My deleted post about 914 engines, It was off base....... Options

[ChrisFoley]

Jake,
The conclusions you drew from the recent bad experience may have been wrong but you did the right thing by expressing your concerns. If you didn't tell us how you were feeling we wouldn't know you needed some support. (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/grouphug.gif)
I know quite a few guys with RAT engines for their 914s, and they are all excited about that. (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/smile.gif)
Narrowing the choices a bit may help people get off the fence sooner, and adjusting the payment schedule to lessen your financial burden may actually help the customer as well. (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/idea.gif)

[Thorshammer]

Jake,

The problem seems to be three fold. Firstly you've had a bad day, and don't feel well. 2nd people just plain suck, bad checks overextending themselves etc.. 3rd, you may have too many engine combinations. Some people aren't up on what is better than soemthing else etc... Here's what I suggest:

1. Take a day off and go do something fun, something away from cars. For you and me, Aviation museum might do the trick. Or a really good strip club and get a "happy ending" LOL. Rent some older comedy movie like Eddie Murphy RAW, or George Carlin etc... They say laughter is the best medicine, and although this post already sound too mushy, F it.

2. I would start a page on the site of people that have backed out of engines, and listat what completion the engine is at and how much it can be bought out for. This not only should deter people from screwing around, but also provide you the ability to finish up what was started. I am sure many people would jump on this. The customer would have to eat some of his deposit, so that the new buyer would get a small price break, Everyone makes out on this deal. The cust doesn't lose all his cash, you don't lose the time invested, and the new buyer gets a motor with a little savings.

3. Due to the fact that 50% of our population has Attention Deficit Disorder, you may want to scale down the engine options/custom builds. I know thats one of the things that makes you and your shop special, but maybe a menu type system with standardized displacements for a start. and or combinations you recommend. (you may already do some of this)

1. Standard rebuild with upgraded components pistons,valves, cam, lifters, mild clean up on the head.

Option: Modify oiling for full flow, additonal oil cooler etc... whatever.

2. Street performance rebuild, Adds 20 hp over stock engine.

Options: ----------- whatever you think is the best
Best recommended combinations

CC size, engine mods potential hp for this combination

Some people just can't figure out what they need, and need to be able to see it and the cost. Maybe this will help maybe not.

Erik Madsen

PS: for those of you on Jakes ass, just remember who else you have been dealing with before he took an interest in TYPE 4's It wasn't always pretty. Anyone remember eurorace, they sucked.

[Matt Monson]

Jake,
Our somewhat heated exchange of yesterday aside, I think this community would suffer a great loss if you stopped supporting the type IV's. You'll have to forgive me for my skepticism that you really were the only one making specialized parts for these engines. If anything, the 914 world needs more shops like yours, not fewer. I am glad to hear that you have changed your mind and want to keep doing the type IV thing.

Growing a business and keeping things from not happening too quickly, or going in a direction that you don't really want to go, are very real and difficult challenges for a person. But it sounds like you are taking the right approach, and stepping back a bit to assess where you really see your business going in the future. And I think your 50% down poilicy is a great idea. That is how we do business here. Many people on this board see Carquip as a parts house, but really our core business is street and race transmissions. We don't ever start work on a gearbox without half the money on the table. Then, at the very least most of our actual cost are covered.

And thank you for the personal apology you made to me. I know that doesn't happen too often, but as I said before, it shows a humility that I respect in a person.

Now before you take down your 914 for a few months, go for a nice long drive on your favorite backroad. For some reason, a good cruise is better than any therapy I have ever known...

[Tobra]

QUOTE (Jake Raby @ Oct 17 2005, 10:00 PM)

LOL.. Nice try! My fabricator had a spot that I just could not pass up to get the Turbo plumbing all done up for the teener.... And then today I exploded the tranny in the Blue Bug taking a potential customer for a test spin (it was time for it to go)..... So I'm down to the Pinzgauer, 912E and the bus for now....

