Any negatives to the Aluminum Esslinger ARCA Head?

[140cilx]

I'm considering purchasing from Bo (vendor) a stage 3 prepped aluminum head and cam, ready to bolt-on...

Anyone having any seating issues, headgasket probs, torque loosening issues out of this head? I do know it requires the ARP studs, and the steel washers inset. Have the problems been remedied and can I get one, install, retorque after a few heat cycles...Or do these require constant headgasket replacement, etc?

Good/bad input appreciated.

Thanks!

[Alex L]

call bo and ask him. he's likely been involved with the day to day on those heads more then anyone here. even for us lowly ones who only buy his lower end gear, he's a straight shooter and freely admits any upsides and downsides for anything he sells.

[caroth]

ARCA head or Aluminum D-Port? ARCA head will require a custom intake manifold and exhaust manifold.

[140cilx]

ARCA head or Aluminum D-Port? ARCA head will require a custom intake manifold and exhaust manifold.

Yeah, sorry...the aluminum D port. My bad.

AND Alex, he's the one wanting me to go w/ iron. And I really like Bo, but dang, hate to buy another iron head to put on my car. I've already got my home port/polished head w/ his 1.5 cam on it. Love it. Gobs of power. I haven't dyno'd but would hate to put the new Bo Stage 3 on the block and it not be a huge leap forward. But having the 30 lbs of head weight savings from the aluminum version/slightly better breathing than his iron head would be great (imo), regardless of whether I'm a good port(er), of find I'm a terrible porter.

I was hoping some aluminum head owners would chime in and give me first hand reports.

[Alex L]

I've already got my home port/polished head w/ his 1.5 cam on it. Love it. Gobs of power. I haven't dyno'd but would hate to put the new Bo Stage 3 on the block and it not be a huge leap forward.

just to clarify: this is a bang for buck comparison between (bo-port turnkey alm d-port head + ? bo cam) @ $3000 vs ( sending in home port head for a stg 3 port job + ? cam swap) @ $750~$1000?

or is this a 'am i crazy for wanting to do this'?

[SVORob]

just to clarify: this is a bang for buck comparison between (bo-port turnkey alm d-port head + ? bo cam) @ $3000 vs ( sending in home port head for a stg 3 port job + ? cam swap) @ $750~$1000?

or is this a 'am i crazy for wanting to do this'?

As far as me I am crazy! I have a 3+year old fresh 2.5 shortblock and a stage 3 Bo port Rapido aluminum head with the 2.5 cam. Sitting on the floor of the garage. I also have a 125,000 mile motor in my car that runs so well I can't even drive it around a autox course fast. BUT I have lowered my lap times since I got the head back from Bo. So for me the Aluminum head was the trick to faster lap times. All you need to do is wrap it up and put it in a corner of the garage and just show it off. lol not to mention the roll cage anf MM torque arm and subframe connectors sitting next to it. I am the crazy one.

[svobrown]

How would I feel when I open the hood and that nice chunk of aluminum is sitting there. I would feel good. Very good.
With the rest of the wants and plans you have for the svo come online You will still be wanting the chunk of shine!!! Sometimes you have to do what you want, and not what is best.

[Alex L]

How would I feel when I open the hood and that nice chunk of aluminum is sitting there. I would feel good. Very good. .

im with svobrown on this one.

[GAboySVO]

I've got the Rapido aluminum head with a Bo stage 3 port. I used the stock head bolts with hardened washers to spread the load to limit the sinking issue. I have not re-torqued it since install and have had several track days on it. I don't run over 18psi of boost, so your results may differ depending on what boost level you intend to run.

The lighter aluminum head sure does make it easier to lift the head out of the engine bay when you do need/want to remove it.

[140cilx]

Well...after much debate...handwringing...headache...likely more hair loss...

I bought the iron head/3 stage/2.5 cam.

Kerry sent me some pics of an esslinger aluminum head that had run a little lean. His intent was not to talk me out of it. He found me a bargain! But, very nasty. Reminded me of my motorcycle wrenching days (80's) and all the 2 stroke jugs I couldn't get off the piston/rod because they had been welded together in a flash of melting aluminum...

Several of those bikes ran 'til the guys finished and you'd get it apart and ... well anyway. I bought the iron head that is supposed to be "just as good, same flow bench numbers, same hp", etc. etc. That quote came from a bud of mine that has both an iron and aluminum head on his cars w/ the charts that came with them from Bo. He's a honest guy. Bo's website shows the same.

Thanks for all the input. I haven't ran into a fellow yet that doesn't love the aluminum head that Bo's worked over. Can't beat that! The good thing is, I've saved a grand I can put towards the Quarterhorse and associated parts.

-James