SharpBuilt answers basic questions their T4 cproduct...

[Questor]

When I investigated ways to convert T4 engines to T1, I felt like I was only getting part of the information that I needed. This is why I contacted Mike Sharp at SharpBuilt to learn about his T4 conversion products and see if I could simplify and/or reduce the costs of making an excellent T4 conversion into a T1 Bug.

The email responses listed below are from Mike Sharp regarding my basic questions about his T4 to T1 conversion products available for sale. Joe Cali briefly mentions SharpBuilt products in his "The Type IV Upright Conversion Manual" update section. Some forum members may find that SharpBuilt provides viable parts and components or cooling that match or compliment those describes in the "Cali Method" or Jake Raby's "Down The Middle" method at his Type IV store.

Also posted in a separate topic are a SharpBuilt 2009 price list in US dollars. Please note that receiving shipments from Australia where Mike lives will likely be delayed and DO NOT reflect any possible US import taxes that may or may not apply.

Regards, Steve
'68 Bug 1600cc
2156cc T4 conversion in progress...

Hi Steve

1.) Do you have a distributor in the USA?

>>>> I sell direct to the US



2.) Are there US buyers that installed your kit you could refer me to for more info?

>>>>Just post some Qs on forums--I do not keep track of customers



3.) What are the kit total costs for purchasing one of your T4 Upright Conversion Kit?

>>>>>>I have attached a price list in US $

{Note these price lists are listed in another SharpBuilt topic post in this forum}



4.) How are shipping/handling and import taxes handled?

>>>>>I send by Australia post airmail---In the US In not sure about the import tax's-- I help a little with supplied paper work/invoice



5.) Are parts sold individually – especially if one breaks in normal use?

>>>>>>Yes parts are available if needed



6.) What additional spare parts should I keep in storage?

>>>>>Always carry a spare fan belt



7.) What warranty covers purchased kits, for how long, and what parts are most likely to break with extended use over time?

>>>>>If something is damaged or broken in transit I will replace with new---not aware of parts waring out as yet



8.) Have there been problems with the engine shroud fibreglass cracking due to heat or age?

>>>>> Not that I am aware of---I have been selling these kits since 1993



9.) How adaptable is your T4 kit to variations in mounting in a ’68 Beetle? My son may be interested in later mounting a Turbo kit on the T4.

>>>>>I have never fitted up a turbo one so I cannot say---check out 'installed engines' for variations of install's on my new design web site



[b[http://www.sharpbuilt.com.au/sharpbuilt1/page14.htm[/b]



10.) How much metal fabrication will I have to complete to fully install your kit?

>>>>> You will need to trim a small amount of metal (about 3'' x 2'' square) from the engine bay if you install the type IV Porsche kit with the optional air duct installed---I supply a Patten for this with the kit.



Regards Mike Sharp
http://www.sharpbuilt.com.au

[nextgenusa]

I meet Mike before the internet. I took weeks to get letters back and forth. I still have a file with Mike's hand drawings in Ballpen. The Sharpbuilt T-1 version is very much like the Cali Style, we had no idea we were both working on it at the same time ( 100 monkey theory) look it up!!!

He could not send photos because he had a Brownie, ha, finally borrowed a real camera. We exchanged many ideas, and his parts work with the Cali Style. The Gen stand, Cylinder Covers and he sold me his Engine Sealing tin, which is still on my engine. Check it out at my site.

He sent me articles of my Cali Style in VW Australia which I had no idea was printed.
Also one of the cars he fitted made it through a 1000 mile race in the Outback. The car did not have a rear support for engine. Mike underlined, well Mate I guess you do not need a rear hanger if that Bloke made it 1000 miles flying over rocks.

Mike I still have the hat with Corks on strings, I had no idea. Next letter he told me it was to keep the flys out of my face.

[66 deluxe]

As for shipping and import charges with US customs it should be no charge at all if you can get a letter from him stating all parts are made in Australia, why cause both our countries are Allies in the war on terror. We have formed a Free trade agreement between our two countries when we went to war together our dollar to yours rose from 50c to almost the full dollar against yours, i get no custom charges applied when i import from USA if my purchase is over $1000 australian and i have the letter from the manuacturer. I've had a sharbuilt 911 kit for type 4 i'll take a DTM anyday over the sharpbuilt.

Damo.

[Questor]

Hi Damo,

Thanks for the response... What do you like better about DTM versus the SharpBuilt VW or Porsche T4 cooling kits? Which kit(s) did you select and why?

Could you compare similar SharpBuilt and DTM cooling kits for T4 engines regarding:
1.) overall product prices;
2.) convenience to assemble and install;
3.) which parts unexpectedly had to be modified to suit your Bug,
4.) product delivery time,
5.) product materials quality,
6.) and tech support quality?

Some people may want to avoid ordering products from an overseas company when the products and support are hard to obtain...

