Release Date HA! Good one. All I can tell you is what they told me. I am in no way tied together with this Edelbrock head development. The only thing I did was talk to the rep at the PRI show. They told me 6 months, and that was in the begining of December. Who knows anything for certain these days. All I know is I'm glad my name isn't Dick Bradshaw right at this moment! That's exactly why I don't advertise any longer. I can hradly keep up with the orders I have, much less looking for more. The last thing that I want to do is say that I can deliver something, and then take three years (plus) to do it. Jez, somehow I got this thread all mixed up with the Bulldog block project. Please excuse me. It's just that the whole Bulldog block issue really has me upset. I don't care what ANYONE says, there is no excuse for what has gone down so far!! COME ON MIKE, BUILD US THAT ALUMINUM BLOCK!!!!!!!
Edelbrock Versus TA Hey guys I haven't been on line much BUT----- Thanks soooo much for a facinating afternoon! Thats how long it took me to go through your posts on the Edelbrock versus TA heads, facinating banter as I was just researching the now controversial Edelbrock # 60049 heads! I could not get through to the Tech line,(Busy signal all day yesterday) even camping out on their line today. I was looking for information on the Edelbrock heads and without a doubt I found a remarkable cross section of opinions and data on the subject. My project is to build and install a 455 upgrade to my 70 GS350 car cloned to a GSX-gotta have those BBB Torque. Thanks to all of you for setting me straight-I should have and will, go with my gut instinct on a supplier-TA I look forward to picking your brains on all the other challenges I will face in building this outstanding engine! Thanks again Robin Cook
Those Bulldog blocks are getting to be a nasty topic on here. I can't believe a company would keep everyone on a hook like that and not produce. Also, I noticed someone taking deposits for the block on ebay this week. That is crazy! Why push more people to sink more money into a black hole. Wait till the company fills its current orders before adding more to it. ou:
I can't believe what I'm reading here.......the hate and distain, some of you sound like Ford guys (just kidding). First let me start with the group of persons here who have bad mouth a cylinder head they have not even TOUCHED!!!! Did you "experts" every consider that Edelbrock may have been looking to the guy who wants to build a mild 430 or 455 that doesn't directly compete with TA's cylinder heads. The supply of useable "good" iron heads is drying up and the ones that are out there can be costly to rebuild or repair. To the accuation that Edelbrock only knows Chevy is boulderdash, and engine is an engine, they are all air pumps. Through design of the port configuration is what gets the fuel/air mixture in and the exhuast out, and that is fluid dynamics, NOT chevy-ford-chrysler fluid dynamics, it is not engine specific except in the constrains of exhaust, intake, and basic shape packaging. The use of the Chevy rocker arm configuration, think cost TO THE CONSUMER! there are a hell of alot more Chevy roller rockers (and ratio) from various companies, which doesn't lock the Buick builder into a having to purchase from only one supplier. Those that say the Chevy rocker system is junk that breaks studs, pulls them from the head (which is immaterial cause the Edelbrock head uses screwed in studs that are helicoiled), most of that is caused by the engine builder not the fault of design, if you don't believe me I can show a whole lotta small and big blocks running the factory stuff and have not broken a damn thing, and I will start in my own garage. Is the Buick shaft rocker system better, yes if you run a lot cam lift or 8000 and higher RPM, but for the average Buick that turns 5800 a Chevy stud mounted roller rocker is more than good. Look at the cost of the TD shaft roller rocker system, now think that those who don't want a rebuilt 30 year old rocker shaft system but can't spend the kind of money required to get the TD rockers, this is a very good viable alternative. Let me be clear I have close ties to the Engineer who did the Buick head, and he isn't some jughead that can't build anything except a chevy. I know the Edelbrock cylinder head engineering ideas, they make them for the average street engine, and give thick port walls for porting (can you do alot of grinding on the iron head without hitting water???), and a thicker head surface thickness so you have good clamping at the block to stop blown head gaskets. To the charge that Edelbrock is looking to cash in on the Buick thing.....ARE YOU PEOPLE HIGH???? don't you think that there is a head they could have made that would have WAY more profitable, that is just a stupid thought. The thought that Edelbrock is driven by the bean counters is just a straight out lie, the cylinders heads that I have worked with have the Highest quality parts in them (B&B valves, ARP hardware), do they purchase by price, yes, do they scrimp on quality to do it, NO! I know for a fact that Edelbrock runs every cylinder headdesign on an engine on their Dyno, I help them get their 455 that they built. That is another straight out fabrication about they didn't test the design, why get a engine then??? Here is your choice, pissoff Edelbrock and get nothing new from them for your engines, and may even lose the stuff made now, get stuck with a few suppliers and the high cost that they need to charge due to low volume. To make things even worst, those few suppliers could put out junk (you've people have been lucky so far) in the future and where will you be then, HMMMM? Some of you are snobs, you don't like it because it uses a (proven) Chevrolet design??? That is so short sighted. Another thing said here is, "Edelbrock should have contacted us on how to design this head" that is SOOOOOOOO arrogant, what makes you think you are the ONLY Buick or cylinder port experts? There are quite a few opinionated people on here who call themselves experts, but do you know who they really are looking out for? I am a Buick Fan since my teenage years, but I found it difficult to run a BBB due to cost of parts and the fact that I have a garage full of Chevy parts, I had a GTO too but lets not go there, I have done quite a few engines. I will always have a soft spot for the Buick Engines, but you make me embarassed to admit that due to your snobbery and bitterness. Maybe you should see if the design fails before bad mouthing it. Maybe you should consider praising Edelbrock for designing for a engine that has a small but devoted following. In other words....GET YOUR HEAD OUTTA YOUR A****
