Tencentlife / Vanistan Motors

[BlackDogVan]

K I'm a diesel guy but have always been a huge fan of 10c purely due to the honest, helpful no ego or BS posts he ALWAYS writes. There are quite a few knowledgeable dudes on here but very few who never take forum bait & say something nasty, 10c is one. HUGE points.

As for those dyno numbers, very impressive. And at the wheel too, no driveline loss BS multiplier to inflate things. Nice work!
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Gone but not forgotten - 1991 Carat - AAZ transmogriffied to mTDi.
Still addicted, looking for Doka...

[MootPoint]

I can't speak to the long-term, 50,000 mile attributes of owning a 10¢ engine but I can provide first-person experience of "customer service."

Chris (with some limited assistance from me...it was sort of like one of the Three Stooges assisting Enrico Fermi...dropped one of his engines in my '84 Westy last February. Not only was he a joy to watch and work with but a kind host who let me sleep on his couch, drink his wine, and put up with my odd and occasionally stupid questions with grace and incredible patience. I even burned out the motor on his parts washer getting oil goo of my engine tin and it didn't bother him a bit. "Hey," he said. "It was cheap to begin with and I've been meaning to rebuild it."

About three weeks ago, headed back from a week in Colorado and cruising south on I-25 south of Raton at about 65-70mph and about 3500 miles on the newly reset clock, the new engine abruptly stopped and I rolled to a stop at the side of the road. A turn of the key only made a buzzy sound - almost as if the Bendix gear was bad but I knew that wouldn't make the engine stop - so I knew it was nothing that Mr. Bentley and I could fix on the roadside. I was 203 miles from home and my 200 mile AAA flatbedded me to my driveway. Looking under the valve covers with my wife turning the key, it was clear that while the engine was turning, the rockers were immobile.

That was Wednesday evening. Thursday morning I called Chris: "Um, Abiquiu? We've got a problem." 48 hours later Chris was in my driveway with tools, pulled the engine and took it home to find the problem.

I'll let him give the whole summary if he wishes but basically the timing gear at the cam, I believe - something that never breaks so he hadn't replaced it - had stripped some teeth. Chris has the new and stronger parts on order and the van is still in front of my shop, awaiting Chris' return with the repaired engine - largely rebuilt for a second time to be sure no gear fragments were left behind - in a couple of weeks (I told him to take his time as I had no van plans for July since I've just had some back surgery). Mid-July, about four weeks after the initial problem, I should be back on the road.

I short, I have learned two lessons in the last 30 days that I will pass on to anyone who will listen (or not):

1. If you need any major surgery of any description anywhere on your body, go to the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix.

2. If you want a new waterboxer in your V'gon and you want it backed up with customer service that is friendly, knowledgeable, complete and fast get it from tencentlife.

My back surgery was largely covered by insurance. My new engine was not but, as far as I'm concerned, it was worth every penny because it came with someone who understands the concept of "service" and had the knowledge and willingness to back up the product he sells.

My 2¢ on 10¢.
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1984 Westy with tencentlife power!

[DAIZEE]

When I'm buying, service record/behavior is part of the purchase as far as I'm concerned. If there seems to be a problem with service or someone gets impatient with my questions then I don't buy/deal with them.

I think it is really great of you to brag about 10 cent and to endorse him, many do.
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'09 2.5L Jetta 5 cylinder, 5 spd, super turbo, see thread in H2O Cooled Jetta, etc...
83.5 Vanagon L Riviera Model with 98 1.9L TD AAZ 4 speed Daily Driver 3 out of 4 seasons (sold)
84 Vanagon GL Wolfsburg Westy WBX 4 speed (sold)

[RGS Paul]

My folks got one of these motors this time last year for their Syncro Westy. I like it so much my van is the August build on tencent's list. I think that says it all. I'm bouncing excited for my new engine, I can't wait to climb hills in 4th!

Paul
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'87 Syncro 7-Pass. Adventure Touring Vehicle
"Simplicate, then add lightness." Colin Chapman

[ftp2leta]

This should not even be a post here, we all know Christ. Mr. perfect!

His work is close to perfection, even if shi* happen sometime:

[blakeck2]

[llamaman]

Hello, I have an 85 Westy Weekender I'm restoring. The Bad news: I noticed cool lent dripping from my 1.9 engine. The Good news: I have a 2.1 wbxr I would like to swap in. I have the ECU and wiring from an 86. Are there significant changes I need to make to the 85 for it to accept the engine?



The 1.9 runs fine (but loud) and has power, but I have noticed the temp gage climbs up when I'm not moving. Any suggestions on how to proceed?

Joel

[iltis74]

[chojinchef]

[denwood]

Chris, did not realize you had posted up dyno data. Your approach in only posting wheel dyno data and comparing to stock wheel dyno data is the only way to do it. Refreshing to read posts from someone who deals in hard data and clinical evaluation of it. The A/F data is also a very good indication (although many will not realize it) of how well tuned your injection setup is.

These tests also confirm what I suspected about gains to be had with the stock. WBX. It also explains why you recommend the external oil cooler. Getting ~ 30% more HP from a 2.2 liter adds heat loading similar to my setup with the same observations on oil pressure.

Cheers,
Dennis.
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Cheers,
Dennis Wood
The Grape

[Corwyn]

If Chris had one available when I needed it, I would have bought one of his hands down. That said, I got a 2.2 rebuild from Jerry at NW Connecting Rods in Seattle. I'm very happy with it and he has a great rep.
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'90 White Westy ("The Longship")
FAS Gen V 2.0
The Annual Baja Rally
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=604813&highlight=baja

"If anything's" gonna happen, it's gonna happen out there"
~ Captain Ron ~

[cellerdoor]

Love to get a 10c but being on the east coast makes the whole warranty thing unworkable.

[dobryan]