New Engine Builder, who would you use? Options

[Maltese Falcon]

Allan F. at Aase Motors (O/C) can build you an awesome T4, he built ours for POC short track in 2008; and extremely still reliable today.
Once your Newly built engine runs on their stand, makes proper o/p, has the cam broken in: the warranty is over. They have built about 6 (combined) T4 , 6 cyl engines for me...all still running strong 3 decades in.
So goes the liability on custom race engines.

[brant]

I've had 6 motors built at my race shop... 2 - 6cylinders, and 4 type4's...

every single time my mechanic tells me the same thing when preps me and I'm leaving the shop...

"this motor is like a glass full of water, I'm handing it to you... you decide how fast you want to pour the water out of the glass"

[930cabman]

Allan F. at Aase Motors (O/C) can build you an awesome T4, he built ours for POC short track in 2008; and extremely still reliable today.
Once your Newly built engine runs on their stand, makes proper o/p, has the cam broken in: the warranty is over. They have built about 6 (combined) T4 , 6 cyl engines for me...all still running strong 3 decades in.
So goes the liability on custom race engines.

Great testimonial here, might be a good idea to call Allan F

[mepstein]

Allan F. at Aase Motors (O/C) can build you an awesome T4, he built ours for POC short track in 2008; and extremely still reliable today.
Once your Newly built engine runs on their stand, makes proper o/p, has the cam broken in: the warranty is over. They have built about 6 (combined) T4 , 6 cyl engines for me...all still running strong 3 decades in.
So goes the liability on custom race engines.

Great testimonial here, might be a good idea to call Allan F

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)

[Jake Raby]

we build many 914 engines here but only stock fuel injected versions
jake does a good job on the high performance ones

One of his more recent FB posts Jake was stepping away from custom type IV engine direct orders and just build what he wants and then will release them through LN Eng. to handle the distribution, paperwork and customer contact when and if they become available.


"No more direct human interaction for me. I am moving to my final engine, one displacement, one stage, and one proven result. All will be the same, and I’ll build one when I want to. No more orders, no more timelines. No more budgets. No more opinions, comments or telephones and messages. No more groups, forums, or bullshit!"
"I sold the T4 Store to LN Engineering in 2012. They will now sell my engines, in the very limited quantities that they will be built."

This is true. I tagged the line for aircooled engines last September. I am now completing the final “built to order” T4 engine this month. After it I have one more 993 engine to build, which is my 4.1L spec, making 440HP. Plans are in place to build my favorite combinations and have them be sold without wait lists, and without prior commitments through LN Engineering as a retail sale. LN will provide all after sales support, and will handle all of the admin. They took overe the Type 4 Store a decade ago, and that worked out extremely well.
As the engines are built, I will take hundreds of photos of the core engine, all machining, head prep, flow bench work and shoot multiple videos of the process as well. I will do a ton of work during assembly so I don’t have to fool around with direct user interface afterward. My full instructions for supporting components, service intervals, first start preparation, and etc will accompany every engine. There’s no reason for anyone to talk to me with this level of information, and detail put into the build.

Do not expect to see any engines offered until mid- 2023. I’m tasking a lot of time off after the transition is completed. I’ll build 1-2 engines per month between T4s and aircooled 911, mixed with my R- Series engines for the 996/997/991 platforms.

After all these years I realized that I never started this business to be a business person. I started this business to build engines my way, and answer to no one. The past two years have really soured my outlook on exchanges with humans, and I realized that the chef never meets those who devour what he creates. People don’t think any less of that chef if they don’t get to meet or talk to him, right????

I will be able to focus on development and building more than ever after the phone lines, and email addresses are forwarded to LN. I belong in the shop, not on the phone, or answering questions in emails. We have a trained staff to do that, and its time that I do whatever the hell I want to do.
I wanted to just flat out retire, but too many people still depend on me to offer them employment, and they’ve been here for over 2 decades. I had to do this to retain my sanity. Purchasers have become damn near impossible to please, and these purchases are emotionally driven to the point that waiting for over a year for an engine tears people apart. Now if you can hit the “buy button” fast enough you can have my engine in a week, for the first time ever. I won’t allow pre- sales, or lists because I don’t want a clock or a calendar to impact my life any longer. We have not been late with an engine since covid began, and that has taken extreme focus and effort.
I was determined to finish all work on time, and my final built to order engine will be done 1 month early. Find that anywhere else today.

Realistically building to order today is a disaster, because you never know what part you promise to use, that you can’t get. Building the engines I want, and selling them once completed means that this element of variability is removed completely.

No engine of mine will be given to LN to sell until it is 100% completed, dyno tested, and crated for shipment. I don’t even want to know thew purchaser’s name. I’ll slap a label on it, and fire it away. My General Manager, Jud will be going to work at LN at the end of the year, and he will handle these sales, and support… That way he knows all the purchasers over the last decade personally, and can support what we’ve built without me.

I just want to be left alone.

You guys will see new stuff rolling out soon… It will be good, and you’ll like it. You may not see my name mentioned, but you’ll know that I was the guy that developed it.
Here’s a sample.. The first plug from our new molds for a complete set of carbon fiber 914/4 engine tin.. No more fighting with rotted tin that is bent and twisted. A true bolt on set. Its not being done in CF for looks, but more so the tin can be shaped exactly like the factory tin. I plan to do them in clear resin, kevlar, virgin CF and plain old black.

[NARP74]

Interesting

[VaccaRabite]

PMB (Eric) is also building engines now. He is currently building a fuel injected 2.3L plant for me, and my 2056 will go into my bus.

Zach

[Superhawk996]

I just want to be left alone.

I can only imagine the drama behind the scenes that has led to these words. I can feel it in the post.

Never having met the man . . . I know exactly where he's coming from and I say that never having had to put up with 1/1000 of the BS I'm sure he's had to endure.

For all you guys wondering why good engine builders are so hard to find. Bookmark and re-read this post next time you ask that question. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/pray.gif)

[GregAmy]

Honestly, one only needs to frequent a forum (like this one*) or follow a social media group (like the 914 ones) where the same questions get asked over and over and over and over and over...

...and over and over and over again, when all it takes is just 5 minutes on a search. Or just look up at that topic that's pinned to the top.


And that's just one very small example of why dealing with people today sucks. I wish I had the luxury of working anonymously behind a paywall...

GA

*And this one is nowhere near as bad as some.

[nditiz1]

What I would like is an updated #8 DVD BugMe video with any modifications from the original video. Seeing as how that one so super helpful from teardown to build up, it would also be excellent to do the same for a 6 cyl.

- Sorry OP this didn't really help with your question.

[r_towle]

Many of the best builders were driven offline due to noise, arguments, egos, and fighting with up and coming builders.
Much of the talent is still out there but you may need to seek engine builder the old way, which is to get a referral

Rich

[davep]

I just want to be left alone.

You guys will see new stuff rolling out soon… It will be good, and you’ll like it. I plan to do them in clear resin, kevlar, virgin CF and plain old black.

I understand and sympathize Jake. At my age, I have BTDT and do not want a lousy T-shirt. Nice shirts are okay. I do like the look of the "tin". Tired of looking for good original tin. Please let us know when it is available to be ordered.

I have trusted my engine build to Mark Henry, and will wait for him to deliver.

[930cabman]

Not many of us are good managers, it's that simple.

Some of us have superior talents and can visualize the project and see it through with great results.

Very small number of us have both of these within one body. Personally, I was brought into the trades at an early age and worked my trade(s) for may years. Most recently, 20 years ago, I moved into management and am learning everyday. ONE thing I have learned is "not every customer is a good customer". I often walk away from a potential PITA. My team and I have completed the historic building restoration of many buildings and homes in the Western New York area over the past 40+ years and I can say without rival. Technicians are most often not managers.

As I am approaching 70 years I am considering backing away from our historic restoration company and rebuilding T4 motors for therapy.

[euro911]

Randy, call George at European Motor Works in Hawthorne to see if they're still building motors (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

[Jake Raby]

What I would like is an updated #8 DVD BugMe video with any modifications from the original video. Seeing as how that one so super helpful from teardown to build up, it would also be excellent to do the same for a 6 cyl.

- Sorry OP this didn't really help with your question.

The issue is there’s no market for it. The free YouTube videos have killed it. People would rather watch a peer fumble his way through a build the wrong way, as pay what it costs for a pro video. 22 years ago when I did the Vol 8 that wasn’t the story.. No YouTube, and people appreciate professional efforts.
I did a Porsche M9X video that was 15 hours of step by step detail, going through a whole build. 6 cameras, 140 hours of raw content, and people bitch that it costs too much. They’d rather watch a guy ruin his engine case soaking it in Purple Power (true) because they relate to him. They hate vendors, even if we are the only peole that give a damn about their car.

I might possibly do online and hands- on T4 classes, but they won’t be cheap.

Actually, I don’t really have issues with 914 owners or T4 buyers. The issues I have are with the owners of the more modern Porsches I build engines for.
I have been using the T4 builds as therapy for the past 5 years. An escape.
I guess the main thing I’m done with is opinions, and entitlement.

I like engines. They don’t argue, have no opinions, and when they piss you off you can just hold them wide open till they scatter. Yes, I’ve done that before. More than once.

When people listen to respond, rather than listening to learn, you’ll never teach them anything.

[MoveQik]

Am I sensing a void in the marketplace for this service?

Eric at PMB is putting out some top level cars both four and six. I would ask him about his engine services.

I'll second Eric. We talked about what I wanted in my motor, what my expectations were and of course, budget. He found a good fit for all of those. Mine happens to be a six but I know he could do the same for a four. The days of $5k engines are gone and rightfully so. The parts and the knowledge to build them right have gone up like everything else. I signed up with him and communication has been fantastic and I have no concerns that the final product won't be exactly what I want and what he said he would build.

[Superhawk996]

When people listen to respond, rather than listening to learn, you’ll never teach them anything.

Great quote!

[mihai914]

What I would like is an updated #8 DVD BugMe video with any modifications from the original video. Seeing as how that one so super helpful from teardown to build up, it would also be excellent to do the same for a 6 cyl.

- Sorry OP this didn't really help with your question.

The issue is there’s no market for it. The free YouTube videos have killed it. People would rather watch a peer fumble his way through a build the wrong way, as pay what it costs for a pro video. 22 years ago when I did the Vol 8 that wasn’t the story.. No YouTube, and people appreciate professional efforts.
I did a Porsche M9X video that was 15 hours of step by step detail, going through a whole build. 6 cameras, 140 hours of raw content, and people bitch that it costs too much. They’d rather watch a guy ruin his engine case soaking it in Purple Power (true) because they relate to him. They hate vendors, even if we are the only peole that give a damn about their car.

I might possibly do online and hands- on T4 classes, but they won’t be cheap.

Actually, I don’t really have issues with 914 owners or T4 buyers. The issues I have are with the owners of the more modern Porsches I build engines for.
I have been using the T4 builds as therapy for the past 5 years. An escape.
I guess the main thing I’m done with is opinions, and entitlement.

I like engines. They don’t argue, have no opinions, and when they piss you off you can just hold them wide open till they scatter. Yes, I’ve done that before. More than once.

When people listen to respond, rather than listening to learn, you’ll never teach them anything.

I have ordered the #8 DVD last week even though some people say it needs to be updated.

And I would gladly order a new version if you came out with one because as the old saying goes, you get what you pay for.

Maybe a group buy type of deal can be done on here to raise the necessary $ for the new video.

As for your hands on class offer, willing to share your knowledge is a big thing. I can say from personal experience that as a DIY guy, when you approach an engine builder and tell them that you want to learn, you just scare them away. I can understand the reaction since the customer brings a lot of noise from forums or groups.

[914_teener]

When people listen to respond, rather than listening to learn, you’ll never teach them anything.

Great quote!

There's another that says there's a difference between "information" and "knowledge".

Most people nowday's listen for information...and then believe what they want to believe no matter what they've heard or read.

I'll second EMW, and or Eric. Just depends what you want.

I've talked to Eric about similar issues...and he's had em as well.

[dr914@autoatlanta.com]

Jake Raby. Our man Jeff here does nothing larger than 2100

Who is out there that can reliably build and warranty a completely new 2270?

Preferable near me in SoCal..