TA Perf SP-1 & Alum Head for the 350

Discussion in 'Small Block Tech' started by TA Perf, Jun 8, 2007.

  1. PGSS

    PGSS Gold Level Contributor

    Really sorry to say:oops: and absolutely 110% respect for what TA has done for Buicks but
    I think it's time for TA to build a NA maxed out ported aluminum head 350 drag car just like they did with the BBB wagon showing how great their Stage 4 and 5 heads worked.
    Who else has every piece necessary right next to them or the sources to machine some if needed and the knowledge as they built these heads.

    Edit somewhat late: These Aluminum headed builds are going no where as far as posts and times in the 1/4.
    Only 1 skylark breaking into the very high 11's with not knowing much of the specific's and is not a forum members car. There are few that have built a 350 with them but they seemed to stall with up dates.

    TA it's time to show off these heads... if they are the real deal like we think:)? 14 years is a long time waiting.
    I can't see it being about the money needed anymore.
     
    Last edited: May 10, 2021
  2. Dano

    Dano Platinum Level Contributor

    I agree. Mike's wagon was originally a 350 drag car - Ran 11's back in the 80's. Build another wagon for a new 350!
     
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  3. sean Buick 76

    sean Buick 76 Buick Nut

    They still have the 350 from the wagon on the shelf. Toss in a better cam and ported alum heads and have some fun.
     
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  4. PGSS

    PGSS Gold Level Contributor

    Even better:cool: as I didn't know the wagon was originally a 350 drag car..
     
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  5. sean Buick 76

    sean Buick 76 Buick Nut

    I don’t know the exact specs but with the 350 built really went to great efforts to make the most of the 350 before they went to a 455. I know it had a very large bore and lots of time and $ invested. I think
    That’s why Mike Jr is so interested in the 350.
     
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  6. Dano

    Dano Platinum Level Contributor

    It used to be one of the featured cars in the back of the Kenne-Bell catalog.
     
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  7. PGSS

    PGSS Gold Level Contributor

    Yup I noticed Mike Jr. GS or GS's are 350 cars.
    I was thinking Mike Senior passed the modifying 350's torch to him so he only really put his efforts to the SBB.
     
  8. Gallagher

    Gallagher Founders Club Member

    39C45D26-F9C9-44AC-9200-FABAAFDB66B0.jpeg
     
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  9. PGSS

    PGSS Gold Level Contributor

    Thanks Mike!
    4100 lbs. and 11.90 1/4 at 111 mph in the day:)
    I'm thinking .5 off the 1/4 with the ported aluminum's and a newer designed cam??

    Just how much more advertisement could there be if TA were to build this drag wagon for the small market SBB are in.
     
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  10. sean Buick 76

    sean Buick 76 Buick Nut

    I was talking with Mike Sr a few years ago and I suggested that they pulled that 350 off the shelf to freshen it up and use for R&D. He stated that it was all old tech and they could do a much better engine these days.
     
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  11. PGSS

    PGSS Gold Level Contributor

    Ugh! What are they waiting for??
     
  12. PGSS

    PGSS Gold Level Contributor

    A double quote reply but just how big of a bore?
    Are the 350 blocks the reason I only have seen a 355 ci. as the max or is it the heads that can't take a bigger bore?
     
  13. Dano

    Dano Platinum Level Contributor

    With a stroker, .060 over, & notching the rods for cam clearance, they can go to 378 - A board member has one. Not sure if any more than that is poss.
     
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  14. Dano

    Dano Platinum Level Contributor

    Damn Mike, that brings back memories. Largely of sitting on the phone on hold for hours but still... I had a Mark 2 KB 350 350 cam & then a C118.
     
  15. sean Buick 76

    sean Buick 76 Buick Nut

    The TA 350 was 75 thou overbore, however that only works if you find a good block and that takes time and money sonic testing. Also this does reduce the cylinder wall thickness which could lead to reliability issues. Normally we suggest 30 over unless sonic testing is completed.

    Then there is the stroke issue, yes stroke can be added by offset grinding the crank and using a smaller rod big end. Some are using nascar takeout rods and custom pistons to match. 20-25 cubic inches can be gained this way but there are two catches.

    1. It’s a costly hassle, offset grinding the crank takes some skill and many shops these days can’t properly do this. I helped a guy do a stroked 350 however the shop messed up his crank so I had to tear down a 30,000 mile engine to get a new crank to start over, very costly and frustrating. Also anyone going this route should buy a spare set of 8 rods because the nascar takeout rods won’t always be available in the length you buy.

    2. The big end of the rods is super close to the camshaft lobes. Adding stroke makes this worse, and the rods normally need to be grinded to add clearance even to the point if weakening the rods in some cases. Then the further issue is that the roller cams have larger lobes and that further exacerbates the issue.

    Custom steel rods are about $2500 vs $600 for forged stock length. Alum rods are too large and further the cam to rod issue, alum needs to have more material in the big end vs steel.

    King cranks can make a stroked crank but that’s about $3000.

    In closing I find sticking with a 30 thou bore and stock stroke allows a larger better roller cam, while using stock length low cost rods and pistons. Also anytime we are using a power adder strength is of more concern vs cubic inches. A friend of mine just made 1000 rear wheel hp with a stock bottom end 5.3 with good heads and a $300 turbo, on a blow through Holley carb. So I stick to 355 cubes.

     
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  16. Mart

    Mart Gold level member

    I'm sure some guys would like to have a recipe for a n/a 350 combo that = X & X results.
    Torque Tech & Kenne-bell used to do that years ago.
     
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  17. Jim Blackwood

    Jim Blackwood Well-Known Member

    I used the Nascar rods but stuck with the stock stroke for the same reasons.

    Jim
     
  18. Mart

    Mart Gold level member

    Demko had to knock Molnar rod corners off staying with stock stroke & roller cam. Don't forget to rebalance.
     
  19. Storm1

    Storm1 Silver Level contributor

    I had to do that also.
     
  20. Jim Blackwood

    Jim Blackwood Well-Known Member

    Both engines come home next weekend. One has Carillo, the other has Pankl. I heard the two have merged, not sure which one came out on top. Turns out both rod sets came from the same engine builder and the bearings were a bit of a challenge to find. Not exactly an OEM catalog item.

    On my 7" Scat (FHF) rods in the 340 I had to mill the shoulders of the rods a smidge but it really wasn't enough to affect the balance. We'll see on these if it's even necessary. Also, it looks like with light pistons, rods and wrist pins a late 350 crank can be internally balanced without adding weight. Something worth considering.

    Jim
     

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