I'm glad Pat chimed in here...
I made a post earlier that is now gone somewhere- Someone edited it for me. In that post I stated that CB tests their items, and puts them to use in their own engines and can find problems and work them out. I have a great respect for CB, and they are one of the ONLY aftermarket suppliers that I think really supports the VW engine as much as it supports them.
I really wish that post was still here, it was 15 minutes ago! Who edited it for me??
Pentroof Case Report
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Marty
- Posts: 5802
- Joined: Fri Nov 16, 2001 12:01 am
I will throw in my few pennies here.
I have ran mag blocks forever. I have made 500 FHP with one.
Mag blocks on the market today are NOT the same as they used to be. You need to check the line bore alignment, deck parrallellness etc as I have personally seen and heard about quite a few of them that were not right. Think about it. This tooling is a million years old now and have made millions of cases.
However, the material, finish etc of the blocks are great. I still build lots of motors with them. You just need to check them over real good just like anything else.
They DO have limitaions as far as racing. What else would you expect from something that was designed for 40 HP. Just be realistic about your expectations.
The Auto Linea aluminum case (stock replacement style). The first batch were definately crap. No doubt about it. The second run is a big improvement. Still not perfect but better from a machining and material standpoint. I have a few motors running around with them and I have NOT seen the problems that some people are reporting. Thats just me. Will there be some crappy ones? You bet! Just like there are crappy mag cases coming out. As far as the metalurgy, the jury is still out in my mind. Again, I have used them and have a few close freinds running them hard with NO problems.
The Auto Linea "Pent Roof" blah blah blah case. The Bug Pack case is the same one - FYI.
So far, this is the best example I have seem yet. I only have one motor built with one and it is NOT running yet. I will do the voodoo dance or whatever when the time comes. The machine work, fit and finish were perfect on my unit. I am VERY impressed with this case for now. If it falls apart, I will be sure to let you know.
The CB case - I beleive that when this comes out, it will be the shiznit.
The TF-1 case. This is a VERY fine example of a true aftermarket performance case. Two years ago I was thinking about buying one. At that time, for around $1400.00 you got a case that still needed the main line and cam tunnel finish machined at RIMCO. Total price for a COMPLETED finished case was right around $1500.00 when everything was done and shipped.
I also have close personal freinds that ran a few of these on boosted buggies and they pulled the head studs at a LOWER boost level than a mag case does. This was two years ago. Maybe things have changed.
Both Autocraft and SCAT are backordered about 4 months for cases.
The OXYBOXER cases do look good to me and I want to try one but have not had the chance - yet.
So what am I using right now for customers motors (less than 400 HP)?
CB has a sweet deal on their brazillian mag Super Cases going on. The price is right and the machine work is already done for you. THATS what I am using today.
I have ran mag blocks forever. I have made 500 FHP with one.
Mag blocks on the market today are NOT the same as they used to be. You need to check the line bore alignment, deck parrallellness etc as I have personally seen and heard about quite a few of them that were not right. Think about it. This tooling is a million years old now and have made millions of cases.
However, the material, finish etc of the blocks are great. I still build lots of motors with them. You just need to check them over real good just like anything else.
They DO have limitaions as far as racing. What else would you expect from something that was designed for 40 HP. Just be realistic about your expectations.
The Auto Linea aluminum case (stock replacement style). The first batch were definately crap. No doubt about it. The second run is a big improvement. Still not perfect but better from a machining and material standpoint. I have a few motors running around with them and I have NOT seen the problems that some people are reporting. Thats just me. Will there be some crappy ones? You bet! Just like there are crappy mag cases coming out. As far as the metalurgy, the jury is still out in my mind. Again, I have used them and have a few close freinds running them hard with NO problems.
The Auto Linea "Pent Roof" blah blah blah case. The Bug Pack case is the same one - FYI.
So far, this is the best example I have seem yet. I only have one motor built with one and it is NOT running yet. I will do the voodoo dance or whatever when the time comes. The machine work, fit and finish were perfect on my unit. I am VERY impressed with this case for now. If it falls apart, I will be sure to let you know.
The CB case - I beleive that when this comes out, it will be the shiznit.
The TF-1 case. This is a VERY fine example of a true aftermarket performance case. Two years ago I was thinking about buying one. At that time, for around $1400.00 you got a case that still needed the main line and cam tunnel finish machined at RIMCO. Total price for a COMPLETED finished case was right around $1500.00 when everything was done and shipped.
