New TA 455 Aluminum Block, What's up!

Discussion in 'Race 400/430/455' started by TA Perf, Jun 6, 2006.

  1. D-Con

    D-Con Kills Rats and Mice

    Configure lifter holes and galleys for use with conventional chevy lifters (flat tappet, oem hyd. rollers, solid rollers?) without any potential bleed-off issues.
     
  2. TA Perf

    TA Perf Member

    Info,
    The block has been 90% drawn for at least a year. Our pattern maker took on few quick jobs as it was put to me. That started over a year ago. He has now promised to see all TA Perf projects through. Which include 455 block, all new 455 cylinder head, 350 sp-1 intake, 350 Stg1SE alum head. Secondary projects, new 455 single 4 intake for new heads + valve cover, 350 stg1TE, Stg2SE & Stg2TE heads/ will need intake 350 sp-2.
    We are hopeful to have some blocks by summer "hopeful". I have made the decision not to deep skirt the block. It will have both trans bolt patterns, lifter tray area will look similar to the TA V6 block, motor plate attachment locations, external oil in front and rear. We are also building in the ability to cast a raised cam/tall deck version, up to 11.700". Raised cam will be belt drive only and allow strokes in the 5.500" range. Looks like the first blocks will be machined to except stock dimensioned parts, crank/cam. I was looking at a 3.0" main, but now leaning towards a 2.750". The 2.75" main block will be machined for Chevy starter as well as the crank flange will use a Chevy flywheel. I hope for this version I can come up with a one piece rear seal.
    Im going to end for now, need to get to work. Hope this helps some of you, and please think of us at TA when you need a part for your Buick, it really does help make projects like this come true.
     
  3. stage2man

    stage2man Well-Known Member

    Mike is my HERO!:TU:
     
  4. gymracer01

    gymracer01 Well-Known Member

    Mike, thanks for the info. Looks good and I like the smaller mains. Also excited about the 350 stuff. Keep it coming and will try to use more of your stuff.
    JIm Netherland
     
  5. 10sec 455

    10sec 455 Well-Known Member

    Mike,
    For one, I really don't post much on here anymore. Wouldn't it be more cost effective to make a replacement "HP" block? How many guys are going to build 2000+ hp Buick engines? I would like something I could put my stg3 heads on with a turbo or nitrous and make 1000, 1200 or whatever hp. I feel it needs to be affordable, then they will sell. What is the projected price on this block? Pontiacs have a 4340 crankshaft for about $600, thats right up my alley. Is this something you could do with the block? Well enough from me. Best of luck!
     
  6. killrbuick66455

    killrbuick66455 Well-Known Member

    Hi Mike, Sounds great on all the small and big block projects !! How much down payment to get in line of the first blocks ??
     
    Last edited: Sep 25, 2007
  7. TA Perf

    TA Perf Member

    Jeff,
    The cost will not change to build a block to handle 1000hp verse 2000+hp. Cost the same to do all the design and tooling work. This block will work just fine making only 350hp. You do know you will also be able to put your stock iron heads and intake on if that's your wish.
     
  8. staged2ny

    staged2ny Silver Level contributor

    Mike great job i'm looking forward to seeing the new block...:beer
     
  9. bigdawg70

    bigdawg70 1984 Buick Regal

    K.I.S.S it stronger webbing in bottom end better oiling and stronger lifter section. The more you deviate the more new problems your bound to have take the known issues and fix those why create more if you build a HP block that can bolt all original piece to you bound to have more happy people. A lot of it is not Buicks cant make hp it they wont stand it. Build a Block that cant stand a turbo or 3stages of nitrous and i guarantee you will see a lot more "8 second" cars around that wont have a Bowtie symbol on them
     
  10. 10sec 455

    10sec 455 Well-Known Member

    No Mike, that statement is not true. For example, you can buy a sbc block for $1800 or $5000 on up depending on the options. Same goes for cylinder heads, 320 cfm $2000, 500cfm $6000. Same tools... I still have not heard or seen a price, just have the feeling it will be out of my range along with many others. Not trying to insult you in any way, just giving you my $.02.
     
  11. mltdwn12

    mltdwn12 Founders Club Member

    Good to hear the news Mike :TU: The red cars almost done. Your timing might be just right for the orange car :Brow:
     
  12. 462bbbcamaro

    462bbbcamaro Well-Known Member

    Remember volume. The 320 cfm head you mention is $2000 because waaaaay more people are buying that level head than the 500 cfm head. The sbc market is big enough for a number of manufacturers to make a wide variety of parts. The more popular the parts, the lower the price. The Buick market is lucky to be seeing 1 new aluminum block. If they are going to make 1 block, from planning to pouring to machining, I imagine the price would stay about the same either way they do it. To throw my .02 in, I think a HD block that accepts most of the stock parts would be better from a business standpoint. While there is a market for a full race block, I think there aren't very many who would be interested in going over the 1,000 hp that a good HP block should be able to handle. I second the idea for a poll.
    Todd
     
