New to Raby's
Aircooled Technology?
To learn more about the engines and other services offered by Aircooled
Technology, use the navigation menu to the left. To purchase parts,
kits, and now even turnkey engines, visit the Type 4 Store by clicking here. To visit our forums, click here.
Another Happy
Customer writes Aircooled Technology:
Driving without
worry
You may think that’s impossible in a 1979 VW bus, but
I’m there. My last road trip put me on the road to
believing. You see, with my old, high mileage stock
engine, I was constantly worrying how hot the heads
were, and if I was pushing it too hard… toward a
breakdown leaving me and my family stranded in the
middle of nowhere.
When I finally installed my CHT sender, that did not
bring about any peace of mind. In fact things got worse.
I would routinely see the temps go up past 400, to 425,
while my white knuckles squeezed the steering wheel
harder hoping that would somehow inject cooler air into
the intakes.
Well, when the inevitable finally happened and
compression dropped to zero on #3 and 30 on #1, I knew I
needed a new and improved solution. And I found it.. or
rather him.. Jake Raby. Jake will be the first to tell
you his engines are not cheap. And that even with the
turnkeys, you will have to do some of the work. But what
Jake may not tell you is the incredible feeling you’ll
have once your new Raby engine is installed and broken
in.
You see, most guys I know who have a Raby engine in
their bus, only talk about how fast you can go. Or how
well it climbs hills in 4th gear. Or how fast it
accelerates in 3rd gear. And it does all that. But the
thing I like the most about it, is that when you’re on a
trip, you don’t feel like you’re on the edge of
disaster. You feel like the engine can take all you can
give and more. I’ll give you one example. It was my trip
last weekend to Lincoln City out on the Oregon Coast. It
was a nice 60 degree day outside… not a scorcher by any
means. But on climbs over the Coast Range, the hottest
temperature I saw was 351. 351! That’s going uphill in
4th gear. 4th gear because I never even slowed down
below 55 Mph. When I did slow down for stop signs or red
lights, the CHT’s actually went into the 290’s! I
couldn’t believe it. Then finally, I started to relax
and watched the beautiful scenery outside my window
instead of the glowing numbers on my temperature gauges.
I’ve had the engine 2 years now and it just keeps
getting stronger. It purrs along and really gets up and
goes when you need it. And yes, it is fast. I crack up
so many times now when cars are behind me and think just
because it’s a bus they have to pass it. Then they
realize I’m already going about 10 MPH above the speed
limit. I let them pass me, of course, to prevent an
accident, but it’s funny to see them really having to
chug to get around me.
I know you’ve heard most of this before. And no doubt
you’ve read up about Jake and his reputation. Well
thought it’s all hard to believe, let me tell you,
believe it. Jake is a true pro, and an honest one at
that. Jake, thanks for this engine, which is a product
of your years of dedication. I’ll crack an Oregon Micro
in your honor this summer.
Wayne Garcia
10 O'clock News Anchor
Beaverton, OR 97006
Another Happy
Customer writes Aircooled Technology:
Jake,
I am writing to let you know that you ROCK! The 2316 motor you made me
is a rocket! It spins fast, pulls hard to the red line and idles
smooth as silk. I want all of your prospective customers to know that
if they want the best air cooled motor in the world built for their
car, they can't go wrong with RAT. As they say, you get what you pay
for, and this could not be more true when dealing with RAT. You have
been great to work with, and it is refreshing to have the good old
fashioned customer service that seems to have fallen by the wayside in
todays' world. You have been honest, up front, and although my motor
took a little longer than planned, you always let me know what was
going on. When it came time to get the motor, I could not have been
happier. I have about 1500 miles on it now, and it still amazes me
every time I drive it. I took it to my first autocross, and it revs so
fast, I had to shift into 3rd where all the other cars were using 2nd.
I really have to be gentle with the right foot since it has so much
torque, I can easily roast the tires in a hard corner under load.
I have attached a picture of what happens if you use too much RAT power
in the middle of the turn. Keep up the great work. I will refer
anyone I know to you without hesitation. If they say it is too
expensive, I will tell them they can't afford NOT to use RAT!
Thanks again!
I would love to be included on your testimonial page, and I want you to
post my dyno run so all can see what MassIVe Power is all about. Had I
not been there to see it, I would probably not believe it, but it is
true!
Sincerely,
Michael Keats
Marietta, GA
1976 Porsche 914/916
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
Washington, DC
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.
