Aftermarket iron 455 Buick block - Interest?

Projects such as this do not move along quickly. I'm afraid you're probably going to have to be very patient when it comes to getting any new info.

 

Not to side track again, but I'm down in Painted Post. Working for a rather large company that makes recip compressors.

Back on track it would take a few years to even bring an iron block to testing.

Bart

 

If the iron block had all mods. such as oiling issues and you could bolt everything up like a stock block, plus get in the 600cu in ballpark.
I think it would get lots of attention and sell well.

 

Does anyone know what the lead time from conception to production was on the Pontiac block? I've heard nada since I asked.

Devon

 

Hmmm, 70 say they would buy aftermarket, do you think if TA had a commitment for 70 blocks that they may be able to bring the price down a little?
Then everyone wins.And perhaps no need for a iron block.Just thinking out loud here.
gary

 

Hmmm, 70 say they would buy aftermarket, do you think if TA had a commitment for 70 blocks that they may be able to bring the price down a little?
Then everyone wins.And perhaps no need for a iron block.Just thinking out loud here.
gary

One would think so...70 commitments up front would eliminate the issue of resources being spread too thin AND possibly lower the cost a little.
However if they did follow through and this thing works it would make all of their efforts/headaches/etc. necessary for the aluminum block to be produced a tough pill to swallow ,especially if some potential aluminum customers go iron block AND if guys that were going to "band aid" their engines go with this block instead...just some thoughts here of my own.
By the way I really like the idea making a block that looks identical (easier said than done) to the original on the outside but is reinforced internally to the point of sustaining serious HP...it would add to the stealth effect. If TA had 70 commitments....well it seems like potentially there are. Maybe someone should start another poll:" Who is onboard with putting 50% down if TA is endorsing the iron block project" or something like that..... Lets see what happens if anything...this is a huge endeavor for anyone.

Best Regards,

455nGLIDE

Regards,

455NGLIDE

 

"Commitments" on an online website and real life may be 2 different things.

A real commitment would be a couple thousand $ deposit, and we all know what happened when someone else tried that.

I don't know if this survey is detailed enough - perhaps 20 out of the 70 people who voted "yes" have cash in hand and would buy a HD iron block tomorrow. Maybe some would buy if and when their current build expires. Maybe some are dreaming. o No:

Without a doubt, there is no way that a product like this can be produced by a small company that absorbs all of the costs, and that supplies ample product for all of the mass-merchandisers to stock in hopes of "if we build it, they will come".

A $3000-$3500 HD iron block that all current original parts would bolt in certainly would have a market share, just like the TA aluminum block does. However, it would appear that TA's commitment to their Al block has real sapped their resources, and throwing another project in their laps just may not be on the horizon, but only they can say.

 

It seems as though TA thought about a cast block according to Michaels comment toward the beginning...

I'm not sure if this has changed or the reasons for the cost to be more expensive. I would even suggest that a HD iron block would be done by TA. They are tied up with their block, and other projects.

What if someone with 10+ years of experience in 3D modeling, CNC machining, and foundry experience. Independently collecting data to recreate a block at no cost to anyone. Detailing and documenting upgrades including where the ideas came from while maintaining a stock appearance. Handing all models and data over to TA as they progress. So that all TA would have to do is do some follow up work dramatically reducing their time invested. Only asking for some direction in where to look AFTER providing TA SUBSTANTIAL information. I know how small of a community this is and the encroachment of Chinese made knock offs and the BD fiasco. This is just testing the waters on such an approach.

Or, does TA have enough knowledge to say that such an endeavor for a HD iron block with less features than the aluminum block is a waste of time.

