AircooledHut Engines

[Heinz]

I may require a new engine, anyone running an AirCooledHut built motor?

 

[K@rlos]

Never heard of them

 

[Heinz]

https://www.aircooledhut.co.uk

 

[SiDev]

I've seen them advertising on Facebook and eBay, they've just started a "finance scheme" where you pay 10 monthly payments out of 12 and then they start building your motor. Never heard of that before, seems a little desperate to me, although all businesses need to start somewhere.
The prices they've advertised on eBay are similar to what my stroker originally cost, the difference being mine was built by Stef Rossi at Air Cooled Engineering who has a proven track record. For me, it's a very big investment and one I only wanted to make once, lots of research brought me to a short list of 3 engine builders who I would trust. Everyone will have a favourite and a reason why, but I would go with someone with a proven track record rather than an unknown.

 

[vinvan]

Have a word with "atafonso" on this forum, he built our 1776 with twin webber 34ict's and a vintage speed exhaust, runs like a dream, not fast but plenty of toque
He is old school VW and knows his stuff, easy to talk to and wont give you any ********
based in Wrexham
PS his name is Able
Vinvan

 

[K@rlos]

I've seen them advertising on Facebook and eBay, they've just started a "finance scheme" where you pay 10 monthly payments out of 12 and then they start building your motor. Never heard of that before, seems a little desperate to me, although all businesses need to start somewhere.
The prices they've advertised on eBay are similar to what my stroker originally cost, the difference being mine was built by Stef Rossi at Air Cooled Engineering who has a proven track record. For me, it's a very big investment and one I only wanted to make once, lots of research brought me to a short list of 3 engine builders who I would trust. Everyone will have a favourite and a reason why, but I would go with someone with a proven track record rather than an unknown.

Really? :| Yes, seems desperate and bit dodgy too. What happens if he goes bust before you’ve paid 10 installments? What happens to your money? I’ve been into vws a long time and have never heard of this place.

I always used to build my own engines but as work and home comimtments grew I got short of time and now use Hector Howe, he’s a close friend and has been building engines for over 20 yrs. My motor makes my bus pull away from most cars, it’s never given me any grief and I’ve fitted several of his engines to customers vws, again without any issues. If I didn’t use him it would be Richie Webb from RJ Volksperformance or Ian Clarke at Wolfsburg performance services. All 3 of these guys have years of experience and have set built some seriously quick vws in that time. I’ve heard horror stories about many of the others out there apart from Mark Prosser at Auto Technic’s in London who is well established too.

 

[thejinx]

it all sounds very expensive. What do you want as an outcome? Why not use one of the reputable companies advertising in camper and bus? At least you have something to show for your money almost instantly. I get that many use friends or well known engine builders to come up with fast or different engines but if you just want stock, you could have a go yourself.

I don’t want people to take this the wrong way and I am not being a knob but it seems sometimes the Vw scene is like drinking gin. Lidl have been proven in blind taste tests that they sell a very good gin for under £10 but people still buy a £40 bottle because it looks good at parties. They then throw 40p a litre Tesco tonic in it which is the majority of the taste. Your doing the right thing, research, getting the best for your money. By the way I drink bitter. I’ve gone a bit off piste here but you get the drift

 

[K@rlos]

it all sounds very expensive. What do you want as an outcome? Why not use one of the reputable companies advertising in camper and bus? At least you have something to show for your money almost instantly. I get that many use friends or well known engine builders to come up with fast or different engines but if you just want stock, you could have a go yourself.

I don’t want people to take this the wrong way and I am not being a knob but it seems sometimes the Vw scene is like drinking gin. Lidl have been proven in blind taste tests that they sell a very good gin for under £10 but people still buy a £40 bottle because it looks good at parties. They then throw 40p a litre Tesco tonic in it which is the majority of the taste. Your doing the right thing, research, getting the best for your money. By the way I drink bitter. I’ve gone a bit off piste here but you get the drift

It will be even more expensive if someone rebuilds an engine themselves, doesn’t really know what they are doing and ***** it up. Building a stock engine properly is a lot different to putting 1 together.

