TheSamba.com :: View topic - Is Raby’s “Camper Special”, Special ?? Must read !!

Tue Feb 24, 2009 8:04 pm

I have expressed my feelings on this topic in this thread already.

if you are looking for a warranty on a piece of paper call someone else.. My program works and thats because my name is on every engine.. I am married to that creation for the rest of MY life, not the engine's life. My serial number proves that-

No piece of paper was required to get me on an airplane headed 2,350 miles to repair Jim's oil leak... He didn't even have to ask.. He told me not to- I didn't listen.

I don't believe in Insurance, warranties or anything else that takes the reality and risk away from mechanical manipulation and life. I spend thousands of dollars per year on data acquisition equipment and keeping our testing capabilities above all others.

Its pretty clear, if an engine has a problem while its in my care and control that issue will be found during it's 8-10 hour evaluation under load. If by some crazy reason an issue makes it through our Gauntlet and the Customer is less than 100% pleased I will do what is required, as long as they remain respectful, patient and don't demand action or point fingers.

The day when a piece of paper will eliminate all chances of engine failure I won't need a tool box.. I'll be able to miracle the damn engine together and it'll run forever... I'll get right on that after I part the seas, create the cure for cancer and solve world hunger.

All my engine's have a Warranty and it's on paper- right in the proposal that precedes every project. That Warranty covers the engine while under my care, custody and control. After that the engine's life is out of my hands and it's life is in the hands of the installer and driver. Thats reality.

Now that my new facility expansion is completed and we have the power to install and chassis dyno our turn key engines I am only days away from requiring that ALL our aircooled engines see OUR installation work.

Tue Feb 24, 2009 8:22 pm

EDIT: I see your point. You do have those people that will say
stuff like "you didn't tell me I had to read instuctions or keep it
maintained ect.. My personal favorite...You mean it runs with oil?
I thought it was an AIR Engine :P

AIR 8) ED
Sounds like VW should have used your motors.
carry on...

Tue Feb 24, 2009 8:31 pm

Evil Clown wrote: One thing I disagree on is the whole thing that
"it's only a piece of paper"
Sounds like the same buzz that everyone is saying
about fed up stocks on WallStreet.
I would say that if you send something by frieght
there should be some kind of insurance to cover
damage, unless it's AIG of course. :P
If you DYNO TEST it - back it up for at least 30 days or so.
Or have them pay extra for insurance that you as a busness
person can buy.
Correct me if I'm wrong.

when engines blow, it can be for so many reasons. a warranty would legally compel the business to pay for an engine that the customer blew by not adding oil or running with a bad thermostat, for instance.

i think this topic has already proven that Jake stands behind his engines when failure is the result of a part defect and the like, making a warranty unnecessary.

consider that some warranties are worthless. buy a GEX engine, watch it fail fast, and all you get is a replacement that will fail just as fast.

Tue Feb 24, 2009 8:41 pm

All it took was ONE instance of someone abusing a warranty to teach me a lesson..That happened before I was 18 years old... and since the only stupid mistake is the one you make twice, that'll never happen again...

When I hear people with newer cars stating they want to give their engine hell while its still under warranty or break something while it's still covered I realize another reason why our economy is screwed.

Tue Feb 24, 2009 8:54 pm

And just to prove that he is a man of his word, I'm going to allow him to install a turnkey CS in my bus with no warranty implied. And I'll do my part and not care about one!

Tue Feb 24, 2009 9:07 pm

71_georgia_beetle wrote: And just to prove that he is a man of his word, I'm going to allow him to install a turnkey CS in my bus with no warranty implied. And I'll do my part and not care about one!

Sounds like a good tech weekend to me for the Club!

Tue Feb 24, 2009 9:58 pm

Tommy: Let's think about this for a sec, Ted, why do they put a guarantee on a box? Hmm, very interesting.
Ted: I'm listening.
Tommy: Here's how I see it. A guy puts a guarantee on the box 'cause he wants you to fell all warm and toasty inside.
Ted: Yeah, makes a man feel good.
Tommy: 'Course it does. Ya think if you leave that box under your pillow at night, the Guarantee Fairy might come by and leave a quarter.
Ted: What's your point?
Tommy: The point is, how do you know the Guarantee Fairy isn't a crazy glue sniffer? "Building model airplanes" says the little fairy, but we're not buying it. Next thing you know, there's money missing off the dresser and your daughter's knocked up, I seen it a hundred times.
Ted: But why do they put a guarantee on the box then?
Tommy: Because they know all they solda ya was a guaranteed piece of shit. That's all it is. Hey, if you want me to take a dump in a box and mark it guaranteed, I will. I got spare time. But for right now, for your sake, for your daughter's sake, ya might wanna think about buying a quality item from me.
Ted: Hmm. Okay, I'll buy from you.

Wed Feb 25, 2009 10:35 am

is the camper special - special?

is this the original question?

answer = yes

for those that don't want to pony up the $$ to go that route I only have one bit of advice - don't let someone who has one let you drive their van.

EVER.

