Arao engineering

[andrewmp6]

anyone ever heard of them before they make 32 valve push rod heads. http://www.araoengineering.com/

[XcYZ]

Yeah, they've been around a while. Tom Nelson built a small block using those heads and he said that spec'ing a cam was difficult because the heads flow so differently than any other SBC head.

[Scotch]

I heard there was some long-term durability issues with those. No one I have ever spoken with has told me they had a set and loved them.

Rather, I've heard they were hard to get, and once they got them, they needed work to get together, and once they got together they had durability issues, and once they had durability issues, customer service and support were non-existent, as were replacement parts.

All points considered, they should be everywhere, making crazy power and winning races and setting records. As far as I can tell, this is not the case.

But hey, it's your money.

~SP~

[Bowtieracing]

Been around long time but i havent seen any single car with em ever featured any magazine or any race.

If they would be even 50% so good they have claimed - i am sure we would see them a lot .

[Steve Chryssos]

If you need a four valver, you're better off building an LT5 ZR1 engine. Either way, there is much complexity. Kind of unnecessary in a world filled with potent LSx engines. Cool looking though.

[ProdigyCustoms]

I agree with Steve. I spent hours on the phone with Russ (owner) when looking for a trick engine package for Prodigy. Long story short, at the end of the day there was not a single car I could look to for inspiration, and I had no desire to be the test dummy.

Basically I think it is street rod stuff.

JMO.

[billetRACING]

Originally Posted by Scotch

I heard there was some long-term durability issues with those. No one I have ever spoken with has told me they had a set and loved them.

Rather, I've heard they were hard to get, and once they got them, they needed work to get together, and once they got together they had durability issues, and once they had durability issues, customer service and support were non-existent, as were replacement parts.

All points considered, they should be everywhere, making crazy power and winning races and setting records. As far as I can tell, this is not the case.

But hey, it's your money.

~SP~

In a word forget it. We ordered 32valve Ford Cleveland cyl heads from ARAO on 2/1/06. Paid in FULL USD$11k + to expedite the order with a promised delivery date of 90days MFG. and so far we received some pictures and a whole lot of bull**** promises.

Unless you feel like throwing your $$$ down the toilet, don’t even go there, take it from our VERY bad and costly experience with Arao.

I can write you pages and pages regarding this order with Arao, but I will spare you the headache.



SHORT STORY....On Saturday, January 21, 2006 6:26 PM I Kevin Gall made contact via email with a company located in California U.S.A. As you know the company is ARAO Engineering Inc. the owner is Russell ARAO . In my contact email to ARAO i enquired about a special order set of FORD Aluminum racing cylinder heads - a product ARAO advertises & manufactures. After receiving a reply and several emails i decided to place an order with ARAO The product is special order Automotive cylinder heads to suit a Ford V8 for racing use at a fax quoted cost of USD $11,000.00 manufacturing leadtime ARAO states on paper 90days for special orders.

On 31st January 2006 payment via Int'l Bank Wire of USD $5,500.00 & 6th February 2006 USD $5,500.00 was completed in FULL to ARAO Engineering Inc. Bank account. After several more emails to finalize details and special requests i was informed by ARAO were engaged and going. After some waiting i emailed ARAO on Friday, June 02, 2006 12:39 AM to ask if everything was on track, i received a response back from ARAO that everything was fine and on track.

Again after more waiting On Friday, September 15, 2006 03:05:42 i asked via email a good friend of mine that owns a reputable drag racing supplies shop located in Whittier, CA U.S.A. to contact ARAO by telephone. He spoke with Russell ARAO and he stated to he was waiting on parts from an outside supplier - hence the delay. In months to come i have made ALOT of repeated attempts in writing, faxes, calls, emails to receive a date for finalizing and completion of my special order. I still have not received a date at which my order will be finished.

As of today Sunday, Jan 17th, 2008 nearly two(2) years later i have not received my order from ARAO Engineering Inc, only BU**SHT PROMISES AND ABSOLUTE LIES. The only thing i have received is pictures of my heads un-finished. I believe i have been patient and understanding and more than reasonable considering that ARAO has not delivered as promised 90days to manufacture.

From my personal dealings I heavily caution anybody wishing to part with their money to purchase from a disreputable company like ARAO Engineering Inc. If you have any questions/comments please email anytime! ....Arao Engineering has been reported by myself to the L.A Better Business Bureau & also C.A dept of Justice ,The office of the Attorney General C.A. It is noted Russ Arao Failed to respond to any complaint(s).

**NOTE: I/We am willing to persue this matter all the way into a U.S Court. ANY support is welcome! This person/company CANNOT steal your money and think that it is right or acceptable -no matter what.

[Bowtieracing]

This Arao / 4 valve head is like a bad joke year after year it pops out somewhere. I have said this before and will say again; Just think how many years they have been "selling" it but still i have not seen single car or engine in any feature,car show,dyno test etc etc .

[deuce_454]

i dont get that arao story.. i mean he must be doing some buisness.. they just came out with an LSx head.. so there must be people in R&D and somone to finish the stuff... if it were me id pay them a visit... There is a video of an arao headed, supercharged 406 on nelson racing engines.. so they must be delivering to somone....