WOW!!! One heck of a first post there Qship! I don't really care for the way you have tried make your point, and I do not agree with everything you say, but you are right about one thing: its all pure speculation till they come out and we see how well they perform on the dyno and more importantly: on the track. Just my opinion
Qship, when we voice our opinions on here, we sign our posts, thanks. TA Performance's largest concern is that a part like this fragments the market. The head will probably fill a small niche that is vacant at the moment and will continue to grow, but we could have easily addressed that with our (TA's) current resources. We already sell quite a few Performer and B4B intakes, and we don't BS anyone when they call, if they're combo doesn't require a single plane intake, we don't just sell them OUR intake. I'm sure we will offer the E heads and after evaluation, determine where they will be best suited. TA has had a good respectful relationship with Edelbrock over the years, no one stepped on either's toes. We at TA have 3 modern GTO's with LS1/LS6 and LS2. Edelbrock just came out with heads for those right? We have some Spare LS6 heads around, maybe we'll check them out. Within ten years every single piece of the Buick 455 will need to be in reproduction in order to maintain it. TA Performance relies on current sales to generate the funds to continually bring to market those necessary parts as well as speed parts that continue to keep the Buick competetive. I'm sure Edelbrock will not improve their portfolio by much with this product and probably will not lose much $ either. But, the profit from those cylinder heads that Edelbrock sells, like many of us feel, is going nowhere that benefits the Buick's future. At this rate the Stage 6 heads are never coming back off the shelf for finalization. And 1000 HP normally aspirated would be so nice from a ... Buick! Dave TA Performance
Qship I agree with you. I think that there is room for the Edelbrock heads and TA's and Bulldogs. I run into so many guys that have buicks. But have never heard of TA /Torque Tech or Poston some remeber Kenny belle. There's still a fair amount of people. With out computer access. and lets face it. sometimes it's very hard get a TA catalog.I dont know about Poston's I haven't requested one in years. These are the ones that will benifit from Eldelbrock being so visible in summit and jegs also magazine and TV. Hard to miss there adds. The more stronger running Buicks the more guys interested in buicks start digging and find info on why there buick motors built by the local chevy specailist machince shop wont stay together. Once they get bit,wanting to go faster hello TA. Win Win situation.
heads in response to qship' s post. if they where so interested in buicks where have the been for 20 years. the last production built 455 car was in 76?no torquer or rpm manifolds? and no 350 buick parts at all. they could have moved alittle faster on this and any other buick parts. andy
I am no expert, but i AM a potential customer. This new head may, or may not be the ticket, we'll see. I just hope this "engineer" friend of yours didn't listen to the guys that can't afford to run a BBB, and design this head around those chevy parts laying in the garage.
Let me start by saying that I don't think all of those here have been acting poorly. Dave, I have had dealings with your company, and I can say that you are a great company that is concerned for the consumer. You do a great job gauging your consumers, and for your size do a awesome job turning out quality product. I to this day will only use the TA rear end covers on my Chevelles. This post was in no way directed at TA or your personal. Northcorner: You would freeze out anyone that wants a mild engine because the only avalilable option for rockers is a $ 600 (I saw that quoted here, so I don't know that it is correct) or rebuilt 30 year old stuff, when a viable option is avalilable. Alec296: Read my post again, Edelbrock hasn't been in the market for the Buick because IT IS A VERY LIMITED market. The powers at Edelbrock desided to try a Cylinder Head because there were calls for it, small numbers but enough. I have been asking for a 350 Buick intake and will continue too. Texas Ranger: That is why you should be thanking Edelbrock for the head, it will generate interest in great engines that have been ignored for too long, and thank for helping me to clear up my point. This post was never directed at the companies that already product equipment for the Buick, I actually thank them for there support of a market that has been shuned. I was directing this at the LUGHEADs that were complaining about a Head they have never seen how it performs, or made guesses as to how it was developed and tested, and that it used in their opinion inferior design. Complaining from a nitch market will not get more product, it may lose the product you already have. Yes this was my first post here, I am on other sites for the A-body cars, but the lack of class by some just got my hackles up. P.S. Dave why don't you contact Edelbrock about a consortium deal for a cylinder and intake for the 350 engine....HMMMM. They are happy to work with other companies on designs to bring a good product to market, maybe you can even decuss having your current 455 heads done by them, that may save you and your costumers cash....just a thought.
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As a lughead with 2 sets of stage 2 heads, why not produce a head for an engine (350 Buick)that isn't already being made? What's the objective here?
Now add the price of the shaft mounted roller rockers to the price of those heads...... If you were building a budget (I know I am snickering at the thought) Buick 455, one that isn't going to be 500 inches and turn 6500, but you wanted the security of the good NEW rockers, all the while keeping the wife at bay, the morgage paid, the kids in shoes....... then the Edelbrock might be an alternative. If you would read what I posted to Dave @ TA you'll see that I think those that are going all out, well then the TA's maybe just what you need. Remember people there are people not trying to build a 700hp BBB that is only at home on the track. My lughead comment is about the comments made when no one here knows or has tested the Edelbrock heads and that sir is being a lughead.
People with entry level combos or wanting a replacement head would not even need roller rockers. A set of brand new 455 rockers is only $150. With the E head the way it is, they are forced into the different rockers. OR if they already have the Buick style rockers on their iron heads, they would have to change. We (TA) have our V6 SI & SE heads. SI takes stock type rockers or rollers for stock heads and our SE head takes a specific rocker. Several people opt for the SI head (though it does not perform as well as the SE head) because they can re-use their rockers. Dave
