Raby's Aircooled Technology

What Raby's Aircooled Technology does

Raby's Aircooled Technology (RAT) is a boutique, founder-led custom engine builder established in late 1997 by Jake Raby in Cleveland, Georgia. The company designs and hand-builds high-performance air-cooled engines based on the VW Type 4 platform for vintage Porsche (356, 912, 912E, 914) and VW (Beetle, Bus, Thing, Ghia) vehicles. The product portfolio spans 2.0L to 2.9L displacements, with marquee engines including the 2270 American (185HP), 2430 Performer (215HP), 2316 Annihilator (210HP), Raby Special 912E, and the top-tier 2913 XR record-holder (250HP standard, 284HP record on pump gas).

RAT's technical platform is anchored by three proprietary technology pillars: (1) the patent-pending DTM (Down The Middle) cooling system, acquired from Joe Locicero's estate in 2003, which uses directional vanes and internal shrouds to route airflow precisely to the cylinders requiring it most; (2) CNC-precision cylinder heads (CS, RS, LE 200/220/230 series) built on new castings rather than worn cores, with chamber volumes exact within tenths of a cc; and (3) twin-plug EFI systems using Electromotive PEFI on select engines. Jake Raby holds 5 US Patents covering Porsche engine components, tools, and procedures (including the IMS Solution). The company has adjacent operating subsidiaries — Flat 6 Innovations (watercooled Porsche engine development) and The Knowledge Gruppe (technical training).

The business model is direct-to-customer sales where Jake Raby personally sells every engine on a quote/proposal basis with upfront payment and 6-12 month lead times. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and engines range from daily-driver configurations to limited-edition performance builds (only 2 units of the 2913 XR per year). Customer segments span vintage Porsche owners facing expensive stock rebuilds ($7-8K+), vintage VW owners seeking modernization, replica builders, and racing enthusiasts. Production is deliberately capped at approximately 25 engines per year, with a stated philosophy of quality over quantity. Marketing relies on earned media (Excellence Porsche, VW Trends, Hot VWs, SPEED CHANNEL), an extensive technical-content website, and community engagement rather than paid advertising.

Name

Raby's Aircooled Technology

Legal name

Raby Aircooled Technology

Website

https://aircooledtechnology.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Raby's Aircooled Technology is a Cleveland, Georgia-based boutique engine builder founded in 1997 that hand-builds custom VW Type 4-based performance engines for vintage Porsche and VW vehicles, producing approximately 25 engines annually for a global enthusiast customer base.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Custom Aircooled Engine Building

NAICS

Motor Vehicle Gasoline Engine and Engine Parts Manufacturing (33631), Motor Vehicle Electrical and Electronic Equipment Manufacturing (336320)

SIC

Engines & Turbines (3510)

akta.pro primary industry

Truck & Commercial Vehicle Powertrain Manufacturing (Diesel/CNG/Hydrogen/Hybrid) (IMACABAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Fuel & Air Induction Systems Manufacturing (Injectors/Carburetion/Intake) (IMACAHAC), Passenger Vehicle Electrical & Electronics Manufacturing (ICE) (IMACAAAK)

Keywords

• Custom aircooled engines
• VW Type 4 conversions
• Porsche engine rebuilding
• Vintage vehicle engines
• Performance engine building

Headquarters

HQ city

Cleveland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Custom Engine Sales: Build-to-order custom aircooled engines based on VW Type 4/Porsche 914 platform. Each engine is custom built for specific application, driver, and climate. Engines sold as complete, dyno-proven, turnkey units ready to install.
2. DTM Cooling System Kits: Sale of MassIVe DTM cooling system shroud kits with optional deluxe kits including new TI cooling parts and water-jet cut sheet aluminum air sealing kits.
3. Cylinder Head Packages: Complete cylinder head rebuilding and upgrade packages with new castings, valve seats, valve springs, retainers, valves, and guides. CS, RS, and LE port and chamber profiles available.
4. Conversion Components: Proprietary conversion flywheels, clutch assemblies, sealing air tin kits, gearbox conversion components, and exhaust systems.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Raby's Aircooled Technology designs and hand-builds custom aircooled performance engines based on the VW Type 4 and Porsche 914/4 platform for vintage Porsche 356/912/912E/914 and VW Type 1 (Beetle/Thing/Ghia) and Type 2 (Bus/Transporter) vehicles. Each engine is sold as a complete, dyno-proven, turnkey bolt-in unit built one at a time by founder Jake Raby, accompanied by proprietary components such as DTM cooling systems, CNC cylinder heads, and conversion assemblies. The firm also provides related technical training through its affiliate The Knowledge Gruppe.