Thanks, Steve
'68 Bug 1600cc
2156cc T4 conversion in process...

[66 deluxe]

Hi Damo,

Thanks for the response... What do you like better about DTM versus the SharpBuilt VW or Porsche T4 cooling kits? Which kit(s) did you select and why?

Could you compare similar SharpBuilt and DTM cooling kits for T4 engines regarding:
1.) overall product prices;
2.) convenience to assemble and install;
3.) which parts unexpectedly had to be modified to suit your Bug,
4.) product delivery time,
5.) product materials quality,
6.) and tech support quality?

Some people may want to avoid ordering products from an overseas company when the products and support are hard to obtain...

Thanks, Steve
'68 Bug 1600cc
2156cc T4 conversion in process...

Steve, i had the 911 kit from sharpbuilt, the build quality of the shroud was good, but i had trouble fitting it evenly over the engine nothing seemed to line up properly. I had to use a stock distributor instead of a mallory, MSD or pertronix billet because of interference with the 911 fan. Prices were too high i paid almost $2K for it, this included paying $900 for the porsche fan which i then discovered had a dead alternator, replacement cost for a new alternator was $700 also fan was corroded. With the ducting to stock oil cooler location i had to cut bodywork to fit. Sharpbuilt is an hour from where i live and i had it posted which costs too much via AUS post would have been cheaper to drive there and pick it up. Also i hated having to machine the case and have fan support welded in which cost another $200. So all up total cost was close to $3K. I sold the complete kit with crankcase at a loss of $1800, I then ordered a DTM from Raby and had it shipped and delivered for $1K, i toolk it out of the box and fitted it to my engine and it fit perfect first time the build quality far exceeds the sharpbuilt looks like stock type 1 cooling and actually cools the engine better, the fact that i could use my stock alternator and fan was great, i had the complete engine fitted and installed in under four hours. The price and Quality of the DTM is hard to beat and delivery in the USA is about $85 and you have local tech support. So if i ever want 911 cooling again it will be on a 911 flat 6 engine that i will put in my 57 split. Spend your money on something that works without modification and not something that looks pretty.

Damo.

[jonnym]

Hi All, Newbie user here.
I wanted to post a follow up to some older posts here regarding a T4 in T1. Mine is a T4 914 engine in a ghia.
I have a lot of T4 experience and had a few 2.0's lying around so decided to use one in the Ghia resto.
I looked at Jake's kit, a german kit and some do it yourself using fiberglass tin pieces from Sharpbuilt in Australia and a 36HP fan shroud modified for the doghouse oil cooler for a larger T4 cooler. I did like Jakes' kit but wanted to save few bucks. That decision in hindsight was a mistake.
The major problem is with Sharpbuilt - I would say first off avoid doing business with them. Reason follows.
First I received shrouds that had the spark plug holes in the 1.7 /1 .8 location instead of the 2.0/914 spot.
I reached out to him (Mike Sharp I believe - it seems like a one man show shop) and it takes FOREVER to get a response. When i finally did he told me he was on vacation and would not be able to do anything until his return in two weeks. So the project stops .
Two weeks later I reach out - after two or three days a reply he wants me to purchase new ones - on and on.
Anyway, I don't know how they stay in business as my experience has been horrible and regret not going with the Raby DTM system. I have spoken with Jake several times and purchased other T4 items form him and he is a stand-up guy.
Again, please learn form my experience and avoid Sharpbuilt!
At this point I am left to modify the shrouds myself to move the spark plug holes at our shop's expense. Fan shroud purchased modified from Awesome Powder coat with cooling mods so far so good!
Antone else have other insight please chime in - thanks for letting me vent!

john

[jonnym]

Should have named response "Avoid Sharpbuilt at all costs!

[wreck]

Just curious , when you ordered the "Tins" did you tell Mike that it was for a 2lt with the different plug location ? Reason being that 2lt 914 heads are very very scarce in Australia and almost every kit he would sell would be for VW type 4 heads .
The Sharpe built fibre glass kits are good because they give you the flange to mount the front and rear type 1 tins at the correct height and also the lower cylinder tins to direct air around the lower part of the cylinders like the stock type 4 tin, or even better use original lower metal tin . you have the option to buy the front and rear tins from Mick .
Having made my own fibreglass tins and shroud I can tell you that making the cylinder covers with the joining flange like stock is a pain in the arse . thin fibre glass doesn't like 90 degree corners . CSP and DTM don't have them and I'd guess it is to make it cheaper to manufacture . I'm guessing just a single one piece mould for the DTM shroud and cylinder covers .
Some thing that always lets the brilliant DTM down in looks in my opinion is it the flat plate rear tin and brackets that are supplied with the kit . A well cut down type 1 tin like Arnold's conversion looks original and awesome .

[VIPERGREEN76]

Does anyone have a 2019 Sharpbuilt ,US $ price sheet available?