Aftermarket iron 455 Buick block - Interest?

Everyone is a cheapskate nowadays, this project will never happen without some serious investors, and I just don't see that happeneing in todays fiscal environment. Too many wannabees, wannahaves, but no one has the cash to back it up. Financially, seeing what I see here, this block would be a foolish investement for someone with the money to make it happen. Everyone wants one, but no one wants to pay for it. Same goes for the much coveted M/T headers, and that initial investement is MUCH less than this one. I personally called modern tube and got a price on a run...it was not all that bad, but I know from experience that only 1 in 20 people who say they will buy them actually show the money. Suddenly, no one has any money, this came up, that came up, etc. Big risk and gamble for any investor.

 

I'd pay up for the headers, IF and WHEN they make them the correct way; like the originals.

 

Why not Bob and frank at AllPontiac??????? ive built several Aftermarket Iron and Aluminum pontiacs and they build an Awesome Product, their blocks are extremely strong and some are running 6's with them, I also have Personally Met Both in Phoenix at Pontiac Heaven, both are great guys with the Ability to get it done, You don't need World,Dart or Brodix ect IMHO!

 

That's how this thread started. A Pontiac guy came on here with the intention of getting AllPontiac involved in making a Buick block. After a getting treated like a turd he went away.

At this point I'd say AllPontiac is aware of the interest. In order for it to move forward with them they need to come forward and say how many blocks minimum, how much of a deposit to get the ball rolling and what they need (sample block?, blueprints?, things CMM'd?). Then it would be put up or shut up time for everyone.

 

After the last "deposit" deal, it makes people not want to go out on the limb and put up that much money. My engine guy had a deposit on the "other" block that luckly he sold his spot in line before it was widely known that it was not going to happen. He still gave the guy back half his money because he thought it was a real deal. I will buy an aluminum block when I can go load it in my vehicle and pay cash for it. Not until then . I would not want an iron one. I have had good luck with factory blocks and I have several left.
Jim N.

 

This is just my opinion...

For long term and growth in block selling the public needs to WANT a Buick engine. Not just Buick guys.

If its marketed and sold only to Buick guys it will take a long time for a single company to develop multiple BB, SB, V6, Iron/Alum varieties and sell them for regular profit... if ever.

However, if it would be closer to a corporate engine (like the LS discussions) and being installed in cars owned by those outside the Buick camp but wanting something different... then maybe? Would have to be available as turn key though I think to get folks to switch. Price might still be a problem.

Is it realistic? Probably not but frankly if the alum block accepted all stock components, supported 8million horsepower and cost 50 bucks there would still be complaints about the price and issues selling volume. Whats missing is marketing IMO to those outside a forum or two and a catalog many have never heard of. No slam here, love ya TA!

Until the current blocks sell TA will be shy to invest. Given the hobby history they DID make the correct choice in skipping iron IMO but this leaves them in a spot if I read the posts correctly.

Summary:
If can sell lots of iron based engines then community grows and High HP alum sells better
If can sell lots of alum based engines then community grows and stockish iron will be easier to justify.

Getting the sales is the tough part obviously.

(My point: remember when non Buick folks used to swap Buick V6s in to other cars? Nail Head hot-rods! Capture that!)

 

That is an idea Shawn. But I'm sick of the LS stuff already. You won't believe how many people come by my race pit and show interest in my Buick NSS car. From the young that don't know what it is, to old timers that are well aware of Buick performance. They are all thrilled to see something out there that is Buick powered. If I had a strong TA Block engine and could run in the 8's, that would really set them on their ear.
Jim N.,

 

Here is the problem as I see it , you all got screwed by bulldog rt, Well bill mitchell sold over 3000 bad castings and never backed there product up, But they still get business as usual. We all can't seat around and hope to God that T/A makes a iron block. I'm sorry T/A but but your price's are high but you have the buick community backing you. Now lets say T/A started selling poor castings as like hardcore did(poor block porosity problems) Now who would you go to? Now you see the problem now. As for cost, well there is this thing called cast right technology and once you have the right mold( Which T/A does) its cheaper then you think, and lot less tooling is needed to the block. Now, you the customer win on this one because cost is cheaper and means more sales through whom ever does it. As for $6000 for a block, why? I can have a billet one for $6000 through L.S.M. Engineering. Iron blocks just like the aluminum blocks can be lighten just go check this out from L.S.M. Engineering http://www.lsmeng.com/. I don't mean no disrespect to T/A but if people would just search alittle you can find things cheaper. I did my home work on finding aftermarket heads, There is a guy that can cnc billet wet heads of any configuration you want, ya it may cost ya but I promise you this T/A can not compete with his heads. He already did two orders of dodge hemi heads that fit a bbb and them guy's are absolutely love it. I called every single head maker out there and I got the same results as this guy did on the allpontiac blocks, not enough demand but the guy at Brodix gave the number to the cnc guy. So if you are interrested let me know. The bbb community is tough if you are a newbe, trust me I know, I'm one of them but I'm to damn thick skinned to quit. I wish T/A would produce a iron block, I bet it would sell. Not everyone can tune a car and thats why they make aftermarket blocks rt.

 

Bull dog scam? I hate to open an old gooey puss sore, but what was bull dog or it looks like bull crap scam, ?
I would have to vote no, the only cast iron block im interested in is from pick and pull for 125 bucks. 75 bucks on a half price day.
The Ta block aluminimmum block comes in 3 flavors, stock , tall deck, and taller deck with raised cam.

---------- Post added at 03:29 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:26 PM ----------

WTF... This thread was started in 2010, is my computer in a time warp? Or is this site that baddly updated?

 

All it takes is for someone to vote on the poll and bang, regardless of its age, it comes right back up to the top again. It has nothing to do with the site, it's how the board's software operates.

Devon