 

[thejinx]

I know I get that. There are some stunning engines in some of the busses on this and other forums but my point is what does Heinz want? A stock engine or something with grunt and omf. If it’s the latter then seek out specialist builders that are mentioned above. Stock, then why not look at companies such as JK, the VW engine company etc. Budget will also dictate what can be done. JK do interest free credit so why pay £500 a month for x months and wait for an engine when you can get one off the shelf almost instantly. If you want to wait for an engine then get one built by a reputable builder which will be to your own spec. As to having a go yourself why not if you love tinkering and your not going to pass it off later. Have a go. We live and learn

 

[K@rlos]

I know I get that. There are some stunning engines in some of the busses on this and other forums but my point is what does Heinz want? A stock engine or something with grunt and omf. If it’s the latter then seek out specialist builders that are mentioned above. Stock, then why not look at companies such as JK, the VW engine company etc. Budget will also dictate what can be done. JK do interest free credit so why pay £500 a month for x months and wait for an engine when you can get one off the shelf almost instantly. If you want to wait for an engine then get one built by a reputable builder which will be to your own spec. As to having a go yourself why not if you love tinkering and your not going to pass it off later. Have a go. We live and learn

I totally agree with you there, id choose an off the shelf stock motor from heritage with a good rep and warranty rather than an individual builder that no one has heard of and with questionable payment plans lol.

 

[Heinz]

I'm looking at a long block 1776 with an engle 100 cam then swapping over the rest of parts from my current 1600 that has twin 34's. I'm from Cornwall originally and need a little more torque for the A30 as go home a few times over the summer.

I built my own 1835 a few years ago it took me ages as I wanted everything to be spot on, I don't have the spare time anymore.

Budget is an issue and have heard mixed stories about the JK engines, will get some quotes from the builders mentioned above.

Tonic can make or break a good Gin

 

[SiDev]

I've seen them advertising on Facebook and eBay, they've just started a "finance scheme" where you pay 10 monthly payments out of 12 and then they start building your motor. Never heard of that before, seems a little desperate to me, although all businesses need to start somewhere.
The prices they've advertised on eBay are similar to what my stroker originally cost, the difference being mine was built by Stef Rossi at Air Cooled Engineering who has a proven track record. For me, it's a very big investment and one I only wanted to make once, lots of research brought me to a short list of 3 engine builders who I would trust. Everyone will have a favourite and a reason why, but I would go with someone with a proven track record rather than an unknown.

Really? :| Yes, seems desperate and bit dodgy too. What happens if he goes bust before you’ve paid 10 installments? What happens to your money? I’ve been into vws a long time and have never heard of this place.

I always used to build my own engines but as work and home comimtments grew I got short of time and now use Hector Howe, he’s a close friend and has been building engines for over 20 yrs. My motor makes my bus pull away from most cars, it’s never given me any grief and I’ve fitted several of his engines to customers vws, again without any issues. If I didn’t use him it would be Richie Webb from RJ Volksperformance or Ian Clarke at Wolfsburg performance services. All 3 of these guys have years of experience and have set built some seriously quick vws in that time. I’ve heard horror stories about many of the others out there apart from Mark Prosser at Auto Technic’s in London who is well established too.

Not sure you’ve understood me correctly here, my advice was to research and use someone reputable, Stef Rossi for me as I had driven buses with his motors in and have never heard a bad review, and I got a cracking deal, but I personally wouldn’t go with an unknown such as this Aircooed Hut, the prices are similar to those of someone with a proper rep. The finance for me doesn’t ring true, a proven engine builder will have a waiting list, he won’t be offering some informal finance. If you didn’t have the money to buy an engine yet, surely you would just save it yourself, you wouldn’t need to give it to someone you didn’t know to save it for you.
We agree here.

 

[SiDev]

I'm looking at a long block 1776 with an engle 100 cam then swapping over the rest of parts from my current 1600 that has twin 34's. I'm from Cornwall originally and need a little more torque for the A30 as go home a few times over the summer.

I built my own 1835 a few years ago it took me ages as I wanted everything to be spot on, I don't have the spare time anymore.

Budget is an issue and have heard mixed stories about the JK engines, will get some quotes from the builders mentioned above.

Tonic can make or break a good Gin

I believe Heritage do a new 1776 with a years guarantee? Not sure if they’re any good though.

 

[K@rlos]

I've seen them advertising on Facebook and eBay, they've just started a "finance scheme" where you pay 10 monthly payments out of 12 and then they start building your motor. Never heard of that before, seems a little desperate to me, although all businesses need to start somewhere.
The prices they've advertised on eBay are similar to what my stroker originally cost, the difference being mine was built by Stef Rossi at Air Cooled Engineering who has a proven track record. For me, it's a very big investment and one I only wanted to make once, lots of research brought me to a short list of 3 engine builders who I would trust. Everyone will have a favourite and a reason why, but I would go with someone with a proven track record rather than an unknown.

