Anyone heard of Steve Strong Engines

[froggy]

Been having a few engine issues and have been thinking about either building something up or buying a replacement, anyway was looking around the e of bay and came across this http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI....55998&_sacat=See-All-Categories&_fvi=1&_rdc=1 1600 twinport re-con for £450 but have never heard of Steve Strongs Engines before, can anyone shed any light?

 

[r73]

Hey Si, i'm going through the same dilema. do I rebuild or buy recon short block or long block??????
Not heard of steve strong - looks very cheap though?
I was looking at TES £419 SB £719 LB. I know I could do it cheaper myself, but by the time you add up the individual costs and time i'm just not too sure how much i'd save.
The best route, i reckon is to find a good machine shop locally, I'd split the case and take all to someone who knows to check over and machine as neccessary. Then do all the assembly in the shed :lol:

 

[67westy]

There has been a thread on VZI in the last couple of days about TES that gave good feedback about them. Not tried it myself but it's something I've been thinking about. The brand new heritage engines look very tempting but a bit pricier

 

[Clem]

I 'think' he is the guy on VZi, called 'schneeky' ...

 

[Graham L]

If you look through his feedback it appears he's only sold one other engine via ebay since reregistering last year,

 

[froggy]

Hey Si, i'm going through the same dilema. do I rebuild or buy recon short block or long block??????
Not heard of steve strong - looks very cheap though?
I was looking at TES £419 SB £719 LB. I know I could do it cheaper myself, but by the time you add up the individual costs and time i'm just not too sure how much i'd save.
The best route, i reckon is to find a good machine shop locally, I'd split the case and take all to someone who knows to check over and machine as neccessary. Then do all the assembly in the shed :lol:

Yeah thats why i;m thinking about buying a re-con.
Idealy i would like to buy a turnkey / bolt in and then strip mine down and build something a little different or if i can get mine running then buy a case and start collecting the bits over a little time.

Have read a few threads on VZi and 'schneeky' and his ex business partner do not have a good rep so maybe best to stay clear.

 

[type2tattoo]

There is a pretty negative thread about strong engines on vzi, I would give Laurie a call if I were you and get him to rebuild it

 

[type2tattoo]

This is the thread, http://www.volkszone.com/VZi/showthread.php?s=2dd84f1d8a39bd9bd4973be4d03936df&t=679227" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

bit confused now as to wether it was him who fecked up or steve strong worked for him??

 

[Clem]

This is the thread, http://www.volkszone.com/VZi/showthread.php?s=2dd84f1d8a39bd9bd4973be4d03936df&t=679227" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

bit confused now as to wether it was him who fecked up or steve strong worked for him??

From what I understand (simply from threads on vzi) the user named iandubber and schneeky (steve strong) worked together, and then parted company.

 

[sparkywig]

There is a pretty negative thread about strong engines on vzi, I would give Laurie a call if I were you and get him to rebuild it

Better join the queue then. I think Laurie's fairly busy at the moment.

 

[Dean70bay]

He built my engine, ive havnt mot by camper yet so havnt taken it out but ticks over very nice, i know hes sold a lot with people getting his number though ebay, like i did

I thought he was a top bloke,i met him because he delivered it to me himself, hopefully when im on th road i dont get any problems, im sure it will be fine

 

[K@rlos]

There has been a thread on VZI in the last couple of days about TES that gave good feedback about them. Not tried it myself but it's something I've been thinking about. The brand new heritage engines look very tempting but a bit pricier

I've got a TES 1600 in mine...... Never again, it leaked oil like sieve from day 1 and had the worst seated valves I've ever seen! I've now rebuilt it myself and it holds the oil AND has a decent valve job!

Karl

 

[r73]

There has been a thread on VZI in the last couple of days about TES that gave good feedback about them. Not tried it myself but it's something I've been thinking about. The brand new heritage engines look very tempting but a bit pricier

I've got a TES 1600 in mine...... Never again, it leaked oil like sieve from day 1 and had the worst seated valves I've ever seen! I've now rebuilt it myself and it holds the oil AND has a decent valve job!

Karl

well thats made my mind up - gonna find a machine shop to check over the case, crank and heads and have a go myself. Is there anything else to get them to check? I'm going to put new barrels and pistons in, Mahle forged seem to get the best recomendations?
Rob

 

[creationblue]

If your doing it yourself, make sure you ready this, great advise 8)

http://www.aircooledtech.com/engine_build/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Just

 

[jacks906]

defo worth having a go your self just take your time and ask on here if your not sure were all here to help

dave

 

[froggy]

IF and its a big if (hence why using capitals) i re-built my single port are there any restrictions compared to building a twinport?

 

[alex4057]

There has been a thread on VZI in the last couple of days about TES that gave good feedback about them. Not tried it myself but it's something I've been thinking about. The brand new heritage engines look very tempting but a bit pricier

I've got a TES 1600 in mine...... Never again, it leaked oil like sieve from day 1 and had the worst seated valves I've ever seen! I've now rebuilt it myself and it holds the oil AND has a decent valve job!

Karl

well thats made my mind up - gonna find a machine shop to check over the case, crank and heads and have a go myself. Is there anything else to get them to check? I'm going to put new barrels and pistons in, Mahle forged seem to get the best recomendations?
Rob

The AA piston and barrel sets that Heritage have had in lately seem to be excellent have seen them go into 3 engines recently with no hassle, and when sent off for balancing were much closer than most Mahle sets I have seen. They alm ost look like the expensive Wiseco's.

My advice is don't try and do it cheaply as you'll never be 100% happy, and always get everything properly balanced and checked, these after market parts are never perfect.

Heads are where you can make the most difference to an engine! Spend the time and effort or money here!

 

[r73]

defo worth having a go your self just take your time and ask on here if your not sure were all here to help

dave

cheers Dave, gonna tke the engine out the beetle this week and start stripping it down - fingers crossed

 

[froggy]

Planning on buying a second hand case and build something myself over a few months (next winters project :lol: )still not sure about spec as think this will change as i go on and (eventually) use my van

 

[r73]

The AA piston and barrel sets that Heritage have had in lately seem to be excellent have seen them go into 3 engines recently with no hassle, and when sent off for balancing were much closer than most Mahle sets I have seen. They alm ost look like the expensive Wiseco's.

My advice is don't try and do it cheaply as you'll never be 100% happy, and always get everything properly balanced and checked, these after market parts are never perfect.

Heads are where you can make the most difference to an engine! Spend the time and effort or money here!

Cheers Alex - will prob go for the AA piston and barrels then. hopefully my old heads are ok - have heard that i should replace the exhaust valves and guides at a minimum - is it worth me having a go at the headwork or should i seek an expert?