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HAM Inc.
Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2004 12:32 pm
by Len Hoffman
Hi everyone, my name is Len Hoffman, I own H.A.M. Inc. (Hoffman Automotive Machine Inc.) which is located in Athens,GA. H.A.M. Inc. is a cylinderhead specialty shop specifically devoted to the development of high-performance TypeIV cylinderheads. I am a second generation air-cooled specialist. Starting in the '60's my father, Rich Hoffman, made a career out of building high-performance and racing TypeI engines. Through the seventies and '80's Hoffman engines won literally hundreds of races in everything from Formula V's to highly modified circle track cars on asphalt and dirt. I grew up around a Stuska dyno and endless hours of development. Dune Buggy's and Hot VW's published a feature on my father in 1981.
In 1997 I went into business for myself and began extensive development of the TypeIV cylinderhead. Over the past few years folks have been telling Jake Raby and I about each other. Recently we spent some time talking and decided it was time to work together on a project. I am pleased to say that H.A.M. Inc. will be developing a set of 2.0l heads for Jake, whose work is very exciting me. If anyone would like to contact me with questions please feel free to do so.
Sincerely,
Len Hoffman
706-613-7454
Re: HAM Inc.
Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2004 12:54 pm
by dstar5000
Len Hoffman wrote:Hi everyone, my name is Len Hoffman, -----Sincerely,
Len Hoffman
706-613-7454
Yea, If it's the same Rich Hoffman at Import Parts on Rosewood in Columbia,
I know him WELL!
Rich is a GREAT guy and we can talk for HOURS about Type IVs!
I went to him for parts when I was restoring the Bradley GT back in the late 90s
and he told me about the Type IV.
I've been hooked every since!
Yea, Rich is a great guy.........
Don
Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2004 1:45 pm
by MASSIVE TYPE IV
Len and I had a great conversation and we will be working to create some new cylinder head profiles VERY soon.
The one thing that I have noticed when talking to Len is that he and I almost take the words out of each others mouths as we talk- We are on the same page with the cylinder heads and what the heads have taught us.
Len is located VERY close to my shop and that will make testing easier to happen. I plan on designing new profiles for Len to work with my engines based upon the heads we currently use, and have excelent luck with.
I'll be testing Len's work on some of my test engines, I'll let you guys know what find power wise as well as integrity wise. Len might be another answer in unlocking the TIV head mysteries! If so you guys now have another route for the TIV head....
Heck these heads might be available right from the Type IV Store when it gets all figured out!
I'm looking forward to seeing your work Len, and seeing what the dyno tells us!
Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2004 1:58 pm
by Alpine
Welcome, Len. Do you have a web site with more info on your cylinder heads? I have a Porsche 914 with a 2.0 motor and depending on the price of your heads I may be interested in buying a set rather than rebuilding mine.
Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2004 2:08 pm
by Alpine
Jake, is Len the cylinder head guy whom you were talking about in the "Heads, how much would you spend?" poll
http://www.shoptalkforums.com/viewtopic ... ight=heads? ?
Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2004 2:27 pm
by MASSIVE TYPE IV
Len is working on a site now... I have referred him to Tuna, so we know his site will be awesome!
To answer tthe latter post:
No len is not working with me on the heads we are developing- Thats somebody else- More later!
Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2004 3:29 pm
by vw505
wow so i don't have to send my heads to cali. to have them rebuilt !
Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2004 4:09 pm
by MASSIVE TYPE IV
Only time and testing will tell!
I'm good at finding issues with things, and thats what I'll be doing to Lens heads... If it can be broke, I can break it!
After talking to Len I have an idea that he'll be on my "Good Vendor list" for a long time...
We'll make another good team.
Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2004 4:48 pm
by Racer Chris
I'm glad to hear you two are going to try working together. After talking with Len on the phone last week I had a good feeling that his knowledge and background would benefit this community.
Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2004 4:57 pm
by vw505
so Len how much would a set of heads cost to have rebuilt with 42 by 37 valves and some port work . thay will go on a 1911 with a web 86 cam .
Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2004 9:09 pm
by Plastermaster
Welcome Len! I hope you and Jake work well together. Being close by almost makes you "in house". This could be good!
Ron
Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2004 6:33 pm
by stkbus
Len, It was a pleasure to meet you and do some buisness.
stkbus wrote:I just returned from a six day road trip I would like to share with everyone. My first stop was Athens, GA where I met Len Hoffman owner of Hoffman Automotive Machine. Len is a specialist in the repair of aluminum heads. I enjoyed the enthusiastic conversation, a tour of his shop and observing his head work. Len is very knowledgable of both the VW Type I and Type IV heads. I left him a set of both to work his magic on and can not wait to get them back.
My next stop was Raby's AirCooled Technology in Cleveland , GA. owned by Jake Raby. I spent five days at Jake's shop working with him on the Type I DTM testing. We assembled a Type I 2165 for this testing. The engine is based upon an aluminum case and with 10 to 1 compression produced 185 HP on the Dyno at the start of our testing. Pump it up and here it thump! The testing is in the beginining stages and far from complete but I look forward to seeing the results as it progresses. The DTM is just one example of the R & D on the cutting edge taking place at Jake's. I won't let the cat out of the bag but great things are happening!
Bottom line this was a great road trip! With what I observed and learned at these two shops top quality head and engine work is available right here in Georgia. Contact either of these two before calling the west coast. I have and will continue to.
Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2004 6:47 pm
by MASSIVE TYPE IV
Len came to visit my shop today...
All I can say is that he is the first person that has impressed me that much in years. No BS just plain straight forward and to the point.
He took a set of 2.0 heads home with him
looks like we'll be able to work very well together...
Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2004 6:58 pm
by stkbus
I am glad you two met in person and that you share my opinion of Len. I think you will make a great team and with Roberts enthusiasm with fuel injection the only word that comes to mind is WOW! I can not wait to see what comes out of this.
Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2004 4:53 am
by vujade
This is very exciting new for the T4 community. I cant wait to see what develops out of this.