TheSamba.com :: View topic - 200HP TI engine kit with step by step video. Would it work??

Fri Jan 11, 2008 2:27 pm

Count me in also......great idea...and I already have the Craftsmen tool kit! :lol:

Fri Jan 11, 2008 2:29 pm

Good idea, let see what you're going to charge.

Fri Jan 11, 2008 2:30 pm

The kits will have zero cores necessary, all kits will have new cases with ALL the machine work done..

Listen when I say all you'll need is a 100 piece craftsman tool set and a torque wrench to assemble the entire beast!

Fri Jan 11, 2008 2:34 pm

Hotrodvw wrote: Good idea, let see what you're going to charge.

You'll be suprised.. It won't be much more tha just the parts at individual retail cost..

I'll treat the program just like my TIV program in regard to the prep work.. That means I'll have a price for just a kit of parts, with the video and no prep work done at all, and then two stages of prep service with the most extensive including all the critical settings done for you.

For that we'll add about 5-700 bucks according to the kit..

This is all preliminary at this point, of course.

Fri Jan 11, 2008 2:49 pm

I'll probably be building another car shortly after the current project is done, and would definitely be interested in one of these kits. The one thing that has frustrated me the most during my current engine build has been waiting forever for the sorry vendors selling VW parts to send my stuff, then having to send half of it back after I inspect it. Your idea eliminates this frustration and would keep my excitement level up to start the next project car. I don't do things half-assed and my patience for those that do is nonexistent anymore. It would be nice to have a one source shop for a whole engine and know that you were getting what you wanted and payed for the first time.

I'll just come down and pick my kit up when I'm in Clemson for a home game.

Fri Jan 11, 2008 3:02 pm

Quote: It would be nice to have a one source shop for a whole engine and know that you were getting what you wanted and payed for the first time

Build the entire longblock without buying another part...

Even the boxes the parts come in will have serial numbers so you can open them box by box, knowing whats inside and assemble it piece by piece..

The only pain in the ass will be parts cleaning and the occasional part that misses our inspection that the assembler will find, I'll show how to inspect each component as I install it on the video...

Fri Jan 11, 2008 3:25 pm

I wouldn't mind ordering this DVD/tape.

Fri Jan 11, 2008 3:48 pm

Jake Raby wrote: DarthWeber wrote: Jake, you are the "new" Gene Berg for the 21st century. :D

Please do not use that comparison.

There are more ways to do something than my own, and I know that.

Very well said!!

Count me in, it sounds like a great idea.

Fri Jan 11, 2008 3:52 pm

cheap, fast and reliable

now with this kit we dont have to only pick two. DO IT!!!

Fri Jan 11, 2008 3:54 pm

I'm in!

Fri Jan 11, 2008 3:59 pm

unclericky wrote: cheap, fast and reliable

now with this kit we dont have to only pick two. DO IT!!!
Who said cheap?

Fri Jan 11, 2008 3:59 pm

Response has been incredible- I never expected this..

More than likely we'll do kits in batches of 10-20 at once, taking time from our regular schedule to configure the "batch" every 3-4 months.. When we get enough orders in line we'll initiate a run....

The first step will be building the development engine and swapping a couple pairs of heads/ several cams and a few different intake/exhaust arrangements on it..

This way we'll know exactly what the engine will do with any an IDF/DRLA or IDA carb arrangement.. This is info that will assist the builder with buying the most optimized components before the kit arrives..

There is no reason that an extensively prepped kit could not be built in a single weekend by someone who has never done the job before, following me step by step on DVD.

Fri Jan 11, 2008 4:00 pm

Jake Raby wrote: Response has been incredible- I never expected this..
I told you so.

Fri Jan 11, 2008 4:22 pm

Jake Raby wrote: redbluebug wrote: Stop the press. :shock: Jake did you say type 1? Great idea, if you need more ideas for the what Not to do portion, let me know :D

BTW- I have built more type 1 engines, than Type 4 engines and I continually have people ask me to build the Type 1.. I do not simply because they don't really pose any serious entertainment for me and I got tired of all the shoddy parts on the market for them.

Those shoddy parts were not worth all the assembly time that I had in them, but with a major manufacturer trying their ass off to make better parts (and using me as a tool in this development) things are better.

This way I get to teach and show the guy how to do this himself while applying my developmental work to the original "combo" for the engine recipe.

All of that, plus I don't have to be a robot assembling the same engine everyday...

It's a win/win for everyone.

I was just sassing ya Jake :D I know you know you way around a VW engine. I think it would be great asset to the community. 8)

Fri Jan 11, 2008 4:56 pm

Do you have any ideas on what size kits you will offer.

Fri Jan 11, 2008 4:56 pm

What would you use for heads? Ported in house or from another supplier?

Fri Jan 11, 2008 6:54 pm

Heads are the only "what" right now...

It does look like the demand for this will be significant enough for us to tool up for a version of our "LE" cylinder head program using the same CNC technology as our Type 4 heads.

I want to keep the kits simple and effective without the use of any custom parts.

I will say that I had a brainstorm earlier that would offer a regular (200HP pump gas) or "Race" version of the kit- the only difference being cam and CR.. This would keep the video effective for both levels equally but would add significant power for those wanting the engine for competition.

vwracerdave,
More than likely just a 1915, 2110 and 2332.... Or maybe just the 2332..

Demand determines what I do.

I am clearing my personal schedule to get on this project full time by early March.... The engine's combo should be totally optimized 6 weeks later-

Fri Jan 11, 2008 7:39 pm

I have been at Jake's shop for test sessions and helped with many. I have seen the RAT Type 4 engine kit program grom into what it is. If this is done in the same manner (And I'm sure it will be), it wil be well done. The combos will be dyno proven to make great power and the kits will be complete right down to the sealants.
I'm still not going back to a type 1. But it will be great for those who want to stick with them.

Fri Jan 11, 2008 7:51 pm

Dave helped me with both cooling system testing sessions as well as my TIV exhaust system shootout.... He's real good slave labor, especially when changing an exhaust system in a room thats 130F with the fans shut off so the dyno cell "weather" won't change during an exhaust swap...

LOL

Thanks Dave!

Fri Jan 11, 2008 8:08 pm

I think you would be smart to keep it to no more then 3 sizes of kits. I like the 1915, 2110, 2332 idea. Just guessing with a price range, I would bet the 2110 would be your best seller. It would seem to be the most affordable as to what type I people are willing to spend judging from many questions and budgets listed in the forums.