Jake Raby - https://aircooledtechnology.com/
Bernie Bermann - https://bergmannvw.net/index.htm
Pat Downs - https://patdownsperformance.com
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Wow, I didn't realize there were that many air-cooled performance engine builders out there.
I'm only familiar with Pat Downs, so I'm not qualified to offer an educated opinion regarding who is best.
Jason
Who's going to fall into this trap?
@Panhandle Bob posted:Who's going to fall into this trap?
Actually Bob... I am looking to either change or upgrade my current engine. Trap? Have a nice day
@Bob: IM S6 posted:Not me.
George Brown was the best...
No longer a builder?
@Todd Dean posted:Actually Bob... I am looking to either change or upgrade my current engine. Trap? Have a nice day
Certain topics, best engine oil, best transaxle gearing, best fuel pump, best ignition system, best builder, best engine builder, etc., usually lead to spirited conversations with polarizing results.
Calm down.
@Todd Dean posted:No longer a builder?
He is dead.
I don't think Jake builds Type 1 engines.
If you do a search you may find negative comments about Bernie
I am not familiar with the last one you list.
I build my engine but if I was to buy one I would go for Pat Downs.
My first speedster had a Jake Ray 1915 and was bullet proof, dyno numbers below. I believe it was built in 2009 and I had it from 2012-1015.
However if I was going to build an air-cooled engine it would be Pat Downs all the way. 
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@Joe Fortino posted:My first speedster had a Jake Ray 1915 and was bullet proof, dyno numbers below. I believe it was built in 2009 and I had it from 2012-1015.
However if I was going to build an air-cooled engine it would be Pat Downs all the way.
Thanks Joe... I'm looking to change out my current for a more aggressive engine. I appreciate the feedback
@Michael McKelvey posted:I don't think Jake builds Type 1 engines.
If you do a search you may find negative comments about Bernie
I am not familiar with the last one you list.
I build my engine but if I was to buy one I would go for Pat Downs.
Thx Michael!
I offer up Anabel Chico of Chico's Performance in Arcadia Ca. last week he put out 4 complete engines. All were modified.............Bruce
Type 1 Pat Downs.
Obviously he just built me a Type 4.
So I guess I’m all in for Pat.
Pat builds lots of bullet proof medium compression 2332cc Type 1 engines for Vintage Motorcars. Has lots of low end torque. However Greg says the engine is awesome in a new Spyder he just built. But if you want a high compression high horsepower Type 1 I’m sure Pat can build you one. But you’d probably be happy with the 2332. I drove a 356 with the 2332 when I was in LA a few months back. It had plenty of power.
Pat says he’s now in the Type 4 business. So if you just have to have one and you’ve got a bucket of cash sitting around, call Pat he’ll hook you up.
@550 Phil posted:Type 1 Pat Downs.
Obviously he just built me a Type 4.
So I guess I’m all in for Pat.
Pat builds lots of bullet proof medium compression 2332cc Type 1 engines for Vintage Motorcars. Has lots of low end torque. However Greg says the engine is awesome in a new Spyder he just built. But if you want a high compression high horsepower Type 1 I’m sure Pat can build you one. But you’d probably be happy with the 2332. I drove a 356 with the 2332 when I was in LA a few months back. It had plenty of power.Pat says he’s now in the Type 4 business. So if you just have to have one and you’ve got a bucket of cash sitting around, call Pat he’ll hook you up.
I would like to have an engine with about 175 to 200hp. Would Pat be the guy?
Like Mike says, Jake no longer builds type 1 engines. If you can get him to build you one of his type 4 motors, they start at $25k and go up rapidly from there.
If you are a hands on guy, CB makes it really easy to build a motor these days with proven combinations, available as kits.
@aircooled posted:I offer up Anabel Chico of Chico's Performance in Arcadia Ca. last week he put out 4 complete engines. All were modified.............Bruce
Turbo!!!!
@LI-Rick posted:Like Mike says, Jake no longer builds type 1 engines. If you can get him to build you one of his type 4 motors, they start at $25k and go up rapidly from there.
If you are a hands on guy, CB makes it really easy to build a motor these days with proven combinations, available as kits.
I rapidly getting there with the hands-on experience... I should have paid closer attention when my dad was working on the Corvair
@Todd Dean posted:I would like to have an engine with about 175 to 200hp. Would Pat be the guy?
Yes.
There are other boutique builders there -- but for a "from scratch" motor, Pat's your guy.
An honest 200 hp T1 is going to be a very special, somewhat finicky proposition. Many promises are made and broken by many engine guys not named Pat Downs regarding the mythical 200 hp T1. Beware the OCCF hp numbers*.
