Message-ID: <006001c1e6f1$16ce2500$dc540142@phx302465> From: "Nick Micale" References: <1CD88E4FBB03D611A836006097CB6AEE5698DA@ex-fossil-m02.fsrc.cec> Subject: Re: Re:Aluminum block Date: Thu, 18 Apr 2002 08:52:44 -0700 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit ----- Original Message ----- From: "Anderson, Billy R" To: Sent: Thursday, April 18, 2002 4:42 AM Subject: Re:Aluminum block > I remember several years ago, I saw a block that was cast in aluminum made > by M&A ....... > Now for the questions.....I understand that T/A bought all the casting > stuff from Wayman (owner of M&A) and the heads that will be produced are > from the M&A molds, is that correct? No, the few heads that were included in the deal were already cast but not machined. These have been redesigned by TA and include more strength especially in the deck area. The CNC programs for the heads are being currently developed, and should be done by summer. >The aluminum block that "Might" show up > in BG, is that the one that was already there once sitting on a vendor > table? Are the "new" blocks cast from the same molds(sold to T/A I think) > that Ted Wayman used years ago to cast the other blocks? If they are what > improvements have been made to eliminate the failure that occurred on the Absolutely NOT ANY M&A molds, input or design in the alum block from TA. When Mike and I first explored the V-6 block project a few years ago, it was intended to be an iron block. After his evaluation, it was decided to go with aluminum as he has lots of experience in design, casting and machining of aluminum engine parts. Also, the V-6 block is small enough to fit in his CNC machines [V-8 would not] plus much more fesable to machine alum rather than iron, there were other considerations as well. The M&A head acquisition came later as a supplement for the block project. The last design M&A's are excellent, and it was deemed better to start with this head design, rather than a complete new design. We first gathered marketing input from various Buick and other sources which made the project feasable in numbers, which the V-8 proposal never could. Further input from industry experts like Ken D., Tom Roberts and others helped shape the design Mike has at this point. It was designed for race and street, with potential power in the 1200 HP range. Since this is understandably an expensive project, the street version will be the first to the market. The basic casting however, will be the same for both, just machining differences for the raised cam version. I have personally received commitments from enough Buick owners to almost cover the first run of these blocks. This is important to recover some of the development costs so further work can proceed. Like the CNC programs for the race version. Your skepticism is understood Bill, however Ken D., who has seen the casting, and of course is familiar with the final package, feels reliable 1200 HP is available with this block. Of the 3 initial blocks cast, one was cut up to check internally, one is being used for CNC programing, and I HOPE to obtain the other as-cast block for my trip to BG in May. > The price seems to be in line with what I would expect to pay for an > aluminum race block but I am still a little skeptical as to whether or not > it will support over 1000hp (sure hope it will!!!) > Thanks, > Bill Anderson > EightSecV6@aol.com ********************************************* Nick Micale 3334 W. Marconi Ave Phoenix, AZ 85053 602-866-9908 arizonagn@earthlink.net www.ArizonaGN.com/