Bart

 

Well, I had a little time this morning and was running through these post. As some one that races Buicks on a National level, I would sure like to have a block that I could use to run faster and harder. I guess I'm an outcast to the Buick community as I am never approached to be a part of these deals to be in on getting better parts. A person I worked with a few years ago had made a deposit on the Bulldog block. That was intended for my car. Lucky for him he sold his place in line to someone else. I race a class called Nostalgia Super Stock. We run with NMCA, Monster Mopar, Good Guys, NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion and other groups. The cars look Nostalgia, mostly 67 and older, but these Mopars with all their Indy Cylinder parts are anything but. Just this weekend in Bowling Green, a guy brought out "the first" Aluminum "409" style replacement block running in competition. I see all of these guys with these fancy parts going fast and the only thing I can do is blow up parts all the time trying to run fast or do like I do and run very conservatively and keep it together. I'm not into your Aluminum verses cast iron debate. I WANT Aluminum and a piece that can be built to larger inches and run hard and kept in one piece. I have been lucky to run my engine for 5 seasons without problems before freshening. It's getting old running low 10s when low 9's would be so easy with good parts and another 1,000 RPMs.
Just some ramblings of an old man.
Jim Netherland
Buick GS Nationals 2003 & 2004 Bracket 1 winner
2007 NMCA World Champion
Top 10 2003 to 2008 5 times NMCA
Monster Mopar Runner-up 2009 (74 cars)
67 GS400

 

Build it, and they will come. Yes, people will buy it, but it will take a few Guinna Pigs to show everyone that the blocks are tough, correct and that the product was shipped in a very timely manner when payment was sent. Good luck finding someone to drop a huge deposit to cover your foundry costs. This will be an out of pocket venture for you up to your first sale. This isn't exactly the right economic environment to be releasing something people can already purchase now in (repairable, and lighter) aluminum. Your BEST METHOD of casting this thing will be to make it look like a factory piece. Replicate the factory casting from all outwards appearances so that only "real" Buick guys with a keen eye could tell, and you'd have an awesome COVERT product.
Imagine, from all outwards appearances, an old Buick engine with a Q-jet screwed to the top of an old cast iron intake. Feeding nearly 550 cubes with 5/8" thick main webs........... Yeah baby, build it and they will come...........

 

This thing would sure have a place in the community. Many of us would have a need in the future for a better block but just couldn't pay for TA's alum one. I am very happy TA is building one for those who need it, but the iron might appeal to a bigger audience.

 

This thing would sure have a place in the community. Many of us would have a need in the future for a better block but just couldn't pay for TA's alum one. I am very happy TA is building one for those who need it, but the iron might appeal to a bigger audience.
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This block sure does have a place in the Buick community....I bet it would draw too many aluminum and non aluminum block customers for TA,...but hey for all we know its in the works and TA will do possibly the biggest thing for the Buick community yet,and that would be saying a lot.

Regards,

455nGLIDE

 

I was talking to a Pontiac guy at the track a couple of weeks ago and asked if he knew much about the "new" iron Pontiac block. He said that he still uses the OEM ones, and that there is/was issues with the new iron ones and some Pontiac people were not too happy. Issues were main cap fitment, deck porosity, cam journal roundness/straightness and Brinell hardness not to spec.

Remember, parts are only 100% perfect in a catalog.

 

Does anyone know what the lead time from conception to production was on the Pontiac block? I've heard nothing since I asked the first and second time.

Devon

 

Those blocks were made by Kauffman Racing Equipment http://www.krepower.com/ and as far as I know the issue has been resolved since they changed foundry's. There are no issues with the IA2 blocks.

 

The original molds for the Indian Adventures block (IA) were purchased by AllPontiac. The molds were revised and are what we now call the IA2 block. I don't know how long it took Indian Adventures to design the original block.

This is why I was trying to locate the owner of the Bulldog molds. Purchasing and revising their current molds would be the easiest way to get a block into production. Unfortunately, I was informed that they are not for sale.

 

Thank you for the update, James.

Devon

 

Any news?

I don't mind being labeled the village idiot for being a pessimist.

Devon

 

Where's this thread heading o No: :Smarty: