DRD Racing Heads - [email protected]

[woodsbuggy]

Maybe I am one of the lucky ones, but Darren has been great to deal with, has never taken more than 24 hours to return a call(usually within an hour) and has spent up to 45 minutes talking with me answering questions and providing knowledge. Two of my friends have ordered heads from him, based on my experiences with him and are satisfied.
Take Care
Kenric
_________________
The empty can rattles the most!

[marbleknight]

No feedback in a really long time... is anyone still experiencing issues?
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1974 Bug - 1791 (85.5 x 78mm) "Stock Stroker"
1974 Bug - 2021 (92TW x 76mm)

[jl_1303]

Had DRD built an engine using parts I supplied mostly, in 2010. Was not a pleasant experience, bad communications, emails not answered or delayed for a long time before answering.
Recently pulled the engine and found the lifter bores were not sleeved when it was supposed to by DRD at the time the engine was built. Attached please see the invoice showing the machine work was charged.
Tried sending emails then to DRD in an attempt to have the issue sorted more than 10 times for the past weeks since the problem was found, no answer whatsoever.
Will not buy again from DRD as I do not consider that at all reliable nor responsible.

This is the picture that shows the unsolved lifter bores.

This is the invoice.

[RocketRevo]

Hi Guys
Looks like l'm another disgruntled customer.
In 13/05/15 l purchased, paid in full for engine kit. Approx. $6500 Australian
After about 3months received parts including pistons barrels crank rods which was great, but No heads. This is the L6 brand Darren markets,
so l thought they might take a little longer being a custom type.
Tried to contact Darren many of times and received email stating heads are nearly finished and would be delivered before Xmas Great.
Didn't happen. Then after many emails and messages left on ph. machine, received email that heads nearly finished again and would be sending tracking number. Still nothing. Sending emails every week and leaving message on ph. but nothing.
And it's coming to April now so nearly a year in total since paid for these parts.
I have bought lots of parts from the USA for my VW Syncro over the years, from a lot of different companies. This is not good.
Can anyone contact Darren for me, since its been 2mnths and no response.
My inv. No. is 528 he will have my details and many emails.
Getting desperate now and just want to finish my vw project.
regards Revo

[RocketRevo]

Hi VW enthusiasts beware of DRD RacingHeads.
It's been nearly two years since l paid for parts from DRDRacing and still haven't received my vw type4 heads.
And they weren't cheap.
All this time l send Darren emails and phone messages with no response.
Even had friends go there, to his factory.
And they told them to go away.(Its got nothing to do with you.)
I'm located is Australia so he obviously doesn't give a shit if your not from the USA.
I purchase a lot of parts from the States and always had very good service,
until now.
Hope people read this and stay away from Darren and DRD Racing Heads.
I have always love VW since a teenager and now that l'm older and can afford to restore my car l come across these a..holes.
Sign disgruntled customer.

[EverettB]

I sent him an email about your postings above and copied you.
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[i_am_cool_fred]

What was the outcome of this/\ in starting to get nervous reading all these posts
_________________
proud owner of a defunct 1979 sunroof kombi


Brian Denning, as seen on Gearz TV

[EverettB]

I will let that guy reply but to the best of my knowledge it was NOT been resolved and he has given him chance after chance to take care of it, with limited replies from the seller.
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[i_am_cool_fred]

I got a shopping notification so I'll wait and see next Tuesday when they arrive. I'll keep posted
_________________
proud owner of a defunct 1979 sunroof kombi


Brian Denning, as seen on Gearz TV

[i_am_cool_fred]

So, I said I'd do a follow up. I bought L5 heads and a set of 5.325 22mm connecting rods from DRD on January 27th. Payment went through, website says "allow 15 days for payment processing and 25 days for production. At the time I ordered a custom cut crank and can through air cooled so I never really paid attention to the time frame. Most of my aircooled order came in, some issues on manufacturer end that they told me about....fast forward to March 6. I went to their website to see my order status....no orders past or present present. So first I started doing google searches o the conpany scared beyond belief of reviews I emailed them. "We have your order shipping out this week" HELL YA I thought. April 6th not seeing anything I'm in full blown panic mode. Thinking I just lost 2k on this deal. I'm furious, at the point of calling the credit card company and contesting the charge. But, working in sells my self I contact them again. "We have your order shipping or this week here is tracking numbers" SAWEET. One week later heads and connecting rods cam ein. Rods were way to short and 24mm instead of 22. I contact them they said I ordered the 24's(in my excitement to start ordering parts after three months of research I can see this happening) but said send em back and they will ship me what I needed. Less than two week turn around and I have all the right stuff.

Outward appearance everything looks great, I haven't done any mixing or testin on stuff but it all looks great. All this stuff is made to order. I feel an honest answer on e.t.a. Would be the best critique I could give in the situation otherwise, I have zero complaints. The two times I talked on the phone they were very nice as well. The long drawn out wait makes you nervous when you have over 2k sitting out of your bank account with nothing to show for it and no contact.

All in all if you aren't in a hurry(stock motor runs fine for me, just leaks like a colander) I'd say buy from em, give em a chance
_________________
proud owner of a defunct 1979 sunroof kombi


Brian Denning, as seen on Gearz TV

[OldSchoolPerformance]

In defense of Darren, I ordered a set of rods a few weeks ago while he spent almost an hour on the phone with me giving me all kinds of valuable technical info. after seeing the last few posts I called and left a message twice about the ETA of my parts, since I assumed they were on the shelf when I ordered. after another week I got a shipping confirmation. I previously ordered a set of heads and got them in a couple months as promised. I believe he's a one man shop, and is most likely being overrun with orders. because he's doing machine work all day, if he stopped to answer all the calls and emails, your parts would take even longer to get. sometimes you have to wait if you want quality. the fact that he's making everything to order is a good thing because he is doing the work personally himself. I've had CB parts fail on me many times, so if you want Chinese junk quickly, order it from them. after talking with Darren a few times and as an engineer myself, I think he knows what he's doing, and if he's getting swamped with orders, that proves it. I hate feeling or getting screwed as much as anyone, but give him the benefit of the doubt.
_________________
OldSchool Performance

[email protected]

[[email protected]]

Update: Darren Gurrola sold all his tooling and everything to EMPI, including $2k worth of OUR property (he used to do heads for us). Douche' move on his part.
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[skills@eurocarsplus]

[petemart]

Wow.. What a top human!

I see his site is also gone.

Word on the street was that he was producing all their heads, so maybe he's found his happy place..

[EPETREA]

I can't complain about his customer service because it was always good. Orders shipped as promised etc etc. however a " balanced " fan arrived not so balanced it was a turd. I am sitting on an engine with his L6 heads and have yet to break in Now I'm a bit nervous about those being trouble as well. I hope not!!

[felipe gonzo]

Hi, I have a question about DRD turn key engine. I bought one, Long time ago and I'm wandering if that engine (1915cc turn key engine) has the oil cooler in the dog house. As I would like to get rid of the external oil cooler and fan. I'm living in a cold place and it doesn't make sense to have that runing. But I'm in doubt if we have that "original" oil cooler. Anu help? I search in the forum but can't find anything!

[vwinnovator]

[felipe gonzo]

[vwinnovator]

[felipe gonzo]