Who has a good type IV machinist-engine builder recommendation?, Time to post your secret sources or remind everyone who's good Options

[rick 918-S]

With Jakes most recent posts and his request to have his access to the forum blocked it's time to talk about your good fortune with your local engine builders. It's clear that there are guys all over the world that know these engines very well and can build killer type IV's.

So you guys that race and AX let's hear your stories about the guys you use.

Even though Jake decided to terminate his association with us let's not forget about Len Hoffman. Without His heads Jakes engines would not have been any better than the air cooled Wisconsin I used to run my arch welder. So you could say without Len, jake wouldn't exist. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif)

So from there, Who has other head sources? How about cam? We all know the secret to a efficient air pump is how it moves it's volume. Who was Jakes cam grinder? I'm sure it's been mentioned but I likely missed that commercial.

There is a number of posts on setting up your rockers and making up your pushrods to the proper length. Anyone have a good experience or posted about this dig up the link and add it to this thread.

My hat's off to a couple guys that I can think of in the first few minutes here.

Sean Malloy. Sean builds engines, does support work for guys that race type IV's and does chassis work and anything else you need. I've been to Sean's shop and spent time really talking with him. Sean will take care of you with no drama.

Chris Folley is another guy that has gone out of his way to keep our cars moving. Chris has built and raced 914's for longer than I have owned my car. There is nothing he doesn't know about these engines. He also has Ed working at his place. Ed is a 914 dictionary on steroids. Chris recently stuck his neck and his wallet out on the chopping block and brought us a kit to repair our MAPS.

Mark De Bernardi, Most resently McMark completed an outragous engine for Rob Simes. We all know how capable Mark is. I have visited Marks shop too. You will never get a cross word from him and you will always get top notch work whether he's building you an engine or repairing your chassis on his Celette.

Let's not forget about Joe O'brien. He is currently working on a custom injected type IV for John Faure. Check out his progress at Series9. I've been to Joe's shop. It's clean and organized. Joe is building an awesome shop and growing fast in Florida's economy.

Let's here about your positive experiences. Keep it about the type IV. No bashing or Drama or I will ask the admins to lock this.

[lotus_65]

Hey Rick,

I thought I'd let you and the world know that (while I also have my issues with the aforementioned...) my Raby 2056 is FINALLY living up to expectations.

Despite a few frustrating drips, Bill Jenkins @ Dune Buggy Supply and his guys did a great job. If you wanted to stay local, I think he's worth a consideration.

But considering what I went through, I might just consider buying this one and be done with it.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[rick 918-S]

Oh ya, Bill Jenkins. He's been around forever. Nice post.

[ConeDodger]

OMG! Bill told me a few years back that he was semi-retired and just selling parts out of those tractor-trailers he had out back of the shop on Excelsior Blvd.

I used to work for Bill at Dune Buggy Supply back in high school and while I was in college. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

[MikeM]

This is a great post....I'm sure there will be tons of good info for all of us.
Thanks

[lotus_65]

OMG! Bill told me a few years back that he was semi-retired and just selling parts out of those tractor-trailers he had out back of the shop on Excelsior Blvd.

I used to work for Bill at Dune Buggy Supply back in high school and while I was in college. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

oh, he's semi-retired, but he's got a great (tho a bit messy) storefront that's attached to his house on hopkins crossroad. it'll be a air cooled vw gold mine when he finally decides he's done with working.
952 938-8877
his mechanic's name is sam, he's pretty good w/type I's & IV's

[stugray]

I am planning on using bugpatch in CA for my head CNC porting & CR adjust.

http://www.bugpatch.com/

Anyone have anything good or bad to say about them?

I also plan on using "The Engine Shop" right here in Longmont to do my balancing.
They were recommended by http://www.carquip.com/ ( a fairly reputable Porsche shop in the Boulder area)

Stu

[DBCooper]

FAT performance, of course. I can't remember the guy at Bugformance in San Jose, does a lot of SCCA car engines and all positive comments. John at Aircooled.net does T4's, as well as CB Performance, all performance oriented. If you just want a street motor any of the good bus guys do them regularly and do a good job. With a few exceptions the 914-specific parts aren't that different than the VW stuff.

[wndsnd]

Anybody out n the east coast shouldn't even think twice about using Chris Foley of Tangerine Racing. He is knowledgeable, friendly, courtious, and a pleaseure to deal with. His core business is 914 focused and If he doesn't have what you are looking for, he will help you meet your goals. Top Notch...... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif)

[AndyB]

I use and will continue to use Tangerine Racing. Good people and they are always around if I have a stupid question. After all who does know everything? They built my 2.2 L-jet and I love it.

[Tom_T]

Yes, I agree about Ron at FAT Performance in Orange CA, who has a long standing rep for street, race & off-road T-2 & T-4 motors (among others, and he has no problems giving a walk-in a tour of his shop & latest creations. Many of his creations have won the Baja 500 & 1000 over the years.

The guy I got my 74 914-2.0 parts shell had his 2.0 rebuilt by Der Buggy in Garden Grove, CA, and has been happy with the work.

Another buddy has had great luck with Bill Brewster in San Clemente CA with his pristine 71 914/4 survivor.

I also hear good things from other 914 & series 1 & 2 911, 912/912E owners about Otto's in Venice CA, as well as about our own Cap'n Krusty/John on here - who's shop is in Santa Maria CA.

I've had a great 37 year run with Hans Imports in Huntington Beach CA on all of my cars, and he'd rebuilt my 914-2.0 in '83, and our 88 Westy's 2.1 waterboxer. He was factory trained on the 914s & had inspected a dozen used ones in 1975, before I bought my 73 2L - after his "approving" it!