It is a nice fall day, no hurricanes within a week. I would say, take the 912 for a drive, or even better, the wife's convertible(if it is done enough), with her in it, and drive someplace with a nice view of a river or something.

BTW, after watching that video of the blue bug, I am surprised the tranny did not blow up every time you drove it hard.

Oh yeah, I will say it again, there are no refunds.

[Jake Raby]

Eric, All good points and ideas... what I have been doing is justnot finishing engines that are "backed out on"... Instead I have been fast forwarding all the engines that were later buids than the one that was backed out on and if the engine is partially assembled I either fill a test position with it, or call one of my good repeat customers to see if it will fit their needs and then I finish it off schedule on my own time... Heck a couple of times I have bought cars without engines installed one of my beasts and then sold the whole car...

Its not the $$$ that I lose or any of that, but moreover the huge hassles that come when a job stalls or dies. Generally the reason the guy backs out is because he lacks money anyway, so then they not only want to stop, but also try to get back what they had paid, because they need it... Then I have to be a cruel hard hearted Marine again and cover my own tail and its no fun.... Thats the real hard part..

There are so many ways to do this, and over the years I have tried a ton of them, but the fact is that any business like mine is tough to operate- nothing is standard and nopthing repeat, but thats the way I like it.

BTW- having so many engine combos generally doesn't complicate things for the customer, because I generally pick the platform for them based upon their information and desires. I know the traits of the engines so well that it works out really good... Many times they don't even know the job is custom or personalized.

QUOTE

Now before you take down your 914 for a few months, go for a nice long drive on your favorite backroad. For some reason, a good cruise is better than any therapy I have ever known...

Too late.... It's being "plumbed" as we speak...

[cha914]

Damn, take a couple days away from the board and all hell breaks loose...

I just want to say that your motor is some of the best money I have spent on my car, and its fun to finally seeing you get some respect in the 914 world. When I first purchased your motor, and was telling some other 914 guys about it (excited of course) I got many a blank stares or very doubtfull responces.

Up untill about a year ago, I wouldn't even mention the motor untill someone got a ride and started asking questions, but now I have had several people seek me out and start asking about the motor.

Keep up the good work, and I am trying my best to finally put some real miles on mine ... just over 4K this year so far (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/driving.gif)

Tony

2002 RAT 2056

[Jake Raby]

Great Tony!!!.... And yours was a "Small one"...LOL

Yep, don't tell them what it is till they ask..

4K miles isn't enough in one year- it should be TWICE that, so start driving it more!

[Thorshammer]

Cool Jake,

But still rent the movies it'll do you good.
One of my favorites is Harlem Nights

When Eddie Murphy and Stella Reece go at it I laugh my ass off, "you gonna hit people with garbage cans, now I'm gonna hafta cut yah"

"Vera you betta put dat razor away, or I'mgonna shoot off your pinky toe"

oh, now you gonna shoot of my pinky toe, well here it is, go ahead shoot"

Too funny.

Erik

[TJB/914]

Hi Jake,

First I think I should apologize for taking a slap to your head last night. It was done out of love & not malice. I posted about 9:30 PM trying to explain what I see in your motor program. I then went to bed because I had to get up in the morning @ 5:00 AM to be on the road. I came back early this afternoon to read my post and it's gone!!! I think the summary was what I was trying to say.

We need you in the 914 community. We all want you to build your business and enjoy what you do. Thanks for listening and hopefully I didn't offend you.

You have my complete respect.
Tom

[Jake Raby]

Nah, I didn't get offended... I have grown thick skin on the net.... In person its a different story-


No worries man- The result of my post was the fact that the few "Bad eggs" that I have received here lately were just that and that there are a ton more good guys willing to go through the processes to get my engine.

[michel richard]

QUOTE (bd1308 @ Oct 17 2005, 08:42 PM)

I will always remember what you told me: "If the screws ain't turnin' somethings burning"

Amen, brother.

[Mueller]

damn....had you dissed us 914'ers for good I could have sold* my engine parts I got from you at a nice profit and gone watercooled (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/smile.gif)


For Sale: Possibly one of the last engine kits for your 914 from Aircooled Technology...soon to be a collectors item. (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif) (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/laugh.gif)

[horizontally-opposed]

Bad days happen to all of us. I just had a bunch of 'em.

But then a Yellow Bird parks outside. (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif)

The point is not to forget this: There are ALWAYS better days ahead!

pete

[jimtab]

Jake, I've never met you but your rep precedes you. I'll pass on some of the best advice I ever got...and from a real philosopher... no shit...Alan Watts. Just remember the FROZEN SNOWBALL....because 25 million years from now, when the sun has burned out and is a dying red giant...and the earth is just a frozen snowball drifting thru space....none of this shit is gonna matter.....I don't know if it will work for you but for some reason I can always visualize that damned snowball... I guess growing up in Alaska may be a contributing factor. Please don't give up on the 914 crowd....at least until I save up enough to buy a "quickie" for the Green Hornet.....hang in there....Jim (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/aktion035.gif)

[Brando]

Every day above ground is a good day.

[ChrisFoley]

QUOTE (jimtab @ Oct 19 2005, 02:07 AM)

...and from a real philosopher... no shit...Alan Watts.

You knew Alan Watts? That's cool!
I read a lot of his books, including The Book (on the taboo against knowing who you are) and The Wisdom of Insecurity.

[guywan914]

Jake, you are an incredible asset to those 914 owners like myself who want to keep our cars tru to their heritage with a four, and to get the most possible out of that combo. I am truly thankful Chris turned me in your direction and can't wait till I turn the key and fire that baby up. Thanks for all your dedication to the type 4 and the professional manner in which my build took place. I'll let you know the second it fires in it's original home. Guy

[jimtab]

QUOTE (Racer Chris @ Oct 19 2005, 04:09 AM)

QUOTE (jimtab @ Oct 19 2005, 02:07 AM) ...and from a real philosopher... no shit...Alan Watts. You knew Alan Watts? That's cool! I read a lot of his books, including The Book (on the taboo against knowing who you are) and The Wisdom of Insecurity.

He was a scholar in residence at SJSU when I was there. I think his year was 1966. I met him twice without knowing who he was, he introduced himself as Alan, just that. We had some interesting conversations over the year or so. Wide ranging and maybe more focused after I found out who the hell to whom I was talking. I never took one of his classes but I did attend a few "retreats" and seminars he was involved in, and just hung out often.
I think he and Buckminster Fuller (another scholar in res.) were two of the most keen minds I've ever been personally exposed to, different but amazing. It was a privilege I didn't really appreciate at the time. I can recommend a further book of his, try The way of Zen.

[bmcwilli]

As someone else said...go away for a couple days and all hell breaks loose.

I missed the original thread. From what I read here, I'm glad that I missed it.

I own a nice SoCal 74 2.0. I want to start novice AX next season, and am continually conflicted about whether to put $$ into the teener (it's bone stock) or invest in a newe platform (miata, Civic Si are the leading candidates)

The possibilities that Raby Power provide, keep me on this fence.

Jake, keep the faith.

As for people who renig on their commitments, you owe them ZILCH. They willingly entered into a contract with you, you did not seek them out. If I were you, I would almost never issue a refund.

50% deposit is common practice. Make it clear that once work starts, the deposit is 100% non-refundable.

Regards,
Bryan

[DNHunt]

As someone who has been through this a few years ago. Here is my advice.

1) Make sure the car is safe. Brakes in good order? Steering and suspension in good shape?

2) Good street rubber. I know many people like the Falken Azenis

3) Spend money on the driver. Driver's skill days and any other seat time with experienced drivers helping you. To prove you need this get an experienced AX driver to co-drive your car then you try to match his time. Good Luck! Or just talk to JP.

4) Go have fun. Do the best you can against yourself for a while then spend money on upgrades if you want. Try to improve your driving first. When you can drive the heck out of that little car then move up.

Wisdom from a true middle of the pack guy who's still learning

Dave