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.

[andrewmp6]

i was looking for dominion heads for a ford big block a 460 i found that site thought id ask about them. for the same price i can get a set of boss 429 heads.

[deuce_454]

a Northstar is also a good bet if you are counting valves... but an Ls engine makes more power for less money...

[andrewmp6]

a northstar no thanks dont need a boat anchor

[Blown353]

a northstar no thanks dont need a boat anchor

Boat anchor? Have you seen what the sandrail guys have been doing with Northstars the last few years?

I'd rather do an LSX motor myself, but guys are getting a lot of power out of the Northstars today. They're unusual and they look neat too.

I have seen 1 set of Arao heads up close... and they were indeed going on a street rod. Looked nice but they took a long, long time for the guy to get.

If I wanted something "different" that performed and I could get in a reasonable time frame I'd love to do an aluminum BBC with Arias heads. My dad used to run that setup on the blown alcohol hydro... worked very well and looked really trick too. You can probably get more flow and certainly less valvetrain mass out of modern head designs, but the Arias hemi heads just look wicked.

[deuce_454]

thats funny, i actually considdered suggesting the arias hemi.. but as sunnys racing engines charged 76000 dollars for an hemiheaded engine i figured it would be alittle exotic, he did make a 1400 hp pump gas, naturally aspirated engine with hemi heads and aluminum block, and it was well into the 700´s displacement wise..

[andrewmp6]

i dont like caddy engines too much a pain to fix.im trying to see how much power i can make all motor a aftermarket 460 block stroked to a 806

[Scotch]

i dont like caddy engines too much a pain to fix.im trying to see how much power i can make all motor a aftermarket 460 block stroked to a 806


Are you working with Jon Kaase? No one knows more about really big Fords than he does. And...he's a really cool guy.

~Scotch~

[billetRACING]

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....

[Bowtieracing]

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....


I know , i know it sounds crazy but show me a single car wich has a set on the road and i believe you:_paranoid

[andrewmp6]

I gave up on them and bought a set of blue thunder heads for my 460.That does suck they took so long and nothing sent to you but bull crap.

[71cam]

I guess we'll soon find out how fast they go. I heard heads are on the way.

[deuce_454]

I guess we'll soon find out how fast they go. I heard heads are on the way.
what.. who .. where??? you have a set comming?? specs, pics, comments pease!!!

[andrewmp6]

Id be really mad they took so long to make me a set of heads id done gave up and got my money back just wonder if they make the power he clams.

[Pantera EFI]

Billet now has their Ford 4 valve head order.
I too was upset, I sent a "Nuke" to Russ's area.
Somehow he remembered to ship their order, thank God.

Lance

[71cam]

I Russell Arao apologize to those who have had to wait for their order.
Arao Engineering and Russell Arao have rectified the manufacturing problem with a manufacturing alliance with a large CNC manufacturing firm. This alliance has been much needed to alleviate a large "Bottleneck" in the manufacturing of its 32valve cylinder head products. This has been in the making for some time, and is now tooled up and manufacturing product. We tried to keep all manufacturing in house up until recently, but the decision was made to outsource. This helps alleviate some major problems in the delivery to customers of its product. I truly apologize to those customers who have had to wait. The significance of this alliance is stated here. The Facts are:

1) Old backorders of product to waiting customers are being taken care of FIRST.

2) Every model of cylinder head is being manufactured to be in stock. All Chevy and Ford.

3) With manufacturing outsourced, engineers can devote more time to Research and Development of its product.

The first backorder to be shipped with this new alliance went to Kevin Gall of Billet Racing. This was a special one off Blown Alcohol 32v Ford Cleveland head. With special 6 studs per cylinder and "O" ringed intake ports. A "Bad Ass" set of heads that most engine builders predict will produce well over 2000 HP on blown alcohol. We will make this data available when available to us.
Ongoing Horsepower comparisons are being conducted on other models and figures will be published.
You guys deserve the truth and to be informed, and you will get it.
Thank You
Russ Arao

[deuce_454]

hmmm we have seen suppliers appoligize publicly in this forum before.. and then do nothing.. so while i personally think its really nice that you chime in here, and its even better that you have recognized where to elliminate the problem. I still say "show me the money" :D keep us posted on whats going on.. On a more pleasant note; Congratulations on making the transition from in house and small to big league.. I hope it goes smoothly and you manage to do so while honoring past agreements, make money and keep quality high...

hope everyone end up with what they ordered,

and lastly.. could you post some specs and pics on the LSx head??

[The T-man]

Anyone ever actually RUN a set of these ? or seen them on a car running?
Do they have reliability/durability issues?

[Bowtieracing]

Please ..prove me wrong:_paranoid

[The T-man]

well, I found a youtube video showing a 200+ mph pass in the salt flats with them...for what thats worth:cool: :_paranoid

[MarkM66]

Anyone ever actually RUN a set of these ? or seen them on a car running?
Do they have reliability/durability issues?


I try to get around a little, but I've never seen them on a car.

[The T-man]

well, as fate would have it I actually got ahold of a set of these (Not through Arao ironically enough:cool: )
and will keep you guys posted