Raby motor specs, pricing? Options

[DerekKim]

Ok first of all let me say if this is totally inapropriate or if you do not approve Mr. Raby please say so and mod's delete her on out.


I have been looking through the RAT website and can not find a price range for the engines. So I was wondering what all engines people on here have, what the hp and tq numbers are, and a price that they paid. Maybe also when they got it? I know the price will not be exactly the same but I am curious to know what some of the engines are being built for as a basic price line. Also how do you like the motor, is it reliable, any maintanance done etc. I am very curious or if this has been done before could someone give me some assistance via link. I'm search illiterate.

Thank you,
Derek

[carreraguy]

Ok first of all let me say if this is totally inapropriate or if you do not approve Mr. Raby please say so and mod's delete her on out.


I have been looking through the RAT website and can not find a price range for the engines. So I was wondering what all engines people on here have, what the hp and tq numbers are, and a price that they paid. Maybe also when they got it? I know the price will not be exactly the same but I am curious to know what some of the engines are being built for as a basic price line. Also how do you like the motor, is it reliable, any maintanance done etc. I am very curious or if this has been done before could someone give me some assistance via link. I'm search illiterate.

Thank you,
Derek

AFAIK Jake prefers to speak to each person individually to determine their wants and needs vs. their budget; therefore, ballpark numbers are not listed on his site.....recommend you call him. IMHO, the popular perception is that he is somewhat "pricey" although I think the majority also feel you get what you pay for. Jake won't respond to your request here either as he has (to my understanding) "sworn off" any marketing discussion on this forum re: his work. How about a Suby conversion? (I think he's working on that too)
Later,

[Joe Owensby]

I ordered one of his kits from the webpage several months ago, price was listed for that. Had a followup discussion on the phone with Jake to confirm specifics , mostly related to what type cam I needed. Jake gave me good info on what fuel systems to use, etc. Parts came in on schedule as promised. All look good. I have not gotten engine assembly complete, so I can't say more, but I am optimistic.

I based my decision to buy his kit based mostly on positive comments by members on the 914club board, and a few elsewhere; as I have other limited information on aircooled engines. Wish I could have afforded to buy a completely assembled engine. I browsed comments about some of the other engine builders, and I was not able to come up with a definitive yes for any of them- not to say they aren't good, I just couldn't find enough info to say they were. Most of all comments on the Raby engines were good.

Good luck. Joe O

[Mark Henry]

The flack started over a member who asked for a engine with all the bell’s, (nickies, stroked, fuel injection, dual TB’s, DTM, tangerine header, dyno time, labour, etc. etc.)

He almost died of sticker shock, a flame event started and he posted the quote.

Having built a similar engine and with two more in the works, I can tell you his price was not out of line.

Some say Jake is pricy but without him we would be dealing with hi-po crap that hasn’t changed since the early 80’s. These engines are expensive to work on, they do not like wrong combo’s and add to that R&D costs money. He doesn’t list prices because almost every engine he builds is custom. He can give you a ballpark (to weed out the tire kickers) but then he has to figure out a quote as to what you want.

[tracks914]

Mark:
Are you going to become the "Northern Distributor" of Ruby Engines???
Or are you just trying to have some fun with the Type IV's?

[Mark Henry]

I AM the Canadian distributor of RAT part’s…AAMOF when McMark started offering the 5K engine Jake offered me the deal first, but I declined due to the border hassles I would have had to cope with.
Between RAT and LN I have at least $20K of stuff in stock.

Most of my T4 engines are half RAT and half mine, I’ve been building engines for 18 years, Jake knew this and I’m one of the few he trusts not to screw up and to keep proprietary secrets.

[Flat VW]

I have, sort of had..., but actually do still have a Raby built 2270cc motor and it is fine, very fine.

I can't quote a price that was paid on the motor as I purchased it as part of a car built by others (see below if you wish). It has been expressed as 155 HP and people who know all said that it felt like it.

Even with a stockish ignition system, a Dansk muffler that quickly blew a seam, and stock exhaust, it made righteous power. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif)

It was a little wierd to get used to the motor in the beginning.

All my previous teener experience was with stock motors that all seemed to make mysterious sounds at certain times (harmonics), particularly on deceleration and some 'un-loaded' conditions.

With the RAT there is none of that, a very flat torque curve, and the throttle response was hot, the engine was running dual Weber carbs.


John (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wavey.gif)

[anthony]

If you need to know the ballpark figure for a built-up engine you can search out that topic and subtract all the upgrades. If I was making a wild ass guess at a ballpark price on a built engine I'd say:

engine parts (look at the prices of the kit you want - around $5,000 for the 2270 torquer)
injection ($1100 for dual Webers, $2500 for full EFI)
spark ($400 for basic Mallory and Bosch coil)
exhaust (your own or something from Jake)
add in about 30 hours of labor for building and dyno tuning $75/hour???
add in any upgrades (cryo treatment, better heads, arp studs, nickies, etc)
shipping $200-300

So my WAG ballpark range would be that an engine built by them with fuel, spark, and dyno tuned would start at $9000 for webers, and $11500 for full EFI setup plus any upgrades you add on.

BUT that is just a WAG, it's better to call Jake and get an estimate if you are serious.

[Mueller]

Like mentioned above, the "kit' prices are on his site so that'll help adding things up...


Look at this thread here: The $5K motor, it'll give a breakdown on what is included and the specs of the motor.

I believe that the $5K motor is the least expensive assembled engine offered thru Jake, you should be able to get a "kit" of parts to assemble that'll meet or exceed those numbers for less money, but it'll be more work on your end.

