Nice dude, decked the heads on my 66 gto. Hooked me up with a free exhaust valve since mine was bent.

Just like the last (first) review, this review is long overdue...but only because it took 20 months for me to get my engine back from Dan. I dropped off my F23A4 engine from my Honda Accord off to Dan to be blueprinted for a turbo build back in Feb '10. The plan was fairly straight forward. I provided all the aftermarket components and Dan would do all the machine work on the engine then I would have an outside engine builder do the assembly work. Unfortunately, my "simple" plan didn't really work out as planned. Dan is an extremely knowledgeable engine machinist but at the same time he is very disorganized. His lack of ability to prioritize means that he constantly pushed work that should be getting done aside for other newer jobs. If there was ever a "squeaky wheel" it's Dan Amaral. Not until I served him an ultimatum did he attempt to start working on my engine. Literally it sat on his floor for over a year and a half. When I finally picked up my engine, I was assuming everything would be exactly as discussed. Unfortunately, I was wrong...again. After all the time the engine sat he could have at least done everything right. It took Dan two days start-to-finish to do all the necessary work on my engine. Two days people! I waited almost two years for him to perform two days of work. Unbelievable. His excuse...my project was on hold because he wasn't sure if he was doing the assembly or not. Uh...hello! We agreed that I was getting a third party to assemble the engine from the start!! Sheesh...anyways, I got my engine back and although it was hot tanked, I had to clean the block and head by hand since they were covered in 20 months worth of shop dust. I ended up paying on the high side of what would be fair. No discount for ineptness I guess. Dan really knows his stuff, is very attentive to details, and is a really nice guy. Unfortunately, it seems to me that he just can't manage his shop effectively. read more

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Had several things done here. Your typical machine shop. Its not especially clean, there is stuff everywhere, but when it comes down to it, the machine work is all that matters. They worked on a head for a Honda for me. The prices are fair. And when its not super busy, the turn around time isn't bad! I hope I don't have to go back soon, but I have plenty of "projects" so its only a matter of time : ) read more

Let's see I've had a very very expensive blower motor that he was just going to boil out the block that was 2011 he still has it seven years later.ive had medical problems and he had family problems so I tried to work with him so I bought a motor off him and let him and his students put it in my car did a great job ! But getting a hold of him is a big problem he didn't give me back my paper work on the car can't get ahold of him been 2 months no call fromuv him or the school and he still has my other motor which the last time I talk to him I told him I wanted t hat motor still haven't herd from him I guess I'll have to camp out at his shop read more

Daniel has taken my engine to be machined and it has been sitting on the shelf for about a year and talks back to me saying that my engine is not in a rush when i told him i needed it right away. Shit service read more

Dropped off an engine block to Dan a few months ago for him to check out. He had it for over 3 weeks and I heard nothing. I don't know how many times I had to call him and leave messages. I never got a return call. I had to drive over there after work one day and it just happened that he was right behind me. I told him I wanted my engine back because the process was taking to long. He said it wasn't ready and to come back. So I came back on a Saturday when he told me to and asked him how much I owed him. He quoted me a price for tear down and inspection before I brought the motor to him. I ended up paying $50 bucks more than the quote (almost $200 total). I was not happy, I just paid him to get my block back. I ended up taking my engine to another engine shop and in two minutes inspecting the block he saw I had a cracked engine mount. Now I was extremely irritated at Dan, not only did he tell me after the tear down that the block was good (after having it for a month) and charging me $185, he couldn't even see a cracked engine mount on the outside of the engine. So of course I called him and wanted a partial refund. But guess what? He never bothered to call me back. I agree he is very knowledgable but his business practice is AWFUL and missing a broken engine mount is inexcusable!!! I will not be returning and I will make sure I tell others likewise. read more

Dan probably takes on too much work but delivers above and beyond the level of the average auto machine shop. The Sunnen VGS20 cylinder head machine AEPM uses is the best in the business. Dan does work for many exotic builders in the East Bay including 034 Motorsports. Dan paid his dues working at one of the top USAC racing engine builders serving an apprenticeship under one of the smartest engine guys on the west coast. You have to be clear on what you want and stay on top of Dan for timely delivery but, the skill, knowledge pride and craftsmanship are way above the average machine shop. read more

Once again 1st class service - intake valves for a motorcycle re-faced in about the same amount of time it takes to write this update - thanks, Dan! read more

Dan is amazing. The man is knowledgable and knows tons of information about cars especially about Subarus. He is an honest guy and gave me awesome advice on how to prep my short block and gave a great explanation on why I needed to change my valve guides. He is an honest guy and does amazing work. His prices aren't that bad ass well. I plan on bringing all my Subaru projects to him from now on. read more

DONT GO HERE!! I gave them an engine to clean up and mgnaflux. 10 months later they still hadn't finished either. And they removed my valvesprings, valves, keepers, and pistons, and they lost them ALL!! They removed the pistons from the connecting rods, and lost the pistons. This place is a JOKE!!!! read more

I would go lower then 1 star if I could!!!! (MINUS) This shop online shows permanently closed!!! He never answers the phone or return calls....I would not recommend this shop at all.......He used to be on top of his game but that's along time ago.....Everyone has problems but don't put your's on other people. .... read more