Again with the engine thing..... I know, I know

Kurt is an exceptional choice and since they do installs you might be able to benefit from that service as well.

I "love" the unusual engine that Pat built for me. Pat built me a "Special" engine. I prefer small displacement, over square engines for acceleration. Pat's engine is coupled with a 3.88 tranny. The acceleration in 4th at highway speeds makes me feel that I need another gear or 2. Thanks, Pat for one hell'va of an engine. Yes, and Pat still will not tell me all the goodies that's inside. One thing for sure ...It ain't no VW and NO cheap parts in it!!!

Jake and Pat:

I've just bought an un-built CMC Speedster kit that I'll be building with my son over the coming Winter, and we're beginning to think about the engine we'll be using.

The 1915cc and 2,110cc T1 is always popular (and also what Mickey is thinking of using, too, I guess) but we're intrigued by the T4 angle so I am wondering what you guys offer for a warranty on street engines that you build for customers, especially those at a great distance from your shop.

I suppose - and that's always risky ;>) - that you cover parts and labor but don't know the specifics as they relate to distance. If troubles come up can we get some sort of warranty service locally through you guys or do you look to have the engine returned to you for serious warranty work, or how does that all work?

Can you comment on this for those of us shopping for an engine so we'll have a clearer idea of what we're getting?? The engine is, by far, the biggest investment in these cars so Chris and I (and Mickey, too) are proceeding cautiously.

Thanks, Gordon

I just sent a check to Pat to do my engine. He's doing up a 2005cc for me which I feel will be perfect for my pan-based IM. I think he said it puts out @ 135hp. I'm not really an HP guy, I just want something that will give me a little fun. Pat and I discussed how I use the car and what I was looking to get out of it and we settled on that set up (with a 1 1/2" A1 and a compatible tranny in the works) All things being relative to the tube frame cars I think anything more in my pan based would be overkill.

Gordon,
It was a tough decision for me. I researched and read and read and read and thought and thought and thought. In the end I felt Pat was probably a little more my speed in that even though he does really big HP stuff, he specializes in T1

Please see the page on my site I have created to answer this quetion. Most every question is answered in the 1200 pages of info that I have been adding there since 1997
http://www.aircooledtechnology.com/warranty.htm

Remember:

Any engine we build can be destroyed in ten miles or less with improper start up procedures, improper support components added or half assed installation. I have had customers with hundred thousand dollar 356s install my freshly completed engine and not even change the fuel (that was 3 years old!), or the filter (that was filled with rust)and wonder why the engine broke immediately. They were dumb enough to send the filter, fuel hoses and etc back to me with the engine! There was no doubt what happened and they paid full price for the repair.

Less than 25% of the engines I build are set up in the car as well as I would do the job myself, even though I go out of my way to provide a full manual on the engine... Some of these things can break the engine in a matter of minutes and thats certainly not my fault! A million dollar engine can be destroyed with as little as a 12 dollar part.

My way of dealing with warranty keeps everyone honest. People that buy a performance engine, making as much power per cylinder as the entire engine did originally will drive it much harder and treat it much less seriously if they have a "warranty" to lean on when it breaks. Thats when the finger pointing starts, my way eliminates finger pointing.

Some recent stats:
In 2007 65% of my engines were shipped overseas, in 2006 about 50% were. Some of these found their way all the way to Australia and of those two years worth of efforts none have needed a repair or more than an email from the customer for a gripe to be solved. When you put things to the test the way I do, with the equipment and knowledge that we have the only thing will kill it is the wrong guy with a 13mm wrench. Every builder faces these challenges, some will give you a glorified piece of paper to make you feel good, others will actually help you even when you sign a piece of paper that says that they don't "have to".

No one I deal with is local to me, we are used to dealing with this and its not an issue at all. If you are in the USA, you are "local" to me!

That said, I have even repaired engines that were built by others, (and offered my assistance free of charge) when they have broken in the past, even one that necessitated a full tear down. Its amazing what a little respect and politeness can bring.

Mickey, glad you made the choice for your engine. I am sure it'll provide exactly what you are looking for, that combo has served me well in the past.

Pat?

Your turn...

The "MAN" in action!
Make that Pat Downs adjusting my motor on the CB dyno.

Mickey,
Sounds like Pat is constructing you and engine similar to mine. It registered 145 HP on the dyno. I won't discuss components, etc. here on the forum. My respect for Pat and CB Performance. However, contact me via email and/or phone, we can then discuss what I know about the set-up used on my Beck. Also, Carey was very surprised at the performance when he test drove my Beck.

Pat, where are you located? I'm reaching for a new engine myself, how can i get in contact with you?

Jim,
Their website is cbperformance.com.

Thanks Mickey!

Is there anyone in particular I should speak with?

If you're going with CB Performance, then call Pat Downs at
800-274-8337 (outside California)
559-733-8222 (inside California/tech info)

Thanks Larry, just gave him a call and sent an email.

Jim, I have a 2332cc motor with very low mileage. It is turn key, 44 Webers, ready to install. Give me a call if you want to discuss this motor. I have all the build data, story etc. I am on Pacific time. 561 301 7885

Congrats, Mickey.
And Danny's right. I don't know that my dude would have answered the mail for you anymore. He's not doing so well, from what I understand.
I now go almost exclusively to Warren Miles, Tif's or to Dave at Peek Performance for things I don't understand -- hopefully soon, I'll be doing everything myself.