  13. stagetwo65

    stagetwo65 Wheelie King

    A poll does no good if it's not accompanied by cash deposits. I don't really care to hear the opinions of people who want to be heard, but who will NEVER buy an aftermarket block. You'll get all kinds of responses from people who have no business getting involved, but, due to the internet, get to voice their opinion anyway? There were all kinds of internet voyeurs voicing opinions all along in the early days of the Bulldog project. Wanna know how many people plunked down money? Less than 30!! And nobody knew at that time it was going to turn into a quagmire. For all we knew at the time, the blocks would have been done and been out there by this time! We could only get 30 people to put down money on a cast iron block that was more block than 90% of us will EVER need, and now everyone wants Mike to think they're all going to buy an aluminum block!! Please!
    I plan on using an aftermarket block to make somewhere between 1000 and 1500 horsepower, if and when it becomes available. I'd like to keep as much stock-ability as possible, just so we can still call it a Buick motor. When I say that, Mike knows I'm for real and he knows I'll buy one. He actually seems to think I'll buy two, but I think he's smoking something funny! There's a bunch of guys out there who Mike knows he can count on as well, when the time comes. Then there's the rest. Internet voyeurs. Sorry guys, but I see the nonsense coming from a mile away. :rolleyes:
     
  14. Fox's Den

    Fox's Den 355Xrs

    Anybody ever price out a 454 Chevy block or a 460 Ford block. I am sure they are not cheap. You can't compare a sbc to a big Block buick they are just not the same. Someone comes out with Good new Buick stuff and then everyone wants to complain about price or when is it going to be ready. Remember...You got a BUICK the **** just costs more just like a 454 Chevy or a 460 Ford and if you don't like it just go out and put in a 350 chevy and be done with it. I know some small block Ford guys and when they go under 11 sec they need a good block and you add the chargers and nitrous and all that crap it takes a lot of money. It's the price of going fast. Deal with it or go home. I got a 350 Buick and when I can get the new parts I am going to do it so look out 455 guys here I come.:bla:

    Flatlander racing has Aluminum small block Ford and Chevy blocks for about 5 grand Chevy big block aluminum for 4300 all iron blocks rang from 17 to 2500.
     
  15. Fox's Den

    Fox's Den 355Xrs

    THANK YOU TA for thinking of us small block guys while you are making the important big block stuff.:beers2:
     
  16. Mr Big

    Mr Big Silver Level contributor

    It seems to me that most Buick engine builders are smart folks and if your building something that's going to press a stock block into unreliable territory, your really going to have to think twice about pouring $2500-$3500 into a band aid... If this block is available for 5K it becomes a no-brainer and I believe others who are building like kind engines will see it the same.

    Why build a grenade? The answer...RIGHT NOW WE DON'T HAVE A CHOICE!
    You either patch something together, step back to a reliable HP level, sit on the sidelines, or GOD forbid go over to the "dark side". (Cheby)

    The fact that only 30 people were ready to build when Bradshaw hatched his Bulldog thing is no absolute indicator. Aren't we comparing apples to oranges...different time, different product, different circumstances?


    No I don't think that 100 TA Blocks will fly out the doors the first week...But I do believe that over time this new product will be utilized by most serious Buick HP enthusiast.
     
  17. flynbuick

    flynbuick Guest

    As soon as Doug Hecker and some others use the block to build an engine that wipes up the track with the rest of the field and sets some new records more will feel compelled to have one. So it is not a question about how many will be in the first wave of buyers as it is about how many will follow after seeing the product perform.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 26, 2007
  18. stagetwo65

    stagetwo65 Wheelie King

    I hope for Mike's sake, as well as the rest of us....that this deal is a huge success and, for that matter, a huge moneymaker for TA Performance! For all the time and money Mike has put into this project, with plenty more of both still needed, he deserves to be rewarded for his efforts on our behalf. And if you know me and Mike, you know I don't worship at his alter or give him false pats on the back. I'm the first one to rip him if I think he's got it coming, and he and I have had shouting matches in hotel parking lots at several Buick events across this great land of ours! But I give him all due credit for this one, and I've known he'd follow through on building this block since the first time we spoke about it. A couple of years ago I accused him of trying to steal Bradshaw's thunder, and he assured me he was really going to build it. I believed him then, and I still do. If I haven't already said it, Thanks Mike!
     
  19. stage2man

    stage2man Well-Known Member

    Shoot! I've spent half the :dollar: of a new block with TA on my current block. I can't see why I woundn't buy one.

    How's bout a 573 kit!
     
  20. gymracer01

    gymracer01 Well-Known Member

    I have to agree with much of what Doug says. There are several people on here that are giving opinions that have no intent to buy a block. My friend and the fellow that has furnished me engines, had a deposit of $2,000 on the Bulldog block but sold his place to a Buick guy in California and is happy he did now. What I'm saying is I plan to have one in my car if it happens. I have not been a great supporter of TA because of a couple of dealings with them in the past. I don't think either was the direct result of Mike but some of his help. Anyway, I'm rethinking my view of his products and love the idea that we are going to have new parts for an engine that has been out of production for 31 years. If the things Mike says he is looking at building happens, I will be one of his strongest supporters and will give him much more business.
    JIm N.
     

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