If you want more HP, then from him, the price is obviously going to go up....it is very easy to get sticker shock from "feature creep", the tendancy of adding options and things one wants, even if they are not entirerly needed (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[greg.treadway]

If you're serious, contact Raby. He knows his stuff and will be honest and upfront with you. Always good to do your homework because Raby has done his. There's a reason you read so much good stuff about him...

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[DerekKim]

Hello everyone. After reading through everyones posts I suppose i am a "tire kicker" right now because I partially don't want to waste Mr. Raby's time because I am just curious what the basic costs are. I will read further into it. I appreciate the posts yall.

Derek


EDIT also someone mentioned the Subaru engine conversion. I was interested in putting in an L or RS motor and buying the kit from Renegade.(I toured their shop once. Unbelieveable!) It is still in the back of my head though. If anyone who reads this and is doing a suby conversion feel free to PM me if you would like and I will take a look at some of the progress threads and what not.

[Flat VW]

He knows his stuff and will be honest and upfront with you.

[grantsfo]

Hello everyone. After reading through everyones posts I suppose i am a "tire kicker" right now because I partially don't want to waste Mr. Raby's time because I am just curious what the basic costs are. I will read further into it. I appreciate the posts yall.

Derek


EDIT also someone mentioned the Subaru engine conversion. I was interested in putting in an L or RS motor and buying the kit from Renegade.(I toured their shop once. Unbelieveable!) It is still in the back of my head though. If anyone who reads this and is doing a suby conversion feel free to PM me if you would like and I will take a look at some of the progress threads and what not.

Subaru is the way to go if you dont have to worry about PCA rules around AX and Track events. I'd go Subaru or used Porsche Six before a high priced big bore T4.

[Joe Ricard]

Derek, Nice to meet you today.
Hey YA'll There is another 914 owner on the Gulf Coast. Otherthan the Phantom Black car that is suppossedly 8 miles form me and I had still yet to see it.

Gave Derek a spin around the block and got a "Wow cool"

Got a feeling we are going to get along well, already making arrangements for the next Autocross.

Derek you et what you pay for. I am currently assembling a motor that will have some of Jake's Massaging on it.


Since you are going to school and all I say run what you got at least for this year and then make a jump to the Massive side. After you get your car to handle great. Which means I wouldn't put more than 110 HP in a car till the suspension is closer to my car.

Oh back on topic no secret to pricing you tell the man what you want to do with the car he will provide you with all the info concerning options and HP etc. Then settle on a price exactly as he has outlined on his site.

http://www.aircooledtechnology.com/order-process.htm

[carreraguy]

EDIT also someone mentioned the Subaru engine conversion. I was interested in putting in an L or RS motor and buying the kit from Renegade.(I toured their shop once. Unbelieveable!) It is still in the back of my head though. If anyone who reads this and is doing a suby conversion feel free to PM me if you would like and I will take a look at some of the progress threads and what not.

Derek:
There are a few guys doing their own Subie conversions (mine was a turn key by Renegade); the main guy that comes to mind is Tony (TONYAKAVW); one of his recent posts is at: http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=59681
Later,

[Joe Ricard]

I have been following Tony's Suby conversion.
Pretty sweet but that is one hell of alot of effort to get 140 maybe 160 HP.

[Jake Raby]

Derek,
My complete engines are not priced publically, thats because no two are the same.

The engine kits are priced on my store and are in an entirely different story than the complete engines I custom build per application.

I can help you in some way, surely.

[carreraguy]

I have been following Tony's Suby conversion.
Pretty sweet but that is one hell of alot of effort to get 140 maybe 160 HP.

Wow, I thought for sure he was getting more than that! AFAIK, the stock 2 liter WRX turbo hp is around 230 - Tony should be able to get at least that much, but I'll let him speak for himself.

I haven't dyno'ed mine yet, but Renegade estimates 250 before doing any ECU tuning. I'm getting my ECU tuned and dyno'ed Wednesday; I'll let all know how it comes out.
Later,

[race914]

So who is all running a Raby motor in SCCA on the west coast?

[DerekKim]

Hey everyone! Sorry it has been a long day. It was awesome meeting you Joe and it was also sweet meeting Rob. Learning new things about my car is always a plus! I forgot to ask you about the 1.8 thing and how to check. Also it was a little bit of a wow cool but more of a freakin sweet! I don't know if the emotions showed it but it totally got me stoked to start working on mine. The semi awesome news is I went out today with my buddy and drove the 914 up and down county farm road. She held 2nd-5th the whole time and only lost out of 2nd on the way home. I had a blast and got my buddy stoked to get another Fiero. He will be attending the AX's with me also in his Fiero. I can't wait to sell the Maxima out and get some cash to fund her. I am planning a list in my head of things I want. For now it's a get the shifting fixed but I don't think I have a sway bar. It is kind of wobbily left to rightage. A hair more than comfortable hehe. I think I need a balance also. I was gettin some shakage when I hit I-10 at about 70ish. I can't wait. Also my car is red now but I'm almost positive the original color is a light bluish color. Ok back on topic.


Jake- I'm not too familiar with the flat 4's but can you do just cam's etc and get a decent kick out of them? What all can be done semi in stages and minor things? Most likely I will leave it stock but I am very curious.

Oh and the WRX engines look sweet but I'd have to agree with Joe that I need to learn to drive it.... hard and fast. Then run better suspension and then power! Still sweet though!


Derek