TA block

They are in the final stages, from what I understand they are about 4-5 weeks away but give them a call to confirm that. Chris

 

They have all but 10 blocks machined I believe. The shop machining them decided to work on someone else's stuff for a while so we got put on hold for a bit :spank: And no, there shouldnt be any problem with the block being weak, we designed it to be bullet proof :3gears: Thick here, thick there, reinforced everywhere.

 

Excellent,i will be in for a 600ci Buick motor soon!!

 

:gp: :TU: :3gears:

 

Was wondering what kind of changes you would need to make to produce the block in iron?

Also, theorectically speaking, do you think it would affect (lower) the price significantly?

Its a beautiful peice of engineering, and i saw someone mentioned the iron thing a little ways back. If iron brought the price down at all close to the block prices that DART produces for example, i bet the demand would be pretty high (yes even if it was much heavier).

The factory BBB days are numbered and i think its great you guys are doing something to keep it alive.

Cheers.

 

It would require completely different molds and tools to be made and it would actually be more expensive for us to cast it in iron , that's one of the reasons why they're made of aluminum

 

Dang, i thought u might have an answer like that.

Oh well, i guess ill continue saving.

 

We're still looking for ways to lower the cost of the block, there's just no one on the west coast that can cast iron for cheap and even having it done back east we couldn't find anyone that would do it any cheaper than what the aluminum is costing us. We're talking to a Pontiac guy that makes blocks to see if where he has his done can be any cheaper so we're workin on it

 

Im sure you guys considered many avenues to get the cost down, and i dont doubt that you did the best you could, but even still its expensive.

What about CNC? Im not sure what a billet that size would cost, but some auto manufacturers like lexus i think CNC their aluminum blocks.

 

Hella expensive haha, its all machining (expensive to program and long run time) to turn a solid chunk of aluminum (also really expensive) into an engine block. The reason all the other make of engines are so cheap is because they're more mass produced which lowers cost, we've made under 50 whereas they make 500+ it stinks, we know =\ :moonu:

 

Yea ive written the program and produced CNC stuff but in very small quantities and size. Something like a name tag basically. The cost was small i guess but i guess an engine is very complex.

Anyway, its nice to know you are in fact trying to lower the price, so ill leave it to ya.

 

we're workin on it

 

I sent you a PM with a contact.

 

Got it, thanks bud

 

Hi everyone, we're being told that the machine shop is still working on the blocks (its a long process per block with multiple operations) and that they think they'll be done sometime in July. I've had a few people wondering why they're taking so long and are upset about how we'll give a time frame and then it is passed and a lack of communication. The blocks are at the machine shop as you can see in some previous pictures, its just that the shop decided to take on 2 other much bigger (tons of cylinder heads and blocks) projects from other companies even though our blocks were there, and set us aside. Despite all of dads arguing and complaining and his countless phone calls, there wasn't much he could do to get the man on the other line to get our stuff done except wait until he finished the other stuff. SO, as it stands they're working on the blocks, I'll see if I can maybe get some pictures. If anyone ever has any questions about the blocks, please either post them here so I can see them, send me a PM so I'm sure to see it, or call the shop and talk to the man in charge Thank you everyone who has a block on order for your patience and support and everyone else for your continuing support.

 

Thanks for the update Mike.
Cheers
Royden

 

Mike,

I appreciate your taking the time to get these right. I have a deposit on a TA block and I'm looking forward to getting it, but I'm willing to wait.

Thanks again. :3gears:

 

My question is this - once the blocks are done, are the rest of the parts going to be available to put one together?

I spoke to Mike Sr a couple of weeks ago and he said they don't have the cam blanks yet - that they have been ordered but he had gotten no confirmation and that he had heard rumors that the company he ordered them from was notorious for taking forever - up to a year. He went on to say that he was about to go to another source. Also, when are heads going to be available that have the 6 bolt hole provisions - Mike said the new castings of the Stage 2 SE and TE would have the update but no Stage 3s or 4s until they deplete current inventory. What about cranks, lifters, etc - readily available within a reasonable time or long waits?

I am about to embark on new territory for a Buick GS and would love to be able to stay with the BBB or at least the TA version but I've got to make a call soon as the car is almost ready to go the chassis shop.

 

???

I've got to make a decision soon. I don't mind waiting a reasonable amount of time but I don't want to be sitting here a year from now waiting on cams or whatever else to finish.

 

which one isnt available the 55mm or the 54mm. i was told there was someone working on the 55mm but i ordered mine with the 54mm cam journals.

Cody