TheSamba.com :: View topic

Sun Aug 29, 2004 9:01 pm

I keep looking at a 1914 longblock built by Serrano. I did some seaching but couldn't find any info good or bad about his motors. Price looks good but I wanted to know if anyone has had dealings with him. I've looked at building a 1914 myself and I can't do it for that kind of money. Should that concern me?!?!?! Here's link to the ad.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=91994

Mon Aug 30, 2004 8:20 am

My friend just bought a turnkey 1600 and its had no problems, it came with a warranty and at a good price. Just call up and talk to Steve he will answer anything you want to know

Mon Nov 08, 2004 6:03 pm

guenther wrote: I keep looking at a 1914 longblock built by Serrano. I did some seaching but couldn't find any info good or bad about his motors. Price looks good but I wanted to know if anyone has had dealings with him. I've looked at building a 1914 myself and I can't do it for that kind of money. Should that concern me?!?!?! Here's link to the ad.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=91994

Steve is a great guy and always a pleasure to deal with. As far as the motor that is a very good price for a 1915cc. Although I would consider upgrading to a C/W Crank, the springs to High Rev or Dual springs, the flywheel to a lightened one and maybe even some straight cut gears. These things will just enhance the performance of your motor. If you got any questions about what I said you can email me......

Mon Nov 08, 2004 6:56 pm

stock heads are kind of small for a 1915cc. I would get that thing home and start turning that thing into big valves and 9:1 compression.

maybe you could ask him how much for a kit like that and do it yourself.

maybe it will cut the price in half..

just a thought.

ciao.

Mon Nov 08, 2004 7:40 pm

I just bought a 1776 and am waiting for it to be delivered (estimated on Wednesday) :D . He custom built it for me. I started with what he had advertised and made several modifications.

Mon Nov 08, 2004 8:13 pm

I would also ask to get the rods shot peened and balanced end to end, at least, if not some good I beam rods. Also, you should get it full flowed, as this will only help the motor to last longer. How much more for a deep sump?

Does he offer dynamic balancing? I wonder about this kit because the econo 1915 kit from Scat is:

• NEW Forged piston & cylinder kit – Page 28
• NEW SCAT 4340 chromoly gland nut and heavy-duty washer – Page 24
• NEW cast (Economy) crankshaft – Page 22
• NEW Optional forged (Super Street) crankshaft – Page 21
• NEW SCAT 4340 forged I-Beam (Economy) rods or H-Beam
(Super Street) rods – Page 23
• NEW SCAT performance grind camshaft with gear – please specify
camshaft grind (C20, C25, C35, C45, etc.) – Page 30-31
• NEW SCAT lightweight performance lifters – Page 32
• NEW heavy-duty chromoly pushrods – Page 32
• NEW big bore engine gasket set and silicon rear main seal – Page 11
• NEW heavy-duty oil pump – Page 15
• NEW heavy-duty engine main & standard rod bearing set
All sizes available – please specify main bearing size – Page 19
• NEW heavy-duty camshaft bearing set – Page 31

Scat's price for this is $619 retail, $549 distributor price, so, is he only charging $250 for assembly? Stock heads are about $100 each when ported. I can't understand how he can offer this,esp with an aluminum case.

The above info is from the Scat .pdf from thier website, www.scatvw.com. Email them and they will send you a price list.

Mon Nov 08, 2004 11:56 pm

Ive had 2 Serranos engines years ago....I never went back there again!
1 was a 1835, other one was a 1776, the 1776 started getting a rod knock after a month of driving it easy, i took it apprart,both heads were cracked between the valves, pistons were not even new,cam was stock which they said was an engle 110,needless to say, it wasnt what was advertised.
Now the 1835,that one was worst,the head studs were leaking (it shoulda had case saers installed),and there cheap ass so called engle 110 cam they installed wasnt even any good, nor was it an engle 110, it was stock.
That engine never ran right due to cam failure i ended up taking it appart and redoing it my self.
BUT that was about 10 years ago now, im not sure how they are now, but i dont think it could be much better for the prices they offer them.

Tue Nov 09, 2004 1:08 am

I have just last month purchased parts that Steve had for sale on this site. I was pleasantly surprised with the prompt and informative service I was given, after a couple of E-mails and a phone call everything was sorted. The items were shipped here to South Africa and arrived on time as promised. I have previously had dealings with other well known companies there in the US and had my fingers burnt. I am currently dealing with Steve for more items I need and I would highly recommend
using his services.