Product overview

Raby's Aircooled Technology is a boutique custom engine builder specializing in VW Type 4 and Porsche 914/4-based performance engines for vintage VW and Porsche vehicles. The company offers a portfolio of engines ranging from 2.0L to 2.9L displacements, built on the robust Type 4 platform as bolt-in replacements for vintage vehicles including Porsche 356, 912, 912E, 914, and VW Type 1, Type 2 buses, and Karmann Ghia. The product lineup centers on complete turnkey engines (2270 American, 2913 XR, 2316 Annihilator, 2430 Performer, Raby Special) paired with proprietary DTM Cooling Systems (Down The Middle), advanced CNC-machined cylinder heads (LE 200/220/230 series), and fuel injection system options. All engines are hand-built one-at-a-time by Jake Raby personally, with approximately 25 engines completed per year.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MassIVe: High-performance Type IV engine package brand featuring the DTM cooling system
• DTM Cooling Systems
• DTM

Products and services

• DTM Cooling Systems (Down The Middle) Patent-pending air cooling system for VW Type 1 and VW/Porsche Type 4 aircooled engines that routes cooling air directly to cylinders requiring it most via directional vanes and internal shroud design with stators. Distributes 40% airflow to each cylinder bank and 17% to the oil cooler housing. Sold as basic kit or deluxe kit with new TI cooling parts and water-jet cut sheet aluminum air sealing kits.
• CNC-Precision Cylinder Heads (LE 200, LE 220, LE 230)

Quantifiable outcome

• 2913 XR engine produces 284 HP on pump gas - record for all-motor street power
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• LN EngineeringcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJake Raby holds title of Technical Director at LN Engineering in Illinois USA. Components manufactured there including Nickies cylinders used in RAT engines. Deep technical partnership for component development and manufacturing.
• Flat 6 InnovationscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOwned by Jake Raby. Porsche watercooled engine building and development company. Related entity operating from same family of businesses.
• The Knowledge GruppecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOwned by Jake Raby. Technical training company that trains both enthusiasts and professional technicians. Provides educational content for the aircooled VW/Porsche community.
• Hoffman Automotive MachinecoreTechnology or IntegrationLen Hoffman serves as head cylinder head technician for RAT. Partnership between Raby's Aircooled Technology and Hoffman Automotive Machine for cylinder head development. Len has years of Type IV cylinder head experience critical to RAT's head program.
• Vintage VW Club of America (VVWCA)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerJake Raby appointed as Chief Technical Director. Writes articles for VVWCA's Vintage Voice and provides technical information for members. Represents RAT in official capacity.
• Revs Institute / Miles Collier CollectionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRAT built custom 1-of-1 engine for Miles Collier's Troutman-Barnes coachbuilt 1956 VW Beetle. Engine featured in Revs Institute museum in Naples, FL alongside 550 Spyder #001 and other iconic Porsche cars.
• Troutman-Barnes CoachbuildersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHistoric coachbuilding company that built the 1956 VW Beetle for Miles Collier. RAT provided engine for this iconic vehicle now in Revs Institute collection.
• Bug Me VideominorGTM or Marketing PartnerVideo production company partnered with Jake Raby for instructional engine building videos (2001 2000cc TIV engine video, 2003 Type 4 conversion video). Vehicle build featured on SPEED CHANNEL.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• CIP1: CIP1 is one of the largest US retailers of vintage VW and Porsche parts, including engine components, cylinder heads, and conversion kits. While more catalog-driven than full custom builds, it competes for the same end customers and adjacent spend on aircooled engine projects.
• Bayswater Automotive: Bayswater Automotive specializes in air-cooled VW performance engines and Type 1/Type 4 conversions, including custom builds and EFI installations. They compete head-to-head with RAT in the aircooled VW performance engine niche with a similar bolt-in conversion approach.
• Stoddard: Stoddard is one of the largest vintage Porsche and VW parts suppliers and restoration service providers in the US, with parts catalogs spanning the same 356, 912, 912E, 914, and Type 1/Type 2 platforms that RAT serves. It directly competes with RAT on vintage Porsche engine service, replacement parts, and full restorations, making it the closest commercial analog in the space.
• Patrick Motorsports: Patrick Motorsports is an Arizona-based vintage Porsche restoration specialist known for full concours and racing builds of early 911, 356, and 912 chassis, including complete engine rebuilds and performance conversions. Their service offering directly overlaps with RAT's Porsche engine conversion business for the same collector cars.
• Vintage Racing Motors: Vintage Racing Motors (VR) specializes in rebuilding vintage Porsche engines for road and racing applications, with deep expertise in early 911, 356, and 912 powerplants. They serve the same enthusiast and SCCA/track-day customer base with comparable high-performance vintage Porsche engine services.

Others

• LN Engineering: LN Engineering manufactures the Nickies cylinders used in RAT engines and Jake Raby serves there as Technical Director. They are an enabling supplier/partner rather than a competitor, but operate in the same vintage Porsche aircooled component ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/aircooledtech
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/raby-enterprises-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Raby's Aircooled Technology