TA built me a street 494, CNC ported Stage 2 TE heads, hydraulic roller. Got motor in car end of November and now have just under 1500 miles on it, runs awesome, cam hits hard, great idle. Longest 1 way trip so far 250 miles. Runs cool, steady oil pressure, no issue on 93 octane or with a/c on. Absolutely thrilled with motor. TA did a great job, awesome group of people. If I can spare the time, my plan is to do the Hot Rod Power Tour in June.
Sounds like you got the aluminum version of my engine being finished up by Tri-Shield right now. Hope to enjoy it as much as you do yours!
I am new to the site and have not figured out how to load pictures but will do so soon. I used the stock configuration block. The cam is a big base circle 4/7 swap hydraulic roller. The compression is 10.3. Without spending the necessary time to really tune it, it made 675 on the Dyno. in Scottsdale, with the timing at 31-32. I have since bumped the timing to 34, played around with the carb. and put on a Wilson Manifold carb spacer. There was a noticeable difference in power by these modifications and I am in Florida at sea level. A Dyno guy here told me the real number after the mods is 702. I don't know how he calculated it, or if it is BS, but based on the actual 675 number, the mods. and the noticeable difference in the car, it is probably about right. The Wilson Manifold spacer makes a noticeable difference on big blocks. The torque is unreal. Makes my nitrous 408 Ford feel like a wind up toy. I will also add, that my biggest mistake was using a March serpentine system. Too many modifications and work needed to make it fit, and customer service was useless. It is a factory GS 455, and the return fitting for the PS pump was almost right against the power steering box, no way to get any hose on it. And, I had to rebuild the pump, the bearing was bad and the seal was torn. I call March and sent them pictures about the fitment issue, and they tell me that they are guaranteed to fit the motor, not a particular application. C'mon, it is a factory motor car. I tell them about the bearing and seal issue in the pump, and the response was basically, gee, sorry, never had that problem before. The pulleys and idlers also had to be shimmed to get alignment. And now I get a loud intermittent bearing howl from some place. Now, the complete opposite, I can't say enough about the crew at TA. A lot of time and effort went into this motor to make it work the way it does. I told Mike that I drive the car a lot, and he thought of everything to make it work. I get in the car, tap the key and off I go. No leaks or anything. Their attention to detail, pride and quality of workmanship are outstanding. Same with customer service. I have done business with them for a while, but am certainly not their biggest customer, but they treated me like I was. Mike has called me to make sure I like the motor, and he sent me an email checking on it when they were closed for Christmas vacation. You don't find that anymore.
Glad to hear this. Sounds like one heck of a street engine!! Mike and TA in general do a great job. Without their efforts we would be way behind where we are today in the Buick world. I know other companies have jumped in and created some products for our Buick's, but they really don't compare to the quality of what we get from TA. You need to get some pictures posted as soon as you figure it out. Steve
Hi, I have not been able to locate the build book yet. I will post when I find. It is a custom TA grind, hydraulic roller, 4/7 swap, intake and exhaust lift in the 630s. Don't remember rest, will post when I dig out specs.
Nice to hear about your motor! Would love to see your car in the power tour in June. Keep us posted and yes Mike and the family at TA are the Best. :TU:
Drove beauty queen in St. Patrick's day parade in Fort Lauderdale yesterday. 80 degrees out, 45 minutes of idle driving, no issues. Motor went to 180ish, thermostat opened and second fan came on, never went above 175. Thank God, that would have been embarrassing, was not far behind Budweiser Clydesdales at front of parade. Using TA radiator and fan kit and water pump. Hats off to TA.
Just crossed 1 year anniversary with motor last month. Just over 3,000 miles, has been flawless. With TA's radiator and fan set up, motor has never gone above 190 degrees, (and that was only once) even in South Florida summer with a/c on in traffic. Runs 175-185 always. Did 600 mile 2 day cruise in October. Runs great at all RPMs, even bumper to bumper. The only thing I have had to do is tighten the oil pan bolts once and of course the header bolts which is expected. I have the idle at 830-870 in gear with a/c on. It's lumpy, but fine at that RPM. It will idle in gear as low as 780-800 Car has a 700 R 4 overdrive, with lock up, great on the highway. It is a totally drivable car, but it really doesn't pass many gas stations. Car will be on t.v. in the Citrus Bowl college football parade I think broadcast on Jan. 1, parade is on 12/30 in Downtown Orlando, FL. I'll be transporting a Universal Studios character, don't know which, but u won't miss the car.