Wed Feb 25, 2009 12:00 pm

Seriously, how is it that every thread even mentioning Jake or his engines brings out this nonsense. I don't think even GEX has to deal with such a difficult consumer base. Though I can't really consider some of these people consumers since 99% of the people who post negatively about Jake and his business practices never have the intention to buy from him in the first place.

People need to give this guy a break. If you don't like his engines or his business policies, look elsewhere.

Meanwhile I'm going to keep putting away for a CS kit hopefully soon. :wink:

Wed Feb 25, 2009 12:08 pm

I know why this happens, but if I were to speak the truth it would cause even more crap in this thread.

When something is the best a lot of objection is posed about it from those that do not buy it, for what ever reason. They generally feel obligated to join together to offer up their own bit of non sense.

Until those who HAVE bought one complain about it I am less than concerned with opinions. That doesn't happen.

Wed Feb 25, 2009 12:52 pm

I would love to have a CS. When I get out of college and I can afford one I'm going to make it happen.

From what I have read, I haven't seen a complaint made by someone who is actually running a CS. I think there has been adjustment issues, tuning and whatnot but nothing that didn't get straightened out or easily resolved.

I was at the '08 VW expo in Knoxville, Tn. and I took probably 30 pictures, 15 of which were of a '79 super that I later found out(after joining The Samba) was Raby's work.

Sign me up.

Wed Feb 25, 2009 1:01 pm

with anything some amount of skepticism is going to occur.

there's a difference between being skeptical and a hater, just want that to be clear with where this thread is going.

Wed Feb 25, 2009 1:17 pm

You can do a poor man's CS, get Len to rebuild your heads with the SS valves and a Raby spring kit, buy a Raby 9550 cam & lifters, have your crank machined, rods reworked, case checked and tapped/plugged, new Mahle P&L, quality bearings, everthing balanced, I am sure I forgot a few things plus you will also of bought from a half dozen vendors for either the parts and or the machine work, shipped your case and other internals across the country, scratched your head to make sure you got everything and the work was done right. In the end your will save a few hundred dollars.

How do I know this, the engine in my 78 bay is the convolution of all of the above. It runs great, but for a not very confident mechanic or one that does not wants to shoot craps but desires a little beef to the bus the deal Jake puts together for a CS engine is just the ticket.

Wed Feb 25, 2009 1:58 pm

busman78 wrote: You can do a poor man's CS, get Len to rebuild your heads with the SS valves and a Raby spring kit, buy a Raby 9550 cam & lifters, have your crank machined, rods reworked, case checked and tapped/plugged, new Mahle P&L, quality bearings, everthing balanced, I am sure I forgot a few things plus you will also of bought from a half dozen vendors for either the parts and or the machine work, shipped your case and other internals across the country, scratched your head to make sure you got everything and the work was done right. In the end your will save a few hundred dollars.
How do I know this, the engine in my 78 bay is the convolution of all of the above. It runs great, but for a not very confident mechanic or one that does not wants to shoot craps but desires a little beef to the bus the deal Jake puts together for a CS engine is just the ticket.

Heck, I did the same (almost) and it cost me a few hundred more! It was a project started before CS kits were available.

Wed Feb 25, 2009 2:19 pm

I did just what busman78 described but I'm running 40 DRLA's instead of FI like a lot of the CS folks are and that Raby 9550 cam makes driving my bus a whole new experience.

Wed Feb 25, 2009 6:49 pm

Quote: I was at the '08 VW expo in Knoxville, Tn. and I took probably 30 pictures, 15 of which were of a '79 super that I later found out(after joining The Samba) was Raby's work.
That would be my Wife's Vert.... That car has my signature all over it :-)

If I weren't creating things that caused some criticism or unsettled nerves I'd feel like I wasn't being effective.. One thing is for certain, I'll never be accused of creating boredom....

Sun Mar 08, 2009 6:25 pm

Your wife has one sweet ride. The details were amazing, I really like all of the CF on it, and the colors pretty sweet too. It certainly isn't boring.

Will you be attending this year? I know its a little ways off.

or maybe Bug-A-Paluza? I'm trying to get my bus performing well enough so that I can make it but its not looking good for the home team.

Wed Nov 18, 2009 4:21 pm

My recent top end rebuild seems to be running fine but when my wife gets finished with school we plan on doing the CS. We want to keep the FI on our bus though.

Jake how is the double cab project coming. That will be one sweet ride.

Wed Nov 18, 2009 4:28 pm

My Dad passed away last month and that totally turned my world upside down.. All my projects are on hold until I get the Estate settled and the property back in order.

I have changed plans for the Double Cab. It is now known as Project X.

As far as stock FI on a CS, no problem. The majority of CS engines retain the stock EFI system.

Wed Nov 18, 2009 4:48 pm

Jake Raby wrote: My Dad passed away last month and that totally turned my world upside down.. All my projects are on hold until I get the Estate settled and the property back in order.

I have changed plans for the Double Cab. It is now known as Project X.

As far as stock FI on a CS, no problem. The majority of CS engines retain the stock EFI system.

Sorry for your loss Jake,

I dread the day when I go through the same situation. My parents are up there in age and they put me in charge or their affairs.

Our deepest sympathies to you and yours.