I agree with Dave in the respect that current head offerings are not the limiting factor with the current block when ported properly. I do not agree that we should all bow down to TA and not have any other choices for parts suppliers. I for one like to have a choice where my parts come from for my car, business or personal use. Competition does do strange things to parts prices, generally prices will drop and margins drop at the same time, this may cause some delay in new parts development with a lack of cash flow to back up new projects. I believe that will cause a bigger problem with a niche supplier than a mass supplier that makes parts for multiple applications. I run a business myself and have to deal with competition which makes me figure out ways to beat my competitors or go hungry, the Buick suppliers will now have to do the same, welcome to the American way. Competition and a tightened margin on the work I do has made me spend time and money developing new ideas that make my business different, as long as you have something of more value you can charge more, as soon as the competition catches up your prices will need to drop until you can beat them again. Continuous improvement as the pencil pushers like to call it, or work smarter for your money as the business owner puts it.
There is more than one foundry in this country and it sounds like all the available material is being used on cylinder heads, that is not true. The performance aftermarket is no different than any other business when it comes basic economics. When there is competition between businesses, the prices will go down on products that are offered to consumers. When a single business makes and sells the only aluminum cylinder head around, it's a monopoly, no matter what the profit margin is. The one company that's in charge can list whatever price for that product knowing there will always be demand, so usually they adjust there price accordingly to reap the benefits. With Bulldog coming in as a competitor manufacturing other cylinder heads, etc. it can only help the consumer out as the cost of manufacturing Buick heads can be absorbed by the other makes they supply heads for. With making the vast amounts of heads and other products on the market I'm sure they buy more raw materials and more influence with there suppliers which will affect the bottom line and in return be an advantage towards the consumer. Plus, they're gaining the technology and the know-how of what works best from other makes and are able to cross-reference what works best into the other products they produce. With starting a competition war between businesses, the consumer always wins, there are more products to select from and the prices will be in line with the product that is offered. The one thing I learned in business is if you don't grow, you die. That's why once a business notices a demand for a product, they're going to follow up with supplying them with what they need. That's what Bulldog is doing, they're just growing.
4.50 in stroke Moldex crank + 4.600 bore(supposed max.) will get you 598.....4.40 crank=585......and 4.25=572. Those are the 3 popular Moldex selections around. Then you could get 4.15 out of a stock crank...and so on and so on. I want right in the neighborhood of 510-520 CI. And I want a better intake port to feed said CI. Hard to get excited about it just yet though.
On the flipside that more choices will hurt prices and developement. There is also the possibility that once the aftermarket Buick block is released, a set of heads that flow enough to compliment 600 cubic inches are a reality and some real world horse power figures are made available to the public there may be a whole new influx of racers looking to build a Buick.
As long as there is interest in Buicks, there will always be a supplier. With new competition it raises the bar for better products for our vehicles and it pushes the manufactures to meet or excede customer's expectations.
Skip, the heads being discussed here are for the 455. P.A. E. is not involved in these other than being a distributor for them. I have been in contact with Bulldog discussing some features and such. He approached me and said, I f I do a head , will you sell it? I said sure , why not. I am familiar with his stuff and am impressed, so I'm not worried about the end product. Jim Burek
I have heard some nasty rumors floating around so I thought I'd set the record straight. I have not seen the posts but I have heard through the grapevine that someone has stated that the Bulldog head project has been cancelled due to lack of interest or inability to get the flow numbers wanted. Well I will tell you this, the program is in full swing and very near completion. The heads will flow 300 plus cfm out of the box on the intake side. (this is a fact) . The heads will feature 3/8 deep interlocking valve seats. The heads will come with 2.19 inch intake and 1.81 inch exhaust valves with 11/32 inch stems. We feel interlocking seats is a very important feature on an aluminum head to keep them located properly. I have seen seats in alum heads move. I was in contact today with Bulldog products about these, He assures me he will have updates for me within the next few days. We have chosen to not post alot of information on these in the past , because we were'nt ready, but we will be posting more information now . This post is not intended to start any kind of vendor war. Jim Burek P.A.E. ENTERPRISES
Great, buick big blocks are getting more vendors options every day. I believe buick motors will get more and more transplant converts when 572cui buicks are the norm. I have one engine left with ported iron heads. I'm thinking aluminum for everything. :3gears:
I'm seriously considering selling my 494" stuff in lieu of the new block. A whole lot more money, but cubes.........ahhh...what cubes can do the soul!!:Brow:
We need all the aftermarket heads we can get. I look in Summit and there is many aftermarket Chevy, Mopar and Ford heads. We need to keep up in the market. THey also need to be cheap, as they are not now. However, considering that they are Buick parts, that isn't all that possible.
2.19 inch intake and 1.81 inch exhaust valves.......drool. A little bird told me about another feature these Bulldog heads will have that will make alot of people very very very happy. I don't want to spread any rumors, so I won't mention what I heard...... hehehe :grin:
