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Customer
Testimonials
I'll tell you right now, i'm not a salesman trying to sell you snake oil. I refuse to hire salespeople. Although I do not have the knack for selling, I do however build the best engines money can buy, and at the end of the day, that's why you're paying me and not a salesperson to build your dream engine. There is no better form of advertising for our services and products than true testimonials from the individuals that have purchased them. These testimonials are not censored or edited and are placed on our pages just as we receive them. In these pages you will see true stories from my customers with every type of engine we have built, installed in every type of VW ever made, as well as replicars, Porsche 912E's, 914s, and even 356s and 912s. Many of these testimonials are from customers whose engines are also shown throughout my site. These people are real, just like you and me, and they welcome open discussions and conversation about their experiences with me and as such, some have provided their email addresses so that they can be contacted. Most of these customers share one thing in common. They all found us on the Internet or through another customer who came from us on the Internet. One of the reasons I created this page, and subsequently the forums page, was to let my customers mingle and find out more about each other. I highly suggest that anyone considering buying an engine from us visit our online forums to discuss your plans and desires with others who have taken the plunge. Many folks are indeed skeptical about doing business with Internet/mail order companies, or even having an engine build thousands of miles away from their homes, but by reading these testimonials, you can make the call yourself. We promise you that even though you may never visit us or meet us in person, you will have one of the most pleasurable experiences doing business with us. I'm proud to be in a business where I can consider many of my customers to be my friends, and let me tell you, I have a lot of friends! Jake Raby Copyright 1997-2007 Raby’s Aircooled Technology. More Happy Customers write Aircooled Technology During the spring of 2006 I decided the money I was throwing into attempting to make the stock 2.0 liter Type IV engine in my Porsche 914 run right was a waste. Nothing was solving the issues I had. I took a few minutes and added up the receipts… Wow… I made the decision to build a new engine. I was chasing my tail with the stock one. It would never be what I wanted. I went to an event called Bugorama here in the Sacramento area. I had heard that Jake Raby would be there fresh from a drive all the way across the country from Cleveland Georgia with one of his engines in the car. The engine had been written up over a few issues of Hot VW magazine and although I didn’t buy the magazine, I managed to check out the articles when I was in the bookstores. I found Jake chatting with some VW guys but I noticed a silver 914 that looked exactly like mine idling with a laptop attached and a guy demonstrating some tuning to a few guys. It caught my interest. It turned out to be Dave Hunt. Dave had been having some trouble with an engine he had purchased in kit form from Jake and had driven down from Washington with his son Gerry to meet with Jake at the event. I recalled hearing of Dave’s problems and I was impressed at how Jake, Len Hoffman, and Charles Navarro had stepped up to try and solve Dave’s issues. After the event, Dave, Gerry, and I went to have a burger. We chatted a bit about his engine and although I didn’t tell anyone, I made the decision to look into Jake’s engine kit program. It didn’t take long to come to the decision. Jake had gotten 170HP out of the 2270 Type IV in that Bug he drove across country. His head temperatures were lower than the stock motor. In short, it was so much better designed that it put out nearly twice the stock motors power and had monstrous torque all more efficiently than the stock motor. I placed my order. I did things the hard way. I gathered parts from internet sources so I could keep the stock motor in place for the duration. This was an interesting adventure. The cylinders I bought and had sent directly from the guy in Southern California to Jake in Georgia arrived with most of the fins broken off. Engine cases arrived with the oil tower broken off. If I did it again, I would just pull the stock motor. Once all of the needed core parts were at Jake’s Aircooled Heaven the process began. Jake and his staff actually turned my kit around a bit faster than they had predicted. One evening late in 2006 a Fed Ex truck arrived with a bunch of boxes. I had been in the garage when the truck arrived and the driver was chattering away about all of the cars I have. I practically ignored him because I wanted to see those boxes! After the inventory I found that everything was there and in good shape. But because the kit was so complete I wondered out loud to my wife why Jake had not included the six pack of beer you would need to celebrate with when you finished. I had an advantage that many of you will not. Not that you will need it because with Jake’s engine prep service all you need do is bolt your kit together with the proper torque specs and good sealant technique. I live fairly close to Mark DeBernardi of Original Customs in Napa California. Mark works in conjunction with Jake to build 2056 motors for guys who want one of Jake’s kits but don’t want to put it together themselves. Mark had expressed an interest in helping with mine. I think he wanted to see the motor and experience the differences between the 2056 build and the 2270. Anyway, Mark and I built the motor in his shop and shared a few burgers at Red Rock Café in Napa. The results were amazing. This is the motor that VW-Porsche should have put in this car from the factory. It isn’t an unruly monster as some performance motors can be. It is very happy sitting quietly idling in traffic (though you will not be). But when that traffic clears up and you get back into the cruise, the motor shines. It pulls like a train in all the gears. In fifth gear? Need to pass? No problem, just punch the gas pedal. Want more? Downshift and hang on! Is there a downside? If there is, it is that now that I am done I want to build another. It was fun, a very satisfying accomplishment, something that will make you proud. Of course, another downside is that you have to learn to drive all over again. I used to be a couple seconds off top time of day at the autocrosses. Now, I find myself another couple seconds back. The car is so much faster, I am having to learn new lines through corners. I am finding new limits every time I drive it. I highly recommend Jake Raby’s engine kit program. Now, if we could just get him to include that six pack! Dr. Robert Sime, PhD Driving without
worry Jake, I am writing to let you know that you ROCK! The 2316 motor you made me I have attached a picture of what happens if you use too much RAT power Thanks again! I would love to be included on your testimonial page, and I want you to Sincerely, Michael Keats Dear Jake: This engine is incredible. As you know I drive a 1976 912E, and searched the country looking for an engine builder. The consensus among those who know the Type Four engine is that you are the best. I heard the same thing from my local 912E group where one of our members also as a Raby rebuild. The engine looks beautiful - in fact it looks brand new. The engine is superb! My local shop said it was the smoothest 912E they have ever run. Last week one of our local Porsche experts who races 911’s asked to drive it and came away really impressed. It is just a pleasure to drive. All good wishes, Chris Wye There were approxiamately 2000- 912-E Porsches made in 1976 and of those only about 1500 imported to the United States. They were not popular because they lacked the major reason we like these cars--PERFORMANCE. When my 912-E finally needed a major overhaul due to burned heads and oil bleeding from the crankcase vent pipe I had to make a decision. Did I want to junk a rare beauty that needed a engine, or did I want to take a chance and find an engine builder? I decided to do the latter--locate a builder. I searched the internet, ask local mechanics, and ask friends what to do with this rare engine and their recommendation was- junk it! I was told "Nobody" can get that 2 liter engine to do anything. Then I located Jake-through his website. I sent him the small required binder deposit so he would call me, and we discussed my car and engine. He said " Can do" from the first conversation. He told me he could get the amount of performance I was willing to pay for. I was skepical--whoever hear of somebody that knew Porsches who did not live on the West coast? After several conversations I gave him the go ahead. Jake also told me that if I was in a hurry--to go somewhere else. He had a 10 month backlog at the time. I was patient, and besides I rather have it done right- than screwed up in a hurry. He stuck to his guns. I waited the full timeframe. But he did not expect his payments until each phase of the rebuilding process was completed. I received the engine back two weeks ago. Jake helped me by phone to re- install the engine , and even tried to locate for me a lost wiring harness. After I finally got everything back together right and hit the key-that engine literally "roared" to life. I backed the car out of the driveway and antisipated double clutching the engine to start the uphill grade from my house. The engine never bogged down. I was delighted at my first straightaway to feel the torque of that engine. I could not floor the accelerator in 1st gear before peaking my RPM, second gear was the sameway , and third gear was " get the hell out of my way". Fourth and fifth gear just keep going and pulling. I never felt a 2 liter engine still pulling this strong at the high end. I was never ever able or should I say brave enough, to find the top end of these two gears. I am using the stock 5 speed transaxel. The engine is strong, smooth, and great looking. It was a professional job. It is beautiful, all new wires, engine spotlessly clean, and a delight just to look at. It makes my Porsche look like a new machine. I wish I could sleep in it! If Raby had built this 912-E engine in 1976 for Porsche there would have been 20,000 912-E's sold instead of 2,000. This car weights approximately 300 pounds less than the 1976- 911(s) and with Raby's engine you have basically the same 911 performance, better handling and a better ride. Bottom line: Money well spent. J. Shelby Kaplan I bought my white and black 1976 2 L 914 at Brumos Porche in Jacksonville, FL when I was 29 years old. After many patch ups, repaints, repairs, etc.; it got to the point to either restore it or sell it. I could not sell that old car after all we had been through so I decided to restore it. I found Jake on the internet and I was very skeptical at first. I am a true believer now and he is a straight shooter, no BS, type of guy. Yes, there will be a wait, there may be snags, but he will tell you one price in advance. Now, my 914 does not run like a 1976 stock 914 anymore. The 2270 powerhouse with the tangerine headers growls when I crank it and I feel that I'm being launched as I blast down the highway going through the gears. Even at 60 mph in 5th gear you stomp the gas to pass and you still feel the tourque. That old 914 now has a new youth and new soul like never before. Living in Statesboro, GA a with GSU here it could be a fine chick wagon if only Jake could restore my youth, but nohope there but I still ride around and droole. I am not a mechanic so I didn't get into technical stuff but its sheer sports driving pleasure! Joe Page Statesboro,Ga I'm writing you a note to let you know how happy I am with your Type IV Motor in my '60 356 Porsche. I have a total of five 356 Porsche cars, including a '64 Carrera II four-cam. While all of my cars have strong engines, none of them can compare to the power and torque your engine produces. It surely adds to the enjoyment of driving a 356. My '60 with your engine is faster than my '64 Carrera II and at a fraction of the cost of a 4 cammer-- plus it is also much simpler and easier to work on.
Randy
Unthank
Jake, I am writing to let you know that you ROCK! The 2316 motor you made me I have attached a picture of what happens if you use too much RAT power Thanks again! I would love to be included on your testimonial page, and I want you to Sincerely, Michael Keats Dear Jake: This engine is incredible. As you know I drive a 1976 912E, and searched the country looking for an engine builder. The consensus among those who know the Type Four engine is that you are the best. I heard the same thing from my local 912E group where one of our members also as a Raby rebuild. The engine looks beautiful - in fact it looks brand new. The engine is superb! My local shop said it was the smoothest 912E they have ever run. Last week one of our local Porsche experts who races 911’s asked to drive it and came away really impressed. It is just a pleasure to drive. All good wishes, Chris Wye There were approxiamately 2000- 912-E Porsches made in 1976 and of those only about 1500 imported to the United States. They were not popular because they lacked the major reason we like these cars--PERFORMANCE. When my 912-E finally needed a major overhaul due to burned heads and oil bleeding from the crankcase vent pipe I had to make a decision. Did I want to junk a rare beauty that needed a engine, or did I want to take a chance and find an engine builder? I decided to do the latter--locate a builder. I searched the internet, ask local mechanics, and ask friends what to do with this rare engine and their recommendation was- junk it! I was told "Nobody" can get that 2 liter engine to do anything. Then I located Jake-through his website. I sent him the small required binder deposit so he would call me, and we discussed my car and engine. He said " Can do" from the first conversation. He told me he could get the amount of performance I was willing to pay for. I was skepical--whoever hear of somebody that knew Porsches who did not live on the West coast? After several conversations I gave him the go ahead. Jake also told me that if I was in a hurry--to go somewhere else. He had a 10 month backlog at the time. I was patient, and besides I rather have it done right- than screwed up in a hurry. He stuck to his guns. I waited the full timeframe. But he did not expect his payments until each phase of the rebuilding process was completed. I received the engine back two weeks ago. Jake helped me by phone to re- install the engine , and even tried to locate for me a lost wiring harness. After I finally got everything back together right and hit the key-that engine literally "roared" to life. I backed the car out of the driveway and antisipated double clutching the engine to start the uphill grade from my house. The engine never bogged down. I was delighted at my first straightaway to feel the torque of that engine. I could not floor the accelerator in 1st gear before peaking my RPM, second gear was the sameway , and third gear was " get the hell out of my way". Fourth and fifth gear just keep going and pulling. I never felt a 2 liter engine still pulling this strong at the high end. I was never ever able or should I say brave enough, to find the top end of these two gears. I am using the stock 5 speed transaxel. The engine is strong, smooth, and great looking. It was a professional job. It is beautiful, all new wires, engine spotlessly clean, and a delight just to look at. It makes my Porsche look like a new machine. I wish I could sleep in it! If Raby had built this 912-E engine in 1976 for Porsche there would have been 20,000 912-E's sold instead of 2,000. This car weights approximately 300 pounds less than the 1976- 911(s) and with Raby's engine you have basically the same 911 performance, better handling and a better ride. Bottom line: Money well spent. J. Shelby Kaplan Click on our customers below for more testimonials and photos
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Copyright 1997-2004 Raby’s Aircooled Technology. |
When you are trying to make a decision to spend any amount of
money for an engine, you need to make sure that you can trust who you are
paying to do the work and the quality of their work. These days it is very hard to find shops that do
what they say, and even more so for the price they quote, and deliver a product that works as
advertised.