Unfortunately, Hans is not doing the 914s & other older aircooled cars for anyone but old customers like me. So I can't refer any to his shop except for the newer imports.

[tscrihfield]

I also agree with FAT! Love those guys! They have always come through for me...

Don weaver at EBS has been another good source for quality machine work...

And even though I think Darren at DRD needs to do better with correct lead time, his work was really great!

[carr914]

Mike Bruns. He's the Engine Manager at J-B Racing. Of course now he doesn't have time for T-4s, but when he did - Wow!

Now all he does is High HP 911 Race Motors

[Black22]

George @ European Motorworks in Inglewood, CA. They did my heads & block work. Very reasonable prices too. Very upfront and kept to their quote. I'd use them again in a minute.

We have to remember that this is where Raby gets his KB pistons too!

[TJB/914]

Hi Guys,

I reccommend Primo Petrucci Racing Engines in Farmington Hills, MI. Primo did all the work on my engines. The first time around I put in a too aggressive camshaft (my choice) and vacuum was an issue. About 2-years ago I purchased a Raby #9550 Cam kit along with new Len's heads. I again had Primo do the work. Primo is a top VW engine specialist with type-4 engines. Search my thread about 2-years ago (Tom's Camshaft Replacement) for the full story. I can't find it myself.

Tom

[rick 918-S]

Hi Guys,

I reccommend Primo Petrucci Racing Engines in Farmington Hills, MI. Primo did all the work on my engines. The first time around I put in a too aggressive camshaft (my choice) and vacuum was an issue. About 2-years ago I purchased a Raby #9550 Cam kit along with new Len's heads. I again had Primo do the work. Primo is a top VW engine specialist with type-4 engines. Search my thread about 2-years ago (Tom's Camshaft Replacement) for the full story. I can't find it myself.

Tom

Here it is. http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?sho...ic=4542&hl=

[LotusJoe]

Yes, I agree about Ron at FAT Performance in Orange CA, who has a long standing rep for street, race & off-road T-2 & T-4 motors (among others, and he has no problems giving a walk-in a tour of his shop & latest creations. Many of his creations have won the Baja 500 & 1000 over the years.

The guy I got my 74 914-2.0 parts shell had his 2.0 rebuilt by Der Buggy in Garden Grove, CA, and has been happy with the work.

Another buddy has had great luck with Bill Brewster in San Clemente CA with his pristine 71 914/4 survivor.

I also hear good things from other 914 & series 1 & 2 911, 912/912E owners about Otto's in Venice CA, as well as about our own Cap'n Krusty/John on here - who's shop is in Santa Maria CA.

I've had a great 37 year run with Hans Imports in Huntington Beach CA on all of my cars, and he'd rebuilt my 914-2.0 in '83, and our 88 Westy's 2.1 waterboxer. He was factory trained on the 914s & had inspected a dozen used ones in 1975, before I bought my 73 2L - after his "approving" it!

Unfortunately, Hans is not doing the 914s & other older aircooled cars for anyone but old customers like me. So I can't refer any to his shop except for the newer imports.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)

[speed metal army]

I spoke with Fat about parts and a build.No attitude,only helpful friendly advice and info.No holier than thou bulshit attitude at all. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) Good guys!

[HAM Inc]

Even though Jake flaked out Let's not forget about Len Hoffman. Without His heads Jakes engines would not have been any better than the air cooled Wisconsin I used to run my arch welder. So you could say without Len, jake wouldn't exist.

I appreciate the kind words, and consideration for the work I do. But let there be no doubt that Jake deserves a ton of credit too. I started my business in 1996. It grew steadily and slowly. Jake was already much more established with a wider audience than I had when we started doing business together in 2003. The two of us combining our love for R&D and air-cooled engines was good for both of us. That's why it's lasted so many years. My business really took off at that point and I have a debt of gratitude to Jake for that. Jake's business has grown too since then. But that's because he has fought hard for it, and takes an enormous amount of pride in the work and products his company sells. Some would argue too much as he takes it rather personally when someone goes medieval with one of his "babie's". As flaws go there are much worse in this age of corner-cutting and dishonesty.

But it doesn't matter how good your products are or how much effort you put into to customer service, there will always be someone out there who just can't be satisfied. Every business deals with it at some time.

I know everybody has the ability to rub folks the wrong way when caught at just the right -or wrong- time. Jake is no different. He puts up with no non-sense. And perhaps his tolerance for it is shorter than a lot of other businessman. But In the years I have dealt with him he has been nothing but fair with me and I have received countless e-mails and phone calls from folks to thank me for my involvement in their powerplants. These were customers that I had no prior interaction with because they were Jake's customers. They thanked me too because they were so pleased with the final results. Results that were made possible by Jake integrating all of the best possible ingredients to make the best possible engine.

I think every member of this forum can understand how much Jake has contributed to this community. Whether directly or not. I mean really; try for a moment to consider the state of our little sphere without Jake's fingerprints all over it for the past 10 years or so. He can be grumpy, but let's not forget the ways that's balanced with insight and help.

Let's please not throw someone under the bus because of a public disagreement with a customer whose bad experience was largely self induced and clearly an anomaly. (No one could grow a business if he conducted business the way that incendiary thread alleged)


I really hate to see this impasse and hope that once a little time goes by this community can continue on with all[i] of it's members with their diverse backgrounds working together to share info in an effort to keep these unique cars rolling.

[rick 918-S]

HI Len,

I started this thread as an option. Based on what Jake posted he's moving on. That's his decision. So let's shine some light on other corners of the type IV world. That's my point. There are guys building and machining type IV's all over the world. There are guy's like you that hopefully will still support this community. Others have been mentioned. Let's keep looking in the corners and posting about who you use or know that can provide good service at a fair price.