Aftermarket iron 455 Buick block - Interest?

How much interest would there be in an aftermarket 455 style Buick block? If you had the option of purchasing an iron replacement block with 4 bolt caps, beefed up mains, revised cooling, and reinforced webbing that still accepted all of the factory Buick parts like the oil pan and timing cover for the $3200 - $3500 range, how many of you would really step up and buy one?

I've discussed this with a vendor/manufacturer with an outstanding reputation that is willing to entertain the idea of producing a Buick block, but it would have to be worth their while financially. That means we'll need somewhere in the neighborhood of 50 - 75 blocks ordered with deposits to have the molds engineered.

I made an effort to obtain the Bulldog molds to simplify this process since all they would have to do it tweak the molds a little before production, but apparently they are not for sale. This means we are starting from scratch... and starting from scratch isn't cheap.

I need to prove that there is a realistic demand for these blocks, so if you're interested, post up :TU:

 

I Would Jump All Over That !!!!!!!!! If they want i could be there test car

 

Someone's going to have to publish some SERIOUS Program Management resumes and a business plan.

Devon

 

I discussed it with Bob Cacciotti last week. If someone wants to step forward and make it a joint effort I don't think it would be an issue. AllPontiac did a joint effort with http://www.bopengineering.com/ to get our forged cranks done.

http://www.allpontiac.com/index.htm

 

I would do it.

Regards,

455nGLIDE

 

I would get one depending on when the product should be finished

 

I would get one depending on when the product should be finished

Same here...if I could get one in six months I would wait and put my current build on ice.

Regards,

455nGLIDE
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BTW - The quality of the IA2 is second to none. If the blocks don't meet specs they are scrapped and melted down again. They stand behind every block they cast for workmanship. If there's a problem, they take care of it.

As an example the aluminum version of the IA2 Pontiac block has been over 2800hp without failure.

 

Mr. SDTempest, may we at least know your name?

Regarding lead time, in my experience the lead times will likely be measured in years from this point, understanding that you're just breaking the ice to see what market you may have, no?

What was the lead time from kickoff on the development to the delivery of the Pontiac block?

Devon

 

oh boy!!

 

I don't think that is totally unreasonable if enough people show interest and provide deposits. If I could have gotten my hands on the Bulldog molds you probably would have seen blocks in as little as 3 months.

 

Yes,I would purchase one in a heatbeat, but sorry,I'll have the cash in hand when I can see and touch the block I'm buying.The past debacle has me overly cautious
agry

 

Seeing as how you voted no to a new block I'm not really sure why you are taking such an interest in questioning my intentions. It definitely would not be years if everyone was really serious.

I need to show that there is a demand for blocks to get the ball rolling.

btw - I already have an IA2 block. I don't need a Buick block. I'm just trying to help out the BOP community.

 

You don't hang out here very often do you? This is a can of worms you don't want opened.

I do have to ask why you would want to make an aftermarket iron block? I know your going to say cost.. but what about the lack of repair factor and the extra weight. Don't tell me you can make more HP with an iron over aluminum. The extra weight is going to offset the power.

Not to mention that there are only about 10 Buick motors out there that require an aftermarket block. There is no demand for an aftermarket IRON block. Most Buick failures are blamed on the block when really it's tuning issues. The stock block has been pushed to 1500hp. If your that far into it step up to the aluminum block. The average Buick motor is 650 hp or Less. The stock block can handle that easy.

My brother-in-law has 4 IA Iron Pontiac blocks. Although they are great he would kill for an Aluminum one because they are sooooooooooo heavy.

You have at it though. If you can come up with the 50-75 commitments for blocks... with a deposit... and you can handle the demands and challenges that are thrown your way.. you have at it. More power to you.

I just want to let you know I don't care who your backing is your not getting a block done in six months.

Danie'

 

its my first time but do i just bend over and hold my ankles......

but seriously i hope you can get it done.......
scott

 

Because I voted for ME, MYSELF. I did not vote for the several friends of mine who share my passion for the Buick engines, some of which have been burned to the ground the last time around.

You created the poll, are you so inept at the concepts of marketing to misunderstand my personal vote for what I want or don't want for myself???

Time to regroup your business plan, bud. Time for a Market Testing 101 course for you. An internet poll isn't going to do it.


Devon

 

Thanks, guess we'll see how it turns out. If you're right and there are only a handful of guys that want blocks then this isn't going to happen. To answer your question a couple of friends of mine are wanting to make 1000hp - 1200hp Buicks without them being hand grenades. I'm trying to make that happen for them.

Tell your brother-in-law to sell a couple of those IA blocks and go buy an aluminum one from AllPontiac. They are readily available.

 

You don't hang out here very often do you? This is a can of worms you don't want opened.

I do have to ask why you would want to make an aftermarket iron block? I know your going to say cost.. but what about the lack of repair factor and the extra weight. Don't tell me you can make more HP with an iron over aluminum. The extra weight is going to offset the power.

Not to mention that there are only about 10 Buick motors out there that require an aftermarket block. There is no demand for an aftermarket IRON block. Most Buick failures are blamed on the block when really it's tuning issues. The stock block has been pushed to 1500hp. If your that far into it step up to the aluminum block. The average Buick motor is 650 hp or Less. The stock block can handle that easy.

My brother-in-law has 4 IA Iron Pontiac blocks. Although they are great he would kill for an Aluminum one because they are sooooooooooo heavy.

You have at it though. If you can come up with the 50-75 commitments for blocks... with a deposit... and you can handle the demands and challenges that are thrown your way.. you have at it. More power to you.

I just want to let you know I don't care who your backing is your not getting a block done in six months.

Danie'

How much does an aluminum block cost? How often do they get repaired? How good is competition,among vendors,for the consumer?

Regards,

455nGLIDE
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Well this isn't Bulldog so I don't know what to tell you? Thanks for the education on how a poll works. You seem like an angry guy. Cheer up, life isn't that bad :TU:

ps. I predict that by tomorrow you'll irritate me enough that I walk away from this whole thing. Congratulations in advance

pps. Your friends are lucky that you're around to look out for them

 

SDTempest, asking you to post your name is a very legitimate question. No one here knows who you are, and you seem to be trying to spearhead this deal. The Buick community is a small one, and we like to know who we are dealing with, and who is asking for our hard-earned dollars.

Many members here are STILL out thousands of dollars they paid up front for an iron block several years ago. Asking for deposits up front again for a new project... good luck. 50-75 paid orders? Good luck again.