Merlin Heads

mgbloke · Post by **mgbloke** » Sat May 23, 2009 3:27 pm

Anyone got news as to what is happening at Real Steel.
I have phoned them at least 7 times and every time I get "they will be ready next month"
Had them on order for 15month now.

Anyone on the waiting list?

Mark

Speed 8 · Post by **Speed 8** » Sat May 23, 2009 4:36 pm

Yep.

Phoned them about 2 weeks ago. Expected delivery about July - August.

On order since early December.

HairbearTE · Post by **HairbearTE** » Sat May 23, 2009 5:39 pm

It'll be back order, ie until enough payments are taken there won't be a production run.

CastleMGBV8 · Post by **CastleMGBV8** » Sat May 23, 2009 6:30 pm

Mark,

The new TA Performance heads for the Buick/Rover V8 engine will be available in about 3 months and the full race version is suggested to out flow even Wildcat heads.

Kevin.

kokkolanpoika · Post by **kokkolanpoika** » Sat May 23, 2009 7:23 pm

I have heard that Real steel is buying CNC machine + other milling machine that they can do all machining by them self.. Thats maybe the reason why you have to wait those heads..? But i live in Finland and i dont know is this true?

mgbv8 · Post by **mgbv8** » Sat May 23, 2009 7:28 pm

Kev!!
Have you got a link to those TA heads ??

Sounds like they might be worth a look as the price to get mine maxxed out is around 1700 notes...

Boosted LS1 · Post by **Boosted LS1** » Sat May 23, 2009 7:43 pm

HairbearTE wrote:It'll be back order, ie until enough payments are taken there won't be a production run.

It's annoying if a business takes the money and doesn't tell you this. Happened to me once some years ago. After 12 months of waiting I gave up.

Post by **Coops** » Sat May 23, 2009 7:46 pm

mgbv8 wrote:Kev!!
Have you got a link to those TA heads ??

Sounds like they might be worth a look as the price to get mine maxxed out is around 1700 notes...

i got me eye on them heads too Pel

Greg55_99 · Post by **Greg55_99** » Sat May 23, 2009 9:22 pm

thev8kid wrote:
mgbv8 wrote:Kev!!
Have you got a link to those TA heads ??

Sounds like they might be worth a look as the price to get mine maxxed out is around 1700 notes...
i got me eye on them heads too Pel

Coming soon....

Greg

HairbearTE · Post by **HairbearTE** » Sat May 23, 2009 10:28 pm

^^^ that is probably the main reason whr RS dosen't want to invest heavily and stock up on Merlins..

CastleMGBV8 · Post by **CastleMGBV8** » Sat May 23, 2009 11:37 pm

Still a bit short on information on the final spec of these heads.

I'm assuming that the eventual valve sizes may have to come down a little due to the smaller bore size of 94mm and the smaller chamber size reuired for the rover but the valves appear to be close to the centre line of the bore so possibly not much smaller.

The V6 heads run 1.94 in. & 1.60 Ex. valves

The V6 heads are on page 18 of their catalogue.

http://www.taperformance.com/www/PDF/TA ... atalog.pdf

Will report back with any further news.

Kevin.

mgbloke · Post by **mgbloke** » Sun May 24, 2009 8:20 am

Ive been told that I am 7th on the list for the RS heads and the next batch will consist of 10 pairs.
I have not been asked for a deposit!
Last time I spoke to them they said that after May they will concentrate all their efforts on the heads and was told first batch will be ready in June.
Im not holding my breath though.
Mark

Speed 8 · Post by **Speed 8** » Sun May 24, 2009 8:45 am

I'm 14th on their list. Hope to receive them by when the winter arrives. If not I’m considering either TA or stage 3 rover heads. Will be running a 5.0 Wildcat bottom end and I’m satisfied with around 310bhp. The main advantage for me is that my forged pistons already have valve cut outs based on the Rover heads. Read somewhere that it might not be such a good idea to re-cut forged pistons. Won't be revving the sh*t out of it though...

HairbearTE · Post by **HairbearTE** » Sun May 24, 2009 9:28 am

Speed 8 wrote:I'm 14th on their list. Hope to receive them by when the winter arrives. If not I’m considering either TA or stage 3 rover heads. Will be running a 5.0 Wildcat bottom end and I’m satisfied with around 310bhp. The main advantage for me is that my forged pistons already have valve cut outs based on the Rover heads. Read somewhere that it might not be such a good idea to re-cut forged pistons. Won't be revving the sh*t out of it though...

You will have check clearances and/or re-cut the pistons with the Merlins, they have moved the valves to the centerline of the bore too. If you don't want too mess around and still need 310hp i'd consider a set of TVR heads from a 5ltr griff etc which are widely agreed to be stage 4.

mgbloke · Post by **mgbloke** » Fri Jul 17, 2009 11:47 am

Phoned RS today and to my amazement the heads are being worked on now and will be ready within 2 weeks!
mind you I was also told this a year or so ago so not holding my breath.