Are We Stifling Creativity? |
|
Porsche, and the Porsche crest are registered trademarks of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG.
This site is not affiliated with Porsche in any way. Its only purpose is to provide an online forum for car enthusiasts. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners. |
|
Are We Stifling Creativity? |
McMark |
Mar 8 2008, 01:49 PM
Post
#1
|
914 Freak! Group: Retired Admin Posts: 20,179 Joined: 13-March 03 From: Grand Rapids, MI Member No.: 419 Region Association: None |
This forum is a great place to share ideas and get some feedback. Over the years we have built up a broad base of 'common knowledge'. The problem with common knowledge is that it can stifle creativity. For example, we just had a thread about large bore four cylinder motors, and it immediately received the standard response (myself included). It was also suggested that the place to talk about new and experimental ideas for these motors is another site.
I'm just worried that people are afraid to post about their new ideas, for fear of being told why it won't work, why they should have done something else, etc. In fact I know of one person who sent out a really cool email about some 914 work he did, but didn't post it here for exactly the reason above. What's the 914World like from your perspective? |
Jake Raby |
Mar 10 2008, 11:19 AM
Post
#2
|
Engine Surgeon Group: Members Posts: 9,394 Joined: 31-August 03 From: Lost Member No.: 1,095 Region Association: South East States |
OK... Here is my dollars worth.
I'll limit my post to the "MassIVe engine, because I could give a damn less about complaining about what anyone does with any other aspect of their car. When I started my promotion of the TIV engine it was 1997. The engine was an ugly duckling and while some shops (like FAT Performance) had been able to understand and manipulate the engine most others hadn't. The engine was filled with mystery and because of that it was impossible for a novice to correctly configure one that wasn't a hot running, oil leaking, valve seat dropping pig. At that point I saw huge potential in the engine as I had good luck with them in the past and knew that with modern communication (internet) that the engines could be revitalized and info shared that would make them what they hadn't been for the past 30 years. The Type 1 and 911 engines were mega successful because there was tons of reference for builders and the engine was more understood because more people had manipulated it. I wanted that for the Type 4 and from that point forward I have been working to reduce the guesswork associated with the manipulation of the Type 4 engine and working to get it used in more vehicles. Creativity: Its expensive and the TIV is absolutely intolerant to half assed efforts. If you give this engine a chance it will kick you in the balls until you puke and it will do it over and over again! Part of what I have done may have hurt creativity, but that has been necessary to get the engine where it is today, somewhere it has never been before. The Type 4 is it's own beast. 911, TI and Chevy knowledge won't do it's creators any good at all. The worst efforts I have seen with this engine have come from those treating the engine "like" something else. Many say "Its just an engine", those people make the mistakes and don't do their homework. They lose their ass when it blows up and teaches them who the boss really is. I see this weekly! So in a way this thread make me very happy because I feel that a bit of creativity stifling has been necessary to get a solid foundation set for the engine and show what it is capable of with the proper approach and preparation. That being said I have always assumed the role of the experimental guinea pig. I have spent the money and taken the time to produce insane projects that have changed the minds of many and has proven to others that this engine can be used for extreme power, remain reliable and have decent longevity. I do not feel that EVERY enthusiast should have to assume a role such as mine, but they did prior to my efforts with this engine. Ten years ago a post like this would not have existed and I would not be able to walk in on a Monday morning having just stomped the shit out of 28 Type 1 powered vehicles at the biggest aircooled HP event on the east coast with two TIV powered vehicles, walking away with near 200 RWHP N/A on 89 octane pump gas and 206 lb/ft of torque with ungodly fuel efficiency. Now, that being said my video series will continue to help people create these engines in a proven manner and will help set foundations for "creativity" to enter back into the world of the "Big 4"... BUT the need for super creativity is reduced when you can bolt together a 200HP engine and not have to guess about anything, not timing, not jetting and not exhaust... (and have a video walk you through the whole experience step by step) Ten years ago that was a pipe dream. I have had to piss off lots of people to make it a successful effort and I will continue to push the limits and break hearts. Years ago when I started with the TIV I heard a different set of gripes about a lack of performance parts, no HP and that they blew up all the time.. Today I am getting criticized for making things too standardized and straight forward and thats the biggest compliment I have had in a long, long time. In closing I will say that in times past I have shared more information about how and why we do things. I have had this information used against me by an unscrupulous person and since that day I haven't shared nearly as much as I once did. This info cost me hundreds of thousands of dollars to acquire and years of my life to apply. I will not give that to anyone and will quickly set you straight if you believe that I OWE it to YOU. |
Lo-Fi Version | Time is now: 10th June 2024 - 07:46 PM |
All rights reserved 914World.com © since 2002 |
914World.com is the fastest growing online 914 community! We have it all, classifieds, events, forums, vendors, parts, autocross, racing, technical articles, events calendar, newsletter, restoration, gallery, archives, history and more for your Porsche 914 ... |