Stage Block vs TA Aluminum Block?

[nonoss38]

I should have said "IMO" on that post. This will always be a debate to the end. (TA or Iron). Like i said (my opinion). That said. L8trh8r will have a nice build either way. Good luck and enjoy your car!

 

[L8TRH8R]

Thank you. An yeah, at the end of the day, it's all just our own opinion!

 

[750H.P.V6]

Why wouldn't you chose the piece that's PROVEN to be able to handle MUCH more power safely AND can be repaired if need be MUCH easier as well?

While it's true that an aluminum block is much easier to repair since when is it PROVEN that the TA block is able to handle MUCH more power safely? That's a bunch of nonsense, people have been making 1200-1500 H.P. with Stage II blocks for decades. The only real concern is that good ones are becoming scarce and people are hoarding them. A good condition Stage II block is a solid foundation for any H.P. build.

Neal

 

[L8TRH8R]

Guess that's kind of my point, I'd rather pay the price for a virgin block then a small fortune for a Stage 2 I have to run .040 over cause its already been down the track a few hundred passes. When I first got into these cars a stage motor was the end game plan. Don't get me wrong, I'm well aware of what stage blocks can do! Has anyone made 2k with a stage 2?

 

[chris kirk]

I'm in this posistion right now, and, decided to go with a new TA block. I'm going to use my 4340 3.400 crank, Eagle rods, GN1 heads, and anything else I can to keep the build down. I'm waiting on a quote from Nick as I'm leaning towards having him build it. Might end up having the machine work done in AZ and assemble it here, haven't really decided yet and the blocks wont be done until the end of April (hopefully) so I've got sometime to think about it. I chose to do the TA piece because to me it seems as if it's a much wiser investment at the end of the day. IMO the only reason an iron stage block would be the "desired" block is budget. Why wouldn't you chose the piece that's PROVEN to be able to handle MUCH more power safely AND can be repaired if need be MUCH easier as well?

L8TRH8R,
Is the little bit of money you'll save by putting the motor together yourself really worth it? I think you're better off having Nick do the entire job for you. I say little bit of money because at the end of the day that's what it is. We put tens and tens of $$$k's of dollars into our cars so is a couple of grand you might save really worth it? If you're already spending 20k on a motor there's not much of a difference if you save yourself a couple of $k putting it together yourself. And by no means am I a rich person I just like to do something right the first time. Now please don't take that the wrong way, for I'm not trying to insult you and you may be a very qualified and skilled mechanic, but from what I've learned about the T/A blocks is they can be tricky and I would only have certain people do the job for me and Nick is on the top of the list. Think of it this way; it's almost like a doctor treating himself or a lawyer representing himself to save a couple of dollars. Either way best of luck with your build. -Chris-

 

[750H.P.V6]

2k H.P.? To the best of my knowledge I don't think anyone has made that H.P. with a Buick V6 whether it was an iron block or aluminum. The last engine that was in John Gallina's race car supposedly made 1900 H.P. It would be a tall order to top that and I don't believe it's been done.

Neal

 

[L8TRH8R]

Thought I'd read someplace Kenny D built a twin set up that made around 2k with a TA block.

 

[m233roller]

Nope, don't think it's been done yet?? When Kenny's car ran the big number at BG he made 1812 HP at 43lbs. of boost !!

 

[Chris Hogeland]

Nope, don't think it's been done yet?? When Kenny's car ran the big number at BG he made 1812 HP at 43lbs. of boost !!

And he was using A iron stage 2 block.

 

[m233roller]

Yup sure was !!

 

[Nick Micale]

Thought I'd read someplace Kenny D built a twin set up that made around 2k with a TA block.

Mike, you, Chris and Neal should check with Kenny about the high $$$$$ and HP TA alum engines he built for customers in the middle East to compete in the sand drags/racing in the desert?

Also, I know of a few iron stage blocks that have given up on his dyno just over 1000 HP, as a matter of fact this was the case on the first run of alum blocks as he used a TA block I had reserved for a customer to replace this stage block.

The reason John Gallina did not use a TA block in either of his all-out race cars is because he had a large "stash" of iron blocks which he finally used up with his last car.

The only TA blocks that have been damaged was from internal parts giving up and causing it, this CANNOT be said for iron blocks.

I have a Stage block sitting here that has a long split in the valley and through some lifter bores, nothing came apart inside, it just gave up at some HP level around 1000 HP?

I stand by my statement is an earlier post here, "it is the smart thing to do"!

It is unbelievable how much BS it put out by the haters and uninformed about the TA block?

 

[Chris Hogeland]

Nick don't get me wrong I like the TA block. Iv done quite A few of them and have had no problem with them. They both have there + and - on each other. Iv done two stage 2 blocks for some Middle East sand racer too and they have had know issue at all with them. I have also talked to Kenny about both and know his point of view. So I'm no hater on the TA block but You can't say its any better than A stage block in my opinion.

 

[m233roller]

Nick,
I'm not debating which is stronger, better as I have very little experience with either. I was just quoting some figures Kenny gave me at BG. In fact when they hurt that Stage engine he was going for 2000 HP on the next one. I was told his Stage engine went to Dubai. I do believe the aluminum TA block is as stout as anything out there. In fact I plan on building one in my future.

 

[750H.P.V6]

Nick,

I'm not hating on the TA block, I'm just correcting what appears to be misinformation. The first item was that the TA block is proven to handle much more H.P. safely which isn't true and the second is that someone has made over 2K H.P. with one which can't be substantiated. I'm glad that TA produced a block because I can't imagine what people would have been asking for Stage II blocks if they hadn't. I'd tell you that the TA block and a good condition Stage II block are comparable as to what H.P. level can be supported.

Neal

 

[L8TRH8R]

Isn't the TA block cast from the stage 2 block? Don't aluminum race blocks usually out perform cast iron? At any rate I'm very excited.

 

[750H.P.V6]

Isn't the TA block cast from the stage 2 block? Don't aluminum race blocks usually out perform cast iron? At any rate I'm very excited.

No, the TA block is it's own design. As far as aluminum blocks out performing iron blocks I would not say that is a given either. Although not a Buick application when GM decided to create and high performance block for LS series engines they decided to use iron rather than aluminum for their LSX block. It's true to say that they also offer a C5R block which is aluminum.

Neal

 

[ZNix]

Anybody find me an off-center block yet LOL? Im sure both are strong blocks. The TA aluminum blocks gives another option to people who are looking for high horsepower. No need to bicker about the horsepower each can hold..

 

[Hot Air]

The LS3 is an aluminum block. Aluminum is more expensive than cast iron and weighs more but is repairable. IMHO, aluminum is the way to go in HP applications.
Conraf

Posted from the TurboBuick.Com mobile app

 

[rag231]

have ran cast iron stage 2 blocks on some wicked experimental combos , even with blocks that were considered welded up junk. One of those motors still run 5.40's today. I still have my cast irons blocks ready for battle. There are quite a few repaired cast irons out there just like there may be a few aluminum blocks that are beyond repair. If I remember correctly Duttwelier had a few Oldsmobile stage 2 blocks. I had my hands on one and I shipped it from Germany. I can try to dig up pictures and I still may have the valve covers.

 

[we4Mateo]

The LS3 is an aluminum block. Aluminum is more expensive than cast iron and weighs more but is repairable. IMHO, aluminum is the way to go in HP applications.
Conraf

Posted from the TurboBuick.Com mobile app

Aluminum blocks weigh more than iron blocks?