A. R. Racing - Performance ?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 2,145
Likes: 1
From: Ft. Walton Beach, Fl USA
I have a 383 sbc built by them in my 94 S15 Jimmy. I have alomost 9000 miles on it, about 20 eighth mile passes and I long hauled the Power Tour with it. It has run just fine. Its 11:1 compression with a fairly large 242/248 @.050 HR cam.
It took almost a year to get it and it just didn't have that well cleaned/machined look although there wasn't anything glaringly concerning. I may be one of the fortunate ones that bought from them. I wouldn't do it again. I feel I may have dodged a bullet (or two!)
It took almost a year to get it and it just didn't have that well cleaned/machined look although there wasn't anything glaringly concerning. I may be one of the fortunate ones that bought from them. I wouldn't do it again. I feel I may have dodged a bullet (or two!)
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 182,997
Likes: 88
From: Lakeland, FL
Cruise-In IV-V-VI-VII-VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17
I'm probably one of the guys with relatively good experience with their engines..
Bought 2 engines from them..
The first one was a 383 with 465 HP. Put 25k street miles and about 50 - 60 drag strip passes on it and then sold it.. That engine only cost me $3k and I ran mid 11's in the 1/4 mile with it (in combination with a Tremec TKO 5-speed).. Sold it to another forum member who raced it for another 50 passes or so.. The engine is still alive.
Had them build another engine to my specs.. That engine ended up being $6k and it took a year to get it.. As for performance, the engine got me into the low 11's (11.0x's) and lasted for about 100 passes before I spun all bearings. I was disappointed by the life expectency and when I inspected the engine, I noticed that the cam that they used was not the cam that I paid for.. I paid for a Comp Cams cam and got a Doug Herbert cam which costs half.. Even though performance was good, I was still upset that they did not install the requested cam that I paid for. Had that engine rebuilt locally and after the rebuild, the engine got me into low 10's (10.35) on engine and 10.0's on spray. The rebuild lasted another 100 passes before I spun a rod bearing.
Bought 2 engines from them..
The first one was a 383 with 465 HP. Put 25k street miles and about 50 - 60 drag strip passes on it and then sold it.. That engine only cost me $3k and I ran mid 11's in the 1/4 mile with it (in combination with a Tremec TKO 5-speed).. Sold it to another forum member who raced it for another 50 passes or so.. The engine is still alive.
Had them build another engine to my specs.. That engine ended up being $6k and it took a year to get it.. As for performance, the engine got me into the low 11's (11.0x's) and lasted for about 100 passes before I spun all bearings. I was disappointed by the life expectency and when I inspected the engine, I noticed that the cam that they used was not the cam that I paid for.. I paid for a Comp Cams cam and got a Doug Herbert cam which costs half.. Even though performance was good, I was still upset that they did not install the requested cam that I paid for. Had that engine rebuilt locally and after the rebuild, the engine got me into low 10's (10.35) on engine and 10.0's on spray. The rebuild lasted another 100 passes before I spun a rod bearing.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 241
Likes: 0
From: Lake Anna Virginia
Do not.
I have had four AR engines. Three are trash. It is only a matter of time on number four, (just started using using oil). I could type for days telling AR stories. Just say no.
Last edited by commando57; Mar 13, 2008 at 11:28 AM.
2nd Gear
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
I know this is an old post but I happen to find this online about his feedback, I think the reason you don't see any negative feedback on this seller is because of his private auctions if you want to see peoples negative feedback only go here
http://toolhaus.org/cgi-bin/negs?Use...gunl&ref=neg30
http://toolhaus.org/cgi-bin/negs?Use...gunl&ref=neg30
Last edited by PeteO; Jul 27, 2009 at 07:48 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
Likes: 201
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
With all the years of experience of building crappy oil burning motors maybe they are building motors that don't blow up anymore.
Prices aren't as cheap as they used to be either, maybe they aren't using claimer pistons anymore either
Prices aren't as cheap as they used to be either, maybe they aren't using claimer pistons anymore either
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Racer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 336
Likes: 0
From: crystal lake Il.
I got less than 10k out of my 383 before it was toast. the only thing that was salvagable were the heads. it would mean more if feedback on a motor was given twice. once for shipping and initial quality and then a year later to see if it holds together.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
Likes: 201
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
That's what I thought to myself when I was reading the feedback, "Wow sure looks purdy and shiny bet it will go real fast too, Great ebayer would do business with again !"
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 2,145
Likes: 1
From: Ft. Walton Beach, Fl USA
I have a 383 sbc built by them in my 94 S15 Jimmy. I have alomost 9000 miles on it, about 20 eighth mile passes and I long hauled the Power Tour with it. It has run just fine. Its 11:1 compression with a fairly large 242/248 @.050 HR cam.
It took almost a year to get it and it just didn't have that well cleaned/machined look although there wasn't anything glaringly concerning. I may be one of the fortunate ones that bought from them. I wouldn't do it again. I feel I may have dodged a bullet (or two!)
It took almost a year to get it and it just didn't have that well cleaned/machined look although there wasn't anything glaringly concerning. I may be one of the fortunate ones that bought from them. I wouldn't do it again. I feel I may have dodged a bullet (or two!)
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
Likes: 201
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
They can't all blow up some gotta survive 