In 1999, the last 25 stage II blocks were machined by the factory.
It was then I had a discussion with Mike, owner of TA Performance, about him making a Stage 2 block. After a few months of planning including a designer/engineer which had done many small parts for the Buick V-8's and a few V-6 parts.
Mike and the designer decided to make an alum block vs. iron as many new factory and aftermarket companies had transitioned to alum blocks from cast iron.
Mike obtained a complete set of Buick factory blueprints for Stage II. Many upgrades and changes were incorporated into the final alum block design.
Three blocks were initially cast, and 2 were machined, one off-center, one on-center, the 3rd was not machined, but cut apart to verify conformation to the plans.
The off-center block was machined and assembled by Zimmerman Racing Engines and it was dis-assembled 3 times to verify oiling passages and other critical areas.
This was a 3 month process of verification at the shop before it was installed in my race car.
With over 1000 9 sec. runs, it never had a bearing failure, and still is performing excellent!
