Question for a newb, TA blocks.

[ekool]

You'll have to forgive me for asking a potentially newb type question. However, I have been out of the scene for over 5 years now and am trying to pick up the knowledge again ;)

I remember reading about the TA special casting blocks...

What will these allow us to do? What type of cranks would these blocks utilize? Are they available yet, and if so, how much are they going for? And, will they ever be a viable solution for a street/strip car on a moderate budget?

I'm dreaming about doing another GN project, and am always looking for the most reliable equipment.

[kevin turch]

Well i dont know much about them but il try

They run about 3000 for the block alone
Im thinking you can use regular parts in them also.
They are available, a guy in our club is getting his assembled as we speak.

thats all i can help with as ill never be able to afford one :)

[NJTURBO]

You'll have to forgive me for asking a potentially newb type question. However, I have been out of the scene for over 5 years now and am trying to pick up the knowledge again ;)

I remember reading about the TA special casting blocks...

What will these allow us to do? What type of cranks would these blocks utilize? Are they available yet, and if so, how much are they going for? And, will they ever be a viable solution for a street/strip car on a moderate budget?

I'm dreaming about doing another GN project, and am always looking for the most reliable equipment.

The block is $3500.00, there will be 2 versions available on center and off center. All stock parts and some aftermarket parts will bolt right on, from what we are told. This block is a 4 bolt main block that is Aluminum. It is very close in casting to the old Stage Blocks, however most Stage blocks were cast iron and this Block is not. Production has been very slow and I do not know of anyone who has this block in and running on the street. My advice, wait until we see the big boys run them and we will know the deal. :applaus:

[1badTTA]

Yea, but isn't it $3500 for a machined block? If all the machining is already done then that will take alot off the overall price of building one.

And yes they are designed to take all stock parts. If the Eagle cranks and rods ever materialize it should make for a pretty sweet street combo.

[KendallF]

Yea, but isn't it $3500 for a machined block? If all the machining is already done then that will take alot off the overall price of building one.

And yes they are designed to take all stock parts. If the Eagle cranks and rods ever materialize it should make for a pretty sweet street combo.

The block is "machined", but only in the sense that it isn't a raw casting. John, take a look at
TA Performance's site (http://www.taperformance.com); there is a link there that has the block instructions and describes some of the work that needs to be done. The sleeves have to be seated, the bores must be honed...essentially all of the prep work that any race block would need.

Catch me on IRC if you have more questions and I can probably answer most of them.

[Reggie West]

I have been looking for one of these blocks and I can give you some info on this.

The initial run of 50 blocks have been sold. They are in the process of making more of them now. That means that it will be lat Feb before they are ready.

The cost of this second run of blocks is set to be $3900 instead of $3500. They are finding out the machine work is costing more than they expected. So far as I know, the block comes machined and ready to go. I do not know if they will bore the block to your specs. What I have been told is that the bores are set at 3.800 and you have to bore it from there if need be.

These blocks are not a 4 bolt main cap deal. They are 6 bolt main cap, there are 2 bolts per main on the outside of the block. You can see them in the attached pic ( that is a cool feature by the way ).

As far as power goes, Duttweiler dynod a TA motor ( block and heads ) it made 1180 hp and 1250 (cant remember the exact number sorry) ft lbs torque. Ken did say the heads flowed 267 cfm at 28 inches on the intake side on his bench. I am assuming this was the race version of the new heads.

This block is aluminum, there are no steel versions and it weighes 80 pounds less. This block has much thicker webbing in the lifter valley too.

I think one of the real advantages of this block will be that you can run all stock parts in it and if you decide to go to a forged crank, rods and all of that the block will take all of it as well. The big reason I am looking for one is that the Stage block we have cracked at the freeze plugs. Whats worse is that I have been told there is no real way to stop the cracking from continuing, even when you hard blok it, braze it and or pin it.

Hope that helps

[ekool]

Thats a great picture, and great info! thx for the post!

Gotta give you a rating now :)

[1badTTA]

I think that pic should be in the SOT forum as it surely did it for me :D

[NJTURBO]

I have been looking for one of these blocks and I can give you some info on this.

The initial run of 50 blocks have been sold. They are in the process of making more of them now. That means that it will be lat Feb before they are ready.

The cost of this second run of blocks is set to be $3900 instead of $3500. They are finding out the machine work is costing more than they expected. So far as I know, the block comes machined and ready to go. I do not know if they will bore the block to your specs. What I have been told is that the bores are set at 3.800 and you have to bore it from there if need be.

These blocks are not a 4 bolt main cap deal. They are 6 bolt main cap, there are 2 bolts per main on the outside of the block. You can see them in the attached pic ( that is a cool feature by the way ).

As far as power goes, Duttweiler dynod a TA motor ( block and heads ) it made 1180 hp and 1250 (cant remember the exact number sorry) ft lbs torque. Ken did say the heads flowed 267 cfm at 28 inches on the intake side on his bench. I am assuming this was the race version of the new heads.

This block is aluminum, there are no steel versions and it weighes 80 pounds less. This block has much thicker webbing in the lifter valley too.

I think one of the real advantages of this block will be that you can run all stock parts in it and if you decide to go to a forged crank, rods and all of that the block will take all of it as well. The big reason I am looking for one is that the Stage block we have cracked at the freeze plugs. Whats worse is that I have been told there is no real way to stop the cracking from continuing, even when you hard blok it, braze it and or pin it.

Hope that helps

All and All, it is a really nice block. I think allot of guys are waiting to see the results at the track. I know I am. Yes Reg you are correct about the 6 bolt main cap. :)

[Reggie West]

Well since I am being rated for it, I have some pics of the heads too.

[NJTURBO]

Well since I am being rated for it, I have some pics of the heads too.

Nice gives us another vendor, are these on the shelf and ready.

What are they getting for a set full race port if you know. :essen:

[EightSecV6]

Well, the block weighs 102.7# with studs and caps (not 80# lighter), I weighed it on my postal scale. There is ALOT of prep work and final machining required, it is not "ready to go" but it is not advertised as such either. You can expect to have to do the stuff listed in the instruction sheet to any racing engine, the only way I could see T/A doing the block ready to go is if they are assembling it. Looks like a well engineered piece and is as nics as and Dart aluminum block we have used.

[Sixgun86gn]

Wow, if the second run is going to be $3900...I'm glad I got in on the first run.Too bad for all the guys that wanted to wait to see them running if they turn out awesome.I figured that $3500 was probably not going to last,thats why I took the leap. :rock:

[HairDrier]

Well, the block weighs 102.7# with studs and caps (not 80# lighter), I weighed it on my postal scale. There is ALOT of prep work and final machining required, it is not "ready to go" but it is not advertised as such either. You can expect to have to do the stuff listed in the instruction sheet to any racing engine, the only way I could see T/A doing the block ready to go is if they are assembling it. Looks like a well engineered piece and is as nics as and Dart aluminum block we have used.

Bill I wasnt aware that Dart made aluminum blocks also. Is the TA block comparable in price to the Dart block?

[notacarlo]

Well since I am being rated for it, I have some pics of the heads too.
Did TA do any testing of either of the Aluminum heads at the nationals this year? I was all ready to buy some GN1's and then TA had to come along and open my wallet wider. :anbet:

[machinegun]

Dart makes aluminum blocks for chevy and ford but not for a Buick. The TA block is the only Buick block. He was comparing the quality between the Dart and the TA performance. Hope this helps.