FSA Motors Fort Smith AR

[Doug D.]

Doing a little research before I part with a pile of hard earned cash on a roll of the dice with a company I know nothing about. Anybody here heard of this outfit or done any business with them? They're based in Ft Smith AR, and have a shop in Ft Worth TX as well. They sell reman bug motors and primarily service MO, AR, OK and TX. Any info is greatly appreciated.

PEACE and be safe! ~

 

[Ozarkryder]

Tried to find them on the interwebz - either my Google-fu is lacking today, or they just don't have a web presence. The only thing I found is some not very complimentary conjecture about FSA Motors on the Samba, a VW site.

There is a guy in Neosho, MO that builds air-cooled VW engines. Not as cheap as the FSA but everything is brand new, not remanufactured. http://www.darrylsvw.com/Home/Darryls-VW-air-cooled-engines

 

[peteg59]

No info on FSA, but Samba is a good place for info on a potential supplier, good or bad.

If they're reputable and/or willing to set your mind at ease, ask them for customer feedback if they have any?

Of course that information also can be "fudged", so it is truly "Buyer Beware" when dealing with an unknown.

Good luck...

 

[vwbug72501]

Contact your local VW club. I've talked with Groove http://www.groovevws.com/ members and the Northwest Arkansas VW Assoc. https://www.facebook.com/NWAVWA/ members at the Eureka Springs show and they have been very helpful in the past.

The VW air cooled culture is like the Borg, "you will be assimilated".

There is also a company called GEX International http://www.gex.com/content/index.htm located in Booneville, AR. (SE of Fort Smith) that rebuilds engines. Don't know about them but they have been around for a long time and advertise in the VW magizines.

 

[Doug D.]

Thanks, guys! I appreciate the feedback.

 

[stinger608]

Can't help ya a bit Doug. I've not heard or dealt with them at all.

One question; what are they charging for a reman engine?

 

[peteg59]

One question; what are they charging for a reman engine?

x2, and what is it? (stock, hotrod, etc.)

 

[Doug D.]

x2, and what is it? (stock, hotrod, etc.)

For Pete and Stinger; The guy actually called it rebuilt, if there's really a difference, in long block form. It'll be a 1641 like the one I have, with the same Ingle 110 cam I'm running now, so near stock. He's charging $1250 delivered to my door. That includes a $150 core for my old long block. Supposed to be a late model "41" case and fresh innards, everything is checked and tested before it's delivered. I get to keep my 1.25 HR rockers if I send my stock sets back with the core, and of course, I use all my old peripherals. It has a 12 month warranty with no mileage cap.

It sounds good, but then everything does when someone's trying to sell you something... ~

 

[peteg59]

Doug, this deal sounds too good to be true & unless I knew someone who has used him, I'd be leery.

IF this is a real deal, he's going to have people knocking his door down for fresh engines, if he doesn't already!

Did he state the lead time for receipt after you order?

From what I've seen lately, the going rate for a "rebuilt" engine using new internals is around $3K+, plus your good "core".

 

[Doug D.]

It does sound a little cheeky, to be sure. I haven't committed to anything yet. And to answer, two weeks turn around from the time I order.

 

[peteg59]

I'm interested in the outcome of your dealings with this vendor. I might order one as a "spare" at this price.

Shipping to me in NH probably would not be free though:Shrug:

Please keep us informed...

 

[Doug D.]

Will do, Pete. I need to make up my quick. My motor got trashed by a local shop and I don't trust them to make it right. Unfortunately, they're the only game in town, so I'm forced to go outside the area to folks I don't know for a replacement. The other unfortunate is that this guy is within my budget...

P.S. If anybody here has anything dependable for sale, please, by all means, hit me up.

 

[Ozarkryder]

A quick jump to the Samba VW forum, entered GEX in the forum search box and came up with nothing good about them. I also Googled GEX reviews, the newest was from 2016 on "Pissed Consumer.com" - again, not good.

Not looking for a new motor, but I am looking to find an air-cooled VW mechanic in the SW MO or NWA area. The #1 cylinder has only 90lbs compression, others have about 130. I could throw parts at it, (new heads with valves, jugs, pistons etc.) but I want to know what caused the problem, not just rebuild the top end. I visited Darryl's, very nice guy, interesting shop, does excellent work, but he builds engines, not rebuilds or repairs. Went to a place in Grove, OK, they seemed just to want me to chuck the dual Weber IDFs and sell me a single progressive Weber.

IF I were looking for a short or long block,or even a turnkey, I would at least give Darryl's in Neosho MO, a call, or visit. Seems Vienna is just over 3 hours away. I even know a cheap place for a fellow forum member to stay if overnighting it.

 

[Doug D.]

Thanks Don, I appreciate the feedback. I think I will give Darryl's a call. I'm growing less comfortable with this other outfit the further I go. I appreciate everybody's help, and if I can ever be of service, please let me know. The responses here are but just another testament to the great folks here on Trike Talk. I'm proud to be a part of this community!

Again, if anyone has a long block or complete motor laying around, please drop me a line.

PEACE and ride safe!

 

[Ozarkryder]

I'm sure that there are many very good air cooled shops, whether rebuilt or made from new. I just don't know of any others in the area. It seems to be getting hard to find a VeeDub mechanic (Type 1,2 & 3s deserve a mechanic, not just an "automotive technician") outside a major metro area.

 

[Doug D.]

Hey guys, a little update. I passed on the unit from AR, and found a "fresh" 1835 long block for just a little more money. Supposedly, it was built a few years ago and never used. The seller wasn't the original buyer, but he has the build sheet and receipts from the build. I looked it over and it looks pretty good. My handy HF inspection cam saw a spotless interior that looks like it's never seen oil much less been ran. It turns freely

It was put together by a shop in Parker, KS, which I believe is now out of business. Lovin' Buggies, Inc. Anybody heard of them?

PEACE and ride safe!

 

[Bigee444]

Fsa motors

Hey guys I've personally dealt with fsa for 2 different motors and both times I had great results. Motors were great and Ken is a great guy to work with.

 

[sonny8l3]

I'm not sure if he can help, but when mine gets ready for a rebuild, this is the fella that will be doing it. He has done all my work for about 3 years and I put about 1k miles a month. He's straight up honest and resonably priced. He does most of the vws for several parishes around Baton Rouge.

chendrick1@cox.net I hope this helps. Finding a good and honest mechanic is as tough as finding a good farrier.

Thanks for your time