TA perf. alum block question

[indyrich07]

I was just woundering if you guys know how much those TA perf. alum blocks are going to retail for? And when are they going to start selling them?

 

[LC2]

Do a search...you will find out info on this.
This topic pops up now and then.

Also,try this link.
http://www.taperformance.com/v6block.htm

 

[Reaper]

maybe if we ask very nice and polite like nick micale with tell us the satus. he and mike of TA have been doing alot of talk about this block.


Dathan

 

[ChrisCairns]

Yep. I used to think that they'd never get into production but it seems like it's going to happen. Perhaps in time for BG? That'd be nice...lol.

Those new aluminum blocks would sure make the old cast stage blocks obsolete.

Chris

 

[GNSCOTT]

I called them 3 months ago and they said they would have a prototype ready for testing in Jan, and if all went well they would be ready early spring. They said between 2k and 2500 for the block, and i beleive the same for the crank. I don't think a proven 6 sec block will ever be obsolete, but hopefully it will bring the prices down.

 

[ChrisCairns]

That's good to hear. And that price is right in line with what Mike said at BG last year.

BTW...who has run in the 6's with a stage block?

Chris

 

[GNSCOTT]

If i'm not mistaken Ken Dutt. did it in i beleive an olds body. but i could be mistaken....anyone??

 

[ChrisCairns]

I think you're referring to Duttweiler's runs at Bristol in 2000. That was with an Oldsmobile block.

Chris

 

[geno]

Originally posted by ChrisCairns
That's good to hear. And that price is right in line with what Mike said at BG last year.

BTW...who has run in the 6's with a stage block?

Chris

Didnt Buddy Ingersol ?He was the REAL MAN as far as im concerned

 

[geno]

He changed bodys after getting the boot out of prostock and went high 6 over 200mph im pretty sure Hows it going Chris

 

[geno]

I would have to wait untill they have had some track time to R&D the blocks before id step up (Core shift)Im not going to be the R&D for a vender The Budget roller and the first gen GN1 heads was a bad deal for everone that jumped on it before they did there home workFrom what i understand they have had a guy with a pocket knife carving away on a model for a long time. I would have thought they would have made a 3D model of it..I think they are using old school tooling and it just takes longer to do but can be done

 

[ChrisCairns]

Hi Gene...it's going good thanks.

I see you and Neal are fighting over who can fill their garage the fastest with S2 parts...lol. I also saw from your pics that you use the Costco shelving units. Me too.

Anyway, if I remember correctly, (and I usually don't,) you may be right about Ingersol....it does ring a bell. (Louder than the normal clanging in there...lol).

Chris

 

[geno]

Good to hear Chris
I hope life has been good and the Buick is fast

 

[86brick]

ChrisCairns

"I think you're referring to Duttweiler's runs at Bristol in 2000. That was with an Oldsmobile block.

Chris"

Chris, I'm pretty sure Duttweiler ran a 6.8 @2??mph with a Stage block at Bristol. I think the body or chasis was an Olds, but I don't think Olds makes a V6 capable of running 6's and Buudy Ingersol ran a 6's with the Stage block with mechanical fuel injection if I'm not mistaken and that was back in the 80's... From what I've heard Duttweiler beat Conley who was running a TT BBC motor in a Camaro body(ran a 6.9 @207mph I think)... I'm pretty sure it was a 448ci Chevy motor with two PT-78 turbos... Pretty funny how a 274ci TT V6 can beat a 448ci TT V8 Buicks rule!!!

 

[used2hav1]

yeah, i agree...i don't think the cutlass that duttweiler was running was an olds block.....take a look..scroll down to D http://www.draglist.com/lists/pst.txt

 

[EightSecV6]

Ken D was in fact running a version of the stage block, it had Buick heads, the bottom end used BB Chevy caps and hardware throughout, it used an Olds front cover and pan bolt pattern, I believe it used a custom (not Buick) crank and rods too.There were only a few of these produced for class racing in Europe, they were classified as Oldsmobiles. Ron Palm landed one of these when he bought out Ruggles, very neat looking piece.
Bill Anderson

 

[ChrisCairns]

Originally posted by EightSecV6
Ken D was in fact running a version of the stage block, it had Buick heads, the bottom end used BB Chevy caps and hardware throughout, it used an Olds front cover and pan bolt pattern, I believe it used a custom (not Buick) crank and rods too.There were only a few of these produced for class racing in Europe, they were classified as Oldsmobiles. Ron Palm landed one of these when he bought out Ruggles, very neat looking piece.
Bill Anderson

So that's where Ron got all his S2 pieces from. Each year at BG he has his little trailer full of them. I even bought some S2 heads from him one year...took them home with me on the plane as luggage...lol...and they're still sitting on my shelf.

