TA block

OMG!!! This is better than porn at work!!! From the drool on my face, Im sure everyone assumes I am looking at porn, but this is SOOOOOOO much better.

How fast is Rod going these days?

Michael

 

7.37 @ 186 mph is what he has listed on his profile, there's a video of him running 7.48 on youtube

Linky: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcQa-Vm11cU

 

For those that think TA's new block is over priced here's a link for a another quality Aluminum block, www.carrollshelbyent.com/engine_aluminum_block.cfm Are machine shop built one of these 427 FE's for a customer, very cool block just like the TA block, $5400 compared to $5900 for the TA block. I called Don at Carroll Shelby ent today and asked how many of these $5400 blocks they have sold so far to date, his responce (1175). I think the reality is TA will be lucky to sell 25-50 of these blocks over the next 2-4 years. Remember this is only my 2 cents worth not meant to offened anyone but from A business point of view this is a money loser for TA. Its my opinion even with the spin off of other parts to build one of these monsters there is not enough volume to possibly make money on this project, think about all the cost for R&D to make the block plus the R&D for the new heads, camshafts, belt drive etc, etc, thats a lot of money to lay out for just a hand full of people. Looks to me like either Mike's clutch is slipping or his love for Buicks is very large. I'm not suggesting that they should put the price up but with all the lay out of cash it takes to do a project of this size and the lack of volume to even see a return on there investment, if anything there under priced. I really hope the buick community gets behind TA and supports them so these blocks will be on the shelf for many years to come, I have 2 on order and can't wait to get my hands on them, its a very exciting time for buick drag racers. Thank you TA Performance. Chris Skailing

 

We went into this knowing that we probably wont sell very many (even though we hope to). I believe the biggest reason dad did this is because of the reason you mentioned. He wants the buick community to have everything that is available for other engines, but better. That's why he goes to such an extent to make all of our parts better than anything else available. He has spent a lot of time with this engine block and its design. He tried to incorporate everything that he possibly could to make this block the best it could possibly be while still keeping it a Buick engine. There are a few things he didnt do with the block because that would have required changing fundamental aspects to the block that would have taken away what makes a buick a buick (to an extent). In essence he incorporated all desirable features into the block but kept it so you can still bolt on and install everything currently available. The same thing goes for the new head, he's doing everything he can to make the head give the most power and performance possible while still being able to be installed on current, original 455 iron engines. He could have gone with an "all out performance" path which would be designing the block and heads specifically to make maximum power, not maximum functionality. As a result, if we would have gone with the "all out performance" path, to build an engine with the new block you would be required to use the new heads, and to use the new heads you would be required to buy the new block for the combo to work properly. While we would have been able to say that we have a really kick ass engine block and heads, the result would have been that while there are now super high performance aluminum 455 blocks and heads, who besides hardcore racers would want one or have it apply to what they want out of their engine (most commonly a moderatey rebuilt 455)? This way anyone can buy one of these blocks and be able to put anything available in it and bolt on any used parts that they have and want to reuse.

Smart decision or not that's up to you, just remember that we did this for all buick enthusiasts and had the best intentions at heart. Dad put his heart and soul into this project and it means a lot to him so be certain your getting the best product available. Also, for all who complain about the price, I personally dont know what the cost will be but I can only presume that the blocks are underpriced from what they should be to make this more affordable for more people who would love to have one but are tight on funds.

 

All ye rock throwers may now tuck your tails and exit,stage right.

 

I don't think TA's ALUMINUM block is overpriced. In fact it's priced comparably with a Mopar or Indy Cylinder Head aluminum block.

Now if someone can build an aluminum Buick block that's price competitive with other brands I just hope the next step is a price competitive cast iron block so even more people can build these things.

 

We dont have readily available resources to produce an iron block like we would if we were located towards the east, so unfortunately to have an iron block made over here on the west coast it will end up costing just as much or more than the aluminum block.

 

I smell a use for the business degree I am working on. :laugh: Iron Replacement blocks from Bama!

 

One thing for sure Birmingham is the cast iron capitol of the south.

 

Once again...Congrats on this milestone TA!

Not to open up another can of worms BUT...what is the estimated timeline on the new head? Are you in drawing stage. Constructing models/blanks, etc?

Cheers, Tony

 

I believe we're still designing, but my info is old, I'll ask how the head is moving along.

 

Have you guys given any thought to licensing the production of a cast-iron block to an eastern foundry under the TA name, specifications, and quality requirements?

 

As it is, it will be difficult for TA to recover the development costs for the aluminum block. If they make an iron block that will reduce demand for the aluminum block and make the breakeven point harder to obtain (and cause them to incur additional development costs as well).

I doubt we'll see both, unless they unexpectedly start to sell hundreds of the aluminum blocks (which I would love to see!).

-Bob C.

 

I'd have to disagree. There are people like myself who will never buy an aluminum block. I think there is a larger market for a cast iron block. If the R&D costs are $50,000 (i honestly don't have any idea how much it really is), it would seem to be easier to spread that cost over the sales of 1,000 ci blocks, vs. 100 alum ones. Surely the ci would outsell the alum by at least 4 to 1.The aluminum blocks seem to appeal to all out racers, and extremely high end custom street cars. Which are a very small percentage of the Buick community. Just my opinion.

 

If they made iron blocks they'd still only sell a few of them, until such day as the junkyards dry up for OEM blocks. Most Buick owners won't have any use for any aftermarket block until they can't get a junkyard block. Why would they pay $4,000 for a TA iron block when they don't have to? Mike wouldn't be able to sell more than 50 iron blocks for the first several years. He'll probably sell half that many aluminum blocks. He knows this will most likely be a money losing proposition, but he's hoping for the best. I guarantee he did his homework on all this stuff before he started. He knows there just isn't enough market for a replacemant Buick block yet, but he doesn't want to wait until he's too old to use one himself.

 

Too late, haha we talk all the time but never do anything. For example the wagon's engine has been apart for 4 years now, it was supposed to be a freshen up, not solid storage. I know it will get to the point where I'll drag the thing out to race it and he'll have to make a pass or so just cause. Its just working up to that is the hard part. That jump for me is currently from a 15.05 T-Type to a 8.99 drag wagon.

 

Have to agree with Doug on this one. I bought 2 complete engines this week for little more than scrap price. One had been resealed, new freeze plugs and oil pump. With the gas prices we have today, a guy on a budget is looking to get rid of a 455. High scrap prices is our biggest emeny right now. I see cars all the time going to the crusher that should not be, at least without being stripped first. Twenty years from now there might be a need for an iron block, but I doubt.
Jim N.

 

Just a quick update: the blocks are currently being machined (the program is "written" and its being tested) so they're going through step by step to make sure the program is correct and that the blocks will be machined correctly.