Really? :| Yes, seems desperate and bit dodgy too. What happens if he goes bust before you’ve paid 10 installments? What happens to your money? I’ve been into vws a long time and have never heard of this place.

I always used to build my own engines but as work and home comimtments grew I got short of time and now use Hector Howe, he’s a close friend and has been building engines for over 20 yrs. My motor makes my bus pull away from most cars, it’s never given me any grief and I’ve fitted several of his engines to customers vws, again without any issues. If I didn’t use him it would be Richie Webb from RJ Volksperformance or Ian Clarke at Wolfsburg performance services. All 3 of these guys have years of experience and have set built some seriously quick vws in that time. I’ve heard horror stories about many of the others out there apart from Mark Prosser at Auto Technic’s in London who is well established too.

Not sure you’ve understood me correctly here, my advice was to research and use someone reputable, Stef Rossi for me as I had driven buses with his motors in and have never heard a bad review, and I got a cracking deal, but I personally wouldn’t go with an unknown such as this Aircooed Hut, the prices are similar to those of someone with a proper rep. The finance for me doesn’t ring true, a proven engine builder will have a waiting list, he won’t be offering some informal finance. If you didn’t have the money to buy an engine yet, surely you would just save it yourself, you wouldn’t need to give it to someone you didn’t know to save it for you.
We agree here.

I fully understood thankyou.... I giving a few suggestions of engine builders with years of history and success both with street and race engines

 

[K@rlos]

Heinz, I’m selling this for a friend. Built and never fitted as he had a change of direction. Perfect motor for a bus

1760cc ‘mini stroker’ built by Hector Howe
Brand new autolinea aluminium case
Mahle 87mm forged pistons & barrels
Scat 74mm counter weight crank
Scat H beam rods with ARP bolts
Gene Berg 26mm full flow oil pump & cover plate
Engle w110 camshaft
Scat 1.25 rockers
New autolinea heads hand ported by Hector
Stainless stock size valves
Heavy duty valve springs
Match ported twin IDF/DRLA manifolds
Lightened flywheel
Kennedy stage 1 clutch
Equaliser heavy front pulley

£3500, try building or buying an engine of this spec for this money. An Autolinea case is a grand now

 

[aircooledhut]

Hi Guys,

I'm Jason from Aircooled Hut.

The offer your talking about is just a way of people getting the ball rolling. I was approached by someone that wanted me to do this even after I told him to save it himself and come back. In the end I thought maybe others would benefit from it as well. 12 months is longer than id be happy to go.

I'm certainly not desperate as have 3 or 4 months work in front of me, but in business its best to keep coming up with ideas. some work some don't.

I understand the worry people may have of handing money over but in the engine game, if you want a bespoke build I ask for a large lump sum up front anyway.
There's no way I could keep up with ordering new parts on several builds under way and those up to 3 months ahead to enable parts to arrive from the USA. Plus all the other stock I keep in for recon units.
From what i'm aware i'm not alone in this on the bigger builds. If someone came to me and wasn't happy to hand over a large amount I would try and work out something else.

All builds are done to the book, recon units are machined and cranks ground etc. and I give a full warranty, that I honour! I do this full time and not someone building them in my shed.

If anyone wishes to discuss further then please feel free to contact me by email. (I dont use forums anymore as have my hands full with facebook) or maybe contact some of my happy customers. I get plenty recommend me to friends or buying for a second vehicle.

Jay.

 

[Heebee_GB]

Well said. Good luck with the business fella.

 

[ozziedog]

This may not necessarily be a new approach to financing something. Where I grew up in Melbourne in Oz, this was a very popular scheme run by just about every retail outfit you could think of and it as called Layby. If you saw something you liked, you would agree the price with the retailer then start paying it off before you got it. This is exactly how I got my very first ten speed racing bike to go to work on when I was about sixteen and a half, it was forty five dollars and a second hand trade in at the bike shop! I was paying off about five or ten bucks a week because I couldn’t wait to get it.

Ozziedog,,,,,,,, thought I was the mutts :mrgreen:

 

[Clem]

It’s how mods in the sixties bought tailored suits!

 

[gas1man]

Very common in SA before the change for all races.

J & P