Sep 3rd, 2024

Mr. Raby is a VW & Porsche engine specialist that started working with VW and Porsche engines at an early age. He is owner and founder of Raby’s Aircooled Technology (VW & Porsche Aircooled engine specialty engine company), Flat 6 Innovations (Porsche watercooled engine building & development company), and The Knowledge Gruppe  (a technical training company that trains both enthusiasts and professional technicians). Mr. Raby is an inventor, and holds 5 US Patents, all for Porsche engine components, tools, and procedures, and is also Chief Technical Director for Vintage Volkswagen Club of America (VVWCA). As part of his role with LN Engineering, Mr. Raby will be writing articles, producing videos, and providing technical assistance.

Raby Enterprises' Aircooled Technology was founded in 1992, offering engine rebuild services for air-cooled flat-six engines, with a focus on the VW Type 4 engine, originally used in the Porsche 914. The Porsche 914, an air-cooled mid-engine predecessor to the Porsche Boxster, was often criticized and overlooked, with the Type 4 engine considered the "black sheep" of the industry. However, Aircooled Technology, led by Jake Raby and a team of innovative experts, transformed this perception. Over two decades ago, when Jake embarked on the mission to develop a more advanced version of the Porsche 914 engine, his approach was clear: innovate, adapt, and overcome any obstacles.

After two decades of dedication, Jake's efforts with the 914 engine have earned worldwide recognition, and the 914 is no longer seen as the "black sheep" of the Porsche world. Raby and his team demonstrated that the Type 4 engine could deliver both performance and longevity, even competing with the six-cylinder air-cooled 911s of its time. 

Flat 6 Innovations, a division of Raby Enterprises Inc., was established in the early 2000s to specialize in the development and repair of Porsche M96/M97 engines used in Porsche Boxster, Cayman, and 996/997 series vehicles. The lessons learned and processes developed during the recreation of the Porsche 914 engine have been applied by Jake to Flat 6 Innovations' M96/M97 engine program, elevating the M96/M97 platform to a level that rivals the esteemed Mezger engine.

In collaboration with LN Engineering, Flat 6 Innovations pioneered the first performance engine program designed to effectively reconstruct the M96/M97 engines. This program led to the development of products like Nickies, IMS Retrofit, IMS Solution, and numerous other solutions for repairing and upgrading these engines. In fact, Jake Raby was the first to use LN Engineering's air-cooled Nickies, achieving over 200 horsepower from a 2563cc VW Type 4 engine. Similarly, his company, Flat 6 Innovations, was the first to incorporate LN Engineering's Nickies sleeves for the M96 engine.

Flat 6 Innovations and LN Engineering also pioneered the first exchange longblock program outside of the replacement shortblock and longblock options offered by Porsche, initially for SSF Imported Auto Parts, now operated under the RND Engines brand.

Building on the tremendous success of these engines, Flat 6 Innovations further advanced the development of the Porsche M96/M97 engine, pushing the boundaries to achieve displacements of up to 4.4L in its R-series engines. Flat 6 Innovations was also the first to create a 4.2L engine based on the 9A1/MA1 platform, years before Porsche, debuting this innovation in the Cayman X Project, which was featured in the December 2013 issue of Panorama magazine. 

Jake Raby's Flat 6 Innovations is a renowned Porsche engine specialist with decades of experience in rebuilding Porsche engines. Known for their expertise, they deliver engines rebuilt to meet or exceed OEM standards, with each engine undergoing extensive testing to ensure reliability and longevity. Offering a range of custom engine-building options tailored to specific performance and budget needs, Flat 6 Innovations ensures a perfect fit for every customer. Their rebuilt engines come with a comprehensive warranty, providing peace of mind and protecting your investment. Backed by positive reviews and recommendations from satisfied customers and industry experts, Flat 6 Innovations stands as a trusted leader in the Porsche community for their expertise and exceptional craftsmanship.