quote:Originally posted by PanteraDoug:
The performance market for Clevelands is now very, very small....The Pantera performance market? Is there one?
Apparently the value of the Edelbrock A331 intake is less than you think. It's less than a new intake from Australia. They are few and far between, but the demand is not that great. Few owners are considering the use of A3 heads.
I disagree with you Doug regarding the performance market for C parts. Panteras (and Cobras) are small markets within a larger market that includes vehicles manufactured in Australia (Oz) as well as the US. Even if the number of vehicles involved in that larger, overall market, is small enough to only earn the title "niche market", manufaturers do value niche markets in todays economy.
There are MORE hi po C parts manufactured today than there were in the '70s & '80s. consider this.
A new aluminum block is forthcoming from SJ Performance of Australia, new alloy heads are manufactured by AFD, CHI, Blue Thunder, Brodix AND Edelbrock. Trick flow is rumored to have heads in the works as well. NEW intake manifold designs are available from CHI, TFC, Power Heads, Parker AND Edelbrock. Old designs are still manufactured by Edelbrock, Weiand, Blue Thunder. Trick Flow is introducing a fuel injection manifold later this year.
Scat and others have crankshaft kits available for the C.
Romac & Roll Master & Yella Terra make the most bitchen balancers, timing sets & rocker arm assemblies you've ever seen. Crane, Crower, Comp Cams continue to manufacture & sell their various valve train parts for the C. All the piston manufacturers continue to churn out slugs for the C. Aftermarket ignitions (distributors) continue to be manufactured (something the C shares with the 385 series). Manley, Milodon & Moroso are still carrying their parts for the C, and Ferrea is manufacturing valves for the C. The list goes on & on.
The only thing not manufactured "yet" is a performance engine block in cast iron.
From my perspective, the fact that new parts are being developed as I write this, means the market for C parts is not perceived as shrinking by these manufacturers. They must perceive it as a viable market, or they wouldn't invest money in it.
I'm very happy with the performance parts market for the C, we have choices we never had before. The C motor, has never had the same level of aftermarket parts supply as the small block Chevy or the Windsor Ford, but Oldmobile & Pontiac guys have always been jealous of the parts available for a Cleveland. If the Cleveland performance aftermarket is "very, very, small" as you described it, what was it in the '70s & '80s?
If a person spent their time only chasing old parts like XE blocks & A3 heads, I can see how their perception might be that of a dwindling parts supply. But reality is, that is not the case.
Look at the time! I've got to shower & get to work, later!
George