Regardless, you'd be way happier (I think) with a legitimate 175 hp PDP engine. Unless you are a longtime gearhead and tuner (not "car guy", that's an entirely different proposition), I'd put aside any thought of a turbo T1 -- there are guys who have done it (and it is awesome), but it's not a "hop in and drive across the country" proposition. It's not even a "hop in and drive it to C&C" proposition.
My opinion and a dollar will still buy coffee at most local McDonalds.
*Orange County Correction Factor
@Stan Galat posted:Yes.
There are other boutique builders there -- but for a "from scratch" motor, Pat's your guy.
An honest 200 hp T1 is going to be a very special, somewhat finicky proposition. Many promises are made and broken by many engine guys not named Pat Downs regarding the mythical 200 hp T1. Beware the OCCF hp numbers*.
Regardless, you'd be way happier (I think) with a legitimate 175 hp PDP engine. Unless you are a longtime gearhead and tuner (not "car guy", that's an entirely different proposition), I'd put aside any thought of a turbo T1 -- there are guys who have done it (and it is awesome), but it's not a "hop in and drive across the country" proposition. It's not even a "hop in and drive it to C&C" proposition.
My opinion and a dollar will still buy coffee at most local McDonalds.
*Orange County Correction Factor
Thx Man! With the weight of these cars - 175 would be a good mark to stick with.
30+ years in this business.... PAT DOWNS IS YOUR GUY! Pat has been our engine builder and my personal friend for a very long time, he knows more and has built more engines then all the above put together. I speak from experience.
Greg
@Todd Dean posted:Thx Man! With the weight of these cars - 175 would be a good mark to stick with.
NP. Happy hunting.
Todd....yes Chico does turbo's all the time. There's a type 4 turbo being built in his shop now. The last turbo he had on his dyno was a 1.7 ltr. turbo I was amazed at how small the turbo was. About the size of my fist. I forgot what the output was but it was a surprising performer in a Ghia. The turbo is installed under the tin too.........Bruce
Too bad we don't have a picture of that turbo.
I'll try to get you one Michael............Bruce
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Wow, that powdercoated CB thing is awesome. A lot of equipment there. I have always thought that a turbocharger was a thing that hot rodders did because they could, and real people could not understand or know what to do with such stuff. Plus they would shorten the life of whatever engine you put one on, as engines simply were not designed to do that. Whether or not that is the case for VW Type 1s or Type 4s, I'm not smart enough to know. What I do know is that my '18 Honda 2.0 Sport has a turbocharger on it designed and integrated by Honda and it is amazing. That two liter four banger is rated at 256 HP, and can get upwards to 32 mpg on the highway. You ask Scotty down there for more, and you get a LOT more.
Thanks everyone for contributing to my request... I really appreciate your input 
Another aspect to look at is longevity. I had a Pat Downs 1915cc with -125hp in my Speedster, and the engine gave me a good solid 56k miles before I sold the car. That’s a long way from 175 hp, but it’s still an indicator of the quality of his builds.
Gary Berg is also more than qualified and has been building Type 1 engines for (what seems like) forever. Bernie Bergmann is someone TO STAY AWAY FROM!
If I recall correctly, I think that Henry - when he was in charge of Intermeccanica - had CB Performance (aka Pat Downs), do some of his air cooled engine builds.
That's a recommendation good enough for me.
@Bob: IM S6 posted:If I recall correctly, I think that Henry - when he was in charge of Intermeccanica - had CB Performance (aka Pat Downs), do some of his air cooled engine builds.
That's a recommendation good enough for me.
Si Si, so is My 2110 cc still going out there. 
I lived with the 2110cc it was a solid engine, but I think the opinions out there are there are no reliability issues with the 2332cc with the oil cooler and the way PDown builds them. I often thought that I could use a bit more when I drove the 2110cc. When I wanted to build a new IM, Henry would not build me just another new AC car due to my 2004 IM being a full featured unit but strongly suggested he would build me a Subie with full subie tranny, because of the oodles of torque that that platform offered. I also found that even where I live in the summer vs fall the AC would perform so much better in the cold so for that and other reasons I built a new car in 2014. I would go with the largest AC and even more so with a TypeIV as it already has the hoover oil manoeuvre for the heads, oodles of torque and simply will loaf at 180-200hp. The issue with an AC as I see it is that you have to turn the engine at 3K for cooling so it is a more noisy environment and full sound deadening IMO is needed for cabin enjoyment but in California , with the wind no one notices it. I often found myself looking for a fifth gear all the time with my 3:44 tranny and the 3-4 transition was a bit annoying which I assume might be better with the 2332cc or a typeIV @Todd Dean
I had a 2332cc in my last Intermeccanica, and I would do that again.
It's a good engine with decent horsepower.
If you are interested and near Middlefield Ohio there's a Car & Bike Show
https://app.donorview.com/Even...95Izut3o7b50u04Cgmn0