I also have close personal freinds that ran a few of these on boosted buggies and they pulled the head studs at a LOWER boost level than a mag case does. This was two years ago. Maybe things have changed.
Both Autocraft and SCAT are backordered about 4 months for cases.
The OXYBOXER cases do look good to me and I want to try one but have not had the chance - yet.
So what am I using right now for customers motors (less than 400 HP)?
CB has a sweet deal on their brazillian mag Super Cases going on. The price is right and the machine work is already done for you. THATS what I am using today.
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MASSIVE TYPE IV
- Posts: 20132
- Joined: Fri Jul 07, 2000 12:01 am
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turbobug56
- Posts: 482
- Joined: Mon Jan 28, 2002 12:01 am
I am one of the guinny pigs with the new pentroof autolinea cases.
I cracked my old mag case with 30 psi boost under heavy load climbing a grade in fourth gear at 3900 rpms (I was datalogging and wanted a heavy load and high boost). It sounded like a head was lifting so I let off. It actually cracked at the upper outer #1 stud but did not loose torque. The next day the car went to cbad and ran the 10.13@136 at 26 psi. I noticed oil seeping and upon further inspection noticed the crack.
I decided to try the pentroof hoping the head stud area is stronger. The assembly went smooth. I had about 300-400 miles on the motor when I noticed a little oil coming from the rear main area of the motor. I figured the rear main was leaking a bit. I then had to change clutches, the old stage 6 puck was slipping. What I found though............ it was not the rear main....... this case has.....had a porosity issue on the main galley that goes across right next to the cam plug. This was the oil leak. Fortunatly after serious cleaning, my friend was able the tig the porous area with the motor together and so far it has not leaked anymore.
I had the car a sac this last weekend attempting to get a 9's sec pass. Unfortunetly I was not able to get a clean run, track was slippery. However, I was running 28-29 psi through the motor and so far no signs of problems. I am taking the car to bakersfield this weekend to beat on it some more. Time will tell........ And I will keep you posted........
I cracked my old mag case with 30 psi boost under heavy load climbing a grade in fourth gear at 3900 rpms (I was datalogging and wanted a heavy load and high boost). It sounded like a head was lifting so I let off. It actually cracked at the upper outer #1 stud but did not loose torque. The next day the car went to cbad and ran the 10.13@136 at 26 psi. I noticed oil seeping and upon further inspection noticed the crack.
I decided to try the pentroof hoping the head stud area is stronger. The assembly went smooth. I had about 300-400 miles on the motor when I noticed a little oil coming from the rear main area of the motor. I figured the rear main was leaking a bit. I then had to change clutches, the old stage 6 puck was slipping. What I found though............ it was not the rear main....... this case has.....had a porosity issue on the main galley that goes across right next to the cam plug. This was the oil leak. Fortunatly after serious cleaning, my friend was able the tig the porous area with the motor together and so far it has not leaked anymore.
I had the car a sac this last weekend attempting to get a 9's sec pass. Unfortunetly I was not able to get a clean run, track was slippery. However, I was running 28-29 psi through the motor and so far no signs of problems. I am taking the car to bakersfield this weekend to beat on it some more. Time will tell........ And I will keep you posted........
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alan harland
- Posts: 35
- Joined: Mon Jul 29, 2002 12:01 am
It's funny how everybody cries about how shitty the vw aftermarket is, but continues to buy their junk. Why buy their junk? Because it' CHEAP! Why can they sell it for so cheap, because it's junk, and they know it. And they know that people are going to buy it anyway, so they will still make it. Probably one of the best aftermarket cases ever made was the old ARPM case. Droped cam, and only two peice. None of this three peice crap that is completly usless. Just more places to leak oil. Then come's alone the TF-1. Drop cam, two peice, and pre clearenced for 86mm, all the sheet metal fits on it. The next best thing to the ARPM, and people still cry. Here is your answer. Yes it's expensive, yes there has been some problems with it,(just like any aftermarket product) but here is the answer to these crappy cases. I believe the reason why someone has pulled the head studs under high boost is because Todd was not installing case savers in it. (who know's why) But I believe he is doing that now. I have been to this guys house and seen the 50 plus cases that are now garbage that he used for R&D testing. This guy is making a serious aftermarket part, no junk here. That is why I just dropped some serious coin for one. You can get good aftermarked parts in the vw aftermarked, you just have to pay for them. That's my two cents.