Will,

I just shot you an email about your 2332.

George

I think it is sold. Thanks for the interest.

bummer.

let me know if anything changes...

and if there's anyone else out there...

One of my engine customers is replacing his bergmann built 2332 TI with a 265 HP, twin plugged, fuel injected beast of mine..

His current engine and tranny are for sale because I won't need anything from the current engine to complete his new massIVe engine.

The Bergmann engine only has 500 miles on it, same with the tranny...If interested, just let me know and I'll get you in contact with him.

Jake,

Two things:

1. Holy crap!!!!

2. Yes, please put me in touch.

Thanks,
George

Here is his email.
cameron.laghaein@yahoo.com

Gunnar Racing built his Beck based 550, but he wants incredible power to go with the rest of the car!

sent him an email this morning. thanks.

Jake,

Sent an email to him last week and did not reply. Can you ask him to get in touch with me at "dvfrancaccio@yahoo.com"

I appreciate it.

Thanks,
George

He has been out of town and just returned. We have an appointment to chat about his engine tomorrow afternoon and I will direct him your way.

Great, thanks.

Cameron and I talked tonight..
I gave him your email address and he will be in touch with you.

Jake,

Any chance having come in contact with the car that you know (guess) the particulars of the motor and tranny? Valve size...carb size...gear ratio's?

I've exchanged a few emails with cameron and i think he may be struggling with coming up with the information. i don't want to put him through too much of a hassle and i'm pretty sure i want to buy the stuff off him...just need to confirm those things.

thanks,
George

Cameron isn't an engine guys- thats why he passed the chalenge on to me fully for the entire power train.

I don't think that he has a clue whats inside the engine, other than just its size. The builder of that engine doesn;t serialize engines like we do and more than likely he doesn't have a clue whats inside it...

Jake,

Got it. Have you seen or driven the car? If so, do you know of anything wrong with the motor? I lost email touch with Cameron a few days ago.

George

No, like most of my customers Cameron is hundreds of miles away, so I havent driven the car..

The engine wasn't detailed to the level of the rest of the car that was prepared by Gunnar Racing... Plus he wanted more normally aspirated power than any TI streetable engine could provide, so we are creating a copy of the "Mighty Spyder" engine for him.
The car runs fine as it is, so I don't believe there are any issues with the engine, its just not fast enough.

"Not fast enough" is a relative term; right, Jake?....

Nothing is ever fast enough... If you can't burn tires in every gear right up to red line keep wring till you can :-)

Jakes trying for "Light Speed"....Go get it guy....

I am new to the Speedster craze. I have spent a lot of time learning from this forum. I have VS wide body (980 miles) I bought new out of Phoenix, AZ. I can vouch for the fact that a 2110cc engine had better be built right or you'll be sorry. I am sure the engine in my VS is a "mexi-crate" engine. I have kept the RPM's at 5000 or below, had the valves adjusted at 500 miles, changed the oil and filter at 500 miles to ensure the engine was protected. Long and short, I bent a push rod at 980 miles. I have a mechanic here in Oklahoma City that has 30+ years experience (lucky me). He tore the engine down and I am going to have the engine rebuilt at 980 miles. The engine in my car was definitely not designed to handle the horsepower it produced. Even a novice like me can look at the failed parts and tell the problem would have occured sooner or later regardless of how the engine was cared for. As the Fram commercial used to say, "You can pay me now or pay me later". BTW, before you ask, It has the CB Performance oil pan, an oil cooler, full flow case and filter, dual Kadrons, Magna Flow exhaust, fuel pressure adjustment, etc. It looks right but the internal parts were destined to fail at some point early in their life.

I am surprised that an engine that size would have Kadrons.

And by the way, don't use a Fram filter, they are Junk but, they have a great Advertisement Campaign.

Buy a WIX
If you have a full size filter buy the WIX 51515R

Robert, what actually failed,under what conditions, and what are you doing in your replacement motor that is different?

Jake,

If you speak to Cameron, please tell him to get in touch with me. I have not heard from him in about a week.

Thanks,
George

I drove the car to a boat club meeting here in OKC to meet up with Cal Monsma and the car ran fine prior to that particular evening. While we were all standing around gawking at the cars, somone asked me to fire up the Speedster. When I started it I immediatley noticed a knock coming from the engine. I check the oil level and temperature after letting it idle for a minute. I took it easy on the way home and called a mechanic the following Monday. I took it in and he dropped the valve cover on the drivers side. We looked and an exhaust valve had more the 70 thousandsth play. He pulled the rockers and tried to remove the pushrod. It was bent and the head that seats against the lifter was mushroomed. The clips that hold the rockers on the rocker arm assembly were already showing signs of wear as well. Could have been a number of things. I probably oversped the engine but I never let the RPM's get above 5000. I have seen warnings on this forum about running the mexi-crate engines above even 4000 RPM's. I bought the car for fun and performance and I am going to treat it exceptionally well but drive it like I feel a 2210cc ought to be able to be driven. I post pictures of the failure and the updated parts that are going into and on the engine. The good news, I get to make my toy even more fun!