Catalog 2008_4.pmd - Techtonics Tuning

That device was an air flow bench. Twenty-five
years ago you had to build your own and even then they
were expensive. The cylinder heads developed & produced
at The Raceshop are still sought after and are
worth more than they originally cost new.
Darrell built his first water-cooled VW engine in
1978. Using an Oettinger 90.5mm crankshaft, the standard
1457cc engines displacement was increased to
1797cc. The engine was in a ’78 Scirocco running a
standard exhaust system and catalytic converter. A trip
to the drag strip showed 81 MPH in 16.7 seconds.
Three years later Darrell opened TECHTONICS
TUNING and started building engines & special project
cars. Money earned was poured back into the business
in order to buy the machinery needed to develop and
build the finest & fastest VW water-cooled engines in
the country. By 1982 Darrell built a street driven turbocharged
Scirocco that ran 13.7 @ 103 MPH. Although
the turbo was fun, it was a nightmare to work on and it
seemed to always need work!
The year 1982 was also noteworthy because Collin
Gyenes came aboard as TECHTONICS’ first full time
employee. He became a VW enthusiast right away and
soon bought a second hand MK1 Jetta (which had over
490,000 miles on the clock before it was retired). Collin
already knew the basics of automotive tuning from previous
jobs, but hadn’t had the opportunity to work with
an experienced tuner like Darrell or the chance to use
an engine dyno for testing.
Collin was a fast learner and soon had his own
engine on TT’s dyno. Collin’s Mk1 Jetta set a new standard
of performance by running in the 14 second bracket
at over 94 mph. Collin’s Jetta was often used as TT’s
demo and was instrumental in selling many engines and
parts.
Collin’s Mk1 Jetta ran 14.7 ET @94.7 MPH in 1986.
TT built many exotic Oettinger 16V’s including one
with 48mm carbs and a one off turbo version. The performance
was great, but the cost was too high for most
people.
In 1986 TT worked with the Pizzo brothers on a
turbo race motor that made almost 500 hp. In 1988 the
Pizzo brothers set the water-cooled VW 1/4 mile record
that stood for over a decade.
Pizzo Brother’s Altered Roadsters - Pink one VW Rabbit Powered.
In 1990 Randy Roth came aboard with his good organizational
talents, as well as, welding and fabricating
skills.
In 1991 Darrell, Collin, and Randy moved Techtonics
from Southern California to Sheridan, Oregon, 1000 miles
to the north. David Baxter - IT(5/97), Matt Fischer -
welder(6/99), Jeff Ashlock - sales manager(1/00), Joey
Felix-sales (3/02), Josh Arnold-sales (7/03), Dustin Beanfab
and welding (6/04), John Brenna-fab and CNC operater
(3/05) became important parts of the team in Oregon.
Techtonics Tuning moved to a new 20,000 square foot
building and purchased machinery and equipment to do
our own tubing bending and manufacturing.
Collin rewrote the record books with his drag Rabbit
that could run high 12’s all day long. People looked in the
engine compartment in Collin’s Rabbit and were amazed to
see a stock appearing engine with standard CIS injection.
Collin used brains and skill to obtain results that many people
can’t get with crutches like turbos & nitrous. The car has since
been sold to an ice racer who is dominating his class.
Collin’s Drag Rabbit ran 12.8 @105.5 MPH with normally
aspirated 8V engine. No carbs, nitrous or turbo!
We’re always learning about the VW, our customers and
ourselves. We’re a small company with a big reputation,
and we want to keep on earning the respect and loyalty
that our customers have been kind enough to give us.
We thank you.
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