.Add a long wait for them and ???? I am sure used TA heads are priced somewhat reasonably,but it isn't offen they come up for sale.I noticed how most here see them as an "investment",I can understand if they hold a high resale value,but its not like they are going to increase in value,which is what an investment is supposed to do.
PSmith, so far, all the pricing I have seen for the assembled EB's is $1800. Period. Speculating on what pricing may be based on other off-brand's pricing doesn't make sense. You HAVE to buy rockers with EB's. More $. When using T/A's, you don't have to buy new rockers, the stock ones will work. You could always get them later after you "heal up" a bit . What about us iron- headed people who already have the $700 T/A rockers and are looking to upgrade to aluminium heads? Many markets out there, I guess.
i think all of this talk about the EB heads is premature , we dont even know how good the head is going to be yet . Lets see some testing on them then make a decision ..mike
Thats a good point. a couple of copmpanys make the cover for the SBb and V6 and it runs for like 189-200 bucks. Granted T/a has some R&D into the redesigning but their cover is nearly twice the cost.. how? its essentially the same part. Thats why I opted for the Earick teflon job. I'll see how long that lasts though.
The TA timing cover is not even in the same world as the V6 timing covers. Those are die cast out of China and they look like they were cleaned up with a machette and the holes were cleaned up with a hammer and chisel. You obviously have never seen a TA cover. It is produced to aerospace specs. Each run of castings comes with a material specification and the castings are flawless. Core shift or other issues that castings can have are non existant with this product. This is the most important external piece on the engine. If you saw one you would say that you can recognize why it costs like it does. It still may be too much for your budget but you realize the difference. And in fairness it is only $425. Correct me if I am wrong, but I don't believe anyone has ever regreted paying for one. Dave
seems like this thread went to ta bashing(and just about any other bashing) and for flowmasters exhaust i didnt like the straight out the back exhuast (2 1/2) for my lark, and PYPES is the same , i like the ones that tuck up where they belong, the TA timing cover is good since no one else is producing it so at least you have a choice to get new or scrounge up a good used. noone says you have to like them but if you need the part you know where its at. alot of gripe here but no one saying there going to make a better part for less . andy :Smarty:
TA the only Way!!!! Hey Guys If you want to go fast!!! Its going to cost ya!!! :laugh: I had professional engine builders check out the quality parts provided by TA Performance and paid for by me to endure a 635hp. mountain motor!!! They loved every portion of my Stage2 engine!!! Quality parts mean long life and fun to run. Thanks Mike and the TA team!!
Why are you bashing the super nice TA cover. If you think YOU can make one better for less money then lets see YOU do it.
The TA cover is worth every cent!!! It pained me to cover it up with a water pump and put in the car.
What I find "interesting" is that we have not heard of them working with any BUICK Guru's .... in any camp. You would think they would want to bring someone on board who knows something about what a BBB likes and wants before they throw down the $$$ to cast heads. Do they have a test mule engine ?? What kind of #'s are they making ?? is it a stock block rebuild or performance internals ?? You would THINK they would want us to get excited and "leak" info to us...through someone they are working with. Who's going to buy these heads in a greater quantity than US here in these posts ???
I know Finishline Motorsports is some how involved with these heads. They are supposed to be making a stud girdle for them also.
This is the flow numbers of the Edelbrock pontiac head. I dont no how it made that much hp and torque.
I found this on TA's website. http://taperformance.com/tagirdle.htm Looks like they bought the remainder of the Geise patent, so TA is the ONLY legitimate maker of girdles out there... Everyone else is making knockoffs. The more I learn about TA, the more I respect them. I have not bought anything from them, yet...
Flow Numbers Guys, I said I would pass along any info I received. I received an E-mail today from Edelbrock and these are the numbers they gave me, Edelbrock 60039 RPM Buick head flow at 28 H2O Intake Exhaust Valve lift (in) flow (cfm) flow (cfm) .100 68 58 .200 127 108 .300 190 150 .400 241 173 .500 271 183 .600 275 190 Thank you, Jason Snyder EDELBROCK Corp. If these numbers are for real, they may have potential. I still don't see any big advantage to buy these over TA's, unless they would be a whole bunch cheaper than their list price, once they hit the market. For me, I'll stick with TA, I know for certain they work!!
One more thing, as I mentioned earlier, these heads will most likely not be available until spring, (or later). For most people, that would make 2007 the first real racing season to make an evaluation. Thanks, Steve