Tue Nov 09, 2004 12:54 pm

Research, research, research! I'm not familiar with Steves work, but that doesn't mean I'll trash the guy either. Just be careful when choosing an engine builder.
Last year I got burned REALLY BAD when I purchased my first motor from Quality German Auto. I did my research and even bought the exact same motor that went into Ryan Price's bug. (VWTrends) 1914cc. I figured hey, if its good enough for VWT then it must be good. WRONG!!
It lasted 5 months after it spun a bearing. After I tore the motor apart, the oil pump was missing teeth and had weld marks on it. They wouldn't accept fault and I was out $1800.
After my incident I went to VW Paradise and had them build me a motor. It was about the same price but it's a 1776. The quality and attention to detail is flawless. I've had it for over a year now and couldn't be happier. :D
Just be careful what your going to invest in.

Tue Nov 09, 2004 3:27 pm

Hello,

The 85.5 p/l's are $59.95 and 90.5 is $149.95 Engle 100/110/120 are at 449.95 and a seal kit is $6.00
As for balanced parts which one's are you referring to?

Thanks,
Steve

Hello,

The 85.5 pistons are from cofap. Te 90.5 mahle's are $149.95. The parts are balanced by the mfg but you would still need to have it all balanced as an assembly.

Thanks,
Steve

Wed Nov 10, 2004 3:54 pm

I recently purchased a 1914 from West Auto in Lynwood. NEVER AGAIN!!!!
The engine was extremely hard to start and I finally got it started for it only to run for less than about 10 sec. That engine locked up on me after I stepped on the gas to keep it from shutting off. I'm not telling anyone not to shop at West Auto, I'm just telling my situation. I will never ever ever ever ever ever go that that place again!!!!!!!! :cry: :snipersmile: West Auto Repair

I made a serious mistake shopping there :cry: :cry: :cry:

Wed Nov 10, 2004 4:00 pm

Damn that sucks, did you get a warranty. I would take that pos back and get my money.

Wed Nov 10, 2004 4:02 pm

auslander wrote: Damn that sucks, did you get a warranty. I would take that pos back and get my money.

At first they tried to blame me and than they said they'll fix it. My car has been sitting at that place for a while now.

Wed Nov 10, 2004 6:32 pm

Hey,
Build your own if you can! I am a total rookie and everyone on samba has been great! I have also got alot of help from Gene Berg as well.
My motor is not complete yet, but I am getting close. I have the shortblock together and I am looking for a piece of engine tin so I can install my pulley.
I made a few mistakes but corrected them and all is well. YOU CAN DO IT YOURSELF!!
Goodluck!

Wed Nov 10, 2004 6:46 pm

All engine shops are not created equal!

Wed Nov 10, 2004 9:40 pm

You do not have to be a shop to be kick-ass builder either.

There are many talented builders out there. Many of the shops that have great reputations started out in a home garage.

We should never underestimate what is out there. I have seen work places with nothing but a drill press and a lift and a part washer....and this is called a SHOP?

You just have to make a judgement call on the part of the buyer. Make some effort to see who can do what.

Talk is cheap. My advice is ...be careful.

May the force be with you all.

regards. NSR.

Wed Nov 10, 2004 10:54 pm

I have 1,600 miles on my new 1776 that Steve built, everything is working great. As someone posted earlier I too started with his base motor and added what I required. I also just received a new set of Weber IDA 40's from Steve as well. Can't wait to install them this weekend, replacing my baby dells 34 frd's. Oh by the way I now have 3 sets of baby dells for sell, plus mainfolds for single or dual port if anyone is interested. So far I am happy with his motor and carbs, his prices are the best out there.

Dennis
Pleasanton, Ca.
1970 Daily Driver in need of More Power and a Paint Job.

Sat May 14, 2005 8:35 pm

Would never buy from Serrano. I would rather pay more to someone else. Careless customer service.

Sat May 14, 2005 11:47 pm

I build my own motors, I cant stop thinking of what im building next its an addiction. I've already made a spread sheet of my dream motor its going to be insane

Sun May 15, 2005 6:14 am

Quote: Would never buy from Serrano. I would rather pay more to someone else. Careless customer service.
Steve is a very small operation. He doesn't have many employees. Im sure you can understand how he can be overwhelmed at times with all the orders he gets. Either way his prices are damned cheap.