I knew Ken ran the Buick heads....didn't know about the rest of the menagerie...thanks Bill.

I heard, don't know if it's true though....that that engine Duttweiler built was for a customer, and that Ken used Bristol as a "proving ground" for it....then took it back to his shop, refreshed it and turned it over to the customer. Any truth to this??

Chris

 

[Nick Micale]

Originally posted by geno
I would have to wait untill they have had some track time to R&D the blocks before id step up (Core shift)Im not going to be the R&D for a vender The Budget roller and the first gen GN1 heads was a bad deal for everone that jumped on it before they did there home workFrom what i understand they have had a guy with a pocket knife carving away on a model for a long time. I would have thought they would have made a 3D model of it..I think they are using old school tooling and it just takes longer to do but can be done

Geno, let me give you some info you may not have. Mike at T/A Performance has done aluminum heads for Buick big-blocks for about 10 years. He recently redesigned, cast and machined the big-block timing cover as they have been out of production for years. The T/A aluminum intake manifolds for the 350 and 455 Buick V-8 are done by the pallet load. In all of these projects the customers received products that were proven performers.

The Buick V-6 block project has been in the works for over 3 years. Prior to that, Mike was investigating a new V-8 block, but lack of interest from the Buick community doomed that posibility.

As far as "old school tooling" , that must just be your opinion. Mike has 2 state-of-the-art CNC machines in-house that will be machining the blocks as they do the heads, covers, etc. The pattern makers and foundry are VERY experienced in this type work as they have produced many quality products including race blocks.

One of the "consultants" on this project has been Ken D. and feels the block will be able to withstand in excess of 1000 HP.
Maybe not a lot in race circles, but the block is initially being made as a stock replacement that will utilize all exsisting 3.8 internal components.

Before the first block is sold, extensive dyno and field testing will have been done. This should commence early this Spring. If you want to stay up-dated, check with the T/A Perf web site or direct any inquires to me. Won't be long before "stock" blocks will consistantly and reliably run in the 9's!

 

[Steve Wood]

Mike T is a doer, not a talker. He is using his money on this project rather than asking others to pay in advance. I think that provides a lot of incentive to try to get it right. It is not quite there but it is getting close.

There have been a lot of naysayers and a lot of misinformation over the past year tossed around. I think some must have resented a BB guy doing something with turbos. I don't see anyone else taking the risk and putting his money where his mouth is....in fact, Mike has hardly opened his mouth. I guess he has been to busy doing.

If you visit his web site, you will find some pretty sweet pieces. We bought a BB front cover and blue printed oil pump assembly and it was a work of art.

Geno, you will have company in the nines, next year, I think!!

 

[geno]

Sorry i didnt mean to come across negative on the project Ive been a Tool Maker for 21+ years and know what a project like this takes I just didnt see how the block could come out by (Early Spring like GNSCOTT Posted)if the first one has not been produced yet and tested.I have NO dout it will be what everyone will want(I know i will) Ive been watching this for a while and hope to see some at the track soon I want one so i can quit playing with these weak 109 blocks I just still see alot of work ahead yet Ive seen some of there parts and they a top notch and expect this block will be the same My hats off to a guy that would fund this by himself . It costs alot of money to do what he is doing..I wish them all the luck in the world because they may hold the future of our cars.....By the time i quit braking 109 blocks there wont be any left LOL Steve i got lucky and ran some 9,s.There is some other guys out there with full weight cars that have done it with stock computers and iron heads like Ryan Guy Besides i just put my stock block is up for sale on this mesage board I want to build a S2 off center for next summer..